| CMU Daily - on the inside Monday 25th September |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- BPI wants tax breaks and strategic thinking (don't we all)
- LA club cancel Buju Banton gig after protests
- Embrace not splitting up, OK?
- Victory Hawthorne dispute continues
- Matador mock Victory promo tactics
- Album Review: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Letting Go
- Malcolm Arnold dies
- Buckley's mother on upcoming biopic
- Andre 3000 on the new film
- Tenacious D film on its way
- Smash Hits poll says Kylie did greatest pop video ever
- Single Review: Kathryn Williams - Hollow
- And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead
- New Siouxsie Sioux album
- Cee-lo to release best of
- Nirvana lullaby album to be released
- Orchestras and Musician's Union welcome change in air travel rules
- George Michael back on stage
- Manchester charity gig to raise money for Kosovo
- EP Review: King Creosote - You Are Could I
- Japanese content owners call for copyright extension
- Copyright tribunal due to kick off this week
- Song streaming widget adds Wippit sell through
- AIM sign up to Gnab
- OfCom a bit confused by returned licence
- Chart update
- Total Rock World Album Chart
- Subshot playlist
- Robbie Williams is okay
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TOP BIT >>
Those two CMU supported industry seminar events we have been plugging both happen this Thursday (28 Sep), so consider this your last minute warning to get these in your diary.
The first one is the next MusicTank ThinkTank, which will precede the Classic FM Gramophone Awards at the Dorchester Hotel that day, and which will examine how the digital age could help the classical sector boost its audience and what the classical sector needs to do to make use of that potential. It will be led by Tim Clark of ie:music, an expert on new business models in the wider music space, and he will be joined on the panel by various leading names in the classical sector. It all takes place between 11.30am and 1pm, details from http://www.musictank.co.uk.
Second is the previously reported Copyright Discussion Forum being staged by the Association Of Streaming Media Companies, which will look at what can and should be done to enable both the media and music industries (in the mainstream and independent sectors) from capitalising on the potential of online radio and on demand music services. Needless to say, there are quite a few differences of opinion within the two industries regards this issue - and at this event both sides will provide a summary of their current position and what they hope will happen in the future. Anyone involved in this space is welcome to attend. It takes place at 4pm at the Last FM offices near Old Street - email [email protected] for more details.
We'll have features on both of those on the CMU Music Network website later this week - you'll find more info here in the Top Bit.
By the way, talking of CMU supported events, keep an eye on this very bit of the Daily for some very exciting news coming your way very soon. I'm just saying three words. Insomniacs Ball Two.
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MYSPACE OF THE DAY: HOT CLUB DE PARIS
Hot Club De Paris are one of those bands who attracted me with their crazy name. Well, I guess it's not that crazy. But it amused me. Once attracted by their name, I became interested by their music. So, the moral of the story is, aspiring bands yet to name themselves who would love to be nominated for CMU's award-winning (if untruthful, from time to time) MySpace Of The Day feature: Give yourselves a crazy name, and it might happen. Crazy is good. But also good is something that might inspire philosophical debate, or make a reference to something high-brow and literary, because I'm a bit of a snob like that. Anyway, back to Hot Club De Paris, who have a MySpace page. It's not a fancy one, but it does have four tracks for you to listen to, plus a host of tour dates, if you like what you hear. They actually recently played in Paris. "We felt rather ridiculous using our nom de plume in Paris" they say in one of the blog entries. "But I guess when we thought of it, we never imagined we'd get to play in Paris..."
http://www.myspace.com/hotclubdeparis
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BPI WANTS TAX BREAKS AND STRATEGIC THINKING (DON'T WE ALL)
The BPI is calling on the government to give them (well, their members) a break. Or, to be more precise, a tax break, which is possibly the best kind of break. And why should the record labels get such a break? For spending so much money breaking new bands, of course. Surely offering bands their big break deserves a big (tax) break? If only to stop the labels from going broke. Mmm, I think I've confused myself here.
Anyway, the UK record label trade body has responded to the government's recent review of the creative sector by saying that the tax credit scheme offered to companies who invest some of their profits into 'research and development' programmes should also be offered to record labels who invest some 17% of their turnover into trying out and honing (or, you might argue, researching and developing) new talent. Such creative R&D isn't, alas, currently eligible for preferential tax treatment.
Commenting on the issue, BPI boss Peter Jamieson told CMU: "We believe the time is right for government, together with industry, to consider closely a tax credit regime for A&R, which is the music business' research and development. Such a system would create incentives for greater investment in our industry, and would put the development of British intellectual property on the same footing as in other industries."
