| CMU Daily - on the inside Friday 4th August |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Moyles up, Capital down: RAJAR update
- Warner - more losses but upbeat response
- Producers sue over Lohan's music career
- Big Strides news
- Kasabian on new album
- Simonon on Albarn project
- Wainwright on new album
- Whitey US release
- Search is on for a new Pussycat Doll
- Longcut download only EP
- Cobain documentary to screen at Toronto
- Tupac subject of BFI thingy
- Datsuns album stuff
- Single Review: Polytechnic - Pep
- Apple not budging over Norwegian concerns
- New French copyright law signed in
- Google not preparing download platform
- Napster ready mobile service
- Alice Cooper to open Christian thing
- Rome speaks out against Madonna
- X-factor judges plan to tease Cowell over 'affair'
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PRESS ROOM>>
KILL ALL HIPPIES AUGUST
Take note, the next Kill All Hippies will take place at the 333 Club in Shoreditch this Friday, 4 Aug. On the bill live wise will be band of the moment Humanzi plus Apartment in support, while Gavin Nugent will be joined by Mark Beaumont, Syrinx and very special guests Engineers and the Freelance Hellraiser on the decks. Guest list in advance at http://www.leylinepromotions.com to enjoy a special five pound entry fee.
More info: http://www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/pressroom/killallhippies
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MOYLES UP, CAPITAL DOWN: RAJAR UPDATE
Good news over at both Radio 1 and Radio 2 RAJARS wise, as the latest set of the always dubious radio listening figures were released yesterday.
First up, Radio 1 saw its audience rise by 700,000 to 10.4 million, while Chris Moyles continued to enjoy success with 470,000 more people tuning in to his breakfast show in the last quarter, taking his audience up to 6.79 million. At Radio 2 both Terry Wogan and Ken Bruce enjoyed audience increases, while the station's overall audience went up to 13.29 million. And even the new Chris Evans drive time show, a controversial new programme that proved unpopular with some of his predecessor Johnnie Walker's listeners, managed to maintain respectable listening figures. While he was down 150,000 on Walker's final RAJAR, his figures compared well with those of the same quarter last year.
In London, less happy faces around Capital Radio, presumably, where London's once flagship commercial station recorded its lowest ever audience and audience share, with the breakfast show also hitting an all time low - and all this despite the recent revamp. The only up was that Johnny Vaughan does still host the biggest breakfast show on commercial radio in London - scoring 852,000, ahead of Heart 106.2's Jamie Theakston who has 820,000 listeners and Magic's Neil Fox who has 803,000. All three major London breakfast shows lost listeners in the last quarter, in fact, possibly feeding the rise in listeners over at Radios 1 and 2.
Not that anyone at EMAP will care about Fox losing a few listeners on breakfast - they'll be too busy celebrating the fact that cheesy listening station Magic was the biggest station in terms of reach and audience share for the second quarter running, with Chrysalis' Heart 106.2 in second place, and Capital in third.
Commenting on the results, GCap said that they were not surprised, and that the decline in the station's success had been happening over a long time, and therefore their recent revamp, designed to changed the station's fortunes, would take longer than six months to show results. With that in mind GCap said they remained optimistic about the future of the station, though that didn't stop their share price taking a hit after the RAJARS were released.
Anyway, enough RAJAR for now, perhaps we'll return to specialist and regional RAJAR stats on Monday. Though I think we said that the last time radio listening figures were out, and then we never did.
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WARNER - MORE LOSSES BUT UPBEAT RESPONSE
From listening figures, to money figures, and the Warner Music Group yesterday revealed that it made a $14 million loss in the quarter ending 30 Jun this year - however revenues were up and costs were down, meaning the loss was less than in the same quarter last year. Revenues were up to $822 million from $742 million last year, while costs and expenses fell from $834 million to $794 million.
Warner bosses were upbeat about their financial performances, despite the losses, stressing that the company was moving in the right direction. Warner boss Edgar Bronfman Jnr told investors: "Continued execution on our strategy delivered balanced double-digit revenue growth both domestically and internationally, produced significant margin and marketshare gains and sustained our leadership position in digital".
The investment community seemed to buy that summary, with the group's share price rising slightly during the day after the figures were released.
