| CMU Daily - on the inside Wednesday 27th February |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- What I go to court for: Busted trial update
- Artists around the world add voice to US radio royalty campaign
- Maxim apologise for made up review
- Jacko faces losing Neverland, again
- Lil Wayne appears in court
- Warner considering Perez Hilton record label
- Chrysalis sale could be finalised this week
- Alan Dargin dies
- Jing Jang Jong not confident of NME win
- Album review: Slyde - Everyone's Entitled To Our Opinion
- Ronson to produce Kaiser album?
- Campbell and Lanegan to release a second album
- Joss Stone working with rap duo
- Levellers release
- Joy Division docu given release date
- Winehouse to front clothes and make-up range
- Clapton invited to play Pyongyang
- Waters to play Dark Side Of The Moon
- James Blunt dates
- Turnmills finale nights announced
- Duels album, single, tour
- Yoda tour
- The Accidental tonight
- Rob da Bank announces two indoor mini-festivals
- Sony/ATV appoint new CFO
- Apple second biggest music seller in US
- Warner enter into African mobile deal
- Downloading up, legit download down, mobile looking good
- Ofcom awards community licences in north west
- Penk leaves Fox breakfast
- Album review: Various Artists - Scifi Hifi Volume 4 Mixed By Funk D'void
- Madden with Paris, apparently
- Timberlake secretly dating Kate
- Various Simon Cowell gossip items
- Atomic a flop because Kerry wasn't involved. Says Kerry
- Chief Kaiser bored with his songs
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TOP BIT
Another quick quick reminder on this. CMU's Same Six Questions returned to the CMU Music Network website last week and I have to say it's all going very well, with lots of great answers already on there from the likes of Sportsday Megaphone, Mystery Jets, Enjoy Destroy, Envy & Other Sins, Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong, Trash Fashion, Model Horror and Primary 1. Do go check: www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk/ssq
But that's not why I am mentioning it here. I'm mentioning it here because loads of labels and PRs have been asking about how to get their artist featured in the SSQ slot, and I've been promising loads of people I'd send them the questions, but then forgetting who the hell I promised that to. So consider this a catch up response.
To feature your artists, just get them to answer these six questions and email the answers with a photo and plugging info to [email protected] Easy. Here are the Qs.
Q1> How did you start out making music?
Q2> What inspired your latest single?
Q3> What process do you go through in creating a track?
Q4> Which artists influence your work?
Q5> What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Q6> What are your ambitions for your latest single, and for the future?
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JOBS N STUFF
NATIONAL RADIO PLUGGER
Experienced national plugger wanted for established radio & TV promotions company working with a diverse range of mainly independent labels. We are looking for someone who is highly organised, reliable, dedicated, self-motivated and friendly. Must have excellent communications skills and a genuine passion for music and gigging. Will be responsible for managing campaigns as well as working as part of a team. This is an excellent opportunity for the right person. Please send CV with cover letter to [email protected]
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OUTPOST PLUGGER
Outpost is a successful music and events PR agency based in London. We currently have a vacancy for a radio plugger with a minimum of 1 year's experience. A varied role, the successful candidate will be looking after key radio projects, while assisting in the area of TV plugging.
You will be hardworking, motivated and intelligent with first-class writing skills and computer literate. An outstanding knowledge of cutting edge music is fundamental to this role, and you will have a bulging book of contacts. With a flexible attitude in terms of out of normal hours work, and an eye for detail, you will be a confident, team-player who would relish an opportunity to grow and develop with a young, dynamic and fast moving company.
Please apply via e-mail with CV and cover letter to [email protected] explaining why we're right for each other. Salary dependent on experience. Please put 'Outpost Job Vacancy' in the subject line.
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BOSTER GROUP - PA AND OFFICE MANAGER - £20K (London, W1)
Do you have a passion for arts, culture and luxury brands? Boster Group is a unique strategic arts consultancy with a blue chip client list. We are looking for a PA to work with our Managing Director. You will enjoy real variety and be responsible for diary management and drafting correspondence, along with managing the office and assisting with events. You must be bright, articulate and well presented with excellent attention to detail, a real interest in the arts and a positive attitude. Previous administration experience would be an advantage. To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected] quoting ref: SS13
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CMU CLASSIFIEDS
DESK SPACE IN CAMDEN
Backstreet International Merchandise have desk space available for creative/music/media types looking for affordable workspace in central Camden. For enquiries please contact Steve Faye on 0207 428 1107 or email [email protected]
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GO ONLINE WITH CMU...
