| CMU Daily - on the inside Wednesday 11th October |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- MAMA no longer interested in Sanctuary
- Boy Kill Boy to release War Child single
- Robbie runs contest for budding film types
- Pixies film out next month
- New Electric Proms stuff
- Jazzie B and Hugh Padgham added to MusicTank conference
- The secrets of Soul II Soul's success - BMC seminar
- Chart company launch fantasy label game
- More U2 best of news
- New Yusuf Islam material
- Brand New album
- Raconteurs single, tour
- Sol Seppy mini album
- We Are Trees single, live dates
- Scissor Sisters to play Halloween show
- Amp Fiddler gig rescheduled
- Chas & Dave's Christmas show
- Xfm launch new national ad campaign
- Maria expects bad reviews
- Rod Stewart says he'll keep on singing
- Diddy says new album may be last
- Baby Spice is not getting married, okay?
- Sony ain't dropping George, okay?
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TOP BIT >>
Quick top bit today, focussing on my personal favourite quote of the week. I'm sure the top execs at the majors will love this, though - if we're being honest - there is a tiny little bit of truth in what he says. Anyway, the man who created the controversial P2P network Kazaa has told an industry convention that he thinks he, and the creators of other popular file sharing networks, in particular the original Napster, actually helped the music business to grow by providing the tools with which millions of music fans around the world illegally shared (and continue to share) music. Yes, he helped you grow. Niklas Zennstrom, now using P2P technologies in the telephony sector as CEO of Skype, told an IT conference in Barcelona this week that it was only because of the file sharing phenomenon that the music business quickly turned its attention to the internet. Having done so, albeit initially to combat the illegal spread of music via P2P, they were kicked into developing the kind of digital music platforms that are now creating profitable new revenue streams for record companies. Or at least, that's what he reckons. Zennstrom: "Kazaa came five years too early, but without that and Napster we would never have seen the transformation we're seeing in the music industry. Record companies are seeing that the internet is good for their business, and we made that possible". Presumably there are quite a few of you out there who might argue the P2P phenomenon was a kick you could have done without, but as I say, personally I think there is a bit of truth in his claims (go on, admit it, just the tiniest little bit).
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CLASSIFIEDS>>
INTERESTED IN SELLING YOUR RECORD LABEL?
Music Gain is acquiring record labels and catalogue. If you are thinking of selling, or are interested
in a long term capital partner, please contact us. Introduction and spotters fees also paid. Please visit us - http://www.musicgain.com
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ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICES & PRODUCTS here for just £50 a week, or £150 for two weeks in the Daily and four weeks on the web. Email [email protected] for details.
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JOBS N STUFF>>
SCRUFFY BIRD SEEKS: NATIONAL RADIO PLUGGER
Scruffy Bird Ltd is looking for a full time National Radio Plugger to join our Radio and TV promotion department. Applicants should have at least four years radio plugging experience, excellent contacts and outstanding business knowledge. You must also have an obsessive passion for music and an exceptional work ethic. The right applicant will be used to executing both higher profile campaigns as well as new breaking acts across national radio. Scruffy Bird is a young, dynamic music company offering national press and artist management services alongside radio and t.v. promotion. Please send CVs to Emily Cooper, Director - [email protected]
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ADVERTISE YOUR JOBS here for just £50 a week, or £150 for two weeks in the Daily and four weeks on the web. Email [email protected] for details.
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CMU RECOMMENDS>>
KILL ALL HIPPIES OCTOBER 2006
Ladies and gentleman - Kill All Hippies returns after its Summer break this Friday at a brand new venue - the Carling Islington Academy. And the line up is looking both big and wonderful. Live wise you'll get The Others, performing tracks off their new album, Dublin's finest rock 'n' roll export Humanzi, plus Action Plan, shining lights from the Young And Lost stable. DJ action comes from the indie mash up master himself, The Freelance Hellraiser, with support from Anu Pillai from Freeform Five and resident Gavin Nugent (Fully Comprehensive). Room 2 (Bar Academy) will be hosted by the Moshi Moshi guys featuring their finest DJ talent playing filthy electro, bootlegs, remixed classics and new wave. It's going to be a good night. It takes place on Friday, 13 Oct, from 8.30pm to 4am. Entry is just a fiver before 11pm and £7 after. Not only that, but the first 100 people with a flyer, or the answer to the question 'Which band released the single Kill All Hippies?' will get themselves in for free. All good.