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PRODUCERS SUE OVER LOHAN'S MUSIC CAREER
Lindsay Lohan's mother is facing litigation regarding her daughter's early music career. Music producers Antonio Almeida and Mitchell Chait are suing Dina Lohan over allegations of breach of contract. They say that they entered into a deal with Lohan Snr regarding Lohan Jnr's singing career. They invested money into the project and laid down tracks that formed Lohan's contribution to the soundtrack of her movie 'Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen', a project that helped launch the film star's music career. Despite all that, they claim, Dina Lohan later pulled out of her agreement with the producers and signed Lindsay up to Tommy Mottola's Casablanca record label instead. Almeida and Chait are suing for the money they lost, and have filed papers in the LA County Superior Court, papers which also ask that Lindsay Lohan herself give evidence at their lawyers offices regarding the case. Because of that request Lohan Jnr has been subpoenaed to report to the court on 29 Aug - which should ensure much media coverage of the lawsuit once things get going.
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BIG STRIDES NEWS
See, I told you that BPI mission to Japan wasn't just a free holiday for all concerned (or at least I think that's what I said). CMU favourites Big Strides have signed a licensing deal with Japanese Toshiba-EMI imprint Reservoir Records via their own independent label Tall Order Records, after representatives for the band went on the mission.
The agreement includes licensing of the band's rather good debut album 'Small Town, Big Strides' as well as their upcoming and highly anticipated (by me, for sure) new long player, 'Cry It All Out', which is coming out on 25 Sep in the UK.
Conveninetly, the band appear at the Summer Sonic festival in Osaka and Tokyo this month, before embarking on a UK tour in Sep. Hurrah.
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KASABIAN ON NEW ALBUM
Kasabian guitarist Serge Pizzorno has said that their upcoming new album, 'Empire', out 28 Aug, is way better than their eponymous debut, which he now describes as "sketchy nonsense".
Pizzorno told Uncut magazine: "I'm not going to hide the fact that I think it's absolutely fucking amazing. Noel Gallagher came down to the studio and even he was surprised by what a monstrous leap we'd made."
He continued: "This time we wanted to make a great British album. A classic album that'll stand up beside the Stones, The Who, Oasis - anyone. Because the truth is nobody tries to make classic albums anymore. Oasis' 'Definitely Maybe' was probably the last time a band captured that moment, a mood in British music. It's almost as if bands don't care about making that timeless classic. I really miss that."
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SIMONON ON ALBARN PROJECT
Former Clash bassist Paul Simonon has been talking about how he got involved with Damon Albarn's previously reported new project, The Good, The Bad And The Queen. Simonon explained: "I came down to listen to two tracks, and I could hear a bassline for it immediately. We thought let's give it a go and we basically started from that and we started a whole new record."
Albarn has apparently been working on the new Dangermouse produced album, out in January, for the past two years. Also involved in the project are sometime Blur guitarist Simon Tong and Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen.
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WAINWRIGHT ON NEW ALBUM
A message has been posted on Rufus Wainwright's official website explaining that he is working hard on a new album, set to be released some time next year.
The statement reads: "Rufus is presently working feverishly on his new album for release in 2007. Sessions have taken place in New York, Berlin and London. Contrary to published reports, there is no specific release date set, the album has not been titled nor has a first single been chosen. You'll be the first to know if you're a regular visitor to this site."
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WHITEY US RELEASE
Good news for all our American readers, Whitey's excellent 2005 album 'The Light at the End of the Tunnel is a Train' is getting a US release in October via independent label Dim Mak. Look out for it - it really is rather good. Oh, and there will be a short series of tour dates in the US to coincide with the release, with a longer American tour in the pipeline.
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SEARCH IS ON FOR A NEW PUSSYCAT DOLL
More reality TV nonsense, and The Pussycat Dolls plan to recruit an xth member (does anyone know how many Pussycat Dolls there are?) via a US talent search type show. The eight part 'Search For The Next Pussycat Doll' show (it's a working title, I think) will air on the US's CW network, and will be almost definitely awful. But possibly so awful it will be good.
CW entertainment boss Dawn Ostroff told reporters: "At its core, this show goes beyond just finding a new Pussycat Doll - it's about female empowerment, self-discovery and personal transformation". Yes Dawn, that's exactly what it is: girls everywhere can self-discover the empowerment of transforming themselves into the pop star equivalent of a lap dancer.