Primary 1 on his early music making: "I started out playing drums and messing around on keyboards making really terrible stuff that sounded like carnival music, only not in a good way".
Primary 1 answer CMU's Same Six Questions online this week - www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk
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CMU RECOMMENDED
REMIX ALL-NIGHTER - PLUS SPECIAL OFFER FOR STUDENTS
The next CMU recommended Remix All-Nighter takes over the seOne Club at London Bridge next month for a brilliant pre-Easter party.
There'll be three rooms of fun. In the Remix room you'll get live sets from The Whip and Vitalic, plus Remix chief Eddy TM on the decks and VJ Fay Buzzard doing visual stuff. Next up will be a room hosted by Orbital co-founder and general dance music pioneer Phil Hartnoll, named for and showcasing his new venture Long Range. And then, to top off all that, there will be a whole room of all things Ninja Tune, featuring no less than DJ Food & DK, Coldcut (Jon Moore DJ Set), Bonobo, Daedelus, The Qemists and VJ Mox. Oh, and they've just added Busy P (Ed Banger) to the bill too. This night is going to be storming.
It all takes place on 20 Mar. Full info from: http://www.myspace.com/theremix
SPREAD THE WORD! SPECIAL STUDENT DISCOUNT FROM CMU
CMU and Remix All-nighter promoters have teamed up to offer students a special price for the night of just £7. To get the discount you need a special code for when you order your tickets, and you can get the code by emailing your name and university name to [email protected] But do it quick - there are a limited number of discounted tickets available.
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SNAP OF THE DAY: SPARKADIA
Somewhere in between art rock and soft rock lie Sparkadia. The Sydney based band's influences include artists from the slipstream of post-punk such as Elvis Costello and classic songwriters such as Burt Bacharach. Their mournful but melodic sounds are surprisingly catchy and reminiscent of The Police. Upcoming single 'Too Much To Do', out next month, is very smooth with plaintive vocals from singer AB. But elsewhere there are hints of something much artier. Their highly rated first single 'Animals' is terrific, a fascinating concoction of spiky sounds backed with a strange, atmospheric howling. They've been getting some radio support from fellow antipodean Zane Lowe. With a debut album 'Postcards' on the way and a tour with Vampire Weekend this month, as well as their own headline gig at the Metro on the 27 Feb, things look bright for Sparkadia. Go check...
http://www.myspace.com/sparkadia
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WHAT I GO TO COURT FOR: BUSTED TRIAL UPDATE
Hey everybody, it's only the bloody Busted trial - hurrah! OK, here comes the background gubbins. Back in the olden days in an era referred to by experts as 'pre-McFly' there was this band called Busted. Oh you knew that bit? OK. Well, what less people know - apart from dedicated CMU Daily readers, obviously, because we've told you all this before - is that before James Bourne, Matt 'then called Jay' Willis and Charlie Simpson rose to fame as the next gen boyband in 2002, Busted were originally a four piece consisting of Bourne and Willis and one Ki McPhail and an Owen Doyle.
They formed a band called The Termites in 2001, signing a management deal in Spring 2002 and shortly afterwards changing their name to Busted. Work on the debut album began but, as is often the way in the sinister world we live in, just before the band signed to Universal Records and hit the big time McPhail and Doyle left the band - or, according to them, were forced out by their management. Presumably because the one missing ingredient in the whole Busted package was a good set of eyebrows - McPhail and Doyle's departure left space for Simpson to join the band, and so chart stardom began.
This has all gone legal because McPhail and Doyle say that before being pushed out they co-wrote some of the hit songs that appeared on Busted's eponymous debut album and as a result they want a cut of the royalties those songs have generated. Both axed Busted boys signed an agreement on their departure giving up all claim to the band's intellectual property, but both McPhail and Doyle now claim that agreement should be set aside, for various reasons, including the fact that they allegedly weren't told of Universal's interest in the band and their music before entering into the agreement, and that their management owed them a duty as their managers to not let them sign such a foolish contract (as it was, their managers not only let them, but wrote it too). Threats were also allegedly made - to the effect that if the two boys didn't sign the contract they and their families would face a crippling lawsuit, and that they'd "never work in this town again".