Full info>> http://www.leylinepromotions.com
Check our interview with Humanzi>> http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk/cmuinterviews
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MYSPACE OF THE DAY: AKIRA THE DON
Guess what I've listened to about eight times in the last twelve hours? That's right. You're not wrong. Akira The Don's excellent new album (well, first album, actually, unless you count his EPs as albums, and I don't, because they're EPs) is in my CD player and I'm relishing every last second of it, not least because it's got one of my favourite tracks of the year, 'Clones', on it. The LP, 'When We Were Young', isn't out until 6 Nov, but (if you're not one of those types who can procure a pre-release copy) in the meantime, you could do a lot worse with a few minutes of your Wednesday morning than head over to the Akira MySpace page where you'll find, streaming for your pleasure, the aforementioned 'Clones', and another single, 'Oh What A Glorious Thing', released last month from the forthcoming album, which is also absolutely corking. That was a double A side, actually, and there's a remix of the other track 'Boom' on the MySpace page too. He's stopped keeping a blog at the page, and now keeps his blog on his website, but it's worth having a look as it deals with more than just the standard stuff like tour dates and single announcements. Come on now. It's time. Go and make friends.
http://www.myspace.com/akirathedon
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MAMA NO LONGER INTERESTED IN SANCTUARY
London based MAMA Group yesterday announced it was formally ending its bid to acquire larger rival Sanctuary Music Group.
As previously reported, MAMA, whose assets include cross-sector music company Channelfly, announced it had made a share-only takeover offer for the struggling Sanctuary Music Group back in July. Sanctuary's board quickly knocked that offer back, but MAMA have since been investigating other ways that a takeover might work. But yesterday, in a statement to the city, MAMA said it would be bringing those efforts to an end without making another offer.
They said: "Following a meeting with the Sanctuary board on 27 Jul, and their subsequent rejection after a cursory examination of MAMA Group's proposals on 28 Jul, MAMA Group has been seeking to formulate a proposal which would be in the best interests of both MAMA Group's and Sanctuary's shareholders".
"However," they continued, "Sanctuary has made it clear, through their advisers, that they are not prepared to engage in any meaningful dialogue with regard to MAMA Group's proposals. We now believe there is little merit in attempting to continue to seek an acquisition of Sanctuary".
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BOY KILL BOY TO RELEASE WAR CHILD SINGLE
Boy Kill Boy are to release a single dedicated to one of CMU's favourite charities, War Child. A proportion of the sales from 'Shoot Me Down', which is the fourth single to be released from their debut album 'Civilian', will be donated to the organisation. There are also plans for the band to appear at an upcoming benefit gig.
Singer Chris Peck, who has past experience of one of War Child's project zones, commented: "Back in '95 I was lucky to spend a couple of months in Uganda with a home-grown organisation called 'The Ruwenzori Project'. There, me and fifteen others worked on an environmental programme in the Ruwenzori jungle which borders Uganda and the DRC. With this and through visiting neighbouring schools and orphanages I had a pretty up-close experience of war's devastation on the community, especially the kids."
He continued: "Those stories have since stayed with me so now I'm delighted to have anything to do with War Child and their long-term vision. We can't wait to play in support of the charity and to have our next single 'Shoot Me Down' linked to the project. Most of all we look forward to growing with War Child and being a part of this down the line in any way we can."
War Child's Julian Carrera added: "At War Child we love it when great British bands decide they want to stand up and represent the children we work with. Boy Kill Boy are another great British band and have had a fantastic year, and we are delighted that they have chosen to lend their support to our work - and to help us long term too. We're really excited the band has decided to make their single 'Shoot You Down' a War Child single too."
The band are, of course, on tour at the moment - upcoming dates as follows:
10 Oct: Preston 53 Degrees
11 Oct: Newcastle University
14 Oct: Sheffield Plug
15 Oct: Glasgow ABC
16 Oct: Edinburgh Queens Hall
17 Oct: Manchester Ritz
19 Oct: Birmingham Irish Centre
20 Oct: Southampton University
22 Oct: Bristol Bierkeller
23 Oct: London Astoria
25 Oct: Brighton Corn Exchange
26 Oct: Bournemouth Old Fire Station
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ROBBIE RUNS CONTEST FOR BUDDING FILM TYPES
Robbie Williams is running a contest for aspiring filmmakers. The singer has asked seven young directors to create a short film accompaniment to his new song 'The 80s', which appears on his upcoming new album 'Rudebox'. Williams will then help judge the films alongside David Puttman and Jonathon Ross. Whoever wins the competition will receive a prize of £7,500, and a possible chance to see their film broadcast.
