| CMU Daily - on the inside Monday 3rd March |
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In today's CMU Daily:
- Juvenile devastated after four year old daughter killed
- BT to sponsor Isle Of Wight Festival
- No further action against Winehouse regarding husband's alleged bribe
- DJ Kershaw out of jail
- Ryan denies assault
- Jeff Healey dies
- Madonna buys pub
- More Jacko payment woes
- Warner/Chappell sign Oscar winners
- BBC docu says Jagger was assassination target
- Reznor releases new album with online initiative
- Hadouken! fans get early dibs on album
- Adele to record Bond theme?
- Will.I.Am does second Obama vid
- Piaf star is conspiracy theorist
- Abraham gets Eurovision ticket
- Ibiza Rocks launch a hotel
- Muse plan minimal gig at Albert Hall
- MTV announce Spanking New Music tour
- Album review: Neon Neon - Stainless Style
- Universal profits down, but Vivendi profits up
- Mercury A&R appointment
- Barfly add new Birmingham space
- AIM look at live with Big Wednesday
- Global expected to make one last bid for GCap
- Bauer lose digital chief
- Chart update
- Sub.tv playlist
- Total Rock world album chart
- Student Radio Chart
- Libertine musical?
- Lopez names her twins
- Ashlee Simpson denies engagement
- Cowell says Leona's loss is actually gain
- Stone would like to be a nurse
- Moby says Britney is breaking his heart
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TOP BIT - ANNOUNCING THE CMU SOCIAL
Can you believe that it is March? Already. How did that happen? I mean, it's not as if February didn't try and stick around a little bit longer, yet March has arrived nevertheless. But this onward progression in time has its upsides because CMU's tenth birthday - on 18 May, in case you're wondering - is getting closer, and I think I promised a whole host of CMU innovations around that birthday, and the fact May is now just around the corner means I think it's about time to start delivering on those promises.
So here goes - innovation number one. Next month CMU will be teaming up with our good friends Leyline Promotions (Twisted Licks, Remix Night, Kill All Hippies, Breaking Ground, Insomniacs Ball) and 229 (a brilliant little venue right opposite Great Portland Street tube station) to launch a new monthly get together and showcase night for everyone out there in CMU land.
The CMU Social will be an opportunity for everyone working in music and music media (in London, at least) to meet, greet, chat, cheer, network and socialise, a great mix of verbs, I'm sure you'll agree. Whether you make music yourself, or you're in A&R, marketing, PR, management, touring, TV, radio, the press, retail, digital, distribition, or any other bit of the music biz I just forgot - hey, we'll even welcome you music lawyers and accountants - you're invited. And doors will open at 7pm, so you can fall straight out of work into the Social.
In among the meeting, greeting, chatting, cheering, networking and socialising, team CMU will present three bands that we love very much, all with something to promote music wise. The CMU:DJs, meanwhile, will play some tunes we are currently rating. And there'll be a few other CMU-type things going on too, more on which another day.
This will all take place on the first Tuesday in each month from April - so get those dates pencilled into your diaries - and keep any eye on the CMU Daily throughout March for more details of what will be happening at the very first Social.
Meanwhile, if you'd like more information on the Social, are interested in getting involved, want to become a partner of the event, or have artists to put forward, well, drop one of those emails to [email protected]
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JOBS N STUFF
JUNIOR PUBLISHING ASSISTANT VACANCY - FABRIC PUBLISHING
Fabric Publishing, Fabric's music publishing business, is looking for a young, enthusiastic, hard working person with excellent administration and organisational skills to fill a junior publishing assistant vacancy. The job will require the successful candidate to maintain and manage the extensive publishing database, compile monthly royalty tracking reports, liaise with sub publishers, deal with MCPS/PRS song registration, liaise with writers/artists, manage the music library and provide general help with day to day running of publishing company. The successful candidate must have experience in using excel, filemaker pro and have general data basing skills. Please note this is a purely admin role and an in depth knowledge of electronic and alternative music is not required. Please state salary expectations on application.
Please email CV to [email protected] Closing date: Friday 14th March 2008.
http://www.fabricpublishing.com - http://www.fabriclondon.com
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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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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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LIVE EVENTS - PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
We are an innovative events and marketing company who identify and broker music and cultural partnerships, and develop and deliver experiential brand programmes. We have two high profile retail theatre productions currently in development, in partnership with major brands and are pursuing other exciting opportunities in this growing market.