McPhail and Doyle began their legal action in 2005, and the whole thing finally reached the High Court in London yesterday. The original litigation named five defendants, the band's former manager Richard Rashman and his company Prestige, record producer John MacLauchlan, and Bourne and Willis. Rashman, Prestige and MacLauchlan have all reached out of court settlements though, meaning the court case will only involve the original band members themselves - Bourne and Willis, presumably, have more to lose from any royalties claim made by their former band mates.
McPhail and Doyle's lawyer Tim Penny opened the proceedings yesterday, and the two former Busted boys are expected to take to the witness stand today to give their side of the dispute. It's not clear whether Bourne and Willis will also make statements during the trial - if I remember rightly McPhail and Doyle previously claimed Willis had lied in his official written defence statement to the court which, they argued, amounted to perjury.
A spokesman for the plaintiffs said yesterday: "We cannot comment on the specifics of the settlements due to confidentiality restrictions and the ongoing nature of the High Court hearing. We can simply confirm that three of the five defendants in the High Court action have each reached out of court settlements with Ki and Owen. We are not permitted to discuss or disclose details of the settlements as Ki and Owen are bound by what are commonly known as 'gagging clauses'. We are hopeful that justice will be done in the High Court and that Ki and Owen will get their names put back on the songs that made Busted famous and that they will get the recognition that they deserve for their part in the creation of the Busted phenomenon".
The court case could last up to fifteen days. Which is very exciting. See you here for a Busted Trial day two report tomorrow.
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ARTISTS AROUND THE WORLD ADD VOICE TO US RADIO ROYALTY CAMPAIGN
Musicians and artist organisations around the world have added their voice to a campaign in the US to revamp the rules governing the royalties paid by terrestrial radio stations in North America or, to be more precise, the lack of royalties paid by terrestrial radio stations in North America. As previously reported, music radio in the US is pretty damn unusual in that radio stations get away with contributing very little to the record industry for the music they feature on their outputs. The situation came about because of the history of the radio and music industries in the States, and because for years the radio sector claimed it helped the music business by providing free marketing for their releases.
Pressure has been growing to change that situation, not least because newer online and satellite radio services don't enjoy such a favourable royalty scenario, which, they argue, gives the terrestrial radio firms an unfair advantage. Late last year a group of US politicians put forward proposals to introduce albeit relatively modest royalties for terrestrial radio companies to pay, and those proposals have been much discussed in the last couple of months.
Now over 6000 artists from fifteen countries, including the UK, have put their name to a petition calling on those proposals to become US law. The petition, organised by global record label trade body the IFPI and UK recording royalty society PPL, says that the signatories believe it is "grossly unfair" that the $20bn US radio industry pays nothing for the music it uses to draw audiences and drive profits.
Welcoming the petition, John Smith, President of the International Federation of Musicians, says the widespread support for the introduction of radio royalties in the US shows how important this issue is. He told reporters: "It is encouraging that so many performers from across the world have taken the time to voice their support for their American friends and colleagues. Many of the musicians represented within FIM globally depend on airplay royalties for a significant part of their livelihoods. They deserve a fair deal from commercial radio in the US. In FIM's view, it is unfair that the US is the only western free market country that does not grant a broadcasting right so that performers can get paid a fare share of airplay royalties".
Doyle Bartlett, the boss of musicFIRST, the US organisation leading the campaign to get radio royalties, added: "This extraordinary and impressive array of artists is a testament to the inequity of current US laws and the commitment of performers to finally closing this outrageous loophole".
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MAXIM APOLOGISE FOR MADE UP REVIEW
The Editorial Director of Maxim, home of the made up review, has commented on the fact that the March edition of the mens' mag includes a full review complete with star rating for new Black Crowes album 'Warpaint' even though the LP hadn't been serviced to journalists when the magazine went to press. When the band's management initially approached the magazine about the 2.5 star review they were told that the piece was an "educated guess" review - with the mag arguing that a made up review was better for the band than no coverage at all. But the band disagreed and bitched about the whole thing quite vocally on their website. Now Maxim Editorial Director James Kaminisky has said the review - or, to be precise, the star rating - was included by mistake. He said in a statement yesterday: "It is Maxim's editorial policy to assign star ratings only to those albums that have been heard in their entirety. Unfortunately, that policy was not followed in the March 2008 issue of our magazine and we apologise to our readers". So there you go. There's a lesson in this for all you music mag types out there. If you're going to make up a review, make it a positive one. What band ever complained about a made up 4/5 review? Not one.
