|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Set up your own MUZU channel, select tracks from the MUZU catalogue, and embed your own MUZU Player on your own website or blog - simple. Sign up here. |
SLABOVIA CHARITY SINGLE RELEASED
Slabovia's Execution Factor charity single is tipped for being the fastest selling record of all time, according to the Ministry Of Propaganda.
The cover of Mariah Cary's 1993 hit 'Hero' - one of Slabovian dictator, General Schmerdiakov's favourite tunes - is part of the communist state's internal appeal for cash, with the proceeds going to construct a new holiday home for The General. Other charity events include, a mud-slide event, potato harvest race and a ticket sale to spend the night in Slabovia's dungeons.
"It is a proud day when we, the loyal citizens of Slabovia, can be seen to be raising money for such a good cause", said tractor wheel scraper and Execution Factor finalist, Diana Vicorski.
'Hero' has been discovered to be one of the 100 tunes that can be whistled during the national whistling ban, imposed after The General overheard someone squeezing out Wham's 'Freedom' from puckered lips.
THREE-STRIKE P2P RULE GETS APPROVAL OF FRENCH SENATE
The French Senate, the upper chamber in the country's parliament, has approved the much previously reported 'Creation And Internet' law with very little opposition and few amendments.
This is the new legal framework that will, amongst other things, introduce the previously reported 'three-strike' system in a bid to combat online piracy. Under this system people suspected of illegally accessing music online will be sent warning letters telling them to stop - similar to the system already introduced over here thanks to that memorandum of understanding between record label trade body the BPI and six internet service providers, though in France the letters will be sent by an independent government-backed body rather than the ISPs themselves.
The French system will also go further than the warning letter programme over here in that those who continue to access illegal music will receive a second letter, by registered post, and if they continue to use dodgy download services after that their ISP will be ordered to cut them off. Their name will then be added to a black-list barring them from subscribing to other net providers.
The three-strike proposal has caused much debate in France and beyond since it was first mooted by French political types last year, with net firms understandably nervous of a system which requires them to cut off what could be good paying customers (well, good to them if not to content owners). However, in the end there wasn't all that much debate about the proposals, or other parts of the Creation And Internet law, and the whole thing was passed within 24 hours, 297 votes in favour to 15 against.
The new laws also make some demands on the music business, in particular forcing the record companies to abandon digital rights management technology and to reach an agreement to ensure the interoperability of music files between rival devices. In some ways those demands are less drastic than they would have been this time last year, given that all the major record companies are now selling their music in DRM-free MP3 formats, though it's not clear if the no-DRM laws would impact on newer bulk-buy and all-you-can-eat subscription services like those operated in France by Orange and recently launched over here by Nokia, both of which rely on DRM.
The new rules may also force French owned Universal to make its DRM-free music available to Apple's iTunes - so far they have refused to do so, reportedly in a bid to give other MP3 services the chance to better compete with the market leader download store. On the flip side, the laws may make demands on Apple too, who, even in the DRM-free domain, sell music in less interoperable AAC formats, which do not work on all digital music players, and therefore still lock iTunes users to iPods to a certain extent. Apple have not responded well to past threats by the French government to force them into offering a more interoperable service, it remains to be seen how they respond to these laws.
It should be noted that none of this is actually law until it has passed through the lower house of the French parliament, who are expected to discuss the proposals in January. That said, these laws are a high priority for the French government and if they fall over at National Assembly stage, they will pass them onto a special commission to get them through. There have, as previously reported, been concerns that the proposed laws will contravene European rules regarding the rights of internet users, though French ministers seem confident that isn't so.
Should the three-strike system become law in France it could have an impact on other countries where the music business is busy trying to find more effective ways to tackle illegal file sharing, including the US and Germany where the 'sue the fans' system is still used despite it being widely regarded as counter-productive. The Australian government has also previously said they would watch the French system closely to see how and if it works.
Here in the UK there was much talk of a three-strike rule being introduced when the government indicated it would follow the French lead and legislate in this area if the ISPs wouldn't voluntarily take on a more proactive role in combating file sharing. The BPI has previously distanced itself from the three-strike system, saying it's not the only proposal on the table, and the ISPs who signed the aforementioned memo of understanding with the record companies have been keen to stress they have not agreed to cut off file sharing customers.