This is not a new viewpoint from the BPI, who have been pushing for tax friendly recognition of creative R&D for a while. The new statement on the matter comes in response to the government's Creative Economy Programme, part of their plans to make the UK "the world's creative hub", whatever that means.
In that regard, the BPI has also expressed concern that the government's 'programme' seems to concern itself too much with what the trade organisation calls 'micro-management' issues in the creative sector rather than more strategic matters which would help create the 'structure' and 'frameworks' those companies already operating in the creative industries need to survive and grow. To that end the BPI is proposing the creation of a Creative Industries Strategy Group, which would concern itself with such structures and frameworks.
Jamieson: "We believe that the government should focus on creating frameworks not micro-managing intervention. We want to see the government develop the appropriate structures for investors, policy makers and IP education and enforcement. Many of the seven CEP working groups noted the need for a new body to co-ordinate policy making and statistical gathering. We agree and recommend the formation of Creative Industries Strategy Group which be a standing body to allow interaction and co-ordination between relevant people in government and the industry."
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LA CLUB CANCEL BUJU BANTON GIG AFTER PROTESTS
What I don't understand about these venues that book and then cancel gigs by controversial artists like Buju Banton, is this - why do they book them in the first place?
Does it go like this...?
"I see Buju Banton is available for booking. Wasn't homophobia the most highly rated pastime in that customer survey we did last month? Let's book him".
Four weeks later...
"Ah, apparently all our regulars are gay and they're a bit pissed, perhaps we'd better cancel".
Anyway, the latest club to discover that their regulars don't like Banton is LA's Highland Club, which has cancelled a gig by the reggae star due to take place next month. As previously reported, at length, Banton is one of a number of reggae and dancehall artists who have faced increasingly vocal criticism for alleged homophobia in recent years, criticism which has led to a string of gig cancellations across the US, Europe and Australia as venues fear being labelled "anti-gay" by staging his shows.
Confirming the cancellation, Adam Manacker, General Manager of the Highland Club, didn't detail the kind of opposition he had received regarding the event, but told reporters this weekend: "We felt it was the right thing to do after doing some research into the matter".
Much of the opposition to Banton stems from lyrics in two of his earlier songs - 'Batty Rider' and 'Boom Bye Bye' - which allegedly advocate the killing of gay men. However, opposition remains current because Banton, like several of his contemporaries from the dancehall genre, has refused to publicly distance himself from past homophobic remarks (to be fair to Banton, his God wouldn't let him, as gods are want to do), and allegedly continues to perform the offending songs in their original form.
That said, a recent gig in Copenhagen went ahead without incident after organisers promised no homophobic sentiments would be expressed during the show.
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EMBRACE NOT SPLITTING UP, OK?
OK, when Embrace frontman Danny McNamara told his audience at a Hull gig last Thursday night that his band's next album will "be the last", obviously he didn't mean "last" in the sense of, erm, "last". No, he meant an entirely different kind of "last". You know, the kind of "last" that means "not last". Yeah? What I mean is, the band aren't splitting up.
Here's what, according to BBC 6Music, McNamara told his audience in Hull: "I think our next album will be the last. If we get as far as making it and finishing it, I want it to be a masterpiece. We've worked solidly since I was 17 and I've done nothing except look at the bigger picture. I haven't stopped to smell the flowers along the way."
But here's what he told Chris Moyles on Radio 1 the next day: "We're not splitting up, no. I was woken up by texts saying: 'Sorry about your band'. I meant that I have to start every album thinking 'this could be the last' to get through it, but we always do that anyway because that's how we go into these things. You've got to be wholehearted. [But] I didn't say we were splitting up, the 200 people at the gig in Hull will testify to that".
So that's that sorted. Unless, of course, he means "we're not splitting up" in the sense of "we're splitting up", in which case I'd go to one of these gigs and catch them live while you can.
26 Sep: Exeter, Great Hall
27 Sep: Bristol, Colston Hall
29 Sep: London, Hammersmith Apollo
2 Oct: Folkestone, Leas Cliff Hall
3 Oct: Brighton, Dome
4 Oct: Portsmouth, Guildhall
6 Oct: Reading, Hexagon
8 Oct: Derby, Assembly Rooms
9 Oct: Carlisle, Sands Centre
10 Oct: Glasgow, Academy
13+14 Oct: Manchester, Apollo
15 Oct: Blackburn, King Georges
16 Oct: Leicester, De Montford Hall
18 Oct: Birmingham, Academy
19 Oct: Newcastle, Academy
20 Oct: Middlesbrough, Town Hall
22 Oct: Liverpool, University
23 Oct: Doncaster, Dome
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VICTORY HAWTHORNE DISPUTE CONTINUES
The dispute between emo rockers Hawthorne Heights and their (former, they'd say) label Victory Records continues. As previously reported, the Heights announced they were quitting legendary rock independent Victory back in August, accusing the label and its boss Tony Brummel of all sorts of stuff - in particular putting his ego before his artists, and not paying up on royalty shares. The band subsequently launched legal proceedings against Victory.
