WANTED: SENIOR PRESS OFFICER / ACCOUNT MANAGER
Get Involved are seeking an experienced Senior Press Officer / Account Manager with solid print and online contacts. Must have at least 2 years experience in house or within an agency with a proven track record of working diverse music campaigns. Experience of working events would be good but not a deal breaker...We are looking for someone special to join our vibrant West London offices. Must be hard working and results driven with a keen eye for a story and the ability to write engaging press releases. CVS to [email protected]

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OUTPOST OPPORTUNITIES

ONLINE ACCOUNT MANAGER
Our online department has handled campaigns as far reaching as Madlib, Red Stripe, Bomb The Bass and The Big Chill. We're looking for an online genius to take it to the next level. We'd expect you to live your life on the web in addition to displaying an excellent knowledge of music and consumer websites, social networking, video sites, seeding, viral campaigns and forums. A minimum two years proven online experience and a trainspotter's knowledge of music is required for this role. Web design skills and consumer PR experience a distinct advantage. £17k-£21k + bonuses.

RADIO PLUGGER
Looking after our key radio projects, you will have an outstanding knowledge of cutting edge music as well as possessing excellent radio contacts. You will be hardworking, motivated and intelligent with first-class writing skills and a good standard of computer literacy. With a flexible attitude and an eye for detail, you will be a confident team-player with a strong understanding of the inner workings of a radio station. A minimum of one years experience is required. The role will also include some TV plugging and press work.
£15k-£18k + bonuses

Both roles require event attendance outside normal working hours as well as a strong desire to search out new and exciting music/projects! Please apply in writing, including CV, to [email protected] clearly stating which role you are applying for.

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COMMERCIAL MANAGER AT DILETTANTE MUSIC
Dilettante Music (www.dilettantemusic.com), an online classical music company, is seeking a commercial manager to drive and implement its commercial strategy. Working with the Finance Director, the successful candidate will:

- identify and develop all revenue streams.
- create advertising packages that meet the needs of advertisers and the commercial objectives of Dilettante.
- forge relationships with advertisers and potential advertisers to sustain buy-in to the Dilettante proposition and the benefits of sponsorship and direct advertising on the site.
- identify and develop relationships with content partners.

Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years' experience developing and implementing sales and marketing strategies. Experience in the digital music environment is also very helpful. Some appreciation of classical music is ideal. This part-time position is based in central London and requires availability 20-25 hours per week. Salary upon application.

To apply please forward CV to: Juliana Farha - [email protected]

FIND OUT HOW TO ADVERTISE HERE

BLOWN TYRE BLAMED FOR TRVSDJ-AM PLANE CRASH
A blown tyre is thought to have been the cause of that plane crash which left former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and DJ-AM, real name Adam Goldstein, with serious injuries and the other four people on board dead.

As previously reported, the Learjet came off the runway in Columbia, South Carolina on Friday, as it was taking off, coming to a stop engulfed in flames on the embankment of a nearby five lane motorway. Pilot Sarah Lemmon and co-pilot James Bland were both killed, as were Barker's security guard Charles Still and his personal assistant Chris Baker. Both Barker and Goldstein, who had earlier performed a show in Columbia as TRVSDJ-AM, managed to escape from the wreckage, but suffered second and third degree burns - Barker around his torso and lower body, Goldstein on his arms and head. However, they are both expected to make a full recovery, although that could take as long as a year.

Crash investigator Debbie Hersham told reporters that the plane's crew had attempted to abort the take-off prior to the crash. She said: "The crew reacted to a sound that was consistent with a tyre blowout".

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MOGWAI DRUMMER HOSPITALISED IN NEW YORK
Mogwai drummer Martin Bulloch was taken to hospital in New York at the weekend, following the band's performance at the My Bloody Valentine curated All Tomorrow's Parties event, due to trouble with his heart. Bulloch suffers from a heart condition, in fact, and although he's been given the all-clear to return to Scotland and see a cardiologist there, this latest episode will have an impact on planned US tour dates.