Williams says of the venture: "This is the record I've always wanted to make. It's reignited how I think about what I can do with music myself. 'Rudebox' was done in a guerrilla way, no plan of action, it just evolved into what it is naturally. That's what I like about film today and why I wanted to do this project and competition. Just like in music today, you can create a masterpiece out of an iBook and some digital footage, as much as you can in a fancy studio. I'm very excited to see what the film-makers can come up with."
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PIXIES FILM OUT NEXT MONTH
That previously reported Pixies movie, 'LoudQUIETloud', which documents the band's 2004 reunion, is to be released on DVD on 6 Nov. The film, directed by Steven Cantor and Matthew Galkin, premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival earlier this year.
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NEW ELECTRIC PROMS STUFF
Will it never end? This ceaseless drip-drip of information regarding those Electric Proms? I'm not complaining, of course. The season is full of good stuff, like the stuff I'm about to tell you about. What am I about to tell you about? The first Roundhouse Music Pathfinder festival, which is to be held as part of the BBC Electric Proms during the London schools half term, from 23-29 Oct.
As you know, lots of the Electric Proms gigs are taking place at The Roundhouse, but the Camden venue is also hosting this programme of projects, training and performances for young people aged 13-18. There are events for aspiring musicians, sound engineers, producers, film makers, radio producers, singer songwriters, animators, photographers and DJs - not least a DJ contest, the winner of which will warm up for Fatboy Slim at the Lock Tavern in Camden on 27 Oct.
More info will be available soon on http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/studios/
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JAZZIE B AND HUGH PADGHAM ADDED TO MUSICTANK CONFERENCE
MusicTank have added Jazzie B and Hugh Padgham to their upcoming conference on all things music production - Production Magic - which they are staging in association with the Music Producers' Guild at the offices of the Magic Circle (see what they did there?) on 11 Nov.
Jazzie B, of course, was a founding member of the mighty Soul II Soul, while Padgham has produced albums for loads of a-listers, including Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Sting, The Police, Peter Gabriel, The Bee Gees, Phil Collins and McFly.
They join a conference line up that already includes Guy Chambers, John Leckie, Nile Rodgers and Phil Ramone, making this a must-go event for anyone working in music production. You'll find full details about it at http://www.musictank.co.uk
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THE SECRETS OF SOUL II SOUL'S SUCCESS - BMC SEMINAR
And talking of Jazzie B in the context of music industry seminars, the Soul II Soul man will be taking part in a Black Music Congress seminar tomorrow night, 12 Oct, at the BPI offices by Westminster Bridge. Jazzie B will be joined by strings arranger Mykaell Riley and A&R man Mick Clark in a session which aims to retell how Soul II Soul became such a big phenomenon in the early nineties. Admission is free, but places are limited so you must request to get on the guest list prior to the event itself - email [email protected] for details.
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CHART COMPANY LAUNCH FANTASY LABEL GAME
This is annoying, because we've been talking about setting up a fantasy record label league for years, but have never quite got round to it. It's probably more annoying for the people behind Popex - I saw one report on this story headlined "first fantasy music league launches" - which is unfair because Popex has been doing this for ages (or, rather, they had been doing it for ages - Popex RIP and all that).
Anyway, the Official UK Charts Company has announced a new eight week promotion which will reinvent the popular Fantasy Football Manager game in a music context. Players put together their own fantasy label roster, and then score points based on those artists' chart performance in the run up to Christmas. The player whose roster performs best will win stuff.
Launching the new game, OCC Marketing Director Carol Evans told reporters: "We believe music has an appeal which cuts across both gender and generations far greater even than football. Early indications suggest we are going to get a lot of take-up. This is just one part of our long term plan in delivering fresh exciting ways for people to engage with the UK music charts".
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MORE U2 BEST OF NEWS
U2 have announced more details of their upcoming best of album, which, as previously reported, will be released next month. The compilation, due out on 20 Nov, has been named 'U218 Singles', and will come with a bonus live CD featuring performances from the Milan date of their 2005 Vertigo tour.
