| CMU Daily - on the inside Thursday 17th January |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Radiohead instore moved out of store
- Ike Turner died of overdose
- More EMI
- Stones do one album deal with Universal
- Early Beatles live recordings to be released
- Foxy Brown asks for early jail release
- Rubinoos publicly clear Avril
- Johnny Foreigner single and tour
- More Ones To Watch
- Sharkey takes top role at British Music Rights
- Music Ally to showcase music technology innovations
- Borders consider MP3 downloads
- Independent may release free edition
- Energy drink sponsor Kerrang! tour
- GCap reverse takeover not likely
- Capital Gold recruit Cannon for breakfast
- George Michael signs up for auto-biography
- Yet more Britney pregnant nonsense
- Kaiser chief on his Kylie shag clearance
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TOP BIT
Yes, it's that time of year once more where we look to expand the CMU review team by recruiting another batch of college correspondents.
This is a great chance for anyone out there in college press or college radio land to build their skills on all things music journalism, and to make connections in the wider music business. College correspondent positions are voluntary, but you will receive coaching on music review skills and have access to all kinds of releases, events and music business contacts.
To apply to become a CMU college correspondent just download the form at the URL below and email it to [email protected] before the end of the month.
http://www.collegemedianetwork.co.uk/cmu/cmuappform.doc
PS: Mary CMU has asked all you media types to stop calling Robbie Williams' album 'Rudebox' a "flop". There's been wide reporting that the mixed reception to the Robster's most recent long player led to disappointing sales - but, while it's true 'Rudebox' did not perform as well in the UK as Williams' earlier releases, it did shift between 4.5 million and 5 million units globally, which are the kind of sales figures most artists dream of. She stresses she's no Robbie fan, but she has developed an allergy to false reporting when it comes to record sales figures. So if you could help by avoiding the "flop" word that would be great. I thank you.
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JOBS N STUFF
SPRING PR - SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
An excellent opportunity is now available for a Senior Account Executive with a colourful boutique PR agency in London who specialise in music, art and youth lifestyle. The successful candidate will be dynamic, enthusiastic, creative and dedicated with great organisational skills. They will be able to work to deadlines, be passionate about music, have excellent communication skills and at least 2 years PR experience preferably within music media. This vacancy will be as part of our account team looking after high profile clients in music, festivals and lifestyle brands. The successful candidate would be responsible for reporting to clients, liaising with media, attending gigs/festivals, admin support and assisting with both strategy development and implementation. The position would also involve some international and national travel so a valid passport would also be required. Please email your CV with a covering letter to [email protected] no later than Wednesday 13th February.
CLARKE MULDER PURDIE - ACCOUNT DIRECTOR AND ACCOUNT MANAGER, CORPORATE PR. £30-£45K
Clarke Mulder Purdie (http://www.cmpcommunications.com/) is a corporate and b2b PR consultancy based near Waterloo. We are looking for an Account Director and Account Manager to join us. You should be a corporate PR practitioner, with experience in the telecoms, technology, built environment or leisure industries. We are also interested in public sector or sustainability experience. You may be an SAE looking for a step up to AM, or a SAM chasing the elusive AD promotion. To apply, send your CV and covering letter to [email protected] quoting reference SS09 for the Account Director position and SS10 for the Account Manager position.
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SNAP OF THE DAY: CONIL
London-based Conil had some pedigree within the industry before landing their deal with Great Hare Records, working with a Grammy winning Tom Waits cohort (Tchad Blake) and Nick Drake collaborator Danny Thompson on their first LP, both getting in touch following a visit to their Myspace. Obviously no act is going to make it by sheer association though (no matter how hard you try, Hadouken!), so I'm pleased to say that Conil also have a potential hit on their hands in 'Dog Meat Stew', a gruffly voiced blues-rock tune that sounds like the work of Liam Watson/Toe Rag studios with its roughly cut, live aura. And with a new single out in March, an album out in April and a UK tour starting next month, things may start to pick up for Conil so stay ahead of the game and heed our advice in visiting their MySpace, they're well worth a listen.
www.myspace.com/conilmusic
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RADIOHEAD INSTORE MOVED OUT OF STORE
Well, it did sound a bit ambitious from the start. A Radiohead instore at indie retailer Rough Trade's East London store had to be moved up the street to the 93 Feet East club last night after police concerns were expressed.
The "secret" gig was announced yesterday morning, with the first 200 fans to show up promised entry, and screens promised outside the shop for those who couldn't get in. But as word spread about the rare London performance by Thom Yorke et al concern grew among those who concern themselves about these things that the crowds outside the store would become unmanageable.