The band hope to begin their European tour in Edinburgh on 21 Oct, as scheduled, however; a statement on the band's website reads: "We are sad to announce that we have had to cancel our remaining American and Canadian shows due to ill health. Our other dates in Europe and Japan will be going ahead as planned. We will re-schedule the shows in 2009".

Bulloch himself is quoted as saying: "I was taken into hospital last night almost immediately after the show at ATP. I've been having some problems with my pacemaker for the duration of the tour and it unfortunately culminated in me being sent to the emergency room. The doctors there initially thought I would have to have corrective surgery at a larger hospital nearer NYC but I have been given the all clear to travel home on the understanding that I go straight to my cardiologist on arrival back in Scotland. To be honest, I'm really bummed about having to go home and feel for the folk who had bought tickets for our upcoming shows but I can honestly say it would be almost impossible for me to carry on at this point as my pacemaker has broken skin and the surrounding area has become infected."

Sounds unpleasant. Get well soon.

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JANET JACKSON SPLITS FROM ISLAND DEF JAM
Janet Jackson's deal with Universal's Island Def Jam came to an abrupt end yesterday after the singer and the major parted company.

Jackson's first album for the major after joining them from EMI's Virgin Records, 'Discipline', was released at the start of the year but didn't perform so well, despite topping the Billboard 200 on first week of release. All of which means Island Def Jam probably aren't too sad to lose the Jackson sister. Though the singer's people say it was she who asked to bring her relationship with the major to a premature end, having bitched quite a bit over the year that Universal's poor marketing of her album was behind the disappointing sales figures. Universal, though, apparently agreed to sever their ties with Jackson without too much resistance.

Jackson's people said the singer now plans to work without a record contract, saying that doing so would mean she would have "autonomy over her career, without the restrictions of a label system", though the fact that she co-executive produced 'Discipline' with her boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri, who is also conveniently President of Island Urban, presumably means she had a bit of autonomy within the Universal family. But the official statement continued nevertheless, saying: "Always known to break new ground and set trends, Janet's departure from Island makes her one of the first superstar artists to have the individual freedom to promote their work through a variety of avenues such as iTunes, mobile carriers and other diverse and innovative channels".

Jackson's decision to not sign to a traditional record company has, needless to say, led to speculation that she may do a 360 type deal with Live Nation like Madonna, Jay-Z, Nickelback and Shakira - giving the live music company a stake in her recording career as well as live and merchandising activities in return for a large advance. That said, as I understand, it Live Nation had capped their plans to sign multi-million 360 deals with established artists to just four deals at the outset, and by my maths they've already done those four deals.

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JAY-Z FORMS RECORD LABEL WITH STARGATE DUO
Talking of Jay-Z - himself a former Def Jam man, but now running his own new venture in partnership with Live Nation, Roc Nation - well, he's just formed a new record label imprint with Stargate, the previously reported Norwegian songwriting/production duo who have become something of an in demand pop production machine of late thanks to the big hits they created for the likes of Rihanna and Mrs Jay-Z Beyonce. Tor Erk Hermansen and Mikkel S Erikesen will have a 50% stake in Star Roc, which will be based in New York. I'm not entirely sure what the point of the label will be - ie whether it will be an outpost primarily for Hermansen and Eriksen's production work, or whether it will look to sign pop artists who will work with various producers. We'll have to wait and see I guess.

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GLASTONBURY HEADLINERS TO BE REVEALED SOON
Emily Eavis has revealed that next year's Glastonbury headliners will be announced soon, to coincide with the early sale of tickets for the 2009 festival on 5 Oct.

Emily Eavis told the BBC: "Because our tickets go on sale on 5 Oct, we've brought [the announcement of headliners] forward. So we're ensconced in chat about next year and there's a lot of good feeling after such an amazing festival [in 2008]. We're talking to a few people at the moment and I think pretty soon we'll have some stuff sorted".

However, she insisted: "It's not Coldplay, it's not U2 and it's not the Rolling Stones".

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BOB JONES DIES
Michael Jackson's long-serving former publicist Bob Jones has died from a heart attack at the age of seventy. Originally a senior PR executive at Motown Records, Jones had worked with the Jacksons for almost thirty-five years, and left the label to work exclusively with Jackson in 1987.

