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DMX ARRESTED IN FLORIDA
DMX has been arrested outside a Wal-Mart store in Florida, following the issuing of that warrant after his failure to appear in court in Arizona on Tuesday; a no show caused by to him being in hospital, according to his lawyers. Do they have medical facilities in Wal-Mart now?
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told Reuters: "This guy is treating our legal system like a revolving door and it's time we closed the cell door on him".
The rapper will now be taken to face those previously reported charges of identity fraud and providing false information, relating to a doctor's bill he failed to pay at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona earlier this year. This is, of course, just one of a number of outstanding legal cases against DMX at the moment.
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MADONNA DENIES ADOPTION RUMOURS
A spokeswoman for Madonna has denied those rumours that the singer is attempting to adopt a second Malawian child. She said: "Madonna has not made an attempt to adopt this baby earlier this year or now. There is no truth to this rumour. It's an old one – wasn't true then or now. Madonna is starting her tour in a week".
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BROWNE SUES OF MCCAIN AD
Singer songwriter Jackson Browne is suing Senator John McCain over the use of one of his songs in one of the presidential contender's TV adverts.
The McCain camp used the Browne song 'Running On Empty' in a TV commercial that mocked Democrat rival Barack Obama's suggestion that Americans could cut petrol consumption just by making sure their tires are properly inflated.
Browne claims that he never gave his permission for track to be used, and that in using it McCain et al both breached his copyright and falsely implied the Democrat supporting singer supported the Republican campaign.
Browne's lawyer Lawrence Iser told reporters this week: "Not only have Senator McCain and his agents plainly infringed Mr Browne's copyright in 'Running On Empty', but the Federal Courts have long held that the unauthorised use of a famous singer's voice in a commercial constitutes a false endorsement and a violation of the singer's right of publicity".
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LEONA LEWIS TO CLOSE OLYMPICS
Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page are reportedly set to perform together as part of the closing ceremony for this year's Olympics. David Beckham will apparently also appear on a London bus to signal the handover to the next Olympics in 2012.
An unnamed Olympic official said: "It is set to be one of the most mind-blowing spectacles ever. David was elated to be asked to take part, as was everyone who has been invited".
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MELUA FEARS FOR GEORGIAN FAMILY
Katie Melua has spoken about her fear for the safety of her family, who still live in her native Georgia, after war broke out in the country just two weeks before she was due to go and visit them. She also said that she thought her uncle had been conscripted into the Georgian army.
She said: "Whoever settled anything with war? At the moment it seems to be a lot of posturing and the two 'sides' showing each other how big their 'guns' are. But I hope that the violence can end before any more people are killed".
A spokeswoman added: "[Katie] is worried about her mum and brother being there. But they are not completely panicking because they are in Tbilisi. Everyone has been told to sit tight and see how it pans out. Her mother told Katie that all Georgian men over the age of 18 are to go to Ossetia. Fortunately her brother is too young, but her uncle would qualify. On a personal note, that is scary".
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RHIANNA KNOCKS PERRY OFF US NO. 1
Rhianna's 'Disturbia' has brought an end to Katy Perry's seven-week reign at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This news comes just hours after a debate in the CMU office, where it was decided that, much as we want to dislike Perry's debut album, 'One Of The Boys', we can't. Anyway, that's probably not relevant. This is Rhianna's fourth number one in the US, making her one of the most successful female artists this decade, alongside Beyonce and Maria Carey.
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WES BORLAND JOINS MARILYN MANSON
Former Limp Bizkit guitarist, Wes Borland, has joined Marilyn Manson's band, which probably still won't gain him the recognition as a highly inventive and talented guitarist he deserves, but is nice, nonetheless.
Manson said at a press conference in Korea this week: "We have brought in a new person into the group. We have a new guitar player who is playing for the first time tomorrow. It is the first time he has been on our stage. His name is Wes Borland. He used to be in a very terrible band that he left because he felt it was a destructive force. We don't know how permanent that is but starting tomorrow will be the first step".
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STARS RAISE CASH FOR HAWLEY ARMS
Various celebrities, including Noel Fielding, Amy Winehouse and Johnny Borrell, performed at a show to raise money for the Hawley Arms pub in Camden last night. The pub, you surely must remember, burnt down earlier this year.
Fielding compered the night, while Borrell, Helsinki (fronted by Babyshambles' Drew McConnell), This Year's Model (fronted by Ray Winstone's daughter Lois) and Black Captain provided music. Amy Winehouse was supposed to headline but was ejected ten minutes after she arrived because she got into an argument with the DJ.
