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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 [email protected] -- FILM PRODUCTION STUDIO TO RENT IN SHOREDITCH -- Advertise your stuff here: £120 for five editions - [email protected] |
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![]() NON-WINNING KANYE GRABS VMA HEADLINES - ANOTHER AWARD RANT Obviously Kanye decided to express his frustration as the winner of the Best Female Video award, Taylor Swift, stood up to accept the honour. As Swift started to speak about the challenges country artists face in getting exposure via MTV, West arrived on stage, grabbed the mic and said: "I'm really happy for you. I'm going to let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all-time, one of the best videos of all-time". Beyonce, whose video for 'Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)' was among the most nominated, and went on to take three prizes in total, including Best Video, looked on somewhat embarrassed as Kanye ranted about her failure to get the Best Female nod. Others in the audience were openly hostile to West's stage invasion, subsequently booing when his name was mentioned later in the proceedings. Some Tweeted their disapproval. Other Best Female nominee Pink added to her Twitter feed the comment "Kanye West is the biggest piece of shit on earth, quote me", and look, we did. West, meanwhile, used cyberspace to apologise. Before the ceremony was up he'd posted an apology to his blog. Noting again how good he thought Beyonce's vid was, he added: "I'm sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mom. I'm in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment!" He added that Beyonce's video remains one of "the best of the decade". In a sort of defence of his actions, he recalled how at the BET Awards in 2007 he tried to give up the award he had won because he thought OutKast were more worthy winners. He blogged: "Everybody wanna boooo me but I'm a fan of real pop culture!!! ... I gave my awards to OutKast when they deserved it over me ... that's what it is". So there you have it. While Kanye grabbed the headlines at the VMAs, here's who grabbed awards... Video Of The Year: Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) Best Male Video: TI ft Rihanna - Live Your Life Best Hip-Hop Video: Eminem - We Made You Best New Artist: Lady Gaga - Poker Face Best Video (That Should Have Won A Moonman), ie, Classic Vid Award: Beastie Boys - Sabotage Best Art Direction: Lady Gaga - Paparazzi -------------------------------------------------- GROHL AND NOVOSELIC CONDEMN GUITAR HERO What has most irked the two men is the fact that Cobain's character can be 'unlocked' and made to play other songs in the game. In a statement, they said: "While we were aware of Kurt's image being used with two Nirvana songs, we didn't know players have the ability to unlock the character. This feature allows the character to be used with any kind of song the player wants. We urge Activision to do the right thing in 're-locking' Kurt's character so that this won't continue in the future". -------------------------------------------------- MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE CANCELLED In a statement, Jackson said: "A little more than five weeks ago I began, together with my partners in Vienna, to work on the tribute concert. As you can imagine staging a show of this monumental dimension in less than eight weeks is a daunting challenge. We have worked virtually around the clock to produce this show for the millions of fans around the world. Despite all the obstacles we succeeded in organizing the entire production of a concert in front of beautiful Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna to insure that a show of international magnitude could be held". He continued: "I personally have spoken to many international artists and invited them to attend the tibute and perform one of Michael's songs. Several leading artists immediately agreed to participate in this unique tribute show. Many others told me personally that it would be a great honour to be part of this memorial concert for my late brother - an artist who influenced the music world like virtually no other. However, due to the short time frame involved it just was not possible for many of them to change their schedule so that they could be on stage in Vienna on 26 Sep". Announcing the rescheduled concert, he said: "We have decided, after careful consideration, to reschedule the tribute concert for my brother to June 2010 and to stage this very special music event at Wembley Stadium in London. ... Instead of eight weeks we now have eight months to prepare and some of the stars who would not have been able to participate in the Vienna concert, but expressed their wish to participate in this event, will be able to perform". -------------------------------------------------- 1000 YEAR COMPOSITION GETS LIVE PERFORMANCE (WELL, A BIT OF IT DOES) 'The Longplayer' was created by musician Jem Finer, a founder member of The Pogues, and takes a piece of music recorded on Tibetan singing bowls in 1999 and reworks it through a clever computer programme so that it can run for a thousand years without ever actually repeating itself. The current performance of the piece began on 31 December 1999, the plan being for it to continue playing until 31 December 2999. It could originally be heard in the Millennium Dome, but is now playing via the Trinity Buoy Wharf on the other side of the Thames. It can also be sampled at various other locations around the world, or via a web stream. You should tune in. I heard the best bit comes at 232 years, 19 days in. Get it cued up now. The live performance of the 1000-minute snippet at the Roundhouse was created by 20 people on 234 of these Tibetan singing bowls constructed into a 20 metre wide instrument. 