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LONGCUT DOWNLOAD ONLY EP
The Longcut are to release a new EP, 'Idiot Check' on 21 Aug via download, comprising the title track as well as versions of 'Vitamin C', 'Lonesome No More!' and 'The Kiss Off'. They also release a new single 'A Tried And Tested Method' on 25 Sep. Meanwhile, the band are giving the readers of http://www.gigwise.com a free download entitled 'Last Act'.
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COBAIN DOCUMENTARY TO SCREEN AT TORONTO
A new documentary about Kurt Cobain is to be screened at the Toronto Film Festival next month. 'About A Son' is directed by AJ Schnack and uses previously unheard interviews with the late singer, carried out by journalist and Nirvana biographer Michael Azerrad.
The film is described as a "dream-like account of Cobain's own successes and failures, thoughts and experiences, allowing the audience unprecedented intimacy with a legendary figure in popular culture."
The festival takes place from 7 - 16 Sep.
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TUPAC SUBJECT OF BFI THINGY
The late Tupac Shakur is to be the subject of a thirteen day programme of events presented by the British Film Institute and National Film Theatre in London. Screenings will take place, as well as discussions examining the rap star's impact on hip hop and on mainstream media culture.
Shakur's first manager Leila Steinberg, will appear for a debate entitled 'Tupac-The First Icon of Hip-Hop.' Screenings will include the hip hop star's 1992 feature debut 'Juice' and his final performance in 'Gridlock'd'. Documentaries 'Tupac Resurrection', 'Biggie and Tupac' and 'Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel' will also be shown.
The events run from 15 - 28 Sep. More info from http://www.bfi.org.uk/tupac.
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DATSUNS ALBUM STUFF
The Datsuns have announced that they will release their upcoming third album 'Smoke & Mirrors' on 2 Oct, preceded by the release of a single 'System Overload' on 18 Sep. The tracklisting is as follows:
What Are You Stamping Your Foot For
System Overload
Waiting For Your Time To Come
Stuck Here For Days
Maximum Heartbreaker
All Aboard
Such A Pretty Curse
Blood Red
Emporor's New Clothes
Too Little Fire
The band will tour the UK ahead of the release of the album, dates as follows:
1 Sep: London, Luminaire
7 Sep: Leicester, Charlotte
8 Sep: York, Barfly
9 Sep: Middlesbrough Empire
10 Sep: Aberdeen, Moshulu
11 Sep: Leeds, Cockpit
13 Sep: Cardiff, Barfly
14 Sep: Reading, Fez Club
15 Sep: Brighton, Concorde
28 Sep: Isle Of Man, Villa Marina
30 Sep: Let's Rock Edinburgh Festival
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SINGLE REVIEW: Polytechnic - Pep (Transgressive Records)
Polytechnic aren't really doing anything new here. As their name suggests, their sound is simple college rock with a definite influence of American alt rock. But nevertheless, this single is irresistibly charming. The sparky, jangly guitar sound is lifted by a jolly chorus of harmonious "oh oh"s. This is the Manchester band's second single and if they can continue to knock out tunes as infectious as this, they should do very well for themselves. JW
Release date: 31 Jul
Press contact: Anglo [CR, RR, NR] Transgressive IH [CP, RP, NP]
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APPLE NOT BUDGING OVER NORWEGIAN CONCERNS
Norway's consumer agency, which, as previously reported, had demanded Apple respond to some of its concerns regarding iTunes, have released the non-confidential parts of the computer firm's response. Norwegian regulators have said that they are concerned about the End Users Agreement iTunes customers have to adhere to, which allows the computer firm to change the usage rules on a track after purchase. They also object to Apple using their proprietary DRM to lock iPod users to iTunes, and iTunes users to the iPod.
In their response Apple denied that their use of a proprietary DRM that meant iTunes tracks will only play on an iPod was unreasonable, stressing that customers could burn iTunes tracks to CD and then play them on any CD device providing they act within the copyright law of their local territory - so an iPod was not essential for playing music bought on iTunes. (There are echoes there of what we said once before could be Apple's defence in all this - ie, that it is so easy to crack any music DRM - by burning tracks to CD and then re-ripping them as MP3 - that Apple aren't really preventing anyone from enjoying their music on any device).
Apple also argued that analysing Apple's business model in this way was not actually within the remit of Norway's consumer rights agency, and that the consumer protection laws that officials had claimed Apple's service violated (that consumers should have the right to listen to music on a device of their choice) related only to music on CD, and not music bought via a download platform. Nevertheless, they did propose a meeting with the agency to "probe possibilities for a mutual agreement".