The last minute solution was to move the gig to 93 Feet East, which delayed the start of the band's set somewhat, though the 1500 fans who did turn up didn't seem to mind as they got a full performance of current album 'In Rainbows' plus a greatest hits encore.
Yorke apologised for the slight confusion regarding the last minute venue shift, and also thanked the staff at Rough Trade East for "putting up with this".
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IKE TURNER DIED OF OVERDOSE
Soul legend Ike Turner was killed by a cocaine overdose, Californian coroners confirmed yesterday. Noting Turner's cocaine use, the San Diego County medical examiner's office said the performer's death was caused by "cocaine toxicity", adding that cardiovascular disease and pulmonary emphysema were also "significant" factors in the death.
As previously reported, Turner died aged 76 last month. His daughter, Mia, said she was shocked by the coroner's report. She admitted her father had an "ongoing struggle" with drugs, but said that the coroner was "overstating the situation" in the way he referred the addiction. She told the North County Times: "Daddy at that point was not doing drugs to the level it [the report] leads [you] to believe".
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MORE EMI
The boss of the UK's Music Managers Forum says that the artist management community is keeping an open mind regarding the radical changes afoot at EMI, though added that it was still not entirely clear where Terra Firma boss Guy Hands was taking the music firm, and that any welcome of change was therefore cautious.
Talking to Billboard about Hands' previously reported announcement on Tuesday of a radical overhaul of the major, MMF CEO Jon Webster said: "We're welcoming a new look at anything at the moment. I don't think anyone [in the record business] knows where we're really going, so taking a fresh look at how and why we do things is great. The question is: how does [Hands] do it? What is he actually going to reduce?"
As previously reported, concerns had been growing among the managers of some of EMI's biggest artists ahead of Tuesday's announcement, especially after the departure of EMI UK chief Tony Wadsworth last week. The managers met with Hands after the Terra Firma chief had spoken to his UK staff on Tuesday and, despite a tense start, they reportedly responded positively in part. Though Webster adds: "The proof of the pudding is going to be in the eating. It's not our place to tell Guy Hands how to run his business. But it is our business when it impinges on our artists".
Management types will presumably be placated in part by the news that former Warner Music chief Roger Ames, appointed as CEO of EMI North America last Spring and now in charge of UK A&R also, will stay with the major. And also that JF Cecillon will continue to run the major's operations outside the US and UK as CEO of EMI Music International. They will represent the old guard at the top of the music firm - some managers being of the opinion that while they have long recognised record companies need to change, the removal of every traditional label exec from EMI would be counter productive.
Elsewhere in the EMI revamp, Hands has said his top priority is the restructure of the major's support service functions, which will be aligned globally. Ames and Cecillon's offices will become more or less exclusively concerned with artist relationship management.
In terms of people on the no A&R side, Billboard reports that Mark Hodgkinson will become EVP Global Marketing; Ronn Were, currently president of EMI Music Marketing, will take on a global sales role; and Mike Clasper, the former airport chief recruited by Hands last November, will head up operations and IT.
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STONES DO ONE ALBUM DEAL WITH UNIVERSAL
Meanwhile, another bit of doom and gloom for EMI, with the news the Rolling Stones have signed a one album deal with Universal. The Stones have been with EMI's Virgin Records since 1991, but will work with Universal on the release of an album to accompany the upcoming movie 'Shine A Light', the Martin Scorsese directed documentary film that tells the band's story alongside footage of a New York date on the Bigger Bang tour.
The Universal deal is for one album only, and as its a soundtrack probably isn't as big a deal as if it was a new studio album or official live recording, but it has sparked much speculation regarding the band's valuable catalogue. EMI currently control the Stones catalogue from 1971's 'Sticky Fingers', but that arrangement runs out this year, and the deal on 'Shine A Light' has led to some to speculate the band may now take that catalogue to Universal, who already control the band's very early pre-1971 releases.
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EARLY BEATLES LIVE RECORDINGS TO BE RELEASED
And talking of rock legends signed to EMI, a Miami based independent label is set to release some previously unreleased early recordings from EMI's biggest legends, The Beatles.
Miami based Fuego Entertainment has said it has done a deal with promoter/producer Jeffrey Collins to release various recordings that he owns, and that that includes fifteen live recordings of the Beatles playing at Hamburg's Star Club in 1962. According to Billboard, Fuego claim the recordings feature Ringo Starr on drums (he, of course, wasn't with the band for their earlier Hamburg residencies), and include performances of Hank Williams' 'Lovesick Blues', Maurice Williams' 'Do You Believe' plus other classics like 'Twist and Shout' and 'Hippy Hippy Shake'.