1000 minutes of Tibetan bowls chiming might sound a bit tedious, but there is something strangely alluring about the sound they make. I'm not saying I'd give the whole 1000 years a listen, or even 1000 minutes, but it is an interesting project which you had probably all forgotten about until now. -------------------------------------------------- DE BURGH HITS BACK AT NEGATIVE CRITIC The Times man reviewed a recent de Burgh gig at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre. Observing that "certain toes will never uncurl after this experience", Crawley recalled how: "A small man appears in suit trousers and a white shirt, giving a little wave, like a businessman happy to have finished a long day of conference calls". In what is probably an admission by the reviewer that he never expected to enjoy this experience, Crawley continues: "This man is Chris de Burgh. You may have heard of him. The name alone summons a rush of associations, some of which carry a shudder, few of which fail to draw a smile". De Burgh seems angry that audience response to his three night stand at the Dublin theatre - which was seemingly rather positive - is not reflected in the review, which isn't necessarily the point of a review, though it does read a little as if Crawley signed up for the gig in the happy knowledge that a night out with the 'Lady In Red' man's faithful fan base would be sufficiently horrific to enable one of those spleen-venting slatings that us journalists must admit are quite fun to write. Anyway, here's how de Burgh responded. In a letter published by the Times in full, the singer ranted: "Your churlish review is an insult to all those who enjoyed their night out, and in these days of collapsing newspaper sales and an entire new generation on the way who will get their information online, you may be looking for another job sooner rather than later". He continues: "Your pals in the pub must have loved your review, but it seems that you are universally loathed in the theatre world. A leading impresario has described you as 'puffed up with his own self-importance', and a much-loved and successful actress refers to you as 'that loathsome little turd'. Great accolades, to be sure". He concluded by expressing "sympathy" for the hack, saying: "It must be so poisonous to have to lurk in the shadows, riffling through the garbage bins of despair and avoiding those who think that you are an irrelevance, an irritation to be ignored and laughed about". So there you go. You'd think de Burgh would be immune to such criticism by now really wouldn't you? I mean, the 'Spanish Train' album aside, for every gushing fan there has to be at least one person whose is made physically ill by most of his musical output. -------------------------------------------------- ELTON CONSIDERING ADOPTING Yes, Elton has admitted he and his other half are considering adopting a child, a toddler from the Ukraine called Lev whose parents died of AIDS. It seems that it's Furnish who has a long held ambition to adopt, with Elton claiming he'd been reticent of the proposal until meeting Lev. He told reporters: "David always wanted to adopt a child and I always said 'no' because I am 62 and I think because of the travelling I do and the life I have, maybe it wouldn't be fair for the child. But having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him. I don't know how we do that but he has stolen my heart. And he has stolen David's heart and it would be wonderful if he can have a home. I've changed my mind today". Elton added that the previously reported death of his chief keyboardist Guy Babylon had also had an role in bringing about his change of heart. He continued: "It broke my heart because he was such a genius and so young and has two wonderful children. What better opportunity to replace someone I lost than to replace him with someone I can give a future to". Quite what the Ukraine's policies are regarding international adoption, let alone adoption by gay couples, who the hell knows, and John admitted bureaucracy may prevent him and Furnish from caring for Lev. But presumably the couple's legal people will investigate every possible route first. TWO LAPD OFFICERS ON SUPSENSION OVER RIHANNA PHOTO LEAK INVESTIGATION As much previously reported, shortly after the story broke that R&B thugster Chris Brown had beaten his then girlfriend Rihanna to a pulp in an LA street after a pre-Grammy party, police photos of the bruised popstress soon appeared on the infamous gossip website and subsequently in media across the world. Brown's legal people in particular questioned who it was that supplied the photos to the gossip site, presumably concerned the images could bias any jury considering the criminal charges their client faced. Brown, of course, eventually pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal. According to LA media, both Rebecca Reyes and Blanca Lopez have been "assigned to home", which basically means they are on paid suspension, over allegations they were somehow involved in the provision of the photo to TMZ. Both officers, who were roommates at the time of the incident, deny any involvement in the photo leak. Reyes did work on the Rihanna beating case, but her