Fielding told BBC News: "It's such a good pub and it's such a cool pub and the people who run it are really nice. When I first went down there, we weren't that famous as the Boosh and they were all very kind to us and very nice. We had lots of fun, and as we got a bit more famous they never hit on me for anything and I always had a good time down there".
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SUGABABES MACHETE ATTACK HEARING TODAY
A man charged with attacking the boyfriend of Sugababe Amelle Berrabah with a machete is due to appear in Court today. Jimmy Wenman allegedly attacked Freddie Fuller outside a pub in Aldershot on Christmas Eve last year, and will appear at Winchester Crown Court to enter his plea.
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SINGLE REVIEW: David Holmes – I Heard Wonders
The opening track from David Holmes' fourth LP is released here as a taster of what is to come. It has a haunting feel, suitable, I guess, for an artist who has always been intensely filmic in his work and who claims that this album is the culmination of a deeply personal project started way back in 1996. The track features Martin Rev from 70s legends Suicide on vocals and has a driving quality underneath the ethereal melody which I suspect continues on the rest of the album. He's DJing at the Green Man this weekend and I will hopefully be checking him out. IM
Release Date: 25 Aug
Press Contact: Darling Dept [all]
Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon
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RADIOHEAD 'HOUSE OF CARDS' SCREENSAVER
Radiohead have made an interactive screensaver based on their camera-less 'House Of Cards' video available for download.
Download for Mac
Download for PC
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SQUIRE ANNOUNCES ART EXHIBITION
Former Stone Roses guitarist John Squire has announced a new exhibition of his art at the SW1 gallery in London later this year. Entitled 'Noise', Squire revealed that his inspiration came from secretly recording strangers' conversations in Manchester. The exhibition will run from 10 Oct to 2 Nov.
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STREAM NEW VERVE ALBUM
Clips of all ten tracks on The Verve's new album, 'Forth', are streaming online now, ahead of their V Festival performances this weekend. The album is due to be released on 25 Aug.
Listen here
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MOGWAI TO WRITE SOUNDTRACK
Yeah, I know, we've not exactly had a good run on announcing soundtracks this week, what with that whole Radiohead/Chuck Palanhiuk thing. But this time it looks pretty certain that Mogwai will be producing the soundtrack for a new film by their sometime violin player Luke Sutherland.
Frontman Stuart Braithwaite told Teletext's Planet Sound: "Luke's asked us to do music for a film being made of one of his books, and we're into doing it. Sometimes you get asked to do an hour's worth of music in two weeks - it's the film industry's way".
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KID CARPET OLYMPIC VIDEO
We haven't really done much to acknowledge the Olympics here at CMU. But luckily, CMU favourite Kid Carpet has, with a new video made for his song, 'Failed World Record Attempt', which he has dedicated to the Beijing Olympics. If you like sporting failures, then you'll love this. If you happen to like lo-fi pop as well, then you'll be in some kind of heaven. Be sure to check out Kid Carpet's second album, 'Casio Royale', which was released back in June and is lovely.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WqvhIa40n0U
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OASIS ANNOUNCE UK TOUR DATES
It's all anyone's talked about all week, and finally here they are, Oasis's 2008 UK tour dates. Now everyone can sit down and breath regularly again. Phew.
Here are them there tour dates:
7 Oct:Liverpool, Echo Arena
8 Oct:Liverpool, Echo Arena
10 Oct:Sheffield, Arena
11 Oct:Sheffield, Arena
13 Oct:Birmingham, NIA
14 Oct:Birmingham, NIA
16 Oct:London, Wembley Arena
17 Oct:London, Wembley Arena
20 Oct:Bournemouth, BIC
21 Oct:Bournemouth, BIC
23 Oct:Cardiff, International Arena
24 Oct:Cardiff, International Arena
29 Oct:Belfast, Odyssey Arena
30 Oct:Belfast, Odyssey Arena
1 Nov:Aberdeen, Exhibition Centre
2 Nov:Aberdeen, Exhibition Centre
4 Nov:Glasgow, SECC
5 Nov:Glasgow, SECC
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VENUE SEEK DELOREAN FOR NEON NEON SHOW
The Wales Millennium Centre is asking DeLorean DMC-12 owners to get in touch ahead of a gig by Neon Neon on 2 Nov. If found, the car will be the centrepiece of the Gruff Ryhs and Boom Bip-fronted band's performance, apparently.