We need an enthusiastic, organised and conscientious manager to join our team to:
- coordinate the production and logistics of our up coming events
- to identify and capitalise on additional commercial opportunities presented by these activities
- to identify and pursue new partnership and event opportunities
The right candidate will have experience in planning and managing large scale music and/or event projects, and will be brimming with both commercial and creative ideas. Some new business or business development experience will be an advantage, as will language skills, especially French. It may suit someone who has worked in recorded music looking to branch into the live arena, or someone working in the live sector interested in the potential of creating and delivering spectacular Live Brand Experiences with and for prestigious brand partners.
If you are interested email a CV to [email protected]
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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...
Lucas from Cobra Dukes on how they got into making music: "We came to London (from Australia) to make it big in the most difficult place to make it big in the whole world. It's hardened us like the recent tour of duty in Afghanistan has hardened Ross Kemp".
Lucas answers 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: DEAD EYED BITCHES
Dead Eyed Bitches' MySpace couldn't be any clearer with the identity of its famous members, The Long Blondes, with the name taken from a lyric - "Dead Eyed Bitch" - in their single 'Giddy Stratospheres', and the page proudly proclaiming 'THE LONG BLONDES' as one of their influences. Throw in Erol Alkan (producer of their new album) and Fuzz Club (indie hangout du jour in their hometown of Sheffield) as top friends and it quickly becomes clear that they aren't too interested in this page remaining a secret. Indeed, rumours have it that it's being used to road test their new material, which if the one 'proper' song, 'Everything I Touch', is any indication of is a slight shift from the jaunty indie of their last record. With a bassline that references 'Pornography' era Cure it generally veers towards the electro side of things, with Kate Jackson's vocals switching from saccharine to steamy throughout. And despite the other offering being, well, a bit crap, you may want to see them touring this month where there'll no doubt be some of Jackson's trademark coquettish posturing on show.
http://www.myspace.com/thedeadeyedbitches
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JUVENILE DEVASTATED AFTER FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER KILLED
The manager of Juvenile has told reporters that the rapper is "shocked and devastated" about the news that his young daughter, her mother and her half-sister were killed in a shooting last week.
Four year old Jelani was shot dead alongside her mother Joy Deleston, and Deleston's other daughter, eleven year old Micaiah. Her third child, Anthony Terrell, has been charged with the murders.
Juvenile, who was confirmed as Jelani's father after a paternity suit in 2006, is reportedly still coming to terms with the shooting. His manager, Aubrey Francis, said on Saturday: "It really shocked him and devastated him to the point where I've never seen him before. Right now he is relaxing and trying to grasp everything of what has happened".
Terrell is due to face the murder charges in court this week. Although he committed the crimes in Gwinnett County he is being held in jail in the neighbouring DeKalb County because his mother worked for Gwinnett police, so another police force will hold the defendant to avoid conflict of interest.
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BT TO SPONSOR ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL
BT has announced it will sponsor the Isle Of Wight Festival in June. The deal will see the Police/Kaiser Chiefs/Sex Pistols headlined festival being billed as being presented "in association" with the telecoms giant, who will also promote it all via its phone, internet and IPTV platforms, and have a brand presence at the three day event.
Confirming the deal, BT Group MD Gavin Patterson told CMU: "This is a proud first for BT. Being associated with an event like this reflects how BT has transformed as a business and has become an established player in the world of multi-media entertainment with new services like our next-generation TV service BT Vision". I suspect it really shows BT's ability to write a cheque, but a next-generation cheque, I'm sure.
IOW festival boss John Giddings added: "We are very excited to form a partnership with one of the world's leading brands. Their involvement will benefit the audience experience in a number of ways yet to be revealed".
The IOW Festival will take place from 13-15 Jun, on the Isle Of Wight, obviously.
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NO FURTHER ACTION AGAINST WINEHOUSE REGARDING HUSBAND'S ALLEGED BRIBE
London police have confirmed that Amy Winehouse is no longer a suspect in relation to her husband's ongoing perverting the course of justice case. The singer was interviewed by police back in December after Blake Fielder-Civil was arrested over allegations he tried to bribe a North London pub landlord who he is accused of assaulting to change his testimony. Presumably police were speculating that Fielder-Civil may have planned to use his wife's money to fund any bribe, and therefore pondered on whether Winehouse had knowledge of it. Fielder-Civil pleaded not guilty to both the assault and perverting the course of justice charges on Friday, and at the same time police announced that, whatever the outcome of his case, Amy was no longer being investigated, and would not be required to undergo any further questioning, as had been expected. A spokesman for the singer told reporters on Friday afternoon: "Amy is pleased to be discounted from the investigation and thanks the police for their professionalism in their dealings with her". Winehouse was not at her husband's court hearing on Friday, reportedly because she was travelling to a perform at a private party in Paris.