The existence of the MoU may mean the UK government doesn't have to act at all on this, but the issue remains - whether it be dealt with through new laws or voluntary agreement - of what you do to people who are accessing unlicensed music online and who ignore written warnings that what they are doing is illegal. I think the UK government, music industry and ISPs will be watching the French system with interest also.
--------------------------------------------------
FOO FIGHTERS AND OSBOURNE WIN CLASSIC ROCK AWARDS
Foo Fighters have won the Band Of The Year prize at this week's Classic Rock Awards in London, an event which also celebrated Classic Rock magazine's tenth anniversary. The group weren't there on the night, but sent a videotaped acceptance speech.
Elsewhere, Ozzy Osbourne was awarded the Living Legend gong by former GnR man Slash, while other winners on the night included Whitesnake, who won Best Album, Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley, who was named Showman Of The Year, and Aussie group Airborne, who picked up the award for Best New Band.
Led Zeppelin were awarded the gong for Event Of The Year for their reunion gig at the O2 last year, the promoter of which, Harvey Goldsmith, won a Special Award. The late Syd Barret, meanwhile, was posthumously given the Inspiration Award.
The mag's Editor-in-chief Scott Rowley says of the current rock scene, and of the renewed dominance of some classic bands from the genre: "Ozzy's a household name and bands like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Metallica and Guns N' Roses are getting more headlines and front covers than ever, breaking box office records and topping the charts. The Classic Rock Roll of Honour is a celebration of rock music as the most vital and vibrant genre of music".
--------------------------------------------------
"ALL WOMEN ARE CUNTS": SPECTOR TRIAL UPDATE
It's possible the people of America have other things on their mind this week, but over in LA the second edition of the Phil Spector Trial got properly under way after that short delay last week caused by a juror hurting his foot in the courthouse car park. And as expected, the prosecution, who get to go first, set about wheeling in witnesses who would testify to the legendary producer's potty mouth, his misogynistic views, and his tendency to wave guns at women.
First up was retired police officer Vincent Tannazzo, who encountered Spector while working as a security guard at not one but two Joan Rivers Christmas parties. He was the guy who saw Spector lose it with a woman as he was leaving one of those parties, and who claims the producer shouted "I ought to put a bullet in her head right now". The former officer told the court: "He was out of control. He was just yelling over and over again", adding that the producer's ranting was rather sweary, and that, according to Spector, all women were cunts and "they all deserve a bullet in their heads".
He told the court that Dorothy Melvin, Rivers' manager, who was dating Spector at the time and was the reason the producer was there in the first place, asked him to eject the producer from the party. He added that the incident particularly shocked him because of who Spector was. He told the court: "It wasn't just the average person saying it. It was Phil Spector saying it. I knew who he was. I was familiar with his work. I couldn't believe it, but those were the words coming out of his mouth".
Spector's new defence rep Doron Weinberg tried to throw doubt on Tannazzo's seemingly vivid recollection of the incident by arguing that the witness had changed the dates of the alleged incident since giving a similar testimony at the first trial last year. If he couldn't remember specifics like that, the defence argued, how accurate was the rest of Weinberg's depiction of the events that happened at that party? Tannazzo countered that he had worked at Rivers' Christmas parties seven or eight times and couldn't remember exactly at which one this particular Spector incident occurred.
The aforementioned Spector ex Melvin also retook to the stand yesterday to again recount an incident that took place at Spector's Pasadena home in 1993. Having been dating the producer on and off for a while, Melvin says she agreed to go to his home one evening. What began as a pleasant evening turned nasty after she dozed off after Spector left her alone in his house. She woke to find the producer pointing a gun at her car. When she protested he allegedly smacked her in the face with the gun, and then refused to give her back her purse as she tried to leave. She fled in her car anyway, seemingly with Spector chasing her down his driveway.
Asked about whether she reported the incident at the time, she says she did ask for police help in retrieving her purse. When they called at his house, Spector initially denied having the purse, but police did subsequently find it there. Melvin chose not to press charges, though, explaining: "He's Phil Spector, music legend, and I'm Joan Rivers' manager. I really don't like publicity and there would have been publicity because of Joan Rivers' name".
With her story told, the prosecution began to question Melvin about Tannazzo's testimony, to get her take on the incident at Joan Rivers' Christmas party. However, the defence called "objection your honour" on the basis that this line of questioning had not been pursued at the first trial and that, it seems, makes such questioning this time round unfair.
