LEYLINE PUBLICITY
Innovative ideas + meticulous planning + meeting deadlines & budget = a Leyline Publicity campaign

Established in 2001, Leyline lists a catalogue of successful PR and marketing campaigns spanning almost ten years on behalf of record labels (major and independent), festivals, radio stations, major club nights, venues and artists. As a small but highly skilled company, Leyline Publicity deliver challenging and intelligent PR campaigns across a variety of platforms including; Regional and national press, online and viral marketing, blog engagement and online video placement. In addition, drawing upon years of experience working within the live sector as one of the capitals leading independent promoters, Leyline offers much more than other traditional music PR company's can in terms of facilitating live placements for album launches, tours and festivals including an in depth knowledge of live marketing, promotions and production.

Clients including Xfm, Red Bull, EA Games, Standon Calling, The Holloways, Bent, Hervé, My Toys Like Me, The Glade Festival, Sony Ericsson have chosen Leyline because of our reputation for innovative ideas, meticulous planning and ability to deliver on time and in budget! If you have any PR, marketing or promotional requirements in the near future, please do not hesitate to contact us! Email adrian@leylinepromotions.com or call 020 7575 3285

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DESK SPACE TO RENT IN SHOREDITCH
A bright Shoreditch third floor 4 desk unit, ideal for a start-up. You'll be sharing with 4 other small media enterprises (film, publishing, PR and design). The space comes with four desks, chairs and shelving units and is ready for you to move in today. Office has internet, wifi and is fully air-conditioned. In a very desirable location 5 minutes from Liverpool Street station and 10 minutes from Old Street station. Rent is £250 per desk, per month, including rates and service charge. Please contact  rachel@devenportpr.com

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FILM PRODUCTION STUDIO TO RENT IN SHOREDITCH
A fully equipped film production studio in the heart of Shoreditch. An ideal temporary studio to meet all your freelance and overspill needs, with access to 2 cameras (Z1E and HC1E) with 2 sound kits, an HD edit suite with FCP Studio 2, HD deck, HD monitor and sound station. Full specs available on request. Includes a working space for up to four people. The space with production and post-production equipment is £200 per day, minimum hire of three days; 7 days is charged at 5 days. Discounts available for hire of 4 weeks plus. Please contact jobeda@fairknowledge.co.uk or 07809601366.

IRISH ISP TO BLOCK PIRATE BAY
Irish internet service provider Eircom has said it will block access to rogue BitTorrent tracker The Pirate Bay.

As previously reported, Eircom has previously made various commitments to the Irish music industry to help them combat online piracy in Ireland, though when the Irish labels demanded that all ISPs block the Bay at the start of the year they indicated that they'd only do so if a court ruling instructed them to.

I'm not sure what's now changed - there doesn't seem to be any mention of a court order - but Eircom users will be blocked from accessing the Bay from September.

It's interesting timing, of course, because The Pirate Bay is expected to confirm its relaunch as a legit music service next week. As previously reported, Swedish IT firm Global Gaming is hoping to buy the rogue search engine and take it legit. Though many in both the IT and music industries doubt such a thing will be possible without haemorrhaging large amounts of cash and/or many of the Bay's faithful users.

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TAPES REVEAL LENNON'S ANGER AT BEATLES
Newly released tapes of an interview by Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner with John Lennon shortly after The Beatles split in 1970 reveal some of the reasons behind the decision to part ways, something the members of the band have rarely discussed.

Previously unpublished, Wenner recently gave the tapes to journalist Mikal Gilmour for a new article on the band's split, which will appear in the next issue of Rolling Stone. Excerpts from the tapes were also aired on US TV show Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday.

Audibly angry, Lennon tells Wenner: "We sold out... and I felt sick. We got fed up with being sidemen for Paul".

He added that he felt the "music died" when they first rose to fame in the early 60s, saying: "That's why we never improved".

On the subject of the band's relationship with his wife, Yoko Ono, Lennon was most angry, telling Wenner: "They despised her... It seemed I had to be happily married to them or Yoko - and I chose Yoko. George insulted her right to her face and I didn't hit him, I don't know why. Ringo was alright but the other two really gave it to us. I'll never forgive 'em".