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DJ KERSHAW OUT OF JAIL
Former Radio1/3 DJ Andy Kershaw is out of jail after spending 44 days inside relating to that much previously reported breach of a restraining order involving his ex-partner. Kershaw pleaded guilty to the breach in the Isle Of Man courts in January - the breach itself took place last November. He was let out of jail on Friday though the restraining order, that prevents him from contacting his ex and the mother of his two children, Juliette Banner, remains in place.
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RYAN DENIES ASSAULT
Former Blue boy Lee Ryan has appeared at Redhill Magistrates' Court and entered a not guilty plea in relation to those previously reported assault charges. The singer, accused of attacking a taxi driver following a minor traffic accident in Oxted on New Year's Eve, will be back in court on 7 May.
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JEFF HEALEY DIES
Blues guitarist Jeff Healey has died at the age of 41 from cancer. The musician, blind from the age of one after being afflicted with eye cancer, had in the last eighteen months had tumours removed from his legs and lungs.
Healey was born in Toronto in 1966 and, despite his blindness, taught himself to play guitar in his trademark style, with the instrument laid flat across his lap. At the age of seventeen he formed the band Blue Direction and went on to sign with Arista following an appearance in Patrick Swayze film 'Roadhouse'. The group's 1988 album 'See The Light' achieved platinum sales, and in 1990, the band were named Entertainers Of The Year at Canada's Juno Awards.
Ultimately, Healey withdrew somewhat from the world of more contemporary music, however, preferring to concentrate in later years on vintage jazz, releasing three CDs of American twenties and thirties jazz, as well as amassing a collection of around 25,000 78s. He also ran a music club in Toronto, at which he alternately appeared with a rock band and a jazz band.
Healey's latest album, his first rock LP for eight years, is due for release later this year. He is survived by his wife and two children.
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MADONNA BUYS PUB
Madonna and other half Guy Ritchie have reportedly bought a pub in Mayfair. The couple have apparently bought The Punchbowl, an historic hostelry that has existed since 1730 and which was at one time owned by gangster Freddie Foreman.
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MORE JACKO PAYMENT WOES
More from the pop property files, and reports over the weekend say that Michael Jackson is facing two possible cases of foreclosure. Following news that his Neverland ranch may be put up for auction if $25 million of debts relating to the property aren't settled within the next two weeks, there was news this weekend that a Californian mortgage company may foreclose on a property in LA used by Jacko and his family because he has missed $153,910 in mortgage payments, following two other defaults on payments last year. Word has it Jacko's people are looking to rejig the singer's finances so to avoid the Neverland sale, but there's no word as to whether those rejigs will also look to bring payments on the LA house up to date also.
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WARNER/CHAPPELL SIGN OSCAR WINNERS
Music publishing major Warner/Chappell have signed up Oscar winning Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. As previously reported, The Frames man Hansard and his Czech girlfriend Marketa Irglova last week won the Best Original Song academy award for their song 'Falling Slowly' from the movie 'Once'. Warner/Chappell will now administrate both songwriters' catalogues, including Glen's The Frames songs, tracks off Orglova's debut album 'The Swell Season', and the couple's songs from 'Once'.
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BBC DOCU SAYS JAGGER WAS ASSASSINATION TARGET
A new BBC documentary is set to claim that Mick Jagger was the subject of a 1969 assassination plot by Hells Angels. The programme, which goes out on Radio 4 today, says that the Rolling Stone was targeted by the motorcycle gang because of a dispute over security: Jagger, apparently, had vowed never to use Hells Angels as bouncers after eighteen year old fan Meredith Hunter died at their free gig at the Altamont Speedway in Northern California, a killing which the gang always denied involvement in.
Programme presenter Tom Mangold explains that gang members planned to kill Jagger whilst he was at his holiday home in Long Island, and tried to reach him by sea. Their boat was hit by a storm, however and all the would-be assassins were thrown overboard. All survived, but no further attempt was made on the singer's life. Mangold adds that the plot was revealed during an interview with former FBI officer Mark Young, but it's not clear if Jagger was ever made aware of it.
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REZNOR RELEASES NEW ALBUM WITH ONLINE INITIATIVE
Nine Inch Nails man Trent Reznor, having completed his recording commitments to Universal's Interscope just last year, has already got his first independent release out, a new 36 song collection called 'Ghosts I-IV'. As you'd expect from Reznor, now that he's fully in control of his releases, it's available online for next to nothing. Or, in the case of nine tracks, nothing at all.