The venue's theatre director Gareth Lloyd Roberts said: "Gruff's really nuts about the life of John Z DeLorean and the crazy history behind the man and his machine. The car's the star, and we didn't think we'd be able to stage a Neon Neon 'Stainless Style' performance without a gleaming gull-wing or two outside the front of Wales Millennium Centre. We're hoping to be able to offer Gruff a ride round in one as well. So if anyone's got a mint DeLorean they want to show off, then let us know".
He added: "This is a unique chance to see the very best of Welsh talent in a different way. It's our ambition to show the world why top music-makers like Gruff Rhys continue to reinvent and revitalise the vibrant music scene in Wales".
So, any Delorean owners reading this, get in touch with Gareth Roberts on [email protected] or 02920 634 700.
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NITIN SAWHNEY ANNOUNCES UK TOUR
Nitin Sawhney has announced UK dates in October and November, to promote the release of his forthcoming album, 'London Undersound' (released 13 Oct). The line-up for his live band will be: Nitin Sawhney (keys and guitar), Aref Durvesh (tabla), Ashwin Srinivasan (flute and vocals), Ian Burdge (cello), Martyn Kaine (drums), Tina Grace (vocals), Luci Joules (vocals).
Tour dates:
24 Oct: London, details TBA
27 Oct: Manchester, Academy
28 Oct: Birmingham, Town Hall
29 Oct: Bristol, Anson Rooms
1 Nov: Sheffield, Leadmill
3 Nov: Leeds, Stylus
5 Nov: Cambridge, The Junction
7 Nov: Oxford, Academy
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TILLY & THE WALL UK TOUR DATES
Tap-happy indie types Tilly & The Wall have announced UK tour dates, to coincide with the release of their third album, 'O'. The album will be released by Moshi Moshi on 13 Oct and preceded by a new single, 'Beat Control', on 6 Oct.
Tour dates:
19 Oct: Brighton, Audio
20 Oct: Bedford, Esquires
21 Oct: Birmingham, Barfly
22 Oct: Manchester, Club Academy
23 Oct: Glasgow, King Tuts
24 Oct: Leeds, Cockpit
25 Oct: London, ULU
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ALBUM REVIEW: Milosh – iii (!K7)
Mike Milosh has always strived to create a trigger for memories, a soundtrack to living. As he himself describes: "I have always wanted to be able to create songs that in some way come from that same place in me that felt so much for the music that defined my childhood". Milosh has this ability to command such rich emotions, through synths, strings and soft acoustics, gently urging us to forget ourselves for a moment and start on a deep reflective process of introspection. It's a strange thing this album, often melancholic, plaintive even, yet it's definitely uplifting. It's similar to Telefon Tel Aviv, controlling that space between darkness and light, sadness and happiness, it is certainly an album that flaunts it ambiguity. Carrying on from where his last album, 'Meme', set off, 'iii' is at once charming and distant, it is certainly metallic with its cold use of cymbals splattering in the back of a number of the album's songs, yet the warmth is allowed to creep in. Songs like 'Remember The Good Things', a strong contender for song of the album, or 'Warm Waters' are striking examples of this dichotomy. Similarly, 'Wrapped Round My Ways' builds beautifully from humble beginnings into a dark synthesizer and guitar play out reminiscent of The Postal Service's weirder output, whereas 'Awful Game' plugs the opposite angle, sitting somewhere between Junior Boys and Boards Of Canada. 'iii' works hard at creating these differences, and it is within these differences that we find ourselves and the memories that Milosh is trying to conjure. SJS
Release Date: 25 Aug
Press Contact: Stone Immaculate [NP, RP], Nile-On [O]
Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon
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CHRYSALIS MAKES A LOSS
Music publishing company Chrysalis has given a downbeat assessment of its recent financial performance, confirming it made a loss in the most recent quarter. It says that the credit crunch, a slow release schedule for its songwriters' music, and the poor performance of its own record label - Echo - all contributed to the disappointing financials.
However, bosses there said they were optimistic about the future, noting the signing of two high profile artists - White Lies and Laura Marling - plus a planned rejig of the Echo label that will see its recordings business become "an exploitation company" run on the same lines as its publishing operations. Whatever that means.
A management statement reads thus: "[These things], coupled with the strength of our catalogue, makes the board hopeful that the music publishing business will return to Net Publishing Share growth in the medium term and subsequently return to its goal of annual NPS growth of at least 5% and outperformance against its industry peers".