The label finally responded to those allegations through legal papers filed last week in which they accuse Hawthorne Heights of making stuff up about Victory in order to justify backing out of their contractual obligations to the label, in order to enter into a new deal with a major record company. The legal papers say: "The plaintiffs are now willing to say anything - no matter how untrue or defamatory - as a strategy designed to free themselves from their legal obligations to the independent record label that made them famous, in favor of the 'greener pastures' and financial inducements offered by so-called 'major' record distribution companies. Unfortunately, it is a common story in the music business."
Given how acrimonious this split has been, it should be really good fun if and when the whole thing reaches court - expect lots of bitchiness.
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MATADOR MOCK VICTORY PROMO TACTICS
One of the things sure to come up, should the case go to court, is an incident earlier this year in which Victory Records sent out an email to its Hawthorne Heights street team encouraging them to go into record shops and rearrange the CD racks to the emo band's advantage. R&B singer Ne-Yo was the main competition for chart domination the week the new Hawthorne Heights album was released, so Victory suggested their fans move copies of his album from the new release stands into those sections of the record store rarely visited by mainstream music fans.
A street team mailing apparently read thus: "As for Ne-Yo, the name of the game is to decrease the chances of a sale here. If you were to pick up handful of Ne-Yo CDs, as if you were about to buy them, but then changed your mind and didn't bother to put them back in the same place, that would work. Even though this record will be heavily stocked and you might not be able to move all the stock, just relocating a handful creates issues: Even though the store will appear to be out of stock, the computer will see it as in stock and not re-order the title once it sells down and then Ne-Yo will lose a few sales later in the week". Personally I think it's a genius plan, but the band quickly distanced themselves from the tactic, saying they hadn't been consulted about the anti-Ne-Yo plan. The whole incident was probably the first public sign of tensions between band and label.
With the band's dispute with Victory back in the news, the US division of Matador Records last week took the opportunity to take the piss. In a nod to the whole Ne-Yo incident, they apparently posted the following spoof internal note on their website...
(FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY : Gerard, do NOT PUT THIS ON THE BLOG)
Dear Team
Strong first day numbers for Yo La Tengo's 'I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass', as expected, what with that fucking whirly-bird contest and all the good press we paid for. But before you dislocate your shoulders patting yourselves on the fucking back, keep in mind that we're still fighting a losing battle at the big boxes, where this album is still pretty hard to find.
I'm expecting a progress report no later than 3 p.m. today about what sort of mischief our regional kids have been up to in the past 24 hours. I thought we'd made the point that hiding the new John Mayer, Black Keys and Mars Volta CD's wasn't merely some kind of rock biz sabotage mission, but could in fact, be framed as an "us vs. them" schism. Indie vs. major. Indie vs. other indie. Me vs. you. You vs. not having a fucking job. Please don't make me spell this out for you any further.
I'm also told there is no stock at the Borders on Church Street. Enough with the excuses, already, it's been five fucking years.
OK. I'm off to lift weights. You can reach me on the Fuckberry. I want digital pix of those Black Keys and Mars Volta discs hidden in the country section, I'm not kidding around.
You should be very afraid of me and I will kick your ass. That was a joke, by the way. You'd better fucking laugh.
Tony Matador
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ALBUM REVIEW: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Letting Go (Domino)
In adding strings and the ethereal vocals of Dawn McCarthy to his already warm sound, Will Oldham, under his alter ego, has created an album full of music that draws you in completely, right from the first track. McCarthy's voice compliments Oldham's vocals really well, particularly on 'Wai', where they combine to create some really interesting harmonies. 'Then The Letting Go' sees the two singing their separate parts in a kind of call and response, which highlights the different textures, of which there are many, to the music. The strings also add to these textures, be it with a subtle accompaniment to the vocals, or with a more expansive sound, like on 'Cursed Sleep'. Oldham has always been a master in creating music full of atmosphere, and this effort is no exception; each track has its own unique character and weight to it. This is simply a hugely involving album that deserves repeated listening, to allow you to soak in the many subtle beauties it holds. TH
Release Date: 18 Sep
Press contact: Hermana PR [CP, RP, NP] Cool Badge [CR, RR, NR] Domino IH [Online]
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MALCOLM ARNOLD DIES
British composer Sir Malcolm Arnold has died at the age of 84. He was said to be suffering from a chest infection at the time of his death. Arnold, perhaps most famous for his Oscar winning score for the film 'The Bridge On The River Kwai', wrote a total of 132 such scores, amongst them for the likes of 'Whistle Down The Wind' (one of my favourite films), 'Hobson's Choice' (another of my favourite films), and 'The Belles Of St Trinians' (also a favourite). He also composed nine symphonies, seven ballets and two operas.