Representatives for the Norwegian consumer agency told the Associated Press that Apple's response was "not good enough", but admitted that "it seems we may reach an understanding on some points".
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NEW FRENCH COPYRIGHT LAW SIGNED IN
Meanwhile, in not entirely unrelated news, President Chirac yesterday signed in France's new copyright laws - the one's we've reported on quite a bit because at one point the proposed laws were going to legitimise P2P in France, while at another they were going to force iTunes to hand over their DRM technology to all their competitors.
In the end, of course, the law that has been signed in does neither of those things - well, not really. In theory a new government regulator tasked with overseeing digital copyright could force Apple to share its DRM if it believed it was in the wider consumer interest to do so. However, Apple can get around that by getting the artists whose music it sells to sign contracts saying they approve of their music being sold in a proprietary DRM format.
Plus, the regulator will be charged with ensuring the new laws don't violate the constitutional rights of content and software owners operating in France (based on concerns the country's Constitutional Council raised earlier this week), so they'll probably act very cautiously before taking any action against Apple or their competitors. So, added to the fact it will take a while for the new regulator to get set up in the first place, don't expect the new laws to have any real impact anytime soon.
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GOOGLE NOT PREPARING DOWNLOAD PLATFORM
Also don't expect Google to launch an iTunes killing new music download platform anytime soon. Despite rumours such a thing was in the pipeline, a representative of the search engine company speaking at the annual National Association Of Recording Merchandisers conference in the US yesterday said a download service was not in development at Google. So now you know.
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NAPSTER READY MOBILE SERVICE
But you can expect a Napster mobile download platform, well, in the US at least, because they announced yesterday that a new mobile service it has been developing with SunCom Wireless should be ready for rollout next week. The actual location of the launch has not been confirmed, but will be somewhere in the south eastern United States.
The Napster mobile service will offer a pay-as-you-go download platform, offering ringtones, wallpaper images and full track downloads (so, not especially original then). When customers buy content they will be able to download copies directly to both their mobile and their PC.
Confirming the launch of their mobile service, Napster boss Chris Gorog told reporters: "Wireless continues to be a very significant priority for Napster as music-enabled cell phones are expected to dwarf the number of MP3 players around the world over the next few years".
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ALICE COOPER TO OPEN CHRISTIAN THING
Alice Cooper has announced plans to raise funds to create a Christian-themed recreation centre in his home town of Phoenix. Dubbed 'The Rock', the centre will cost $3 million to build, and is aimed at troubled kids, or something like that.
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ROME SPEAKS OUT AGAINST MADONNA
Talking of God related things, religious leaders in Rome have united in criticising that mock-crucifixion bit from Madonna's Confessions tour. As you will remember, Madonna appears on a giant mirrored cross with a crown of thorns on.
I don't care what she does to court controversy (it's quite surprising she can still do it at all), but Father Manfredo Leone of Rome's Santa Maria Liberatrice church isn't pleased, and has told Reuters that he considers it "disrespectful, in bad taste and provocative. Being raised on a cross with a crown of thorns like a modern Christ is absurd. Doing it in the cradle of Christianity comes close to blasphemy."
He's been backed up by other religious leaders, too, though. Mario Scialoja, head of Italy's Muslim League, says Madonna would "do better to go home", words echoed by a spokesman for Rome's Jewish community.
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X-FACTOR JUDGES PLAN TO TEASE COWELL OVER 'AFFAIR'
According to the Mirror, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh are planning to tease Simon Cowell about that previously reported alleged affair that he's been accused of having with society chick Jasmine Lennard once they're back in their roles as X-Factor judges and mentors later this year.
An 'insider' said: "No one has had the guts to mention Jasmine to Simon - although he was busy dealing with the fallout last week. Louis and Sharon have joked it's brilliant ammunition for their legendary showdowns. There would be no point banning Sharon or Louis mentioning it - they are laws unto themselves."
Of course, if it were true, and that he has in fact been cheating on that Terri Seymour girl, then publicly teasing Cowell about it might be a rather cruel thing to do to that Terri Seymour girl. Who, as far as I know, has done nothing to deserve it. But you know, as long as they get a laugh out of it, that's fine.