Defence man Weinberg found more to object about too. He argued, not for the first time, that the stories of Spector's altercations with women in the past were not relevant, that the prosecution were pursuing a case that centred on character assassination rather than an analysis of the facts relating to the actual alleged crime, and that therefore another mistrial should be called. Judge Larry Paul Fidler disagreed, saying these testimonies, of which there will be five in total, were relevant, albeit in a very specific way that he would explain to the jury later in the trial. Fidler didn't rule on whether or not the questioning of Melvin on the Rivers party incident could continue, saying the matter would be considered today.
Spector, of course, is accused of shooting dead actress Lana Clarkson at his Beverly Hills mansion in 2003. He claims she shot herself. The case continues.
--------------------------------------------------
LIL WAYNE AND WILEY NOT DEAD
Lil Wayne and Wiley were both killed off by a hoax website this weekend, designed to look like the BBC News site. In separate stories, Lil Wayne was said to have been shot dead during a gang fight in New Orleans between rival gangs the Crips and Bloods, while Wiley was said to have been stabbed in a similar altercation. I haven't seen the Wiley story but the giveaway in the Lil Wayne story, apart from the fact that the Crips and Bloods are LA-based gangs, was the link to a video of Thames Valley Police's statement on the shooting.
Wiley posted a message to fans on his MySpace blog with the heading "I AM NOT DEAD!" and just to make sure no one was in any doubt, his manager also told Tim Westwood on Radio 1: "Wiley's totally okay, he just said to say, 'I'm in the studio, recording a new tune'. Knowing Wiley, he'll probably make a tune about it. We've had people crying today about this situation and I think that that's really sad. It is upsetting but I just believe the person who's done it is obviously a sad individual to be putting such rumours like that out there".
Lil Wayne has not commented, but Perez Hilton told the world on his blog: "Lil Wayne is not dead. Repeat: not dead". And if Perez says so, it is so.
--------------------------------------------------
U2'S TOWER CREDIT CRUNCHED
Plans to build Ireland's tallest building have been scuppered by the global financial crisis. The 120 metre high tower was planned to be built in Dublin's docklands area to house, amongst other things, U2's studio, which would have been suspended at the top in an egg-shaped pod.
The band are part of a consortium selected by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority last year to build the tower, but on Friday the DDDA announced that it had suspended negotiations on the project for at least 12 months, due to uncertainty in the world economy.
The organisation said in a statement: "The objective is to see this landmark project completed. However, given the current unfavourable economic environment, more time is needed at this juncture".
--------------------------------------------------
DIDIER SINCLAIR DIES
French techno DJ Didier Sinclair has died at the age of 43 in Paris. According to reports, his spokesperson did not confirm what illness had caused his death but one website claims that he was suffering from lung cancer.
Sinclair became famous in his home country in the early eighties when hosting a show on French radio station NRJ. He didn't release his own music until 1999, when he released an album 'Groove2me', and international club hit 'Lovely Flight'. His most recent album, 'Do You Speak' was released in April this year, and he had hoped to be back in action in Spring 09.
--------------------------------------------------
YMA SUMAC DIES
Peruvian soprano Yma Sumac, renowned for her extreme vocal range, has died at her home in Los Angeles at the age of 86 after suffering for some months with colon cancer.
Details of Sumac's early life are sketchy, but she was born Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chavarri del Castillo, in or near the city of Camarjo. Various myths about her heritage, some of her own making, surrounded her career, including the claim that she was an Incan princess, a descendant of emperor Atahualpa. She rose to fame in the US in the forties because of her soaring voice, reportedly spanning as many as four or five octaves at the peak of her powers. Band leader Moises Vivanco, whom she married in 1942, said of her "she is five singers in one. Never in 2,000 years has there been another voice like hers".
The fifties saw her signed to Capitol, and the peak of her fame, as her first album for the label, 'Voice Of The Xtabay' sold half a million copies. During her career she performed at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl as well as appearing in films and on Broadway. Her star waned in the sixties, although she released a rock album in 1971. Divorced from her husband in 1965, Sumac's later years, divided between Peru and Los Angeles, were increasingly solitary. Asked recently how she would like to be remembered, she replied: "That I made good music and brought happiness to people's hearts".
--------------------------------------------------
PORTISHEAD'S BARROW OPENS GALLERY
Geoff Barrow of Portishead has opened an Art Gallery in Bristol, according to reports. The outlet, named Friend And Co, and co-run by Barrow and a, um, friend, plans to sell 'outsider art', whatever that is. Apparently work by people like The Horrors frontman Faris Badwan is presently on sale.