Despite expressing some disappointment when only a fifth of the people who downloaded the Saul Williams album he produced recently, and which was available online for free in low quality and for five dollars for high quality, chose to pay for it, Reznor is offering his new release with a free and a five dollar option. Though the five dollar option isn't just better sound quality. For free fans get nine tracks as MP3 plus a 40 page PDF booklet. For five dollars they get all 36 songs.
Various physical sets are also available via Reznor's website, including a double disc set, a four disc set including a data DVD and Blu-ray video, and a premium $300 set including four CDs and four records, plus prints. Reznor will also personally sign the premium sets.
More at http://www.nin.com/
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HADOUKEN! FANS GET EARLY DIBS ON ALBUM
Hadouken! are to give their fans a chance to get hold of their debut album two weeks before everyone else is allowed to have it on 5 May. According to reports, fans who are signed up to the group's Aerials community (£24 a year to join) will also get free B-sides, remixes and tickets to fan club-only gigs, plus free entry to a planned Hadouken! festival. The aforementioned debut album can also be ordered as a special limited edition box set.
James Smith told NME.com: "There's a hardcore of Hadouken! fans that I think we can rely on to keep us afloat, which is wicked. We just want to keep respecting them, they make you who you are so you've got to kind of give them something so they come back to you - so hopefully we can do that with the box set and with free gigs we're going to put on around the album as well. Every time we release a single and B-side we'll get it to those guys first, hopefully for free".
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ADELE TO RECORD BOND THEME?
According to The People, gossipers are now talking about Brit tipped artist Adele recording the theme to the currently-in-production Bond film 'Quantum Of Solace'. Adele is apparently taking over from Amy Winehouse as the singer most tipped to record the new Bond theme, meaning she's probably definitely not going to do it. The tabloid says "record bosses have set their sights on Adele to sing the theme tune for the next James Bond film", though quite what it's go to do with record bosses I'm not sure - the last time I checked, Bond producers picked who sang their theme tunes.
Record label bosses could, however, get involved in picking the theme to a new Bond novel, because everyone is being invited to get involved. Penguin will publish a new James Bond audio book in May, and have asked Bond fans to put forward possible themes. The publishers have shortlisted some possibles, and you can vote for them now via the book's MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/devilmaycarebook. A winning theme will be announced on 17 Mar, with the audio book out in May.
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WILL.I.AM DOES SECOND OBAMA VID
Will.i.am Peas has released a second video tribute to presidential candidate Barack Obama. The new promo features the likes of Macy Gray and actors Ryan Philippe and Jessica Alba stating their reasons for supporting their candidate, backed by a chorus of voices which chant "Obama" and "We can change the world" to a melody written by the Black Eyed Peas star. As previously reported, Will.I.Am released a first video, 'Yes We Can' a few weeks ago, and it's been viewed millions of times. See http://www.wearetheonessong.com.
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PIAF STAR IS CONSPIRACY THEORIST
Marion Cotillard, Oscar winning star of Edith Piaf movie 'La Vie En Rose', has been quoted as saying that she thinks we've been lied to about the events of 9/11, in an interview she apparently did in September last year. "I think we're lied to about a number of things," she says, mainly questioning why the World Trade Center towers fell down so quickly. I think her theory is that the collapse of the buildings was aided so to avoid the expense of refurbishing the buildings, or something slightly weird like that.
The actress says: "We see other towers of the same kind being hit by planes, are they burned? There was a tower, I believe it was in Spain, which burned for 24 hours. It never collapsed. None of these towers collapsed. And there, in a few minutes, the whole thing collapsed".
Now, I'd be prepared to believe that the attacks weren't entirely what we're led to believe they were, but this idea seems a bit crazy, if you ask me. Anyway, she's also a moon-landings sceptic, saying "did a man really walk on the moon? I saw plenty of documentaries on it and I really wondered. In any case I don't believe all they tell me".
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ABRAHAM GETS EUROVISION TICKET
Former X-Factor star Andy Abraham won Saturday night's public vote to choose the UK's entry for Eurovision 2008. Which is okay, and I've nothing against Andy Abraham, but I was really hoping Michelle Gayle would win, so I was a bit disappointed. The good thing was that the really bad songs got voted off by judges John Barrowman, Carrie Grant and Terry Wogan, meaning only reasonable songs for the public to vote on (that said, I think at least one really rubbish one made it through).
Abraham, who was runner up in the second X-Factor series, and has since released two albums, said that winning the contest would be a "dream come true". The father of two former dustbin man described his self-written winning track as "funky love-song about a guy who's found genuine love with a girl".