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JACKO FACES LOSING NEVERLAND, AGAIN
Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch - which Jacko hasn't really used since his acquittal on those child abuse allegations in 2005 - is in danger of being foreclosed on, again. According to Fox news, $25 million of debts are outstanding relating to the property, and the house, the land its on and all the nonsense stored there could be seized and sold off to pay those bills. The singer has until 19 Mar to sort out the debts.
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LIL WAYNE APPEARS IN COURT
US rapper Lil Wayne has appeared in court in New York for an arraignment hearing, and has entered a plea of not guilty in relation to those previously reported gun charges, incurred last July. The hip hop star, real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, faces charges of criminal possession of a weapon relating to the 2007 incident which followed a performance alongside Ja Rule at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan. If convicted, he could serve up to three and a half years, due to the city's gun laws.
As also previously reported, this isn't the only trouble Carter has to deal with at the moment. The Louisiana rap star is facing drugs and weapons charges in Arizona, where border patrols stopped his tour bus last month and discovered various narcotics and associated paraphernalia plus a 40-caliber pistol.
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WARNER CONSIDERING PEREZ HILTON RECORD LABEL
The New York Times reports that Warner Music is in talks with that gossip blogger chap Perez Hilton about launching his own imprint record label. The blog man could receive up to $100,000 a year through the deal, which seems to be based on the fact that Hilton's online support of unsigned artist Eric Hutchinson helped him get into the iTunes top ten, something which led to Hutchinson getting a Warner recording deal (actually a second deal - he had previously been signed to Warner's Maverick but had been dropped).
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CHRYSALIS SALE COULD BE FINALISED THIS WEEK
Word has it that a Chrysalis deal could be reached within the week. As previously reported, independent music publishing outfit Chrysalis has put itself up for sale, and four offers have reportedly been made. It was originally thought owner Chris Wright was in no rush to sell, and would only do so if the right deal was on the table, but upcoming changes in UK tax laws means that a sale before April would be hugely beneficial, and the latest gossip is that a takeover deal will be agreed any day now. EMI and Warner Chappell are both believed to have bid for the company, though the latest reports suggest that acquisition hungry Sony/ATV - who some thought had bid - have not, in fact, made an offer.
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ALAN DARGIN DIES
Didgeridoo specialist Alan Dargin has died at the age of 40 from a cerebral haemorrhage following a stroke. Taught to play the instrument by his grandfather at the age of five, Dargin released a number of albums, and will be remembered for his blending of didgeridoo with Celtic instruments and rock sounds. He was once quoted as saying: "In light of the recent unearthing of an old Irish brass instrument that can be played like a didgeridoo, I find the didgeridoo quite interesting and musically compatible with the Celtic harp, penny-whistle and the bodhran".
Over the years, he collaborated with a diverse number of fellow musicians, including rockers Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, jazz stars Don Burrows and James Morrison, and the Vienna Philharmonic and London Symphony orchestras. He also took work as an actor, his most high profile appearance being a cross-dressing role in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. His final recording, 'MRD', is due to be released in April.
Fellow performer Charlie McMahon says of his former colleague: "He had an original and compelling style. He toured around the world, and stirred up a lot of interest in the US, China and Europe in Australia indigenous culture."
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JING JANG JONG NOT CONFIDENT OF NME WIN
Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong have admitted they are an outside bet to win an award at tomorrow's NME Awards, even though they are up for the Best New Band prize.
The band told reporters: "We're not going to get it.... The Enemy and The Wombats, they've both got albums out, and they've got masses of fans all around the country, they've been playing for a lot longer than us. We want to win it but it doesn't matter does it? We don't really care".
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ALBUM REVIEW: Slyde - Everyone's Entitled to Our Opinion
Boom! A breaks album from one of Finger Lickin's most exciting artists has blown into CMU HQ like a whirling dervish. There's nothing clever about this album from the London based DJ duo, but that is true of some of the best in dance music. It's all about those breaks, really, isn't it, and the bass line? Opener 'Vibrate To This' has been rattling the bass bins for some time now and sets the mood for a set that rarely lets up. New single 'Sex & Drugs' samples the legendary Ian Dury and sounds like a set of instructions to follow for the enjoyment of the music. 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' is another stomper dropping "Somethin' crazy for your speaker" with guest vocals from Lady Posh (no not that one). As for those tracks that haven't been singles, 'Strange' is the one let up in pace, melding an ethereal vocal over some slightly less intense beats before 'Blow The Stack' warms us up again for the barnstorming finish of 'Frequency'. Team CMU approve (I've never seen Chris dance around so much). IM
Release Date: 10 Mar 2008
Press Contact: Trailer Media [all]
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RONSON TO PRODUCE KAISER ALBUM?