Jackson fired Jones without notice in 2005, during the course of the much, much previously reported child molestation trial. Jones was, nevertheless, loyal to the singer when testifying at the trial, refusing to reveal anything. He did, however, subsequently co-write a book, 'Michael Jackson: The Man Behind The Mask', which was reportedly unflattering, to say the least.

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HALL OF FAME NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame have announced their nominations for 2009 induction, and they are: Jeff Beck, Chic, Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony And The Imperials, Metallica, Run-DMC, the Stooges, War and Bobby Womack. This year's nominees had to have released their first single or album no later than 1983.

More than five hundred voters will now select five acts from that shortlist to appear at the 24th annual ceremony on 4 Apr in Cleveland, and the new inductees will be confirmed in January. Tickets for the ceremony will be made available to the public for the first time this year.

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WOODIE NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
MTV US's college network mtvU has announced the nominees for its annual Woodies, the awards recognising music that students like. Amongst the nominees are Lil Wayne, Santogold, MGMT, Tokyo Police Club and Paramore, all of whom are up for artist of the year; All Time Low, Lykke Li and Tyga, who are up for the best emerging artist award; and No Age, Chromeo and Cool Kids, who are up for the Left Field Woodie - aka most original artist. Amongst those in the running for best video are Gnarls Barkley for 'Who's Gonna Save My Soul' and Erykah Badu for 'Honey'.

Voting is happening as I write, at www.woodies.mtvu.com, and carries on until 7 Nov. The ceremony will take place at New York's Roseland Ballroom on 12 Nov.

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GARY LIGHTBODY NEARLY KILLED BY ALCOHOLISM
Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody has revealed that he was at one point drinking dangerous levels of alcohol that sent him into a downward spiral, but was brought back from the brink by the band's drummer, Johnny Quinn.

Lightbody told The Sun: "I was at a stage where I was destroying everything in my path. I was like a whirlwind - a calamity magnet. I was behaving appallingly and drinking far too much. There was a six month period where I was completely out of control. I wouldn't listen to anyone. I was drinking so much that if I'd have carried on at that rate, I would have ended up dead. Our drummer, Jonny Quinn, saved my life. I wasn't listening to anyone but he had a word in my shell [ear] and I eventually realised the pain I was causing to everyone around me. I was a fucking mess, but just couldn't see it. I needed to be taken aside".

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METALLICA VS NAPSTER WASN'T ABOUT MONEY
Metallica's Lars Ulrich has hit out at those who were critical of the band's legal action against the then illegal filesharing service Napster back in 2000.

As you surely must remember, Metallica took Napster to court after a demo of their song 'I Disappear' appeared on the file sharing network. The two sides later reached a settlement, but Metallica came off worse from a publicity perspective, as they were accused by many of simply trying to recoup some cash, rather than looking out for the interests of artists.

Ulrich told Rolling Stone: "Nine out of 10 people go, 'What was that about? It was about money'. Fuck you - it wasn't about money. It was about control. I'll give away all my shit for free. But I'll decide when and where and how".

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ANDERSON ANGRY AT YES REUNION
Yes frontman Jon Anderson has hit out at the rest of his band for going on tour without him, instead taking the singer from a Yes tribute band. As previously reported, Anderson suffered acute respiratory failure after a severe asthma attack earlier this year and is currently unable to tour.

In a statement on his official website, Anderson said: "[I am] disappointed that, with the exception of one phone call from Alan, none of the guys have been in touch since my illness, just to find out how I am doing, and how we will foresee the future for Yes. And disappointed that they were not willing to wait till 2009 when I'm fully recovered. And I feel very disrespected, having spent most of this year creating songs and constant ideas for the band, spending time with Roger Dean creating a stage design, also working with VH1 and Sirius and XM Radio to help promote the welfare of Yes. Getting sick was not 'on my radar', and I thank my own angel Janeee and my family for helping me through this difficult time, and the many well wishers, friends and fans alike, for understanding that 'things happen'. Of course I wish the guys all the best in their 'solo' work, but I just wish this could have been done in a more gentlemanly fashion. After all Yes is a precious musical band. This is not YES on tour..."