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YELLOW SUBMARINE TO GET 3D REMAKE
More Beatles now, and while the music industry leaps from one foolish project to another in a bid to combat online piracy, the film industry has come up with an equally ludicrous idea - make everything 3D, cos that way we'll all want to sit in cinemas wearing stupid glasses that make our eyes hurt rather than downloading movies to our iPhones.

Now the world of music has been dragged into this idiotic gimmick with the announcement that US director Robert Zemickis is in talks to remake The Beatles' 1968 animated film, 'Yellow Submarine'. According to Variety, Zemickis and Disney are currently trying to secure the rights to use the sixteen songs featured in the original film and are hoping to have the whole thing completed in time to coincide with the 2012 Olympics.

It's not the director's first brush with The Beatles. His first film as a director was 1978's 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand', which obviously took its name from a Beatles song and was about some girls who were suffering from Beatlemania, with a story centred on the day the band made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in the US.

Anyway, let's hope it doesn't happen, but if it does, you can get a taste of what it might be like later this year, when Zemickis releases an equally rubbish-sounding 3D adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'.

That said, so long as he doesn't start remaking the 'Back To The Future' films in 3D, I can just about cope with all of this.

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JACKO FILM AND WARHOL PAINTING NEWS
More film news now (and another one that will be presented in 3D). Long-time Michael Jackson collaborator Kenny Ortega has been announced as the director of the upcoming documentary featuring the singer's rehearsals for his O2 Dome residency that didn't happen on account of him being dead.

Titled 'Michael Jackson: This Is It', after the name of the residency, rather than some reminder that the star is not alive any more, the film will hit cinemas on 28 Oct. Sony Pictures say that they have brought the release date forward by two days from the previously announced 30 Oct due to anticipated high demand, adding that the film will only be released for a two week run. However, if they expect demand to be so high, it seems unlikely that they will hold to the "limited run" thing. Expect it to be extended "for the fans" sometime between 27 Sep, when tickets for the screenings go on sale, and the middle of the first week of the initial run.

Confirming his involvement in the project, Ortega, who is also behind the 'High School Musical' films and the upcoming remake of 'Footloose' (oh look, another film that didn't need remaking!), told reporters: "This film is Michael's gift to his fans. It's a very private, exclusive look into a creative genius' world. For the first time ever, fans will see Michael as they have never seen him before - this great artist at work. It is raw, emotional, moving and powerful footage that captures his interactions with the This Is It collaborators that he had personally assembled for this once-in-a-lifetime project".

In other Jackson news, a portrait of the singer by Andy Warhol has sold at auction in New York for over $1 million.

The 1984 portrait, which was commissioned to celebrate the record-breaking sales of the singer's 'Thriller' album, was sold off at the Vered Gallery in Long Island yesterday, after being displayed at the O2 Dome in London.

Although the gallery would not say the exact price the 76cm by 66cm piece had gone for, they said that the buyer had paid "over $1m dollars". The highest price ever paid for a Warhol painting was $71.7 million in 2007.

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SLIPKNOT FRONTMAN OFFERS MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE
Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor has spoken to London-based children's mental health charity YoungMinds about his experience of mental health problems and coping with them.

In the video, recorded backstage at the recent Kerrang! Awards, which he hosted, Taylor explained that he had battled with drug problems in his youth, but had overcome them through his music.

He said: "Anything you're feeling right now, no matter how strong you feel it, it's temporary. You have incredible lives ahead of you. You have incredible things you can accomplish. If you feel that you will have an amazing life. Do not let anything build a wall to high for you to get over it - I know that might seem very clichéd but I've had a lot of friends who've hurt themselves, but all of that stuff is so temporary. You can get through it; you're stronger than you think. You'll always be stronger than you think".

Watch the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL76bZ8qWA8

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WOMAN FOUND GUILTY OF SPYING ON BRITNEY
A woman who was caught snooping around outside Britney Spears' home has been sentenced to three years probation and 240 hours of community service.