According to his manager, Anthony Day, Arnold completed the score for 'The Bridge On The River Kwai' in less than two weeks: "They couldn't find anybody else to do the music in time because they wanted to release it for the Oscars and they gave him ten days," he said.
A new ballet 'The Three Musketeers', set to his music and performed by the Northern Ballet Theatre, premiered in Bradford on Saturday. Artistic director David Nixon said: "It's a compilation from all of his works - his symphonies, his chamber pieces, his film music - and when you see that you can grasp what kind of musician he was, and what the scope was, and the amount, just the pure amount of music he produced. He was very much an Englishman and his music had a great deal of patriotism to it and an Englishness about it, and I think that was the other very, very special quality."
Tributes to the composer have come from the likes of Richard Attenborough, who called Arnold a "totally outstanding composer", adding that he was a "great humanitarian, and I think the touching elements within his music embody that part of his personality. He was full of humour, full of commitment and excitement and involvement, and he cared about the films that he did work on and cared about people".
Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber described Arnold as an under-appreciated genius. "I think he was a very, very great composer but uneven in his output," he said, "because he had humour in his music he was never fully appreciated by the classical establishment."
He is survived by two sons and one daughter.
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BUCKLEY'S MOTHER ON UPCOMING BIOPIC
Jeff Buckley's mother, Mary Guibert, has been speaking to NME.com about that previously reported biopic of her son, 'Mystery White Boy', which is presently in pre-production, and is expected to be released in 2008.
Guibert addressed recent rumours that Brad Pitt would play her son (who, to be fair, must be around twelve years older, now, than Buckley was when he died). She said: "Brad has never actually wanted to play Jeff, he found all those tabloid stories very funny. All he wanted to do was help produce a project that would have been close to his heart. Brad is still on a list of people we would love to have work with us."
She added that she expects previously unheard tracks to appear in the film, saying: "Anyone who knew Jeff knows that he had music in his head 24/7 so there's going to be lots of music in the film. Sony does have studio material that hasn't been released yet. We will try to use as much stuff as we can that people haven't heard before."
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ANDRE 3000 ON THE NEW FILM
Andre 3000 has spoken to NME.com about the now-verging-on-long-awaited OutKast film 'Idlewild' out on 6 Oct. The previously reported movie is set in a southern US town during the 1930s and features Big Boi in the role of hoodlum Rooster and Andre 3000 as sensitive mortician's son Percival Jenkins. Andre says: "I always loved music films, from 'Tommy' to 'Purple Rain'. The best thing about 'Idlewild' is that it went beyond what we imagined it could be. But that's the magic of film."
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TENACIOUS D FILM ON ITS WAY
More music related film news now, and a film featuring Jack Black's Tenacious D is set for release on 17 Nov. The film, named 'The Pick Of Destiny', is the story the band's quest to become the greatest band ever and a subsequent journey across time and space in search of their goal. It also sees a cameo from Meatloaf as Jack Black's Dad.
The other half of Tenacious D, Kyle Gass, says: "It's definitely the funniest movie on paper that I've ever read. It starts off as kind of how the D was formed. It goes into a quest for 'the pick,' a magical pick that will supposedly help us rock like the rock gods we so admire. It's a zillion laughs."
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SMASH HITS POLL SAYS KYLIE DID GREATEST POP VIDEO EVER
A Smash Hits survey (from the TV station, don't get excited, the mag's not back) has named Kylie Minogue's promo for 'I Can't Get You Out Of My Head' as the Greatest Ever Pop Video. Kylie did rather well in the poll, having six entries in the top one hundred, ahead of Madonna, with five, and Robbie Williams, with three.
Madonna's 'Like A Prayer' was at 2, The Spice Girls' 'Wannabe' at 3, Britney Spears' 'Toxic' at 4, and S Club 7's 'Don't Stop Movin' at 5. The girls are clearly on top in the pop promo stakes - the highest solo male entry was Rick Astley, at 9, with 'Never Gonna Give You Up' which is a bit of a blast from the past.