Well, it's not bad. But I still liked Michelle Gayle's track better.
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IBIZA ROCKS LAUNCH A HOTEL
First there was the club night, then the album, so it stands to reason that the next Ibiza Rocks venture is a, erm, hotel. That's quite a brand extension. Yes, it's the Ibiza Rocks hotel, a "concept hotel fusing music and fashion with fresh ideas" in Ibiza's second town San Antonio. It will open on 1 May but officially launch on 31 May with a party headlined by The Enemy. There'll be a gig venue inside plus band practice rooms, as well as pools, gyms, boutiques, bars (including a 24 hour bar) and an extensive event programme, including a band-in-residence programme.
Commenting on the new venture, Ibiza Rocks boss Andy McKay told CMU: "This is an incredibly exciting time for both Ibiza and Ibiza Rocks - with the launch of the Ibiza Rocks Hotel, we're proud to be offering affordable, flexible accommodation to all the people who now travel to Ibiza each year to see live music in a place that now fully caters to them and their needs".
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MUSE PLAN MINIMAL GIG AT ALBERT HALL
Muse have said that their previously reported Teenage Cancer Trust gig at the Royal Albert Hall on 12 Apr will be more basic than their usual sets. The band's Matt Bellamy says this: "The Albert Hall gig will be very minimal. We won't be spending money on special effects. We played a couple of gigs like that in New Zealand and Eastern Europe because we couldn't get our production out there and we really enjoyed ourselves. It was different but it felt good".
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MTV ANNOUNCE SPANKING NEW MUSIC TOUR
MTV have announced details of its Spanking New Music tour, which will see the music telly types take a string of bands to venues around the UK, with established bands showcasing new material, supported by brand new talent. That's where the Spanking New bit comes from, in case you wondered. Dates and line ups as follows...
The Fratellis, The Ting Tings, Alphabeat
27 Apr: Cambridge Junction
28 Apr: Islington Academy
29 Apr: Liverpool Academy
The Zutons, One Night Only, The Script
4 May: Cardiff Great Hall
5 May: Glasgow ABC
6 May: Dublin Academy
The Pigeon Detectives, The Metros, The Rascals
28 Apr: Cambridge Junction
29 Apr: Islington Academy
30 Apr: Liverpool Academy
CSS, The Futureheads, MGMT
5 May: Cardiff Great Hall
6 May: Glasgow ABC
7 May: Dublin Academy
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ALBUM REVIEW: Neon Neon - Stainless Style (Lex Records)
For years the 80s were derided - mainly by idiots, I might add - as a musical decade best forgotten, but these days you can't move for 80s-influenced pop, fashion and telly. So much so that, as fantastic as 'Stainless Style' is, I can only proclaim it the 'The Best 80s Album Not Actually Released In The 80s' since Chromeo's 'Fancy Footwork' , which was only released last year of course. Anyway, Neon Neon is a seemingly unlikely partnership between LA-based producer Boom Bip and Super Furry Animals main man Gruff Rhys who, with 'Stainless Style', have created an album about car engineer and playboy John DeLorean, a concept enlivened by the spectacular collision between Boom Bip's effortless appropriation of key 1980s sounds and the lyrics and vocals, beautifully sung by Rhys. Far more eclectic sonically than you'd think, it straddles strutting freeway rock ('Dream Cars' and 'I Told Her On Alderaan'; the latter could almost be Huey Lewis And The News were it not for the skewed synths and alien melancholy), soulful, witty electroclash ('Raquel', 'Belfast', 'Michael Douglas') and even crunchy hip hop, courtesy of guests Yo Majesty, Fatlip and Spank Rock. Like 'Fancy Footwork', this is all brilliantly observed down to the tiniest details (the cascading synths, the hi-HRG cowbells), but never descends into parody. More American Psycho than Back To The Future (but probably in love with both), it's an album that constantly surprises and gets better and with every listen. Take it for a drive and you'll feel like you never want to drive anything else. MS
Release date: 17 Mar
Press contact: Motion Group [all]
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UNIVERSAL PROFITS DOWN, BUT VIVENDI PROFITS UP
Profits at Universal Music were down quite a bit in 2007, though they say that was mainly because of the costs involved in absorbing BMG Publishing and Sanctuary, the last twelve months having been quite a busy one in expansion terms for the biggest music company on the planet. Profits were 624 million euros in 2007, 12.9% down on 2006. A statement from parent company Vivendi said that 2006's figures also included the recovery of a fifty million euro deposit that had been put down in that previously reported legal spat with US independent TVT, which meant profits for that period were higher than would have been otherwise expected.