According to Xfm, Mark Ronson is to produce the new Kaiser Chiefs album. It would agree with what Ronson recently told 6Music - that he was set to work with "a big band" but that "they haven't fully hired me yet and I don't want to jinx it". Now Xfm say a source has confirmed that it's the Kaisers.
Elsewhere in that same 6music interview, Ronson said that he won't be working on another solo album for a while, saying: "I am really excited to be working on another [solo] record. But I'm producing a few other people's records first then I'll get back to it".
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CAMPBELL AND LANEGAN TO RELEASE A SECOND ALBUM
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan are to release a second album following the success of their 2006 collaboration 'The Ballad Of the Broken Seas', which, you'll remember, garnered a Mercury Prize nomination. As with the first LP, former Belle & Sebastian member Campbell has written the music, and Screaming Trees singer Lanegan will join her on vocals. 'Sunday At Devil Dirt' will be released on 5 May.
Meanwhile Lanegan is set to release another collaborative effort, 'Saturnalia' by The Gutter Twins (Lanegan and ex- Afghan Wings frontman Greg Dulli) on 3 Mar.
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JOSS STONE WORKING WITH RAP DUO
Joss Stone has collaborated with rap duo Clipse on work set to appear on their respective upcoming albums. No clue as to which track, or what Stone's new album's called. But Clipse, aka Malice and Pusha T, are rumoured to be calling their album 'Spirit Of Corruption'. According to reports, the three previously collaborated on a track for a 'Randy Jackson's Music Club, Volume 1' album, entitled 'Just Walk On By', but Clipse's contribution was cut from the final version of the track.
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LEVELLERS RELEASE
Long term CMU favourites Levellers have announced the release on 3 Mar of a free double A side single. The two tracks, 'A Life Less Ordinary' and 'The Cholera Well', are lifted from the band's forthcoming studio album, 'Letters From The Underground', which is scheduled for release this summer.
The single is being released as part of the group's 20th anniversary celebrations, which will also include a number of live dates, festival appearances, and of course, the album release. Here are the live dates:
6 Mar: Wolverhampton Civic Hall
7 Mar: Manchester Apollo
8 Mar: London Brixton Academy
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JOY DIVISION DOCU GIVEN RELEASE DATE
That previously reported new documentary about Joy Division is to be released in the UK on 2 May. The film, directed by Grant Lee, tells the story of the band using never seen before live footage, newly discovered audio tapes and personal photos, as well as interviews with the likes of the late Tony Wilson. Peter Hook likes it, and calls it "the perfect answer" to Anton Corbijn's dramatised account of Ian Curtis's life 'Control', which as you all surely know, was released in 2007.
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WINEHOUSE TO FRONT CLOTHES AND MAKE-UP RANGE
I'm a big Amy fan, but I hate it when singers and actors do this sort of thing, it makes me feel as though they want to a) own you and b) squeeze as much cash out of you as possible. So I hope it's not true. But according to reports, Amy Winehouse is to get her own clothing and make-up range.
A Winehouse 'source' says: "Amy's style has been copied by girls around the country and there's a lot of money to be made. It's a very distinctive look. She wants to bring out a range of cosmetics and fashion products. There could be hairspray, head scarves, liquid eyeliner, perfume. All the things that are distinctive of her look."
Consulted by a UK tabloid, some fashion industry opinionado said this: "I think this stuff would sell very well in London. She has become a fashion icon despite not always looking too fresh".
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CLAPTON INVITED TO PLAY PYONGYANG
Further to those reports that the New York Philharmonic are to play in North Korea later this year comes news that Eric Clapton has also been invited to perform in the state's capital Pyongyang. If he does so, he'll be the first Western rock star to do so, of course. Reports claim that Clapton has in principle agreed to the gig, but the singer's management would not confirm that he'd even been approached.
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WATERS TO PLAY DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
Every time I hear Pink Floyd news, I feel terrifically weary. The news making me want to take a nap today is the announcement that Roger Waters is to perform - for the last time ever - 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' in its entirety, at two UK shows this May. Yeah, right, bet he does it again some time.