Keyboard player Rick Wakeman announced last week that he would not be heading out on tour with the band, instead sending his song Oliver in his place, saying: "My major concern was that of over-touring, which I felt Yes had done since 2002 with far too many shows, especially in America which for me diminished the 'specialness' of the band. I also was concerned for the health of the band, both as a whole and as individuals. It's a matter of public record for instance, that Jon [Anderson, vocals] in particular really suffered during the last weeks of the previous Yes tour which was extremely worrying for us all".

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PLANS & APOLOGIES SPLIT
One of the top five best bands in the whole of the UK, if not the world (we did a survey to confirm it and everything), Plans & Apologies have announced that they are to split. This makes me quite sad. And I don't usually get upset when bands split, which should give you some idea of the significance of this event. In a just world, Plans & Apologies would be bigger than The Beatles, but they aren't. They're splitting up. That's the kind of world this is.

Announcing the split on their website, the band said: "We are sad to announce that after nearly seven years of fun and frivolity with a generous helping of inconvenience, Plans & Apologies will, shortly, be no more. We would like to say a massive thank you to anyone who ever showed us support, gave us a gig, bought our records, released our records, played our tunes in clubs and on the radio, pirated our records and generally enjoyed what we've done over the years. We do this with heavy hearts but there are many reasons why we've come to this mutual decision. The last couple of years have been testing, both band-wise and personally but when all is said and done we've had a fucking brilliant adventure, like the 'Goonies'. It's been the longest relationship any of us have ever been in, too bad it was a seven way sausage party".

The band's second and final album, 'The Bassett Hound & The Icy Ground', will be released shortly. Please buy it. It is fantastic. In the meantime, you can download a quite astonishing amount of free music from www.plansandapologies.com, and buy some other bits and pieces too. I recommend the 'Tree Dee Pee' EP, particularly.

The band will be performing their last ever show at The Royal in Derby on 25 Oct with You Slut! And Amusement Parks On Fire. They will not, however, be performing at CMU Social on 14 Oct any more. More news on that soon.

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SINGLE REVIEW: Saint Etienne - Burnt Out Car (Universal)
Released to coincide with their imminent new Greatest Hits CD, 'Burnt Out Car' is not a new track as such, but rather a lost single from 1995 (as featured on their 'Continental' and 'Casino Classics' albums) that has been dusted down and sprinkled with Xenomania fairy dust. Saint Etienne are hardly Johnny-come-latelys when it comes to working with the Girls Aloud production team with the Midas touch - Xenomania's Brian Higgins produced the original track all those years ago. As such, this new version is fairly faithful to the original, albeit given a bit more fizz. Bob, Pete and Sarah at their best, it's a wistful yet dancey slice of electronic pop with a wink to the past and a nod to the future. The accompanying stripped down remixes from Mark Brown - who recently released 'The Journey Continues' with Sarah Cracknell - turns the track into a lovely slice of sunkissed Balearic trancey downtempo. MS
Release Date: 22 Sep
Press Contact: Bang On

Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon

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GORILLAZ BACK ON, SAYS ALBARN
Damon Albarn has revealed that Gorillaz are set to begin work on their third album, the follow-up to 2005's 'Demon Days', despite previously suggesting that the animated collective had gone into retirement.

Albarn told CBCNews: "We came back from summer holidays and realised we could do exactly what we wanted to do with Gorillaz. Essentially, Jamie just had to agree to draw the characters again. Cause I just do what I do anyway. We're not entirely certain [what direction the album will take]; we generally just go with our gut. I dunno. We are obtuse and quite abstract, really. We play a game but it's not strictly the game. Sometimes it really works and sometimes... Actually, usually it really works".

Hewlett added: "I'm so fucking bored of drawing those characters. But then we had a moment where we had a new angle on it... I'm gonna adapt them".

However, this is all a secret, so don't tell anyone else. Hewlett continued: "You're only the second person we've told that Gorillaz is making an album, actually. We were instructed to keep it a secret. When we told the record company, they went 'Woohoo!' - you could hear them shouting in the background - and then said, 'Don't tell anybody!'"