Vivendi's profits overall were up 8%, which seems to have pleased CEO Jean-Bernard Levy who told reporters on Friday: "2007 was a year of excellent performances for Vivendi, and we also accelerated on delivery of our strategy. With an adjusted net income of more than 2.8bn euros (£2.1bn), we significantly exceeded objectives set in early 2007. This achievement is due to the outstanding performances of all our businesses. In 2007, we also significantly strengthened each of our activities with transforming acquisitions: TPS for Canal+, BMG Publishing and Sanctuary for Universal Music Group, and Onatel and Gabon Telecom for Maroc Telecom".
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MERCURY A&R APPOINTMENT
Talking of Universal Music, their Mercury UK division has just announced the appointment of Jodie Cammidge to its A&R team. Cammidge moves into the A&R role from a promotions job at sister label Polydor. He will continue to run his own business, the Another Music = Another Kitchen club and label.
Confirming the appointment, Mercury A&R Director Paul Adam told reporters: "'I am thoroughly delighted to be welcoming Jodie Cammidge to Mercury. His background in radio, as well as his experience in running a club and a label, is the perfect foundation for a long and successful career in A&R. He is very well connected and has great taste, and I look forward to working with him for many years to come".
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BARFLY ADD NEW BIRMINGHAM SPACE
The MAMA Group confirmed on Friday that it is adding another venue to its Barfly network - the Sanctuary venue - which is above the current Barfly Birmingham set up. Both Sanctuary and the existing Birmingham Barfly will be refurbished, with the whole complex due to reopen in September with a 1500 capacity space, a 600 capacity space and two entry-level spaces with 150 and 300 capacities respectively.
Confirming the addition of the bigger Birmingham space, MAMA chiefs Adam Driscoll and Dean James said in a statement on Friday: "We are delighted to have enhanced our Birmingham presence with the acquisition of this landmark venue. The venue has been at the heart of the Birmingham music scene for many years and is a significant addition to our growing network of live music venues with exciting potential for further development".
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AIM LOOK AT LIVE WITH BIG WEDNESDAY
The next Big Wednesday night from the Association Of Independent Music will deal with the relationship between indie labels and the live sector - and how the two can work together for mutual benefit. The event will be keynoted by Feargal Sharkey, presumably in his guise as Chairman of the Live Music Forum, while a panel discussion on building an artist through the gig circuit will involve Tony Moore (The Bedford, Indigo2, Regal Rooms), Martin Elbourne (Glastonbury, The Great Escape), Tony Colman (Hospital Records, Hospitality club night) Andy Inglis (The Luminaire, Quart Festival), Julie Weir (Visible Noise, Subverse) and Peter Elliott (Primary Talent). It will all take place at the MCPS-PRS offices in London on 26 Mar from 6-10pm. Entry is £10 for AIMers, £30 for everyone else.
More info at http://www.musicindie.org/242.asp?sub=Events#
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GLOBAL EXPECTED TO MAKE ONE LAST BID FOR GCAP
Global Radio is expected to make a third offer to buy GCap this week, and analyst types reckon this one could clinch a deal.
As previously reported, Global, owners of Heart, Galaxy and LBC, made a 190p per share bid for Capital Radio, Classic FM and Xfm owners GCap in December, but it was quickly turned down by the GCap board. They made a second offer last week for 202p a share, and that was turned down even quicker, which wasn't surprising given it was quite a bit less than what was expected of the second bid.
They are now expected to bid somewhere between 215p and 220p a share before this Wednesday's deadline. As previously reported, Global have told the City's Takeover Panel that they will make their final bid before 5 Mar, on the basis that if no deal can be done the GCap management need time to pursue new CEO Fru Hazlitt's recently announced strategy without the stress of Global making a new takeover bid at any minute.
City types say the future of GCap depends very much on its four biggest shareholders - DMGT, Schroeders, Fidelity and Standard Life - who between them control more than half the company, and who will overrule the GCap board if necessary if Global come up with the right price. Word has it they are still actively considering a takeover, having been somewhat underwhelmed by Hazlitt's proposals, despite all the cost cutting she has promised.
If Global do get GCap (presumably there'll be regulatory issues even if the two companies can agree on a deal) it remains to be seen if that will alter the latter's recently announced intention to get out of digital audio broadcasting. The consensus seems to be that GCap will sell off the regional Xfm stations whatever happens.