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GAMING FIRM HITS BACK AT BRONFMAN REMARKS
The boss of games company Activision, who make the 'Guitar Hero' game, has hit out at Warner Music chief Edgar Bronfman Jr over those previously reported remarks to the effect that the gaming firms behind 'Hero' and rival 'Rock Star' were not paying big enough royalties for the music they use, and that they were getting rich through the hugely successful gaming franchises at the record companies' expense.
But Activision chief Bobby Kotick says the record labels should be more appreciative of the new revenue streams the gaming companies are bringing to them. According to the FT, Kotick said Bronfman was not "respectful of how much we've done to bring new audiences into the market", adding that "I think his view was ... that [Warner Music] should be compensated the way they might for a performance on iTunes. But this is an entirely different business that is very technically complex. We're introducing a whole new group of artists to new audiences that is resulting in their iTunes downloads being exponentially higher than they would otherwise be, [as well as] new album sales and new merchandising opportunities".
According to gaming industry mag MCV, a Warner spokesman responded to Kotick's remarks by saying it had "enormous respect" for the game-publishers and the creativity and investment they had made in music games, but that "we hope that our partners in the gaming space appreciate not only the value of their own contributions but also those of the recording artists, songwriters, record labels and music publishers on which their games are significantly based".
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GATFIELD APPOINTS A&R VP AT EMI
EMI have announced the appointment of Steven Melrose as VP, A&R Labels, assisting the major's new President, A&R Labels Nick Gatfield. EMI presumably hope Melrose will be a useful recruit in an era where the majors are looking to expand out of the traditional record label model, given he boasts artists management credentials as well as A&R experience.
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METROPOLIS HIRE ALCHEMY MAN
Following the previously reported demise of CD mastering company Alchemy, rivals Metropolis have announced the recruitment of one of the defunct company's engineers - John Davis - who, Metropolis say, is "one of the most in-demand engineers in London".
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CELADOR BUY FINAL ORIGINAL STATION
Canadian firm CanWest is officially out of the UK radio market, having now sold all three of its Original FM stations. As previously reported, CanWest were one of the first international companies to take advantage of the change in rules that let non-British firms own UK radio stations, but after gaining three FM licences their interest in the sector waned.
They sold two of their stations - in Aberdeen and Bristol - to a new company set up by two former Original FM managers, while the third - in Portsmouth - has been sold to Celador - the TV production company who set up radio division some years ago, but who are so far yet to do much in the radio sector. They have appointed Kevin Stewart, formerly of Tindle Radio, to head up operations at Original Portsmouth.
He told Radio Today: "I'm absolutely delighted to be looking after this valuable asset, and I am certain we can reposition the station and attract the audiences that it deserves within the region".
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MUSIC PRESS SEE DECLINES IN THE LATEST ABCS
So, it was ABC time this week with the latest magazine circulation figures being published, and it brought mixed fortunes for the music press.
Future Publishing's Metal Hammer saw a considerable increase - 6% over the first half of the year - though this only made up for a decline at the end of last year, and year on year they were down 1.2%. Likewise, Development Hell's Word was up 1.7% for the quarter, but down 3% year on year.
The big titles were all, in the main, down, with Kerrang! seeing its readership decline 21.6% over the first half of the year, 27.9% down year on year. It's main rival, NME, was also down, 12.1% over the half year and 17.4% year on year. On the monthly front, Uncut was down 4.5% over the first half of the year and 1.2% down year on year, while Q, although still the biggest seller, was down 13.8% in the six months up to June.
So, did anyone see an increase in readership year on year? Well, Mojo enjoyed a very slight increase, while free mag The Fly saw its readership rise 2.1% over the quarter and 11.1% year on year. Hurrah.
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THE SOURCE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
Hip hop magazine The Source, which was saved from bankruptcy by media and entertainment lawyer L. Londell McMillan and investment banker Jeffery Scott, who bought the title earlier this year, is relaunching for its 20th anniversary with a new focus that its new publishers hope will restore its popularity.
McMillan told Associated Press: "It's a very seminal period, an opportunity to both celebrate 20 years of content and the fact that The Source was a leader in chronicling the culture of hip-hop. I'm on a mission to restore it to the community that gave birth to it and open the door to those that currently enjoy and influence that hip-hop culture. It's exciting because we believe that we can do it. We're just going to expand on what The Source has always done well. [Music will be] a core focus but not 80 per cent of the book".