lawyer told media this weekend that she denied selling on any photos to anyone, adding: "My client did nothing criminal or anything for financial gain; her record is quite exemplary". LAPD haven't formally commented on any accusations linking Reyes and Lopez to the picture leak. Rihanna's people have generally stayed out of the photo leak story, with her legal man, Donald Etra, telling reporters: "Rihanna has nothing but praise for the LAPD. Throughout the course of the case they have treated her with courtesy and respect". -------------------------------------------------- MCFADDEN FORMALLY REQUESTS CUSTODY OF HIS KATONA KIDS For anyone who, like me, spent August in a news-free bubble, all you need to know is that Katona's life went particularly loopy over the summer, with more druggy allegations, financial problems, a lost Iceland ad contract and a very bitter fired accountant blabbing to the press. McFadden has previously expressed concern, via the media, for the welfare of his two children. Most recently on Ireland's 'The Late Late Show' where new host Ryan Tubridy took the opportunity to ask why - given Katona's high profile personal problems have been tabloid fodder for a couple of years now - McFadden had until recently based himself on the other side of the world from his two children, living, as he does, with girlfriend Delta Goodrem in Australia. But McFadden has now said he'd care for the couple's children in Ireland until his ex-wife sorts out her demons. All of which leads us to the legal letter which, according to an apparent friend of Katona's, has now arrived. Said source told the tabs: "Kerry is terrified of losing her girls. She'd heard Brian was thinking about taking custody, but had heard nothing. Suddenly a letter landed on her doorstep from Brian's lawyers demanding intermediate custody while she sorts herself out. Her children are the most important thing to her, the last thing she needs is a bitter custody battle with Brian... it could destroy her". PHIL COLLINS MAY NEVER PLAY INSTRUMENTS AGAIN He said: "There isn't any drama regarding my 'disability' and playing drums. Somehow during the last Genesis tour I dislocated some vertebrae in my upper neck and that affected my hands. After a successful operation on my neck, my hands still can't function normally. Maybe in a year or so it will change, but for now it is impossible for me to play drums or piano. I am not in any 'distressed' state - stuff happens in life". GRAMMY PRODUCER DIES Canada-born Cossette had a prolific five decade career in the US entertainment industry, working as a talent agent, personal manager and record label boss as well as a TV and theatre producer. After serving in the army in World War II he went to college and got a degree in journalism. Despite the journalism qualification, his first job in the entertainment industry was at a 1950s MCA, then a top Hollywood talent agency. He subsequently formed his own personal management company, through which he managed the affairs of a range of stars, and later founded Dunhill Records, which helped launch the careers of the likes of The Mamas And The Papas, Steppenwolf and Johnny Rivers. After selling the label to ABC he moved into television, which led to him persuading the US Recordings Academy to open up their Grammy Awards - previously a closed doors industry bash - and to turn the awards show into a televised extravaganza. He subsequently oversaw the production of the Grammys TV show for 35 years before handing over the job to his son in 2005. His prolific TV career also saw Cossette working on other music-based productions; he initiated the Latin Grammys in 2000, producing the Black Entertainment Awards for a while, and made more than fifty music specials for US TV. Paying tribute to Cossette, current Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow told reporters: "It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our dear friend and father of the Grammy Awards. Pierre was a creative visionary and one of the most accomplished, versatile and respected producers. It was because of his passion and dedication that the Grammy Awards came to network television close to 40 years ago". BORIS ANNOUNCE SINGLES SERIES Here are the tracklists: September Japanese Heavy Rock Hits Vol. 1 October Japanese Heavy Rock Hits Vol. 2 November Japanese Heavy Rock Hits Vol. 3 The singles will be available individually or as a set. If you pre-order the set (details of how to do so will be announced on www.southernlord.com soon), you'll also get a bonus 7" and a Boris t-shirt. Which is nice. STIPE AND MANILOW TEAM UP FOR FILM MET MAN JOINS MUSICTANK'S 696 DEBATE The controversial 696 form, devised by the Met Police and used by London local authorities as part of the live music licensing process, has been very much part of this debate, which is why it is exciting that Adrian Studd from the London police force will be on the Think Tank panel. As previously reported, the Met recently reviewed the 696 form and made some changes - including removing the most controversial question about music genre, the question some felt could lead to racial prejudice - though much of the form remains intact. A key player in the Met's Clubs And Vice unit, Studd has been vocal in speaking in support of the 696 form in the past. He will be up against one of the form's biggest critics at the event - John Whittingdale MP who, as also previously reported, heads up the Culture, Media And Sport parliamentary select committee, and who made various recommendations regarding