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BAUER LOSE DIGITAL CHIEF
Bauer Media - the new name for EMAP, of course - has just announced it is losing digital chief Dharmash Mistry who has led digital ventures across the media firm's consumer magazine, radio and TV businesses. No word yet on a successor, though a search has reportedly already begun. The circumstances around Mistry's departure aren't clear - but a number of other departures are expected in the coming weeks as the media conglom goes through a senior level restructure following Bauer's acquisition of EMAP's consumer business.
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CHART UPDATE
I'm not sure why we bothered compiling a singles chart this week (not that *we* did), what with the Top 6 being exactly the same as last week - with Duffy, H Two O, Nickelback, Basshunter, Kylie and Adele all staying put. You have to scroll your way down to number 23 to find a new entry where you get Alphabeat and 'Fascination'. Then there's Delinquent featuring Kcat with 'My Destiny' at 32, Girls Aloud with 'Can't Speak French' at 35, Leona Lewis with 'Homecoming' at 38 and Westlife with 'Us Against The World' at 40.
Albums wise, and the big news is that Amy's back on top with 'Back To Black' going back to number one. Goldfrapp have the highest new entry with 'Seventh Tree', which goes in at two, while the other new entries come from Donny Osmond with 'From Donny With Love' at 8, Johnny Mathis with 'A Night To Remember' at 29 and Simply Red with 'Stars Collector's Edition' at 31.
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SUB.TV PLAYLIST
Here they are again, the videos being played this week on the Sub.tv video screen network in students' unions all over the UK. New entries marked with a *.
A-List
Alphabeat - Fascination (Charisma)
Does It Offend You, Yeah? - We Are Rockstars (EMI/Virgin)
Editors - Push Your Head Towards The Air (SonyBMG/Kitchenware)
The Futureheads - The Beginning of the Twist (Nul)
Guillemots - Get Over It (Universal/Polydor)
Hercules and Love Affair - Blind (EMI/DFA)
The Kooks - Always Where I Need To Be (EMI/Virgin)*
Jimmy Eat World - Always Be (Universal/Polydor)*
KT Tunstall - If Only (EMI/Relentless)
Madina Lake - House of Cards (Roadrunner)*
Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald - Just (SonyBMG/Columbia)
Mystery Jets Feat. Laura Marling - Young Love (Warners/679)*
The Ting Tings - Great DJ (SonyBMG/Columbia)
Vampire Weekend - A Punk (Beggars/XL)
We Are Scientists - After Hours (EMI/Virgin)
The Whitest Boy Alive - Golden Cage (Modular)
B-List
Born Ruffians - Hummingbird (Warp)*
Boy Kill Boy - Promises (Universal/Vertigo)
Cazals - Life Is Boring (Kitsuné)
Doug Walker - The Mystery (Warner)
Elbow - Grounds For Divorce (Universal/Fiction)*
Estelle feat. Kanye West - American Boy (Warners/Atlantic)*
Fightstar - Floods (Institute)
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain - Low (Warners/Atlantic)
Flyleaf - I'm So Sick (Universal/Octone)*
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly - Find The Time (Warners/Atlantic)
Johnny Flynn - Leftovers (Universal/Vertigo)
Kids In Glass Houses - Easy Tiger (Warners/Roadrunner)
Love Like Fire - From A Tower (N/A)*
The Metros - Education Part 2 (SonyBMG/1965)
Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon (Fueled By Ramen)*
Silvery - Horrors (Blow Up)
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TOTAL ROCK WORLD ALBUM CHART
It's this week's Total Rock World Album Chart, as counted down on Total Rock over the weekend - http://www.totalrock.com. New entries and re-entries marked with a *.
1. Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (SonyBMG)
2. Led Zeppelin - Mothership (Swan Song)
3. Bullet For My Valentine - Scream Aim Fire (SonyBMG)
4. Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight (Warner Bros)
5. Nickelback - All The Right Reasons (Warner/Roadrunner)
6. Eagles - Long Road Out Of Eden (Universal)
7. The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath (Universal)
8. Daughtry - Daughtry (SonyBMG)
9. Bruce Springsteen - Magic (SonyBMG/Columbia)
10. Paramore - Riot! (Warner/Atlantic)
11. Bon Jovi - Lost Highway (Universal/Mercury)
12. Airbourne - Runnin Wild (Warner/Roadrunner)
13. Buckcherry - 15 (Eleven Seven Music)
14. Queen - Greatest Hits Vols. 1, 2, 3 (EMI)
15. Avenged Sevenfold - Avenged Sevenfold (Warner Bros)
16. Kid Rock - Rock - N Roll Jesus (Warner/Atlantic)
17. Godsmack - Good Times, Bad Times - Ten Years Of Godsmack (Republic)
18. Fall Out Boy - Infinity On High (Universal/Mercury)
19. Guns n Roses - Greatest Hits (Universal/Geffen)
20. Serj Tankian - Elect The Dead (Serjical Strike)
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STUDENT RADIO CHART
As played out live on air on 11 student radio stations every Sunday at 3pm, it's the official Student Radio Chart from the Student Radio Association. Check http://www.studentradiochart.com for details of how you can listen to the chart show online each Sunday.