--------------------------------------------------
SINGLE REVIEW: Friendly Fires - Paris (Beggars/XL Recordings)
The art of the re-release is a tricky business, especially when the initial release was as near to perfection as an indie dance record can get. But, like a phoenix from the flames that is the cavernous crater of the music biz, Friendly Fires' 'Paris' gets a re-make and re-release following the success of the band's top 40 eponymous debut album, and actually sounds bloody great for it. Brooklyn-based indie chicks Au Revoir Simone team up with the lads to provide the born-again track's backing vocals, and their addition adds a creative and dreamy-like texture to its sound. 2008's 'Paris' is a breathtaking, if not hugely needed, revival, and, like their exhilarating previous release 'Jump In The Pool', is chock-full of tinny and excitable percussion that sets it apart from much of the electro-indie already out there. TW
Release Date: 10 Nov
Press Contact: XL Recordings IH [all]
Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
KYLIE WOULD LIKE TO GET COMEDIC
Kylie Minogue says she'd enjoy a return to acting, especially in a comedy role. The former Neighbours star says: "I'm starting to think acting would be good - I'd love to do a comedy. I've done a few little comedy bits and pieces as a guest and I love it. It's so much fun. It's where I come from so I'm very comfortable to go back to that. It's not well known that I'm funny but I am. People who know me will tell you". I believe you Kylie.
She adds that she didn't enjoy feeling as though she had to choose between singing and acting when she began a pop career back in the late eighties. She continued: "I started out as an actress and I thought if I was lucky that would be my career, because it's notoriously difficult to do well. Then I started singing and I was in that weird space where people say 'You can't be a singer, you're an actress'. Then after a certain time they're saying, 'Well you're a singer, you can't be an actress'. I hate that! I hate that! If you're creative there's no reason you shouldn't work in different mediums. Recording and being a performer, time rolled by and I was pushing and pushing to see how much better I could become".
Elsewhere in Kylie news, according to The Sun the singer was brave enough to begin the Latin American leg of her 'X' tour last week despite having had five pieces of luggage stolen just hours before the set. Several outfits she wears in the show were amongst the items lost, but she muddled along without them. She's offered a £1,300 reward for their safe return.
--------------------------------------------------
ICE CUBE TO WRITE AND PRODUCE NEW TV SHOW
Well, if Kylie does want a part in a comedy, maybe she should try and chat to Ice Cube, who is to write and produce a new comedy show for US network NBC. I'm sure there'd be room in his buddy cop programme for a diminutive wisecracking Australian. According to Variety, Ice Cube himself will not star in the show, but will make some guest appearances, and may write the opening theme tune. It's as yet untitled, but is expected to air next year.
--------------------------------------------------
FALL OUT BOYS BREAK INTERVIEWS RECORD
Patrick Stump and Pete Wentz have broken the world record for doing the most radio interviews over the course of 24 hours. The Fall Out Boy stars began the challenge at the Premiere Studios in LA at 2pm on Friday, and subsequently took part in a total of 72 interviews, smashing the previous record of 57.
It's not the first record Fall Out Boy have attempted; their previously reported plan to be the first band to play on all seven continents in less than nine months was foiled when bad weather prevented their performance in Antarctica.
--------------------------------------------------
BRITNEY REVEALS ALBUM ARTWORK AND TRACKLIST
Britney Spears has revealed details of her forthcoming new album, 'Circus', including the cover, on which she looks weird. It doesn't actually look like her if you ask me. See what you think, here.
The singer's new single, 'Womanizer' came out yesterday and the album is due for release on 1 Dec.
Here's the trackslist:
Womanizer
Circus
Out From Under
Kill The Lights
Shattered Glass
If U Seek Amy
Unusual You
Blur
Mmm Papi
Mannequin
Lace And Leather
My Baby
--------------------------------------------------
IT'S A MAROON 5 REMIX ALBUM
Maroon 5 have announced details of a new remix album, called 'Call & Response'. The list of artists who have submitted reworkings of the band's songs is pretty impressive, probably more impressive than the songs they're remixing. Check this out: Mark Ronson, Pharrell, ?uestlove, Cut Copy, Deerhoof, Paul Oakenfold, Of Montreal, Cool Kids, Phantom Planet, Tiesto, David Banner and Just Blaze.