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BLUR NOT OFF, SAYS COXON
Damon Albarn may have resurrected Gorillaz, but he's been attempting to kill off Blur. However, guitarist Graham Coxon isn't planning to let the band go down without a fight.

Albarn recently told Argentinean newspaper Clarin that "Blur is over". Coxon has responded angrily to this in a post on Blur's official message board. He wrote: "Damon didn't consult anybody else before he took it into his own hands to make this comment. Therefore I think it is nonsense. It isn't for him to decide. The anger [between band members] was all centred around long, deep friendships that were tested and tested by business, mega-fatigue, too much time with each other, problems with the roles we played in the band, a lack of trust and communication. It's very complicated. I know it seems simple to solve all this...a phone call, an arrangement to meet up, a chat, hugs tears and a date pencilled in at the studio. I foolishly thought it could be that simple too, but I was wrong. Of course I was wrong and so was Alex".

He concluded: "The facts are like this really: there's no Blur at the moment. Damon probably ain't interested in a Blur that's not the full head count so I think it comes down to me trying again to contact him and talk to him. I tried before, as I said, and left messages. I want to do this anyway for the sake of all the years we were so close. But it takes guts. I psyched myself for days to call him last time and got the answering machine. It's a drag to get that after the psyching, the pondering over the mobile phone and the number and the pressing of the call button. I may have to psyche all over again. Be patient. No one knows the future, not even Damon".

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YOUNG KNIVES REVEAL POSSIBLE ALBUM TITLE
The Young Knives have revealed that they have begun work on their third album, after a summer spent writing new material in between festival appearances. They told BBC 6music that they don't want to rush the recording, but have already selected a potential title for the album, 'Royal Daylight', which is apparently the name of a stream engine at Didcot Railway Centre.

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NEW HYPER TO LAUNCH AT AIR
The new album from the rather fine DJ Hyper - he of 'We Control' and the best Adam Ant cover version I've ever come across - is out next month. It's called 'Suicide Tuesday' and will be officially launched at Ali B's Air night at Cargo on Saturday 4 Oct from 8pm to 3am. Leeroy Thornhill, formerly of The Prodigy and Charlotte from The Subways will guest, so well worth checking out I reckon. Tickets are a tenner in advance. More on Hyper at www.djhyper.com.

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NEW SHOREDITCH VENUE LAUNCH
New Shoreditch venue The Last Days Of Decadence is set to stage its official launch on 2 Oct, which will be headlined by CMU favourite Sportsday Megaphone, and feature appearances from The Bees Knees and resident DJs David H and John Power.

I haven't been there (despite it being just down the road from CMU HQ - we've been very busy), but the venue apparently evokes the world of the 1920s, recreating the art deco style of a nightclub of the period. I'm not sure which twenties nightclub had music playing like that created by Sportsday Megaphone, but they were mad times I guess. Anyway, the new venue promises two floors, a mix of promising acts and Hoxton's latest licence. I must call in next time I go to Tesco.

More info from www.thelastdaysofdecadence.com

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KEANE ANNOUNCE 2009 TOUR
Keane have announced a lengthy arena tour, which will kick off in January next year. The band release their third album, 'Perfect Symmetry' on 13 Oct.

Tour dates:

23 Jan: Belfast, Odyssey Arena
25 Jan: Dublin, The O2
27 Jan: Newcastle, Arena
29 Jan: Glasgow, SECC
31 Jan: Manchester, MEN Arena
1 Feb: Nottingham, Arena
3 Feb: Bournemouth, BIC
4 Feb: Cardiff, Arena
6 Feb: Sheffield, Arena
7 Feb: Liverpool, Arena
9 Feb: Plymouth, Pavilions
10 Feb: Brighton, Centre
12 Feb: London, O2 Arena

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BLACK KIDS TOUR DATES
Black Kids have announced some UK tour dates, which I think is fine. They have my approval. Any other bands looking to tour the UK, please remember that this is now a requirement for all live performances.