As previously reported, the hits CD will also feature two new Rick Rubin-produced tracks, one of which is the band's much, much reported collaboration with Green Day, their Skids cover 'The Saints Are Coming'. The song is, of course, to be released on 6 Nov, in aid of Hurricane Katrina charity Music Rising.
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NEW YUSUF ISLAM MATERIAL
A new Yusuf Islam single, 'Heaven'/'Where True Love Goes', will be out on 30 Oct, ahead of the release of his first album of new songs in nearly thirty years, 'An Other Cup', which is scheduled for release on 13 Oct via Polydor.
On his absence from the music industry over the last three decades, the artist formerly know as Cat Stevens says: "There were one hundred reasons for leaving the music industry back in 1979, not least because I had found what I was looking for spiritually. Today there are perhaps one hundred and one good reasons why I feel right making music and singing about life in this fragile world again."
On the reason for his return, he adds: "The language of song is simply the best way to communicate. I feel gifted to have that ability still within me. I never wanted to get involved in politics because that essentially separates people, whereas music has the power to unify, and is so much easier than for me than to give a lecture. You can argue with a philosopher, but you can't argue with a good song. And I think I've got a few good songs."
Press info on all this (well, the single and album, not necessarily the merits of communicating through song) from Hyperlaunch.
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BRAND NEW ALBUM
Whose brand new album, you must be asking yourselves. Well, it's the brand new album by the band Brand New. Is that clear? The band's third long player, 'The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me', will be out on 20 Nov.
Yay. There's a tracklisting too, look:
Sowing Season (Yeah)
Millstone
Jesus Christ
Degausser
Limousine
You Won't Know
Welcome To Bangkok
Not the Sun
Luca
Untitled
Archers
Handcuffs
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RACONTEURS SINGLE, TOUR
The Raconteurs release their next single 'Broken Boy Soldier' on 23 Oct, and start their second UK tour this week to coincide with it. During the course of that tour, they'll be releasing a live bootleg of the single recorded at each of the gigs and available for fans to buy as they leave the concert.
Only a limited amount of CDs will be available, but they can be preordered at http://www.concertlive.co.uk/Raconteurs
Those upcoming tour dates are as follows:
14 Oct: Glasgow Academy
15 Oct: Manchester Apollo
18 Oct: Newcastle Academy
19 Oct: London Brixton Academy
20 Oct: London Brixton Academy
22 Oct: Bristol Colston Hall
23 Oct: Nottingham Rock City
24 Oct: Wolverhampton Civic Hall
25 Oct: Liverpool University
26 Oct: London Electric Ballroom
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SOL SEPPY MINI ALBUM
Sol Seppy is to release a mini album, which, from what I can tell, is called 'p s s s c h e e o w', which is interesting to say the least. The release of the EP, set for 7 Nov, will coincide with the singer's upcoming tour of the US and Europe with Sparklehorse.
Here are the UK dates, press info on this from Sainted PR:
20 Oct: Royal Northern College, Manchester
21 Oct: Sugarmill, Stoke
26 Oct: Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
27 Oct: Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
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WE ARE TREES SINGLE, LIVE DATES
The lightly buzzing We Are Trees are to release their new single 'Piece Of Plastic'/'Trace', on 23 Oct, and if you live in Wales/London, you can see them live later this month, dates as follows:
16 Oct: London 93 Feet East
18 Oct: Cardiff The Glee Club (supporting Mystery Jets)
19 Oct: London The Garage
21 Oct: Cardiff Callaghans
28 Oct: Bedwas Working Men's Hall
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SCISSOR SISTERS TO PLAY HALLOWEEN SHOW
Scissor Sisters have announced that they're to play a Halloween show at the end of the month. The gig, which is scheduled for, er, 31 Oct, will take place at London's Brixton Academy, and has been organised in association with Global Cool and Oxfam. An announcement on the band's website says: "Fancy dress is required!"
Tickets are available from the Global Cool website from 9am Friday morning. Gigs have also been scheduled at Manchester Apollo on 30 Oct and Glasgow Barrowlands on 20 Nov.