The 20th anniversary issue will hit newsstands next week, and will feature four separate covers of LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Queen Latifah and Nas, photographed by director Spike Lee. Inside, readers will find weightier content, including a discussion between prominent professors Cornel West and Michael Eric Dyson and Chuck D.
McMillan continued: "I think that what we're trying to do is evolve it as hip-hop has evolved and become an international force, to evolve it without losing its core essence that was the centrepiece of its earliest beginnings and greatness. But it has to evolve, just like hip-hop has to evolve".
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HOLY FUCK BLAMED FOR CANADIAN ARTS FUNDING CUTS
As you'll know, if you've ever spoken to a Canadian band who don't receive it, the Canadian government currently provide a great deal of funding for some bands in the country to tour internationally. However, the Canadian government have now announced that it is to cut the PromArt funding, because they don't like the bands who have been getting the money, in particular Toronto's Holy Fuck.
The prime minister's press secretary, Kory Ten-nike, said: "The [funding] choices made were inappropriate because they were ideological in some cases, or the money was going to fringe arts groups that, in many cases, would be at best, unrepresentative, and at worst, offensive". Foreign affairs spokeswoman Anne Howland went on to cite Holy Fuck as an example of such a band.
Holy Fuck bassist told culture show Q: "I guess more than anything it's a little bit annoying that we've been made the scapegoat when you consider how much money we receive relative to the budget for the entire program. I think our funding comes in at something less than 0.1 per cent of the whole programme. We've been nominated for a Juno award - that's as mainstream as you get for popular music in Canada. That argument falls flat in our case and from what I've read - for a lot of other people as well".
Despite these protestations, the Canadian government has said that the PromArts programme, which costs $4.7 million a year to run, will wind down by 31 Mar 2009, with another programme, the $9 million Trade Routes program, which helps promote cultural exports internationally, to be cut also.
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NIKKI SIXX'S EX SELLS STUFF ON EBAY
Motley Crue Bassist Nikki Sixx's ex-wife Donna D'Errico is selling some of her and Sixx's old belongings on eBay. The couple split in 2006, after nine years of marriage, and finally divorced last year. So, if you ever wanted to own a former Playboy Playmate's wedding dress, or, er, a celebrity couple's Tibetan hand bell, now is your chance.
D'Errico wrote on her MySpace page: "As many of you may know from experience, when you are married for a long time and it ends badly it feels good to clean house and get rid of reminders of times with that person and start over again. Almost everything was a reminder in some way or another! Plus, there was a lot of stuff left behind by that person".
A portion of the proceeds will go to D'Errico's charity, Donna's Corner, which offers help for women going through divorce.
Get bidding here
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INSPIRATION FOR 'YOU OUTTA KNOW' SPEAKS
Comedian Dave Coulier has been speaking to People about being the inspiration for ex-girlfriend Alanis Morrissette's debut single, 'You Outta Know'. He said: "[The first time I heard the song] I said, 'Wow, this girl is angry'. And then I said, 'Oh man, I think it's Alanis'. I listened to the song over and over again, and I said, 'I think I have really hurt this person'".
But it's all okay now: "We saw each other and hung out for an entire day and it was beautiful. It was one of those things where it was kind of like, 'We're good'".
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TURNS OUT AMY'S HOUSE IS HAUNTED
Amy Winehouse said earlier this year that her flat was haunted by a ghost called Henry, blaming him for her apparent self-harm scars. And we all laughed, didn't we? Well, I didn't, but you did. And it really wasn't fair, because it turns out the flat is haunted.
A local estate agent revealed to The Mirror yesterday that the flat's previous occupant died there, and described it as a "hellhole" with a grim air about it. The agent said "You really wouldn't want to live there. It's being rented because it's a probate house. No-one wants to buy it as the previous owner died in it, but that doesn't seem to bother Amy".
But surely someone has died at some point in most old London houses - are they all haunted? And if so, why aren't we all self harming?
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DOHERTY SPENDS EIGHT HOURS IN ANTIQUES SHOP
I was all ready to believe that Pete Doherty had kicked the drugs, but now I'm not so sure. The Babyshambles frontman apparently spent eight hours in Reading antiques shop Fanny's Antiques earlier this week. A local resident told The Sun that Doherty seemed interested in "the stuff inside", rather than just stopping to "have a snigger at the name of the shop", as most people do. He apparently bought a Union jack flag and a selection of vintage clothes.
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