Tour dates:

21 Oct: Dublin, Academy
22 Oct: Birmingham, Academy
23 Oct: Oxford, Academy
25 Oct: Manchester, Warehouse Project
26 Oct: Glasgow, ABC
27 Oct: Leeds, Met University
28 Oct: Cambridge, Junction
30 Oct: London, Astoria
31 Oct: Nottingham, Trent University
1 Nov: Liverpool, Nation
2 Nov: Portsmouth, Pyramids Centre

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THE ZOMBIES ANNOUNCE FINAL TOUR
Legendary British psych rock band The Zombies have announced that they will perform their 1968 album, 'Odessey & Oracle', live in full four times next April. This will be the final time they do this, so you'd better make sure you go, or you'll be sorry.

Tour dates:

21 Apr: Glasgow, ABC
23 Apr: Bristol, Colston Hall
24 Apr: Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
25 Apr: London, Hammersmith Apollo

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ALBUM REVIEW: Melody Klyman - Sovereign (Blackwing)
Melody Klyman's album 'Sovereign' has by far the funniest lyrics I have heard in a long time. Unfortunately, she seems to be an earnest individual who isn't in on the joke herself. Lick your lips on these tasty morsels of LOL (she was a featured artist on MySpace) from a couple of her songs: "Once upon a time, everything was illusion, like a child a world, for your amusement" and "Nothing is ordinary, there is no such thing as best". Corny eh? Seriously, the lyrics are nauseatingly bad. Add some hackneyed atmospheric synth-led goth rock and you have a really bad album. Klyman is a good musician, but the music she makes is terrible. It has so many 'you can't be serious' moments throughout the album. 'Magic' and 'Hunt For The Innocent' are the most galling offenders. To be fair, the beginning of 'Fool For Me' has a nice backing track and has nods to electronica, but then it goes back to being rubbish, plodding and uninspired. There is not that much you can say when you have been confronted with a body of music that is so poor you feel bad for panning it. Nevertheless, a Spinal Tap style review could well have sufficed, and yes, I do mean the one about the sandwich. It has very little personality, the music is poor and the lyrics are just unfathomably bad. PG
Release Date: 6 Oct
Press Contact: Alchemy [all]

Buy from iTunes

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MORE ON SANDISK
A bit more on the new pre-loaded memory cards that SanDisk are planning on bringing to market, on which we reported yesterday. As previously reported, the flash memory firm is planning on selling pre-loaded 1GB memory cards that will come, well, pre-loaded with some DRM-free music.

According to Billboard, at launch each card, which will be branded 'slotMusic', will contain more or less one album, with tracks provided without digital rights management, at 320kbps. According to the Wall Street Journal, Universal are among the labels involved, and word has it they will issue around 30 albums on the format at launch, each of which will be available for about $15 in the US. The memory card can be loaded straight into a mobile or, via a USB adaptor, onto a PC.

Billboard quote SanDisk Senior VP and Audio-Video GM Daniel Schreiber as saying they expect the labels to eventually put more content on any one slotMusic memory card than the just the tracks from one album, including bonus and remix tracks, and also non-music content like album artwork, lyric sheets and interactive booklets. Or maybe even master tracks which fans can then remix themselves, should they want to.

Elsewhere in SanDisk news, and as also previously reported, the memory firm are facing a hostile takeover from Samsung after the SanDisk management team turned down previous takeover offers from the Korean electronics giant. It's thought Samsung want to acquire SanDisk to relaunch themselves into the US digital music player market, from which they have all but withdrawn in the last year or so. SanDisk, although still a relatively small player, are still second after Apple in the flash memory based player market.

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APPLE ADMIT PROBLEMS WITH NEW IPHONE USB POWER ADAPTOR
Talking of Apple, the computer firm have admitted that there may be problems with the USB power adaptors that come with the latest version of the iPhone, and have alerted US users of their device via text message that they can swap their adaptor for a new one, which presumably has the problem fixed. It's thought the problem is that the metal prongs on the adapter, which powers the phone from a PC, can become detached and stuck into the socket on the phone which, in theory, could then give a user an electric shock. It's not clear if the problem effects iPhones bought outside the US. It's not the first technical problem for the new 3G iPhone in America, though most previous problems have actually been based on the limitations of the 3G network operated by the phone's exclusive mobile partner AT&T, the patchiness of which in parts of the US has reportedly led to class action lawsuits being launched by disgruntled customers.