The results were revealed on Smash Hits TV following an online poll. Dave Young from EMAP says: "At Smash Hits TV we're proud to be pop and are always championing the biggest acts, but we decided it was time to get together the definitive countdown of the greatest pop song of all time and the only way to decide that was to put it to a vote by our millions of pop-expert viewers. It's interesting to see that Kylie has six songs in the top 100 compared to Madonna's 5 - so it looks like the old Queen of Pop has finally lost her crown to the Aussie disco superstar."
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SINGLE REVIEW: Kathryn Williams - Hollow (Caw)
Since her Mercury nominated album 'Little Black Numbers' in 2000, Kathryn Williams has released several albums heaped with critical praise. Last year's lovely 'Over Fly Over' was particularly well received. Yet it must be frustrating for Williams to see lesser talented singer songwriters selling so many more records. Kathryn's clear beautiful voice is perfectly framed by a gentle backing of strings and piano on this single. This thoughtful, appealing song suggests that upcoming long player 'Leave To Remain' will be as impressive and well crafted as it's predecessors. JW
Release date: 18 Sep
Press contact: Some Friendly [all]
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AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF THE DEAD
That headline was long enough without adding any indication as to what the story might be about. So, here's what the story's about. And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead have revealed details of their new album. It's called 'So Divided', and it will be out on 13 Nov. The long player, the follow up to 2005's 'World's Apart', will feature a guest appearance from Dresden Doll Amanda Palmer.
The band's Conrad Keely told Billboard: "I put everything I had into 'Worlds Apart' and recording it was a miserable ordeal. After its reception I was pretty much ready to retire from music and find another career, convinced that I wanted nothing more to do with making music for anyone. But when we started this new album, which was meant to be an EP, I had a different attitude. Mainly, I tried not to care at all, and approach it with a more 'I don't give a fuck' outlook."
And here, my friends, is the tracklisting:
Intro: A Song Of Fire and Wine
Stand in Silence
Wasted State Of Mind
Naked Sun
Gold Heart Mountain Top Queen Directory
So Divided
Life
Eight Day Hell
Witches Web
Segue: In The Realms Of The Unreal
Sunken Dreams
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NEW SIOUXSIE SIOUX ALBUM
Siouxsie Sioux is to release a new album via new Universal Music imprint W14, and she says that she'll head into the studio later this year to record it. The singer said in a statement: "I am really excited about making new music. I have various collaborators in mind and am itching to get back in the studio."
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CEE-LO TO RELEASE BEST OF
Cee-Lo Green is to release a best of compilation on 30 Oct. The Gnarls Barkley singer's collection, named 'Closet Freak: The Best Of Cee-Lo Green The Soul Machine', will feature his collaborations with the likes of Pharrell, Timbaland, Ludacris and his work with Goodie Mob.
Tracklisting as follows:
Free (Goodie Mob)
Closet Freak
I'll Be Around (featuring Timbaland)
The Art of Noise (featuring Pharrell)
Bad Mutha
Gettin' Grown
Suga Baby (featuring Big Gipp & Backbone)
I Am Selling Soul
Living Again
A Thug's Concern
One for the Road
Bass Head Jazz
Childz Play (featuring Ludacris)
Sometimes
Under Tha Influence (Follow Me)
The One (featuring Jazze Pha & TI)
Soul Food (Goodie Mob)
Cell Therapy (Goodie Mob)
Git Up, Git Out (OutKast featuring Goodie Mob)
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NIRVANA LULLABY ALBUM TO BE RELEASED
A Nirvana tribute album consisting of lullaby versions of the band's classic tracks is to be released. Er, yes, I know. And it's not 1 Apr.
Babyrockrecords.com, who also market similar albums covering the likes of Radiohead and Coldplay, describe the album as follows: "Lullaby renditions of Nirvana's best-loved songs turn the volume way down, while turning up the dreaminess of their pop hooks. In many ways, this album echoes the simple pleasures and innocence of infancy and childhood. Childish tra-la-la's tempered the distortion of Nirvana's own songs. Chimes, glockenspiels and other gentle instruments temper Nirvana's wild spirit for your little one. 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'? Smells like nap time."
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ORCHESTRAS AND MUSICIANS' UNION WELCOME CHANGE IN AIR TRAVEL RULES
British orchestras have welcomed a move by the Department Of Transport to ease restrictions on musical instruments being taken into aeroplane cabins. As previously reported, ever since the terror alerts during August musicians had been banned from taking their instruments onto planes with them, meaning they would either have to put them in the hold or travel without them. With many musicians understandably unwilling to take the risk of having priceless instruments damaged in the hold, the rules meant they were unable to play international concerts with their own instruments, or at all.