Anyway, nuff sneering from me, more info. The gigs, at which Waters is also planning to play some other Floyd tracks, plus some solo material, will take place at Liverpool's Echo Arena on 15 May and at the O2 in London on 18 May. Tickets on sale Friday morning.
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JAMES BLUNT DATES
Noel Gallagher take note, James Blunt has announced a nine date arena tour of the UK. Tickets on sale this Friday, dates as follows:
3 Oct: Cardiff, International Arena
4 Oct: Sheffield, Arena
6 Oct: Nottingham, Arena
7 Oct: Birmingham, National Indoor Arena
08 Oct: Manchester, Evening News Arena
10 Oct: Glasgow, SECC
11 Oct: Aberdeen, Exhibition and Conference Centre
12 Oct: Newcastle, Arena
14 Oct: London, O2 Arena
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TURNMILLS FINALE NIGHTS ANNOUNCED
If anyone is planning on putting together a who's who for the dance music genre, may I suggest paying a visit to London venue Turnmills in its final three days next month, when everyone who is anyone will be DJing, including The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, Judge Jules, Seb Fontaine, Tall Paul, Sister Bliss, Justin Robertson, John Kennedy, Frankie Knuckles and Danny Rampling. As previously reported, Turnmills closes down next month because the building it's in is being redeveloped. The big finale nights will run from 21-23 Mar. I'd book your tickets now, though I think the Saturday night is already sold out. Info at http://www.turnmills.co.uk
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DUELS ALBUM, SINGLE, TOUR
Duels have announced that their second LP, 'The Barbarians Move In', will be released on 28 Apr, preceded by the release of a single 'Regeneration' on 14 Apr. They're also going on a brief tour ahead of those releases, dates as follows:
17 Mar: Newcastle, Cluny
18 Mar: York, Junction
21 Mar: Leeds, Cockpit
19 Apr: London Camden Crawl
Press info from Coalition.
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YODA TOUR
The rather marvellous DJ Yoda has just announced a UK tour and he's promising us a "brand new audio-visual extravaganza", which sounds just my kind of thing. Get the dates in your diary, and get on the phone to Get Involved if you need press info.
29 Apr: Oxford Academy - Oxford
1 May: Koko - London
2 May: Digital - Brighton
3 May: The Junction Theatre - Cambridge
4 May: Warehouse Project - Manchester
8 May: Thekla - Bristol
9 May: Ifor Bach - Cardiff
10 May: The Custard Factory - Birmingham
13 May: Tuesday Club - Sheffield
15 May: Small Arch - Glasgow
16 May: Stiff Kitten - Belfast
17 May: Digital - Newcastle
23 May: Rescue Rooms - Nottingham
24 May: [email protected] the Pod Dublin
25 May: Gatecrasher Summer Sound System - Northampton
25 May: Metropolis @ Leeds Victoria Works - Leeds
29 May: Barfly - Liverpool
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THE ACCIDENTAL TONIGHT
The co-founder of Trunk Records, the main man out of Tunng, one half of The Bicycle Thieves and singer-songwriter Liam Bailey together make The Accidental, which is a damn fine recipe for a band if ever I heard one. And if you think so too, go to The Slaughtered Lamb on Great Sutton Street in East London tonight where they are playing. Tickets are £5 in advance, £6 on the door. Then look out for their debut single 'Wolves' out on Full Time Hobby on 31 Mar, and an album in April. More at http://www.electroacousticclub.com/
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ROB DA BANK ANNOUNCES TWO INDOOR MINI-FESTIVALS
I just got a toy car in the post. Which was confusing. And, if I'm being honest, a tiny little bit disappointing. When I get boxes in the post I always have the optimistic hope there might be something nice to eat inside. I'm not sure a toy Corsa is edible. But the thing the car is promoting is quite exciting. Sunday Best chief Rob da Bank and the aforementioned Corsa are teaming up to stage two all day mini-festival type events in May, which both sound rather good. Here are initial line ups for each date, you'll find more info at http://www.bandstandevents.co.uk with press info and free toy cars coming from Darling Dept.
3 May: London - Old Billingsgate
Mark Ronson (live & DJ set), Rob da Bank, Annie Mac, Late Of The Pier (live), The Cuban Brothers (live), Greg's Greats, Sombrero Sound System. Hosted by Barry Peters.
10 May: Liverpool - Carling Academy
Mark Ronson (live & DJ set), Rob da Bank, Kissy Sell Out, Kitty Daisy & Lewis (live), The Cuban Brothers (live), The Troubadours (live), Sombrero Sound System. Hosted by Barry Peters.