Collins, a UK promoter now based in Florida, says he got the original recordings off a DJ he represented at the time and who had DJed at the Star Club on the night of the Beatles gig. The recordings, Collins says, were not of an especially good quality, but he was able to digitally remaster them in the early nineties to make them good enough to release.
Presumably Collins is keen to see the recordings released soonish, because the European copyright on them will run out in 2012. Plus, of course, sales of the early live recordings could receive a boost from the hype that is sure to surround a long awaited digital release of the Beatles official EMI owned catalogue via legit download platforms, something that is now widely expected to happen this year.
Of course ownership of the copyright on the Star Club recordings is something of a grey area. Collins says management at the venue were aware that his DJ was recording the live set, but it is unclear if the band themselves were, and certainly no discussion ever took place regarding the rights to the recording (which, of course, no one would have considered at the time). Collins admits he originally approached Beatles firm Apple Corps back in 1996 about an official release, but that they rebuffed his proposals. Fuego and Collins now seem confident an independent release won't open them up to litigation from Apple Corps, though a spokesman for the Beatles company told Billboard: "We don't have a comment as such but not surprisingly are looking into the claim".
Whether legal action relating to the early Beatles recordings does in deed follow time will tell, though litigation is almost certain to come from the Experience Hendrix company over another recording in Collins' catalogue, of Jimi Hendrix's Rainbow Bridge concert. Experience Hendrix have a history of suing over recordings of Hendrix concerts, and have already said in a statement: "Experience Hendrix serves notice that it will take all legal action necessary to remove this bootleg material from the market and recover damages against Fuego Entertainment and associated parties for infringement as authorized under applicable law".
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FOXY BROWN ASKS FOR EARLY JAIL RELEASE
Foxy Brown, in a somewhat optimistic move, has written to the judge that jailed her and asked to be released because prison isn't helping her deal with her "inner issues", plus she's got a bad ear which would be better treated outside jail.
In the handwritten note, the rapper, real name Inga Marchand, writes: "Yes, I've made some bad choices and stupid mistakes. But please understand that sitting in a prison with murderers and criminals is not rehabilitating or what I need to deal with my inner issues. Up until now, you've only heard about Foxy Brown the artist. I'd like to show you Inga Marchand the beautiful person that my mom raised me to be. Jail has shaken me to my core, and my time away has impacted me greatly".
Marchand's attorney, Laura Dilimetin, adds that the rapper needs treatment for an ear condition, and that the best doctor for the job is based in California. She's incarcerated in a New York prison, and Dilimetin says past treatment on her ear by New York based doctors has not been successful.
As previously reported, Marchand was jailed after violating probation conditions put in place after she pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault after that 2004 nail salon fracas. She is due to stay in jail until May at least. A date is yet to be set for the court to consider her plea for early release.
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RUBINOOS PUBLICLY CLEAR AVRIL
Following the previously reported settlement between Rubinoos songwriters Tommy Dunbar and James Gangwer and that Avril Lavinge, Dubar and Gangwer have released a statement saying they are now satisfied Lavigne did not steal their song.
As previously reported, Dubar and Gangwer alleged that Lavigne's 2007 hit 'Girlfriend' borrowed from their 1979 Rubinoos single 'I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend'. Lavinge's people denied the allegations from the start, and last week announced they had reached a settlement with the Rubinoo men regarding the claim, though they didn't reveal the specifics of that settlement.
But presumably it involved Dubar and Gangwer dropping their allegations, because Lavinge's management Nettwerk yesterday issued a statement from them which read: "We are satisfied that any similarities between the two songs resulted from Avril and Luke's use of certain common and widely used lyrics. We therefore completely exonerate Avril and [her songwriting partner] Luke from any wrongdoing of any kind in connection with the claims made by us in our lawsuit".
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JOHNNY FOREIGNER SINGLE AND TOUR
Those Johnny Foreigner guys have announced they will release a new single, 'Our Bipolar Friends', on 10 Mar. It will be the first single from their debut album proper, the follow up to their limited edition mini-album 'Arcs Across The City', which was released last November. I'm telling you this now because the band have all sorts of live dates up coming, some in support of Los Campesinos! Dates as follows...