The Department Of Transport, who oversee the rules governing air travel, had seemed unwilling to compromise on their current security policy for the benefit of musicians, despite lobbying from key orchestras and the Musicians' Union, and seeming support for their cause from the Department Of Culture. But last week the DoT announced a relaxing of the rules that will accommodate musicians.
The General Secretary of the UK's Musicians' Union, John Smith, welcomed the changes telling reporters: "I am extremely pleased that the department has been both flexible and responsive in recognising the unique demands of our members".
Meanwhile Paul Hughes of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, who were contemplating how to move their instruments to the Far East for an upcoming concert, said: "I'm immensely relieved. It's come at the perfect time for us. For an orchestra of our size, the cost of having to freight every instrument down to the smallest piccolo would have been back-breaking."
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GEORGE MICHAEL BACK ON STAGE
George Michael was back on stage this weekend - for his first solo concert in 15 years, just two years after he 'quit' pop music for good. With no new album to sell, the Barcelona show was something of a greatest hits affair and reports suggest that, despite a slow start, his 18,000 strong audience had a very good night. There was little of controversy in the fan friendly show, although during a rendition of his anti-George Bush song 'Shoot The Dog' an enormous balloon depicting a cartoon of George Bush apparently rose out of the stage. George then 'unzipped' the trousers of the cartoon president to reveal a British bulldog draped in a UK flag - or something like that, I'm not sure how the routine worked exactly, but the political message seems obvious. British fans can see the show for themselves when it arrives here in mid-November.
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MANCHESTER CHARITY GIG TO RAISE MONEY FOR KOSOVO
The Manchester music scene's finest are all due to take part in a special charity gig in the city to raise money to help rebuild post-war Kosovo. Elbow, Badly Drawn Boy, Richard Hawley, Andy Rourke, I Am Kloot, Lou Rhodes, Doves and Graham Coxon are among the artists due to take part in the charity concert in Platt Fields Park in South Manchester.
Manchester Aid To Kosovo, who are staging the gig, are trying to raise £30,000 to build a 'peace park' in the Kosovan town of Podujeva. Pam Dawes from the charity, who brought child refugees to the city during the war itself, explains: "The idea for Manchester Peace Park came from those evacuated children. As they recovered here in the city they found that the parks and gardens of Manchester brought them peace, hope and a place for reflection and healing. They asked MAK to create Manchester Peace Park in their home town where so many of their family and friends were murdered - to make something beautiful, lasting and inspiring - in that place."
Confirming their involvement in the event, Elbow frontman Guy Garvey told reporters: "This is the festival people will lie about. If you weren't there, you'll pretend you were."
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EP REVIEW: King Creosote - You Are Could I (679)
This release contains a demo recorded by Kenny Anderson at his house - 'That Waltzer' - and a track from 'KC Rules OK' - 'The Vice Like Gist Of It'. Needless to say, any fans of Anderson will want this, and as a taster of what he's about, it's not a bad start (although get your hands on 'KC Rules OK' if you can, it's brilliant). Incidentally, he was great at this year's Bestival, displaying all the humour and charm that is evident throughout his music. He also appeared with his Fence Collective buddy The Pictish Trail, in a set which turned out to be something of a super group containing, amongst others, James Yorkston. Again, it was a superb set (even if there where only about 20 of us watching). In short then, this EP is typical Anderson; quirky, lo-fi and thoroughly loveable. TH
Release Date: 18 Sep
Press Contact: Warner IH [CP, RP, NP] Cool Badge [CR, RR, NR] Gilotti [Online]
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JAPANESE CONTENT OWNERS CALL FOR COPYRIGHT EXTENSION
Sixteen copyright related organisations in Japan last week called on their government to extend the copyright periods in their country to bring them in line with the length of copyrights elsewhere in the world. Among those organisations calling for the changes were the Recording Industry Association Of Japan and the Music Publishers Association Of Japan.
The copyright on original material in Japan is currently life of the author plus fifty years - but copyright owners want that to be increased to 70 years, bringing the country's copyright law inline with the US and Europe (including the UK, of course). Copyright on recorded material is currently 50 years after release, which the lobbying organisations want to see also increased to 70 years (it is currently 95 years in the US, though here in the UK it is also still 50 years, though, as previously reported, the record labels are currently proactively lobbying for an increase here too).
Commenting on their call for extensions in Japanese copyright law, Masahiro Mita of the country's Writer's Association told reporters: "We want the situation in Japan to be line with the global norm", adding that the discrepancy between Japan and other territories would make the country a base for global content piracy.