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AMP FIDDLER GIG RESCHEDULED
Amp Fiddler has announced that he will play London's Scala at the start of next month, after his earlier gig was, as previously reported, cancelled due to police investigations into a killing near the venue. The night of that cancellation, incidentally, he performed an impromptu set at the nearby Big Chill House, and raised more £700 for the Mothers Against Guns charity.
The rescheduled gig will take place on 1 Nov, and will feature support from Mr Hudson, Kidz In Tracksuits & The Amplified DJ's. It all kicks off at 7pm, and tickets are £12.50. Press info from Toast.
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CHAS & DAVE'S CHRISTMAS SHOW
Now here's some news I'm happy to hear. Shit, I hope I get to go. And you people thinking I'm joking can all be quiet because, despite my legendary hatred of southerners, I really quite love Chas & Dave. And guess what? They're doing a Christmas show at Shepherd's Bush Empire on 14 Dec with guests Geno Washington and The Ram Jam band plus Bushnut. Hurrah. Doors 7pm, tickets £19.50, Press info from PPR.
By the way, I don't really hate southerners. I assure you that I evaluate each individual on a case-by-case basis.
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XFM LAUNCH NEW NATIONAL AD CAMPAIGN
Xfm is launching its first national advertising campaign - the ads will start showing in cinemas around the country on Friday. Having launched their Manchester station with pictures of kids dressed as artists off the Xfm playlists, the new ad also features children, though in this one they are seemingly running the station. Hard-Fi, Elbow, Lost Prophets and Xfm DJs Richard Bacon and Guy Garvey all appear.
Explaining the ads, which have been produced by ad agency Mother, Media Bulletin quote Xfm Marketing guy Richard Mintz thus: "Xfm champions new music, but it's our irreverent and humorous delivery that makes us stand out from the crowd".
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MARIA EXPECTS BAD REVIEWS
Connie Fisher, the lady who, as previously reported, won that 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria' contest on the telly to win the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of 'The Sound Of Music', isn't holding out much hope for a good review once the show opens. The singer says: "I'll definitely be under the watchful eye of the audience, but apparently 'The Sound of Music' never has good reviews so that's a relief."
She adds: "I'm most looking forward to the curtain going up on the opening night. I believe every musical star has their show and I do believe this is my show. I feel confident in this role."
The musical opens on 15 Nov at the London Palladium.
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ROD STEWART SAYS HE'LL KEEP ON SINGING
Rod Stewart says he won't ever give up singing, which is a trifle disappointing. The 61 year old singer reportedly explained to The Daily Mirror that he's not planning his retirement, saying of his singing career: "I love it. That's why I don't want to retire. You'll have to push me overboard to get me out of the way. I haven't joined the pipe and slipper club yet."
I have to say, I've never been on a boat with Mr Stewart, and am unlikely to ever be, so I would have a hard time pushing him overboard. Perhaps someone reading the CMU Daily is more likely to be. What? No, this is not a call to arms, I promise you.
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DIDDY SAYS NEW ALBUM MAY BE LAST
Not sure I believe him, but Diddy says he hopes his new album, 'Press Play', out 16 Oct, will be his last. According to MTV News, he said: "To be honest, I would love for it to be the last one. My first couple of albums talked about drama, death, tragedy, controversy - ups and downs. This album is about love. I would love to end it on a note of love. I don't want to overstay my welcome. I feel like I'm at my best on this album."
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BABY SPICE IS NOT GETTING MARRIED, OKAY?
Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton has rejected suggestions that she is to marry long term boyfriend, former Damage singer Jade Jones, next year. Let's face it, she's far too busy appearing on Strictly Come Dancing to be bothered with any of that wedding rubbish. According to The Daily Mirror, Bunton's representatives didn't mince their words, calling the claims "bollocks".
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SONY AIN'T DROPPING GEORGE, OKAY?
For those of you who haven't been sleeping at night worrying that George Michael is about to be dropped, worry no more, because an insider at SonyBMG says the major has no intention of dropping him (you'll remember how another 'insider' was quoted by ThisIsLondon as saying the major was rethinking their relationship with Michael after his recent run ins with the London police).
Contactmusic quote the new insider as saying all this: "We'd never tell him what to do. We never bully our artists. If there was a time when record companies did that, it is long gone. We rang him up to ask if there's anything we could do, but that's it. We're backing him in his personal life and his decisions. He has our full support. We're not going to sack him, we're supporting him".