Miranda Tozier-Robbins was arrested by police when she was discovered outside the star's California home dressed in camouflage, carrying camera equipment and trying to peer through the windows. Tozier-Robbins claimed to be making a documentary about methods used by the paparazzi to get pictures of celebrities.

As well as her sentence, she was ordered to stay away from Britney and her house by a judge at the Los Angeles Superior Court.

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MILES KANE QUITS THE RASCALS
Rascals frontman Miles Kane has quit the band to go solo, according to Teletext's Planet Sound.

The band released their debut album, 'Rascalize', last year to varying reviews. The remaining members say that they will seek to recruit a new singer.

Kane is, of course, also one half of The Last Shadow Puppets with Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner.

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KYLIE TO WORK WITH N-DUBZ
It's always bothered me that none of Kylie Minogue's records featured someone saying "na na niii" on them. Really, I've always said that. Even before N-Dubz turned it into their catchphrase.

Anyway, according to a source, who has been flapping their mouth of to The Sun, N-Dubz are set to collaborate with Kylie on a track for her next solo album. The source said: "Kylie really wants to surprise people. She is a big fan of what N-Dubz have been doing".

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GARY GO RELEASES HEARTY CHARITY SINGLE
Singer-songwriter Gary Go has released a new single, 'The Heart Balloon', in aid of the British Heart Foundation. It's been made available on a pay-what-you-like basis, with all proceeds going to the charity. It's only available until 31 Aug, though. So be quick. And remember, the less you give, the more of a bastard you are.

Download the track here: www.bhf.org.uk/garygo

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KAREN O WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE SOUNDTRACK ANNOUNCED
Details of Karen O's soundtrack for the upcoming film version of children's book 'Where The Wild Things Are', directed by Spike Jonze, have been announced.

Billed as Karen O And The Kids, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman enlisted help from members of The Raconteurs, Deerhunter, Liars, Queens Of The Stone Age, as well as songwriter Greg Kurstin, for the project.

The first single from the album, 'All Is Love', is due for release via download stores on Monday. The album itself will follow on 29 Sep.

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DEATH ROW TO RE-ISSUE DRE DEBUT
The newly relaunched Death Row Records has announced that it will re-issue Dr Dre's debut album, 'The Chronic', with some bonus-y stuff later this year. A second disc will feature seven previously unreleased tracks, rare video footage and an interview with the man himself.

Death Row's new CEO Lar Lavi recently hinted that there could be a lot more unheard material from Death Row artists on the way, telling The Hollywood Reporter: "We're sitting here with 10,000 masters, of which only 10% to 15% have been released to the public".

The previously unreleased songs on the bonus disc are:

Poor Young Dave (feat. Snoop Dogg)
Slippin in the West (feat. CPO and Kurupt)
Smoke Enough Bud (feat. Jewell and Snoop Dogg)
Foo Nay Mic (feat. CPO)
Dog Collar (feat. Snoop Dogg, Lady V, KV, Big Pimpin and Badazz)
Touchdown (feat. Snoop Dogg and Threat)
Would You Ride (feat. Kurupt, Daz and Snoop Dogg)

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DEERHOOF TO STAR IN ART FILM
US indie geniuses/weirdos Deerhoof are to star in an art film called 'BAND'. The film, directed by artist Adam Pendleton, is based on Jean-Luc Godard's 1968 film about The Rolling Stones, 'Sympathy For The Devil', intercutting clips of The Stones in the studio from Godard's film with the footage of Deerhoof recording and rehearsing in their very much more lo-fi set up.

The filming will finish with a free show by Deerhoof at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto, which is one of the Toronto International Film Festival's 'Future Projects' events, apparently.

In a statement, Pendleton said: "I was really looking for a group that balanced experimentation with a slightly pop, slightly rock sensibility and had a dynamic performance presence and style... Deerhoof had it all".

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MACHINE HEAD ANNOUNCE UK TOUR DATES
Machine Head have announced UK tour dates for next February. So far only four dates have been revealed, but more are expected in the next week.