On it all, da Bank told CMU: "We love putting on outdoor festivals so we thought why not do one inside? In fact, let's do two! Bandstand is a very British, eccentric celebration of music, comedy and performance taking you to another world. We hope this is the start of a series of landmark musical events for the UK".
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SONY/ATV APPOINT NEW CFO
Music publishers Sony/ATV have appointed Joseph Puzio as their global CFO. He comes to Sony/ATV from sports marketing firm IMG, but will bring with him sixteen years of experience from his previous job, at EMI Music Publishing, where he worked under current Sony/ATV chief (then EMI Publishing chief) Marty Bandier. On the appointment Bandier said this: "Joe had been the solid backbone to my worldwide finance operation in my prior life at EMI. Sony/ATV is growing by leaps and bounds, and we soon needed someone with Joe's experience in running the administration of a major global music publisher. I am thrilled that Joe agreed to join the team here".
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APPLE SECOND BIGGEST MUSIC SELLER IN US
Apple said yesterday that iTunes is now the second biggest music retailer in the US, behind only Wal-Mart. The claim is based on data provided by the NPD Group and is calculated by assuming each 12 single track downloads equates an album sale in a high street retailer. It didn't provide the exact sums behind it, though no one seems to have disputed the claim as yet.
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WARNER ENTER INTO AFRICAN MOBILE DEAL
Warner Music Gallo Africa - the JV between Warner and South African publishing and entertainment company Johncom/Gallo Music - has announced a partnership with a company called iO global who will make the major's music available to mobile operators across Africa, providing full track and ringtone downloads. The deal will initially concentrate on sub-Saharan Africa, rolling out first in South Africa and Nigeria from March. WMGA boss Ivor Haarburger told reporters: "Wireless technology offers us the chance to extend the reach of new music experiences in emerging African markets. iO global's impressive client base along with their commitment to promoting legitimate, pan-regional mobile music services make them an important partner for us on this continent".
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DOWNLOADING UP, LEGIT DOWNLOAD DOWN, MOBILE LOOKING GOOD
A new research report from the NPD Group says that digital music acquisition in the US rose by 6% last year, which sounds good, but they also say that the amount of digital music acquired from legit sources fell from 48% to 42%, meaning overall digital music spending was down 10%. Which don't sound good. Certainly not if you're a content owner. Basically NPD are saying illegal file sharing is alive and well. What's more, CD sales continued to decline, with one million Americans stopping buying CDs, and only 38% of teens buying physical music product, down from 48% the previous year. Not good.
On the upside, Juniper Research are predicting good things for the mobile music sector, predicting that the mobile music market will grow to more than $17.5 billion by 2012. And much of that growth will come from mobile downloads and subscription music services rather than ringtones - ie services that are potentially more profitable for the record labels. So, label types, hold on to that I guess.
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OFCOM AWARDS COMMUNITY LICENCES IN NORTH WEST
Media regulator OfCom has just awarded four new community radio licences in the North West, though five applications in the region were turned down. The successful community stations were KCC Live in Knowsley, Moorlands Radio in Biddulph, Rossendale Radio in the Rossendale Valley and Canalside Radio in Macclesfield.
Canalside's Nick Wright is quoted by Radiotoday thus: "After four years hard work Canalside has finally achieved its goal - the chance to bring to East Cheshire a truly outstanding community radio service that is run on a 'not for profit' basis".
Among those not winning a licence this time were Halt FM in Altrincham, Tatton FM in the Alderley Edge, Kat FM in Crewe and Nantwich and CCM in Congleton.
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PENK LEAVES FOX BREAKFAST
Steve Penk - remember him - I think he was the darling of London (and then Virgin) radio for a while (though old North Westerners like me may remember him more for his Piccadilly Key 103 days). Well, he's been presenting the breakfast show on Oxford commercial station Fox FM of late, but is reportedly quitting the show, officially because he's bored of the commute. Fox FM Programme Controller Helen Grimes said this: "We have agreed to not renew Steve Penk's current contract on the Fox FM Breakfast Show. He is finding the daily commute from London to Oxford difficult and can't commit to another 12 month contract". Neil Williams will take over the show.