17 Jan: Liverpool, Barfly
18 Jan: London, Buffalo Bar (Artrocker Festival)
19 Jan: Birmingham, Barfly
21 Jan: Glasgow, 13th Note
22 Jan: Aberdeen, The Tunnels
23 Jan: Edinburgh, Henry's Cellar Bar
24 Jan: Leeds, Halo Club (Club NME)
26 Jan: London, Notting Hill Arts Centre (DiScover Show)
2 Feb: London, Barden's Boudoir (w/ Those Dancing Days)
8 Feb: Coventry, Taylor John's House
11 Feb: Dublin, Village (w/ Los Campesinos!)
12 Feb: Bedford, Esquires (w/ Los Campesinos!)
13 Feb: Birmingham, Academy 2 (w/ Los Campesinos!)
14 Feb: Glasgow, King Tuts (w/ Los Campesinos!)
16 Feb: Newcastle, Northumbria Uni (w/ Los Campesinos!)
17 Feb: Sheffield, Leadmill (w/ Los Campesinos!)
18 Feb: Manchester, Club Academy (w/ Los Campesinos!)
19 Feb: Brighton, Concorde 2 (w/ Los Campesinos!)
20 Feb: Reading, Fez (w/ Los Campesinos!)
21 Feb: Kingston, New Slang @ The Works (w/ Los Campesinos!)
23 Feb: Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms (w/ Los Campesinos!)
5 Mar: London, YellowBlack @ Bar Rumba **Single Launch Party**
6 Mar: Cambridge, Anglia Ruskin Academy
7 Mar: Leeds, The Cockpit
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MORE ONES TO WATCH
Those first couple of Johnny Foreigner dates are on the latest Levi's Ones To Watch tour, which presumably makes them one to watch. I think that's how it works. The latest LOTW tour kicked off in York last night, and also features that rather fine Sam Isaac fella and, later in the month, some other bands too. Dates as follows...
17 Jan: Liverpool Barfly - Johnny Foreigner + Sam Isaac
19 Jan: Birmingham Barfly - 19th Jan Johnny Foreigner + Sam Isaac
29 Jan: London Barfly - 29th Jan - Pete and the Pirates + Let's Wrestle
29 Jan: Glasgow Barfly - 29th Jan - Baillie & the Fault + Fangs
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SHARKEY TAKES TOP ROLE AT BRITISH MUSIC RIGHTS
Feargal Sharkey has been appointed as the new CEO at British Music Rights, that slightly mysterious organisation that apparently represents songwriters and publishers on copyright issues. Apparently. Most songwriters I know have never heard of them. Anyway, Sharkey, the former Undertones singer, of course, and more recently prominent in music business circles as the head of the government's Live Music Forum, will take over from Emma Pike, who left BMR last summer.
Confirming his appointment, Sharkey said in a statement: "BMR has a very well deserved reputation as a progressive industry voice, whether taking the lead on policy matters, its long-term vision for collective licensing and the digital business or its range of social and educational programmes. My intention is to build on these and move this industry forward - with particular regards to new media and technology. Over the past decade, creators have provided the fuel for countless new digital services and it is essential that the contributions of songwriters, composers and publishers are fully recognised. We look forward to a year of innovation, and working with technology partners and government to find common solutions that are mutually beneficial to all consumers and creators".
Elsewhere, Andy Heath, founder of 4AD's publishing outfit, a director of the Beggars Group, and former president of the Music Publishers Association, has also been appointed to a top role at BMR - he will be Chairman, taking over from Leslie Hill, who stood down at the end of last year. He said this: "The necessity for our industry to speak in one coherent voice has become increasingly apparent, as is the need to reiterate the value of intellectual property in the 21st century and embrace the demands of 21st century consumers. Feargal and the team will ensure that British Music Rights brings a fresh dynamic and clarity to the voice of the British music community, and by that, I mean the creator, the consumer, and those of us in the industry who bring the two together".
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MUSIC ALLY TO SHOWCASE MUSIC TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS
Digital music research and strategy firm Music Ally has announced more details about a new awards programme that will be staged as part of the digital music bit of Midem later this month.
The New Business Showcase will see six entrepreneurial companies, selected from over a hundred contenders from around the world, present their technology based musical product ideas to MidemNet delegates. Those delegates will then vote on which they think shows most promise. The six ventures to be presented include music making devices, online data and music networking platforms, and an ear piece which enables a listener to listen to a song just once.
Commenting on the showcase, Music Ally MD Paul Brindley told CMU: "Innovation is key to the success of the music industry in the 21st century, but it's often way ahead of the music industry's commercial realities. I'm delighted that we have found six such diverse but promising ideas from companies, all of whom are at such an early stage of their development".
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BORDERS CONSIDER MP3 DOWNLOADS
Borders is reportedly considering launching its own MP3 download platform. According to Reuters, the bookseller is planning a relaunch of its website, which is currently powered by Amazon. When the Amazon deal ends later this year, Borders plan to take its online operation in house, and may launch a download platform to rival that of Amazon as part of its web revamp.