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RECESSION COULD WIPE £2.5 BILLION OFF MUSIC REVENUES
The music industry could lose £2.5 billion of revenue because of the pending recession, or so says publishing collecting society MCPS-PRS who have used a time machine to go into the future and see what impact economic instability will have of music firms. Oh no, hang on, it's based on some kind of research.

Those parts of the industry involved in direct to consumer activity - like CD sales, merchandising and gig tickets - will be worst hit, apparently, according to Music Week's report on the research. Those music firms in the business of licensing will fare better - though presumably that theory assumes that the mega-congloms that licence music for their media services and adverts and the like won't all go under, which is possibly a rash assumption - recent events show that not just little companies can collapse as a result of recession.

The publication of 'The 'R' Words: Recession And Royalties' report by MCPS-PRS has prompted Music Week to ask the question "Is the music industry well placed to survive a recession?" in its weekly reader survey. As I write 82.4% say no, which seems a little pessimistic. Times may well be hard in the coming year, and smaller firms may go under, which will be sad. But if the music industry at large is unable to survive the recession - well, that's gonna be quite a recession.

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MUSICTANK ANNOUNCE SERIES OF THINK TANKS ON ALL THINGS DIGITAL
MusicTank yesterday announced a series of Think Tank events looking at the development of legal online music services, and how the music, media and internet industries can work together to develop commercially viable digital music offers that compete with illegal free services, have a real income stream, and which pay labels, publishers, artists and songwriters a fair share.

Think Tank 1 on 21 Oct will look at what consumers actually want and what services are in the process of launching; Think Tank 2 on 4 Nov will look at what new technologies are out there; Think Thank 3 on 18 Nov will look at licensing; and at Think Tank 4 on 4 Dec everything discussed so far will be brought together in order to assess what areas need more work, and also what the film and TV industries can learn from the music industry's attempts - successful and otherwise - to cope with the digital revolution.

All these events will take place in the MCPS-PRS building in London. Tickets for each event are £30, or £20 for Music Tank members, with a special ticket available for all four events for £100 or £70 for Music Tank members. More info at www.musictank.co.uk.

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CLASHMUSIC.COM ANNOUNCE NEW RECRUITS
ClashMusic.com, the online spin off from Clash magazine, has followed up its recent announcement of plans to spend half a million developing its digital offer (aided by a £230K grant from the Scottish government) by announcing the recruitment of two new employees, one from DrownedinSound and the other from the MamaGroup.

Former DiS Editor Mike Diver will become Clash's Online Editor, while former The Fly mag Editor and MamaGroup media man Will Kinsman will put together a team of contributing editors across the UK for Clash and work on special projects.

Clash Editor Simon Harper told CMU: "The addition of Will and Mike into the Clash team comes at a vital juncture in the development of ClashMusic.com and our flagship, Clash Magazine. Both bring with them impeccable reputations, a wealth of experience, and contrasting tastes that will combine to push the Clash components to become the foremost source for astute music coverage. We welcome their expertise and look forward to them joining our burgeoning family".

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NOKIA LAUNCH MOBILE TV SERVICE
Nokia has unveiled its own mobile TV channel, an attempt, it would seem, to showcase the multimedia potential of the phone firm's new devices, and perhaps to persuade people that watching telly on a mobile phone is something you might want to do. The Nokia mobile TV service will offer programmes on motoring, fashion, gadgets, comedy, culture and homes.

Nokia say that they reckon now is the time for mobile TV to take off, thanks to the growth of 'all you can eat' 3G phone packages and the increasing appetite for video content online thanks to the growth of sites like YouTube and the BBC iPlayer. Nokia UK's MD Simon Ainslie told the Guardian that he hoped traditional content owners would follow with their own mobile TV services, commenting: "We don't see ourselves as a major content provider in the long term. It's a fantastically diverse industry and there's some great people out there, which is why we're talking to the BBC and others. We want to kick-start this, to provide some content that people can snack on".

Coming alongside plans to launch its own digital music service - Comes With Music - the new mobile TV service again sees Nokia tread on territory traditionally dominated by the mobile networks, providing over-the-air content that play on mobile devices.