16 Feb: Plymouth, Pavilions
18 Feb: London, Brixton Academy
21 Feb: Birmingham, O2 Academy
26 Feb: Manchester, Apollo

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VESSELS ANNOUNCE TOUR DATES
CMU favourites Vessels have announced new tour dates to ease us into winter. The band will be previewing some new songs from their second album, which they are currently in the process of writing.

Tour dates:

4 Sep: Fell Foot Sound Festival
1 Oct: Sheffield, The Harley
2 Oct: Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
3 Oct: Bolton, Dog & Patridge
7 Oct: York, City Screen Basement Bar
9 Oct: Brighton, The Freebutt
16 Oct: Glasgow, Captain's Rest
17 Oct: Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete's
20 Oct: London, Bardens Boudoir
1 Nov: Brainwash Festival

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BAND OF SKULLS ANNOUNCE TOUR DATES
Garage rockers Band Of Skulls have announced new tour dates to coincide with their latest single, 'Diamonds And Pearls', which will be released by You Are Here on 14 Sep.

Tour dates:

19 Sep: Southsea Festival
12 Sep: Guildford, Boiler Room
22 Sep: London, Barfly
23 Sep: Brighton, Latest 7 Bar
25 Sep: Bristol, Louisiana
26 Sep: Coventry, Kasbah
28 Sep: Nottingham, Bodega
29 Sep: Cambridge, Portland Arms
30 Sep: Cardiff, 10 Feet Tall
2 Oct: London, Koko
3 Oct: Liverpool, Korova
4 Oct: Leeds, Nation Of Shopkeepers
6 Oct: Sheffield, The Plug
8 Oct: Manchester, Night and Day
9 Oct: Sunderland, Independent
10 Oct: Glasgow, Captains Rest
11 Oct: Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete's
15 Oct: Southampton, Joiners

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SONY APPOINT NEW COMMERCIAL MUSIC GROUP PRESIDENT
Sony Music have promoted Richard Story to the New York based role of President of the major's Commercial Music Group, which will see him head up the Legacy Recordings division, as well as other catalogue marketing operations and some of the major's sync rights business. He'll report straight to Sony Music top man Rolf Schmidt-Holtz.

Meanwhile, Kevin Lawrie, has been named President of Sony Music Europe, which possibly sees him taking over some of Story's previous responsibilities in his last Sony role, COO for Europe. Lawrie's new role as President, Europe will see him coordinating the major's European and, erm, South African offices.

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EMI LAUNCH PUBLISHING VENTURE WITH DEF JAM CHIEF
EMI Music Publishing has entered into a partnership with Island Def Jam chief Antonio LA Reid to create a new publishing joint venture to be known as the LA Reid Music Publishing Company. Reid will bring his songwriting A&R skills to the new venture.

Although best known for heading up the Universal division, and before that BMG's Arista label, Reid has been active in the music publishing side of the business since 1996 via his Hitco Publishing Group, through which he signed Beyonce Knowles among others.

Confirming the new JV deal, EMI's Jon Platt told reporters: "LA's track record speaks for itself. He's discovered some of the most enduring talents of the last 20 years, and his hit rate with songwriters and recording artists alike is phenomenal. I've worked closely with LA for many years and I'm now looking forward to taking the partnership to the next level".

Reid himself said: "Throughout my career in music, I've been devoted to the songwriter's craft first, last and always, and I consider the business of publishing to be the heart and soul of the industry. This unique new association with EMI Music Publishing affords me the opportunity to indulge a passion for the two creative cornerstones of my life: artists and their music".

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IMPRESSIVE PR TAKE ON NEW STAFF
Impressive PR have announced that Stuart Kirkham and Sacha Taylor-Cox have joined the company. Kirkham, who takes on a full-time senior role at Impressive, is a former Head Of Press for Coalition PR and EMI, while Taylor-Cox, who has formerly been Head Of Press for brands including Xfm and Hollyoaks, becomes a part-time senior consultant for the company, creating a new service offering 360 degree PR campaigns.