revising the 2003 Licensing Act earlier this year, and also called for the 696 form to be scrapped. The MusicTank event takes place on 22 Sep at the HQ of PRS For Music in London. More info and such like at www.musictank.co.uk/events SINGLE REVIEW: Keri Hilson - Energy (Universal/Polydor) Buy from iTunes UNIONS SPEAK OUT IN FAVOUR OF TIGHTER ANTI-FILESHARING MEASURES Anyway, the BPI, UK Music and Entertainment Retailer's Association have spoken out in support of government moves to force internet service providers to take action against persistent online copyright infringers who do not heed warnings. The Featured Artists Coalition, Music Managers Forum, Music Producers Guild and British Academy Of Songwriters, Composers And Authors meanwhile have aired caution. Well, this time it's the trade unions, and they support more draconian measures against those pesky file-sharers, genuinely believing, I think that a failure to act will genuinely damage the entertainment industry and threaten their members' jobs. I think we already knew that both the Musicians' Union and acting union Equity supported more proactive anti-P2P measures, but last week they formally said so, with the backing of the Trade Uniong Congress. Equity General Secretary Christine Payne said this: "The fact that so many jobs are under threat is seriously alarming. There has never been a more critical time to take bold action against those who are threatening the livelihoods of everyone working in the entertainment sector". -------------------------------------------------- ASTA SUPPORT OFT'S JUST TICK IT CAMPAIGN Presumably convinced that all his members would tick all the right boxes in such a credentials check, ASTA chair Graham Burns told reporters last week: "We hope the Office of Fair Trading's new website gives the consumer more tools to use in the fight against rogue websites. It is heartening to see that the OFT has grasped the nettle and is prepared to work alongside other agencies, including ASTA, to eradicate the crooks". LAST.FM GOES PROPER RADIO LIKE MUSIC WEEK IS FIFTY CHART UPDATE Outside the top ten there's less going on. Shakira is the next new entry at 25, with 'She Wolf', while U2 are at 32 with 'I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy', and Livvi Franc closes proceedings, coming in at 40 with 'Now I'm That Chick (feat. Pitbull)'. The album chart is just weird this week. Vera Lynn has done what she failed to do last week and knocked Arctic Monkeys of the number one spot. Just in case you didn't get that: Vera Lynn is at number one. Vera Lyn. Vera. Lynn. At number one. At 92 years old, she is the oldest person to ever hold the position - a full 25 years older than the previous holder, Bob Dylan, who went to the top of the chart at the sprightly age of 67 in May this year. And if that wasn't weird enough, The Beatles have four albums in the top ten. Not to allow Vera Lynn to take all the glory, they've broken two records, racking up the most number of albums simultaneously in the top ten, which has been held by The Monkees since 1967 (when they had three), and also the most number of albums in the top 60, with sixteen. The previous holder of that record was Elvis, who had 14 albums in the top 60 in 1977, thanks to a Michael Jackson-style mass purchase of his back catalogue following his death. It's not all old stuff in the album chart, though. Jamie T's second album, 'Kings & Queens', goes straight in at number two, and The Cribs' latest offering, 'Ignore The Ignorant', their first with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, is also new at eight. Further down the chart, there are a few non-Beatles new entries in the top 40 (though they do have a further six in addition to the four in the top ten). Beverley Knight is in at 17 with '100%', Frank Turner is at 36 with 'Poetry Of The Deed', and Prefab Sprout (still relative newbies compared to The Beatles and Vera Lynn) are in at 39 with 'Let's Change The World With Music'. And I wouldn't be doing this properly is I didn't keep you up to date with Mercury nominees' chart movements. There's little activity on that front yet, though it's still less than a week since the award winner was announced. In reverse order, La Roux is at 34, Friendly Fires are at 32, Kasabian are at 16, are Florence And The Machine are at 12, all of which are drops from their positions last week. The charts are compiled by the understandably quite excited Official Charts Company. GLASVEGAS GUY NOW HAS A PHONE Anyway, the band's guitarist and James' cousin Rab Allan has explained that the main problem was the his bandmate hasn't owned a mobile phone for six months, which is why no one could get in touch with him when he went AWOL. Rab: "The only way we could get in touch with him was by email. I knew he was okay, but everyone else seemed a little bit worried. I think the record company [was] pretty worried. He has [a mobile] now, yes. We got him one on his glorious return, so he now has a phone". I'm not sure if they bought him better manners in a bid to avert future no shows. Though a certain element of mystery does still surround Allan's short disappearance, and his bandmates seem to be as in the dark as the rest of us. Rab explained that when the band regrouped in Boston to support the Kings Of Leon that: "We went and had some food. We asked him if he was okay. We asked him if he wanted to talk about anything. Everything was fine, and we [decided to] put it behind us and move on". |
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