--------------------------------------------------
NEW EAGLES OF DEATH METAL ALBUM
Eagles Of Death Metal will release their third studio album - to be called 'Heart On' - next January. Guests on the album will include The Distillers' Brody Dalle and guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, the former the wife of EODM drummer Josh Homme, the latter his Queens Of The Stone Age bandmate. The first single from the album will be 'Wanna Be In LA'.
--------------------------------------------------
ALBUM REVIEW: Vessels - White Fields & Open Devices (Cuckundoo Records)
Post-rock is not the easiest genre to break into. Many have tried over the years, and most have stumbled at the first hurdle - failing to bring something new to the epic loud-quiet-louder formula laid down by the likes of Mogwai and Explosions In The Sky. Some don't have the talent, others just don't have the imagination. Thankfully, Vessels have both in spades and, with their debut album, have not only managed to elbow their way in amongst the other bands in the genre, but have pushed straight past them and begun dictating new rules. Having always worked first on writing music to form part of the most engaging and exciting live show possible, as anyone who witnessed a stunning CMU Social performance earlier this year will know, the band took this collection of room-filling songs to Minnesota and charged legendary producer John Congleton (Explosions In The Sky, The Polyphonic Spree, Modest Mouse) with the task of containing them within a recording without losing any of that power. Not an easy task, certainly, but one he and the band succeeded in pulling off, in order to create 'White Fields & Open Devices'. With math-rock influences a plenty, complex song structures and regular time signature changes, they have recorded one of the most exciting albums to be released this year. From the thrilling heaviness of tracks like 'An Idle Brain & The Devil's Workshop', or the single, 'A Hundred Times In Every Direction', to the sublime, piano-led 'Yuki', this album is simply flawless. AHM
Release Date: Out Now
Press Contact: Cuckundoo Records IH [All]
Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon
--------------------------------------------------
DEATH CAB MAN STUNG BY SCORPION
Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard was stung twice by a scorpion in San Diego last week, according to bandmate Nick Harmer, who wrote about the incident on his blog.
Harmer writes: "So tonight in San Diego, Ben got stung by a SCORPION. Twice. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried, file this under 'things that really happen on rock tours'. Ben's okay, if not a little shaken, but we were worried for awhile because the scorpion was a little guy and when it comes to the wonderful world of scorpions, the smaller the deadlier. Here's how it went down: As were were getting ready to go onstage to play our set, Ben changed into his show pants that were hanging in our wardrobe case. He put his pants on, and felt something stick him twice in his thigh and when he pulled them off, this guy came running out".
He continued: "We all screamed. A scorpion was honestly the last thing we could imagine that would come scurrying out of his pants. Ben said that it felt like a wasp stung him and it didn't hurt so bad, but it sure rattled all of us. We called the EMTs and they checked him out and thankfully he was fine and able to play the show, he said he had scorpion power in his veins. I'm still not convinced that he is 100% fine because nobody eliminated the possibility that it was a radioactive scorpion and that Ben will now develop super powers, so I'm keeping a close eye on him just in case".
Yikes.
--------------------------------------------------
SOME MORE EARLY BIRD T TICKETS TO GO ON SALE
A small number of tickets for next year's T In The Park will go on sale on 28 Nov, the final early bird tickets at 2008 rates. Half of the tickets for the 2009 Scottish music fest were snapped up back in July when the early bird offer was first available. A few more discounted tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday 28 Nov, the last to be sold before full price tickets go on sale next year. T In The Park boss Geoff Ellis told reporters he hopes the extra early bird tickets might be given as Christmas presents: "We really hope that there will be some excited faces under trees around the country this Christmas - plans for next year's line-up are well underway and we can assure T In The Parkers won't be disappointed when we begin our artist revelations!"
--------------------------------------------------
ELBOW ANNOUNCE 2009 TOUR
Mercury winners Elbow have announced tour dates for February and March next year, which is very exciting. Tickets for all dates are on sale now.