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COPYRIGHT TRIBUNAL DUE TO KICK OFF THIS WEEK
Talking of copyright type things, the much anticipated (you're all anticipating it, aren't you?) Copyright Tribunal set to investigate the dispute between the UK recorded and publishing sectors regards who should get what share of digital royalties is due to kick off this week, although Music Week reports that the proceedings, originally due to start today, won't now start until Thursday (and only then assuming some last minute out of court settlement isn't reached).
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SONG STREAMING WIDGET ADDS WIPPIT SELL THROUGH
San Francisco based Sonific have announced a deal with London based download firm Wippit which means people will be able to buy music that is being previewed via the San Fran company's SongSpot system.
Now, I'm not 100% clear on how this works, but I think that SongSpot is a 'widget' (ie a bit of software that people can incorporate into their websites or blogs) that allows bands to stream their music without having to have their own streaming technology. SongSpot is designed to work with all kinds of websites and blogs - and can be placed on a user's MySpace.
Previously the SongSpot tool enabled music fans to link directly through to CDBaby or iTunes to buy a copy of a track, but the new service with Wippit will make that sell-through process much quicker and smoother. Revenues will be split between Sonific, Wippit and the content owner.
This means that bands can now stream and sell their music via their MySpace without using MySpace's player or their soon to be launched music sell-through service. Whether MySpace will make any moves to block the use of third party systems like SongSpot when that sell-through service goes live remains to be seen.
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AIM SIGN UP TO GNAB
The Association Of Independent Music last week announced at Popkomm that they have signed up to Arvato Mobile's Gnab service - a white label download and legit P2P platform used by a number of phone and ISPs in Japan and around Europe (though not in the UK).
As well as allowing users to buy music from a central library, the service also allows users to see other members' music folders, and to download music from those folders instead - although said user still pays for the download and the relevant copyright owner earns a royalty (while the owner of the folder from which the track came gets 'credits' which they can use later to buy other music).
The service, ultimately owned by media conglom Bertelsmann, already has all four majors signed up, and is popular because it allows variable pricing. The deal with AIM means that music from the UK independent catalogues the association represents on these matters will now be available for download and 'sharing' via the service.
Confirming the deal, AIM boss Alison Wenham told CMU: "Arvato Mobile has an extensive business throughout the world in the delivery of online and mobile music, and AIM members can now take full advantage of the opportunities to work with one of Europe's leading suppliers of music."
Arvato's Richard Wahlen added: "By reaching this agreement, AIM has again demonstrated its progressive approach to digital music. Licensed P2P and online music stores will enable consumers to access more music, allow retailers to offer more interesting music products, provide new revenue streams for AIM member labels, and strengthen Arvato Mobile's position as one of Europe's leading digital service providers. Gnab is an innovative milestone on the way to a new digital download era."
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OFCOM A BIT CONFUSED BY RETURNED LICENCE
OfCom has admitted it does not know what to do with the Stroud radio licence that it has just been given back. As mentioned in the Top Bit on Friday, commercial radio firm UKRD have handed back their FM licence in protest at what they consider are unfair restrictions on smaller radio stations. It's an unprecedented move, given the financial value of FM licences, which is why the media regulator is a bit confused as to what to do next.
In a statement responding to UKRD's decision, and their criticisms of OfCom rules, the regulators said: "We note the announcement made by UKRD. This is a commercial business decision for the radio station itself. However, Ofcom is naturally disappointed that UKRD have decided to close Star 107.9 in Stroud. We are aware and mindful of the pressures facing all local radio stations - particularly small stations. We are in the process of preparing a consultation, scheduled for publication early next year, which seeks to address directly issues and challenges currently facing radio operators in smaller areas such as UKRD."
A spokeswoman added: "We don't know what we are going to do with the licence. This has only just happened and a decision has not yet been made". What that does mean is that Stroud will be without a commercial radio station once Star FM goes off air at the end of the month. Though, and without wanting to diss the UKRD service, which I'm sure was great, I reckon the people of Stroud will survive.
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CHART UPDATE
Well, we all knew the Scissor Sisters were going to be one of the biggest bands of the Autumn season, and they're certainly living up to the hype so far, topping both the singles chart and album chart this week - with 'I Don't Feel Like Dancing' and 'Ta-Dah' respectively. It'll be interesting to see how their sales compare with the big Justin and Robbie releases (and the Kasabian and The Killers albums for that matter (and the Fratellis debut for that matter, if you're allowed brackets in brackets)) once both the main release and Christmas sales periods are done.