Sacha told CMU: "Our aim is to apply the kind of strategic overview to an artist or celebrity that you would offer a brand, creating a project that builds the individual as a brand and integrates press activity within that project. We feel we have something special to offer in so far as we're in a position to not only offer great PR coverage, but bring in potential new revenue streams for artists from brands and generate third party consumer promotions. Whilst all of this is not unusual for an artist in today's market, these roles are usually kept separate and looked after by management or newly formed label divisions. As PR's we're on the front line to the consumer and due to the nature of our work we all become experienced brand builders, we're therefore well placed to be in a position to offer a unique integrated service of this kind".

Impressive PR's founder and director, Mel Brown, who, like half the CMU team, is currently at the Edinburgh Fringe leading the firm's comedy PR projects, added: "It's really exciting times for us. Stuart is a great addition to the team on the music side of things and Sacha is bringing a totally new approach to the way we do business and has already landed us some amazing new celebrity and brand clients".

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THELONDONPAPER TO CLOSE
So, the big media news today is that London freesheet thelondonpaper will close next month, meaning early evening trips to the Tube will be made slightly easier.

Owned by Rupert Murdoch's News International and launched in 2006, the free paper has made losses year on year since then, with a pre-tax loss of £12.9 million in the year leading up to June 2008. The paper's finances are the main reason for the closure, although Murdoch's plan to make people pay to access his newspaper's websites may also have influenced the decision - it wouldn't exactly be easy to make people pay for something they get free on the street. Especially with content as dull as thelondonpaper's.

Murdoch's son, James, who is also chairman and CEO of News Corp in Europe and Asia, brought in Boston Consulting Group to assess News International's businesses last year. The consultation has already led to 65 editorial job cuts across The Sunday Times, The Times, The Sun and News Of The World, as well as the sale of some operations not core to the business. However, this is the first part of the business to be completely shut down.

James Murdoch said in a statement: "The strategy at News International over the past 18 months has been to streamline our operations and focus investment on our core titles. The team at thelondonpaper has made great strides in a short space of time with innovative design and a fresh approach but the performance of the business in a difficult free evening newspaper sector has fallen short of expectations. We have taken a tough decision that reflects our priorities as a business".

He added that a month-long consultation had begun with the 60 staff (including 40 journalists) at NI Free Newspapers, which publishes thelondonpaper, and that they will continue to publish the paper until this is completed. It's currently not clear what this means for the londonpaper-sponsored HEADLINERS festival, which is due to take place around venues in Soho in London on 16 and 17 Sep, with the paper expected to close on 18 Sep.

Though some are hailing this as a win for rival freesheet London Lite, things are not all rosy over there either. That paper, owned by Associated Newspapers, was launched to counter News International's entry into the London evening paper market in 2006, a market it had previously dominated with the paid-for Evening Standard (and it's 'lite' free edition). Although Associated have since sold the Standard to Russian businessman Alexander Lebedev, they still own the Lite, as well as the more successful and more popular morning freebie, Metro.

But with London Lite also losing money, it remains to be seen if Associated Papers remain committed to it - especially given they no longer have a huge interest in protecting the Standard (though they do still own a minority stake in it). A spokesperson for Associated Papers' parent company The Daily Mail & General Trust said: "We are watching developments with interest".

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AXL LET EVERYONE DOWN, SAYS SIXX
Motley Crue frontman Nicky Sixx has said that Axl Rose let his fans down with Guns N Roses' recent album, 'Chinese Democracy', which is why said fans, in Sixx's view, have deserted him.

Sixx told The Sun: "For it to fail was pretty crazy after so many years of being recorded. Then the tour got cancelled. A buddy of mine went to go play guitar for him. They rehearsed for three months and Axl never once turned up. Rule number one: show up! He's been doing that for many years. Finally I think the fans just went, 'Fuck it - can't do this anymore'. You can't be a fan when you can't see the band. I heard one track and then it just disappeared off the radio. It was never talked about again".

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