Tour dates:
28 Feb: Brighton, Dome
1 Mar: Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
2 Mar: Bournemouth, Solent Hall
3 Mar: Sheffield, Academy
5 Mar: Newcastle, Academy
6 Mar: Edinburgh, Corn Exchange
7 Mar: Blackpool, Empress Ballroom
9 Mar: Llandudno, Arena
10 Mar: Bristol, Colston Hall
11 Mar: Plymouth, Pavilions
12 Mar: Newport, Centre
14 Mar: London, Wembley Arena
--------------------------------------------------
ALBUM REVIEW: Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid - NYC (Domino)
Yes, it's Kieran Hebden, aka Four Tet and one third of Fridge, collaborating once again with Steve Reid, the super amazing jazz drummer who played with Miles Davis, Sun Ra's Arkestra, James Brown, Fela Kuti and on Motown hits. This should be special, in theory; though I saw them live and it was shit. But good news people, the theory rings true here - 'NYC' is not shit. It opens in an outburst of ecstasy rushing space noise acceleration with Reid punishing the cymbals over the electronic drive. Disorientating and brilliant, it builds and builds; cymbals and electronics hissing away over a wobbly dubstep back noise. Subsequently, the album falls back into more standard sax and drums free jazz, with Hebden's not-taken-his-Ritalin approach to putting random noises that sound like hinges and boiling kettles in the background along with pulsing harmonics. It remains like this through '1st & 1st' up to '25th Street' the following track. Next, the highlight of the album, 'Arrival' a soft comedown from its antecedents as it undulates over convulsing modulated electronics and throbbing delay guitar on steady drums. Peaceful and beautiful. 'Between B&C' follows in a blaxploitation soundtrack meets Trans-Europe Express mode. Finally, 'Departure' is folksy and organic, a great counter-point to the previous modern sprawl. This album is really pretty extraordinary. I have always been suspicious of Hebden (read that as jealous), but it may well be the best thing he has ever produced. Reid, it's harder to say, I know less about his music and previous influence on artists. Yet, it seems his powers of collaboration bring the best out of supremely talented individuals. That would seem to be the case in this instance. Apparently, Reid wanted to evoke his home city New York; it is clearly the work of some one who loves his home and celebrates the exuberant seedy energy that it is supposed/used to have. PG
Release Date: 3 Nov
Press Contact: Domino IH [all]
Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon
--------------------------------------------------
MUSICTANK THINK TANK TONIGHT
Don't forget it's the second part of MusicTank's series of Think Tank debates on the future of the digital music industry tonight, this time under the title 'We Have The Technology, What's The Solution?'. This one will see execs from leading mobile companies and digital music service providers talk about the latest technologies out there for delivering and providing digital music.
Andrew Heaney, Strategy & Regulation Director of Talk Talk Group, has just been added to a line up of speakers that already included Vodafone's Head Of Music Tom McLennan, 24-7 Entertainment founder Jonathan Friend, and Jim Gelcer, Vice President Content Acquisition And Business Development of Noank Media Inc, who is flying in from Canada to deliver the keynote address.
It all takes place at the MCPS-PRS HQ in London tonight – full details at www.musictank.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------
GRAINGE HONOURED AT TRUST DINNER
Universal Music International top man Lucian Grainge was honoured at the Music Industry Trust's annual dinner in London last night, which was nice. For him. Universal signed artists like Mika, Take That, Razorlight and some good ones too (only joking) were in attendance at the charity bash to give their support to their label's big boss. Grainge's big boss, meanwhile, that Doug Morris fella, was also there.
But it was one of Grainge's biggest bands, U2, who actually presented the prize. According to Billboard, Bono joked about his band's failure to release a new album this year, saying that, despite that fact, Grainge always provided "cuddles" for the band "when we get stressed out and we haven't got the hits and we missed Christmas".
Accepting the prize, Grainge said: "This recognition is an honour, and I'm delighted to be able to share it with the many artists, colleagues and friends who have been at the centre of my professional and personal life for the past 30 years. I'm proud that music is the only industry I have ever worked in. Music has given me opportunity and fulfilment beyond measure, and I'm grateful for that".
The annual MIT dinner, sponsored this time by Nokia, Ingenious Media, PPL and PRS, is staged in support of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and the BRIT School, who will receive over half a million from the event this year.
--------------------------------------------------
DOWNLOAD FIRMS LAUNCH MP3 LOGO
So, how are consumers to know when a download platform is selling them music in an uber-compatible MP3 format, rather than a pesky probably-won't-even-be-supported-by-Microsoft-next-month Windows format, or in Apple's preferred AAC format? They look for the logo, stupid.