The Killers move up to number 2 in the singles chart now that 'When You Were Young' is available on physical CD release, while Justin Timberlake slides down to number three.
Full on new entries in the singles chart this week from Lemar with 'It's Not That Easy' at 12, Janet Jackson & Nelly with 'Call On Me' at 18, Lil Chris with 'Checkin It Out' at 19, Pussycat Dolls with 'I Don't Need A Man' at 21, Jet with 'Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is' at 23, The Zutons with 'Oh Stacey (Look What You've Done)' at 24, Automatic with 'Recover' at 25, Lily Allen with 'LDN' at 27, Evanescence with 'Call Me When You're Sober' at 32 and Chanel with 'My Life' at 39.
Back to the album chart, and Fratellis' wonderful 'Costello Music' stays at number two, one place ahead of last week's number one, Mr Timberlake and 'Futuresex/Lovesounds'.
The new entries in the album chart go like this - Elton John 'The Captain & The Kid' at 6, DJ Shadow 'The Outsider' at 24, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly 'The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager' at 26, Fergie 'The Dutchess' at 27 and Rapture 'Pieces Of The People We Love' at 40.
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TOTAL ROCK WORLD ALBUM CHART
As counted down on Total Rock over the weekend - http://www.totalrock.com. New and re-entries marked with a *
1. Audioslave - Revelations (SonyBMG/Epic)
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (Warner Bros)
3. Nickelback - All The Right Reasons (Roadrunner)
4. Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life And Death (EMI)
5. Muse - Black Holes & Revelations (Warner Bros)
6. Stone Sour - Come What(ever) May (Roadrunner)
7. AFI - Decemberunderground (Universal/Polydor)
8. Lamb Of God - Sacrament (SonyBMG/Epic)
9. Slayer - Christ Illusion (Warner/American.)
10. Billy Talent - Billy Talent II (Warner/Atlantic)
11. Razorlight - Razorlight (Universal/Mercury)
12. Tom Petty - Highway Companion (Warner Bros)
13. Tool - 10,000 Days (Volcano)
14. Hatebreed - Supremacy (Roadrunner)
15. Rolling Stones - Forty Licks (EMI/Virgin)
16. Blue October - Foiled (Universal)
17. Rise Against - The Sufferer & The Witness (Universal/Geffen)
18. Guns n Roses - Greatest Hits (Universal/Geffen)
19. The Mars Volta - Amputechture (Universal)*
20. Feeder - The Singles (Echo)
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SUBSHOT PLAYLIST
The students are back - hurray! Here is what's playing on the SUBtv screens network in students' union all around the country right now, yes now, right now, as we speak, well write. Here it is.
A-List
The Automatic - Recover
Bob Sinclar - Rock This Party
Chris Lake feat. Laura V - Changes
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly - The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager (Part One)
Hot Chip - Over And Over
Jamelia - Something About You
Jet - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
The Killers - When You Were Young
Lily Allen - LDN
OK Go - Here It Goes Again
Paolo Nutini - Jenny Don't Be Hasty
The Zutons - Oh Stacey (Look What You've Done!)
B-List
Badly Drawn Boy - Nothing's Gonna Change Your Mind
Beatfreakz - Superfreak
The Blood Arm - Suspicious Character
Cord - Sea of Trouble
Dirty Pretty Things - Wondering
Guillemots - Trains To Brazil
The Horrors - Sheena Is A Parasite
Just Jack - Writer's Block
Oakenfold feat. Pharrell - Sex'n'Money
The Ordinary Boys - Lonely At The Top
The Pipettes - Judy
Zero 7 - Futures
More info on Subshot from [email protected]
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ROBBIE WILLIAMS IS OKAY
Robbie Williams says he's okay, despite reports that he is suffering from depression after cancelling the Asian leg of his world tour due to exhaustion. The singer says: "I'm okay. I'm exhausted and haven't been home for ten months because of my tour and promoting my album. It's all got too much for me and I have been told to rest for two weeks. My South American tour is coming up and I want to be ready for that."
A so-called 'friend' told the News of the World: "He's not the first or the last person to go through this and is feeling fragile. But he wants to finish the tour and when he wants to do something he makes it happen."
Perhaps that depression has something to do with Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. As you may remember, the singer was reportedly having a bit of a thing with TPT, and we know for certain he recently had a cup of tea with her. Perhaps it was a bad cup of tea. A bad cup of tea can put me off my stride, that's for sure.
Tara, told The Daily Mirror: "Yes we did meet last week. Robbie came to my flat for some tea. He was so exhausted. He has been doing so many tours it's taken it out of him."