1. [1] Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor
2. [12] Foals - Cassius
3. [6] We Are Scientists - After Hours
4. [3] Mystery Jets ft Laura Marling - Young Love
5. [2] The Futureheads - The Beginning Of The Twist
6. [19] Kylie Minogue - Wow
7. [18] Does It Offend you, Yeah? - We Are Rock Stars
8. [New] Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
9. [4] The Feeling - I Thought It Was Over
10. [14] Art Brut - Pump Up The Volume
11. [3] The Wombats - Moving To New York
12. [New] LCD Soundsystem - Time To Get Away
13. [9] The Ting Tings - Great DJ
14. [10] Alphabeat - Fascination
15. [New] Jimmy Eat World - Always Be
16. [15] Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly - Find The Time
17. [New] Lupe Fiasco - Go Baby
18. [New] Gnarls Barkley - Run
19. [7] Kanye West Ft. Chris Martin - Homecoming
20. [17] Goldfrapp - A&E
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LIBERTINE MUSICAL?
Dirty Pretty Thing Carl Barat has said that he and former bandmate Pete Doherty are talking about writing a musical together, though he's not sure when they'll get round to it. He told the Mirror: "We're supposed to be writing some musical, which I really wanna do, but it's a matter of timing it and sorting it really. It will be in the vein of the 'Threepenny Opera' but I guess a bit more local to what we understand in the world today".
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LOPEZ NAMES HER TWINS
According to reports, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have named their twins Max and Emme, and J-Lo's manager, Simon Fields, has apparently confirmed as much to People magazine. And that's all really.
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ASHLEE SIMPSON DENIES ENGAGEMENT
Ashlee Simpson has denied reports that she is engaged to Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, despite showing off a diamond 'promise' ring on US TV recently, and being a bit coy about what it meant. Appearing on TV 'Show The Sauce', she said that "it just means that he hasn't asked my Dad yet!" For permission to marry her, I think is the implication there. Anyway, her reps have firmly denied any engagement. That's right. "She is not engaged", they said. So that's that.
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COWELL SAYS LEONA'S LOSS IS ACTUALLY GAIN
Simon Cowell says he thinks it's a good thing his charge Leona Lewis didn't win anything at The Brits because it will make her more resilient in the long term. He's quoted as saying: "I was glad Leona didn't win at the Brits. It was the best thing that could have happened. She's had a lot of things going her way so it shows her that things can be unfair at times. She had the biggest selling [UK] single of last year so it's a mockery that she never won a Brit. [But] this knockback will make her stronger".
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STONE WOULD LIKE TO BE A NURSE
Joss Stone says she doesn't want to sing all her life, and in fact, wouldn't mind being a midwife. Of course, she might find out that midwifery is actually pretty hard work, so I don't know if she'd stick with it. But who am I to judge, eh? It's just as tough being a recording artist, I expect. Although, recording artists get to take extended breaks when they need to, and midwives don't.
Anyway, here's what she says on the matter: "I certainly don't want to get to 60 and find I've only been a singer all my life. I'd like to go back to school one day. I'd like to train to be a midwife. I want to experience all aspects of life and visit every country in the world."
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MOBY SAYS BRITNEY IS BREAKING HIS HEART
Moby has said in an interview with the Guardian that fame is horrible, only people who aren't very bright enjoy being famous, and that Britney is breaking his heart. I know how he feels. What? I do. I feel really bad about the poor girl.
The full interview is here: http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,2260433,00.html.
But here's what Moby says about Britney: "I think what's happening is the combination of hardcore substance abuse coupled with ... she doesn't know who she is. She became an international icon aged 16. My armchair dilettante psychoanalysis of what's going on is she's punishing herself and saying to the world, 'You loved me when I was a 16-year-old ingenue, do you love me now I'm a 26-year-old drug-damaged person?' In a weird way she's challenging people, but it's breaking my heart because ultimately she's not doing things on a symbolic level. Cutting your hair off is symbolic. Losing your children and becoming a drug addict is not".