Yes, seven UK download stores yesterday announced the launch of a new logo that they will display to show they are selling music in the popular digital rights management free MP3 format. The logo, devised by the Entertainment Retailer's Association, will be carried by 7digital.com, digitalstores.co.uk, HMV.com, play.com, tescodigital.com, tunetribe.com and woolworthsdownload.co.uk at launch.
ERA Digital Chairman and digitalstores.co.uk CEO Russel Coultart told reporters: "2008 has been the breakthrough year for legal MP3 downloads. We now want to take the message out to music fans that they can legally buy downloads which are not locked to specific players or computers or mobile phones".
The new logo is also supported by record label trade body the BPI, the boss of which, Geoff Taylor, said: "Digital music is fast-moving and exciting, so initiatives that help consumer understanding are important. This logo will not only help give consumers confidence that the music files they are buying will play on a wide range of devices, but will also help them know that they are legal and that artists are getting paid".
--------------------------------------------------
FRUKT APPOINT NEW PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
Music strategy consultancy, FRUKT, has announced the promotion of Giles Fitzgerald to the role of Publications Editor, which will see him oversee all of the consulting firm's publishing projects, including "music business intelligence" magazine Five Eight and the recently launched Brands Bands Fans service. He will take over as editor of the former from Eamonn Forde.
FRUKT say Fitzgerald's appointment comes as they "embark on an evolutionary process across its suite of publications. The decisive move will see a restructuring of content in order to fully equip individuals in all sectors of the music, entertainment and brand industries with the tools they need to drive their business forward".
Anthony Ackenhoff, Joint-MD of FRUKT and publisher of Five Eight told CMU: "As a company, FRUKT aim to drive things forward in the music business, and the appointment of Giles and our plans for our publications are completely in line with our Group's thinking".
--------------------------------------------------
FACEBOOK AHEAD OF BEEB IN WEB VIEWING STAKES
Facebook has overtaken bbc.co.uk in the chart of most popular UK net destinations. The social networking whatnot has moved into fifth place in the most-viewed-websites list from web measurement firm comScore following an 80% rise in traffic in the last twelve months. Traffic to the Beeb's websites fell slightly, by 2.7%, in the same period, despite the launch of the popular iPlayer.
The four websites ahead of both Facebook and the Beeb are Yahoo, Microsoft, eBay and, unsurprisingly, out in the lead is Google, who, of course, also boast YouTube within its family of web services.
--------------------------------------------------
MICHAEL GRADE WOULD NOT LIKE OUR SPECTOR HEADLINE
And he's probably right not to. I blame Phil. Yes, ITV top man Michael Grade has commented on the so called Sachsgate row, on the BBC's response to it, and on his opinions of the use of the f word and similar on mainstream radio and TV shows.
Grade says he thinks the BBC has handled the whole shebang as best as could be expected, saying that the Corporation's management's response to the media and public outrage surrounding the infamous Russell Brand/Jonathon Ross Radio 2 routine, where they left lewd messages on the answer phone of actor Andrew Sachs, was relatively fast.
As previously reported, within a week of the Mail On Sunday reporting on the phone calls Jonathan Ross was put on a twelve week unpaid suspension, while both Brand and Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas resigned.
While some said the BBC were slow to respond to the story, allowing it to gain momentum in the tabloid press, Grade says that to have acted the way they did within a week is something of a record for the BBC and, indeed, any media company. It was possible, he said, because the body that now regulates the Corporation, the BBC Trust, which he helped establish, is so great.
However, speaking at a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch yesterday, he did say he wondered if this whole incident was a sign that broadcasters should reconsider the broadcasting of excessive swearing even after the watershed. The Brand/Ross routine was quite sweary and explicit of course.
According to the Guardian, Grade said: "I do think the prevalence of bad language such as the F-word is a little bit unrestrained. I am not calling for it to be banned but I don't think we take enough care over the use of the F-word and similar words. It used to be that you had to get very senior sign-off to use that word in any show. I am not sure what the rules are these days. Clearly not enough consideration is given to a very large section of the audience who don't want to hear that word or such words. You have to know where you are using it and give it some extra consideration. It seems to be indiscriminate now".
Grade didn't name names with regards excessive swearing - personally I blame fucking Jamie Oliver and that fucker Gordon Ramsay - but he concluded "we need to show a little bit more thoughtfulness about how we use these words", adding that he would raise the issue with ITV's Director Of Television, Peter Fincham: "I think we probably will have a conversation at some point. Peter is a man of very good sense and immense trust and exercises good judgment".