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ALBUM REVIEW: Various Artists - SciFi HiFi Volume 4 mixed by Funk D'Void (Soma Records)
Lars Sandberg has been signed to Soma since 1994 as Funk D'Void, and here presents the fourth chapter of this series - and with considerable flair. His mix takes us on a journey into many forms of electronica, weaving through many a genre and tempo along the way. The intro from Sagi with 'Black Gold' and his remix of Beroshima's 'Horizon' takes us into quality techno. Joe Mull's 'Klangfarben' is moody, while the clitter clatter of Apparat's remix of Lusine's 'Drip' has a moody-cum-punky feel. Then it's into lush house: 'Those Days' From Cloud, but remixed by my man of the moment - Jimpster. There's a more downtempo number courtesy of Sandberg's labelmate Vector Lovers with 'Music and Memories', and then it's back to the floor with King Britt's funky remix of 'Tonight' from H Foundation, with all its pert female vocals, and then the bumping 'Deep' from Dirt Crew. The tracks are now so deeply mixed that the idents no longer offer help... though the highlight is up next - Milton Jackson's remix of Ski Oakenfulls 'Illumination' - full of simply classy deep beats. Pressure drops a little with 'Sequential Dub' an abstract cut from Ozy. The mechanoid brooding 'Deeper' by Blakkat is average but is quickly followed by Artec's excellent hanging chords and swirling synths in 'Communicate', so you probably won't notice. The end is a fine slice of almost anthemic tech from Vincenzo with 'The Resident'. Overall, it's a cerebral excursion into electronic music, with plenty of good cuts. I've held Sandberg in high esteem for his prior production work, and with this mix here he demonstrates he has a highly intricate yet wide view of electronic dance music. Recommended. PV
Release date: 25 Feb
Press contact: Soma [all]
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MADDEN WITH PARIS, APPARENTLY
According to reports, Good Charlotte star Benji Madden dating Paris Hilton, which would seem a bit weird and wrong given that his twin brother Joel has fathered a child with Hilton's Simple Life co-star Nicole Richie. Anyway, Madden, who recently split with girlfriend Sophie Monk, has been seen holding hands with Hilton around LA.
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TIMBERLAKE SECRETLY DATING KATE
More celebrity dating gossip now, and Justin Timberlake, reports claim, has been secretly dating actress Kate Hudson for a year, despite the fact that he's supposed to be romancing Jessica Biel. A source told the New York Post: "Kate is very private and refuses to be seen with him in public. She doesn't want to be humiliated like Cameron Diaz was when he dumped her. But they talk every day on the phone and see each other often".
Reps for both parties have issued denials, however.
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VARIOUS SIMON COWELL GOSSIP ITEMS
1. Simon Cowell has apparently splashed out £40 million on a grade II listed Holland Park property. Yikes. He's too rich, he needs to give some of that cash to me.
2. Sinitta says Cowell is a bad influence on her kids, apparently. He's godfather to her adopted children Magdelena, three, and 19-month-old Zac. She told Now!: "He's a destructive influence, though! He's made it his sole purpose to disrupt and undermine everything I have taught them! When there's something they don't want to eat, Simon will take it and spit it out on the floor, so of course they copy him. The last time he was here he said he was going to take Magdalena home with him. I was like, 'Wow!'"
3. Finally, Paula Abdul says everyone should stop questioning Simon Cowell's sexuality, not least because he's got a girlfriend, okay? Abdul told Star magazine: "People say that all the time but no, he's not! His brother always jokes and says that he's gay but Simon has fun with it now. He's very comfortable in his skin. He's been doing more push-ups lately. There's no excuse for him to dress that way". Who cares, anyway?
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ATOMIC A FLOP BECAUSE KERRY WASN'T INVOLVED. SAYS KERRY
Kerry Katona says that the reason Atomic Kitten's reunion single 'Anyone Who Had A Heart' flopped earlier this year was because she wasn't involved, not because the band has had its day. She apparently bitched to New! magazine: "I made that frigging band, but they never bothered to invite me back. I know their single bombed but that's because without me they're nothing".
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CHIEF KAISER BORED WITH HIS SONGS
Chief Kaiser Ricky Wilson has said that he's pleased that his band has written some more songs for their new album as he was getting sick of the old ones. He told the Daily Record: "It gets out of hand for a band when you've made a couple of albums. You make an album then you're supposed to go around the world for two years promoting it - boring. So it's nice to do things on your own terms a bit. We'll release a single pretty soon, I reckon. We're gonna go into a studio in a couple of weeks' time and record it".