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BBC TO REVIEW YOUTH SERVICES
How Radio 1 serves its listeners will be part of a comprehensive review of the Beeb's services for da kids, or so the BBC Trust says. BBC Three, 1Xtra and Switch will also all be reviewed as part of a report on the Corporation's youth programming, which will include a public consultation over the next few months. BBC Trustee Alison Hastings says this: "We will consider how young people are watching and using BBC programmes and services and the value they derive from them. We want to hear from all people whether or not they use these services". I wonder if they'll ask: "what's the point of the hugely over-staffed Radio 1 Newsbeat?" It's a question I've been pondering for some time.

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SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO CREATE JOGGING MUSIC
We were just discussing the possibility of getting everyone in the CMU office fitter. I think the result was that we decided we couldn't be bothered. That was, however, before we knew about this.

Nike have just announced a new series of those 30 minute bespoke music tracks created by some top artists and designed to accompany our keeping fit type activities. The first release in the 'Nike+ Sport Music' series, created in conjunction with EMI Music Publishing and Apple, will be 'Run' by Simian Mobile Disco, which is released on 29 Sep. Other artists lined up include Jackson And His Computer Band and Skream. Each track is designed to fit a 30 minute warm up, running workout and warm down, setting the pace and BPM to match the runner's journey, and will be sold for £3.99 through the iTunes Music Store. They are designed to be used with the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit.

Simon Pestridge, Marketing Director at Nike UK and Ireland, told CMU: "The link between exercise and music has long been established and we've worked to push these two elements even closer. By working with Nike+ athletes and examining the perfect formula for music to train to, the artists have used music and created their tracks that become a driver, a pacesetter and almost a personal trainer for the runner".

Austin Wilde, EMI Music Publishing's vice president of A&R and creative exploitation added: "Following the success of LCD Soundsystem's '45.33' - the first ever custom track made for runners and Nike+ - we realised there was great potential to work with other EMI artists to create bespoke running tracks. And it's not just limited to dance acts as the track by dubstep artists Skream has proven. By working within these new parameters, the artists have all created totally unique pieces of music".

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STEREOPHONICS HAVE RUN IN WITH CANADIAN POLICE
Stereophonics were chased for two miles by the Canadian border police after the driver of their tour bus ignored police calls to pull over recently. The police were after the bus because it had been illegally parked, but once they caught up with the vehicle decided to look for evidence of any other crimes they could find too, leading to an extensive search of the bus. Chief Phonic Kelly Jones called the border guards "aggressive", and told The Sun: "One of the guards started talking about a guy who used to smuggle drugs through bands' equipment. I said: 'Are you talking about Howard Marks? He's my friend.' You can imagine the rest".

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LOVE SEEKS HOUSEKEEPER, FILMMAKER & PA
Do you want to clean Courtney Love's house? Now is your chance. In a post on her MySpace blog she advertised for an "insanely clean neatfreak near Malibu" to be her new housekeeper. Requirements for applicants are that they are "non thieving" and "non freaky".

If that doesn't sound like you, maybe you could become her documentary filmmaker. She continues: "We need a documentarist, someone to document our studio, as we go in Wednesday, and I have A LOT of work to do 'til then and I wont just hand this to HBO or BBC 2 or Bravo and god forbid not VH1! A DOCUMENATRY NOT A REALITY SHOW".

If that doesn't sound like you, the position of PA is still open. Love continues: "[I] am looking for a young PA type, someone who really wants to get into the film business, cos as we start ramping up, pay some dues with me for a few months and you can be on this [Kurt Cobain biopic, 'Heavier Than Heaven] movie".

Acknowledging that this is an unusual way to hire staff, she says: "I know this is weird - the agencies suck and I'm sick of pigs who steal, it's simple as that. So, fuck it, why not try MySpace, beats Monster. No superfans please. And its very good money. [By the way,] the housekeeping part just early hours".

Speaking of 'Heavier Than Heaven', Love thinks she has finally found the right person to play Cobain in the movie, although she's not revealing any names as yet. She said: "I think I know who I want to play Kurt. He may not be as beautiful as the other two, but he's got something special and looks a lot like him and has a great voice".

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