--------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT NOT FOR SALE, SAYS THE INDEPENDENT
The owners of the Independent have denied those reports from yesterday, that began in the Observer on Sunday, that they are in discussions with the Daily Mail about selling their rivals the struggling broadsheet.
As previously reported, it was reported that the Mail had expressed an interest in acquiring The Independent, probably in a cash free deal where the Daily Mail & General Trust would take on the Indie's not insubstantial debts. One of Independent News & Media's key shareholders, Denis O'Brien, is known to want to offload the loss-making paper, but the company's CEO, Tony O'Reilly', remains committed to his British title.
INM is, however, discussing the possibility of outsourcing some of its 'back office operations' to a rival publisher, and it said yesterday that any discussions with any UK newspaper companies were with regards those proposals and not with regards selling The Independent.
It's thought INM has spoken to the Mail, Telegraph and Trinity Mirror about them providing back office services. Any such deal could lead to the loss of 100-200 jobs at The Independent, or so says the Irish Times, which is predicting job losses at both the INM's Irish and British operations this year.
With all newspaper companies looking to rationalise their non-editorial departments and better integrate their different titles as they face the expected slump in the advertising market, companies like the Mail and Telegraph would probably welcome the opportunity to provide such services in order to subsidise their own back-office operations and avoid the need to make too many of their own costly redundancies.
--------------------------------------------------
JENKINS TOOK DRUGS BUT DIDN'T ENJOY IT, RIGHT?
Opera star Katherine Jenkins has revealed that she took various drugs before coming famous but never enjoyed it because taking drugs isn't fun and makes your face scab up and fall off.
She told The Mail On Sunday: "I was young and silly and never thought about the consequences. I just liked going out with friends, getting drunk on too many Malibu and Cokes and then someone would produce some drugs and occasionally I would take some. I was hanging around with a bad crowd. I was very trusting and eager to please. I never enjoyed taking drugs, it made me fit in better".
She added that she certainly hasn't done any such things since signing her £1m record deal in 2003. She said: "I knew I had to stop taking drugs. I had been given this amazing opportunity and I couldn't let myself mess it all up".
--------------------------------------------------
STEREOPHONICS PLAY NUDIE PRANKS
Stereophonics have said that they often play pranks involving streaking and nudity with their fellow Welshmen in Feeder. Which sounds hilarious. If you find that kind of thing hilarious.
Bassist Richard Jones told The Sun that a streaker at a show in Cardiff a few years back was in fact Feeder's drummer Mark Richardson. "We always play pranks on each other," said Jones. "We once dared him to go up to Ren‚e Zellweger totally naked and say, 'Show me the money' like Tom Cruise did in Jerry Maguire".
Bandmate Kelly Jones continued: "Fair play to him. He did it. They play pranks on us and we do it with them all the time. Our chefs have also streaked across the stage wearing just their chef hats. That's why we don't eat any of their food".
--------------------------------------------------
MORE TAKE THAT ROBBIE LOVE
Mark Owen has revealed that he was jealous after hearing Robbie Williams' forthcoming album, claiming that Robbie's new songs are "even better" that Take That's new album, 'The Circus'.
Owen told Radio 1: "We heard quite a bit of his new stuff when we were out in LA. It's really, really good - in fact it's even better than ours. I was a bit gutted. I just want him to get something out. I think he's going to release something in the new year. I was telling him he should do a double album, but I don't know if he'll pay any attention to me".
If you want to stop receiving this e-bulletin click the 'unsubscribe' button below and follow the instructions. If any of your colleagues want to receive the CMU Daily tell them to email their name, company, job title and email to [email protected].
If you would like to recieve the CMU Daily as a text email, send a blank email from the email address you are registered at to [email protected].
MEDIA PEOPLE>> If you are looking for an independent quote on anything to do with the music business, or you need someone to come on your TV or radio show and talk music business, then we can help. There's nothing we don't know about. Email requests to [email protected] or call 020 7099 9050.
CMU is published by and (c) UnLimited Media - www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk
Send news stories to [email protected]. If we don't respond directly, we do apologise, only we get sent hundreds of emails a day and don't have time to respond to every one of them. However we do check every email sent to the musicnews email address, and do pull out stories that we feel are relevant to our readers.
Send CDs for review to CMU, UnLimited Media, 221-222 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6PJ.