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INDEPENDENT MAY RELEASE FREE EDITION
The Independent is reportedly considering a free edition in order to boost its circulation which would, of course, potentially boost ad revenues. It is thought the free Inde might be only available in city centres, and would be a lite version of the main paper, which would still be stocked on newsstands. Presumably it would aim to compete in the increasingly crowded freesheet market by being more broadsheet in style - though it's the 'spot the difference' quiz and 'weird world' stories that make me pick up London Lite and London Paper, so I'm not sure serious reporting would be so attractive.
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ENERGY DRINK SPONSOR KERRANG! TOUR
Kerrang!'s up coming UK tour will be sponsored by Relentless Energy Drinks. Erm, that's it. Nothing else to add. Frankly I could do with one of those drinks, I'm flagging a bit here.
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GCAP REVERSE TAKEOVER NOT LIKELY
Previously reported talk of GCap shareholders going behind their board's backs to persuade rivals Global Radio to takeover the radio firm have been dismissed by some city types. Reports suggested some shareholders were talking to Global - whose previous takeover approach was knocked back by the GCap board - about engineering a 'reverse takeover', where GCap shareholders lead the deal, but Global's management would take over the running of the merged enterprise. Global's owners would become significant shareholders in the publicly listed merged company. But Media Week quote one investment specialist as saying any such move would not reflect "any understanding of corporate finance", adding: "There would be no logic in trying to keep the [combined] business on the stock exchange. It doesn't make sense". As also previously reported, Global are expected to wait until recently appoint GCap CEO Fru Hazlitt announces her plans for the radio firm before making any further takeover approaches.
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CAPITAL GOLD RECRUIT CANNON FOR BREAKFAST
Elsewhere in GCap news, Gold Radio, the radio firm's classic hits station that was created by the merger of Capital Gold and Classic Gold, has announced it has poached sister station Capital Radio's James Cannon to front its breakfast show. Cannon's appointment comes as part of a daytime revamp that also sees David Jenson move to late mornings.
Confirming his new job, Cannon told CMU: "I'm really excited about joining Gold. The station has really changed over the past couple of years and the chance to work with such a dedicated team of people is something that really appeals. The show will of course play the best songs ever and I can't wait to start having a laugh every morning".
Station Director Andy Turner added: "James Cannon is an extremely talented and experienced broadcaster who will bring a new fresh dynamic to the station with the right mix of intelligence and humour to connect with our core ABC1 35-54 audience. With our commitment to producing award winning specialist music programming and documentaries, moving David Jensen to the mornings means listeners will get more music focused news, views and features complemented by David's remarkable music knowledge".
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GEORGE MICHAEL SIGNS UP FOR AUTO-BIOGRAPHY
George Michael has signed a multi-million pound deal with HarperCollins to write a "no-holds-barred" autobiography, which should be fun. Michael says the book will be "access-all-areas", and that he will write it "entirely himself".
His manager Andy Stephens told reporters yesterday: "George has promised HarperCollins a no-holds-barred biography, and it's certain to be just that. People aren't stupid, they're beginning to notice that the truth is more interesting than the stories the press come up with".
Harper NonFiction UK MD Belinda Budge added: "This is an incredibly exciting publishing event. George is one of the best known and best loved pop singers in the world, with an extraordinary story to tell. I am particularly thrilled by this deal, as I have long been a fan of George's. Most importantly, this really will be a truly authentic book - and an exceptional one, as he's going to be writing it entirely himself".
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YET MORE BRITNEY PREGNANT NONSENSE
More Britney pregnant rumours, following those last year when it was alleged she was expecting a child by producer JR Rotem. Now the US version of OK! magazine claims the much troubled popster is trying to get pregnant by her paparazzo boyfriend Adnan Ghalib, possibly in a bid to prove the old adage "third time lucky". The rumours have been added to by a pap snap of Spears in a Rite Aid drugstore with Ghalib where Britney is holding a pregnancy test kit. Though the latest gossip says that picture is being sold by the same agency that represent Ghalib, leading to allegations it was set up to fool the press.
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KAISER CHIEF ON HIS KYLIE SHAG CLEARANCE
Kaiser Chief Ricky Wilson has said he has one of those 'superstars you could shag' agreements with his girlfriend, and that he has chosen Kylie Minogue as his celeb. Which is only interesting because Wilson will perform at the upcoming Brit Awards alongside Kylie, and he reportedly got a bit of a rapport going with her at a recent Jools Holland recording. He admitted the agreement with his other half at the Brits launch this week, saying: "My girlfriend agreed I'm allowed one celebrity shag and mine is Kylie". I bet Kylie is thrilled.