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Self-contained office space available in the centre of Shoreditch, on the corner of Shoreditch High Street and Great Eastern Street, next to the CMU HQ. 5-8 minutes walk from Liverpool Street and Old Street tube stations. A top floor workspace with plenty of natural light in an exciting neighbourhood that is home to numerous music, media, PR and creative companies. 764 square feet, with room for 15-20 desks plus its own kitchen area and adjacent toilets. £1000 per month plus service charge and business rates (£275 per month and £600 per month respectively). Includes heating. Available now. For more information contact [email protected].

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Advertise your stuff here: £120 for five editions - [email protected]

THREE-STRIKES PETITION HAS OVER 24,000 SIGNATORIES
A petition against the government's proposals to introduce a three-strikes style system for combating online piracy is currently the sixth most signed on the Number 10 Downing Street website, despite being among the newest petitions on there. As I write this 24,390 people have added their names to the petition.

It was set up by a rep of internet service provider TalkTalk who have, of course, been especially vocal in opposing any measures that would force ISPs to take action against persistent file-sharers. The petition is a response, also of course, to the government's Digital Economy Bill, published last week, which includes a provision for suspending the internet connections of those who continue to access illegal sources of music or film content despite warnings.

While claiming that persistent file-sharers will hack into others' wi-fi connections to access illegal content, meaning innocent parties will face warning letters and suspension, the main part of the petition focuses on the usual issue associated with three strikes: whether cases will go through a court of law before suspension takes place.

It was that issue that caused French three-strike proposals to initially stumble at the country's Constitutional Council, and was also at the heart of uproar in New Zealand when politicians there made three-strikes law. The French government got round it by having a judge rubber stamp any disconnection notices, and by assuring constitutional judges there would be an opportunity for those accused of file-sharing to defend themselves.

Whether adding such a nominal judicial element to the UK's three-strikes system would appease objectors I'm not sure, though it's unlikely to appease TalkTalk who'd rather have to never think about what their customers are up to on their servers.

The anti-three-strike petition was aided by that Tweeter-In-Chief Stephen Fry. He had previously leant his support to the aforementioned anti-three-strike movement in New Zealand, and earlier this week urged his British followers to sign TalkTalk's petition.

Noting that the three-strikes provisions have been pushed through in the main by Peter Mandelson, he tweeted: "Dear Mandy, splendid fellow in many ways, but he is SO WRONG about copyright".

Of course Number 10 petitions rarely result in anything much - certainly those tedious political types managed to ignore the last one I put my name to, calling for the National Anthem to be replaced with a Human League track. But organisations like the Open Rights Group have reported tangible increases in membership since the three-strikes proposals were formally put on the parliamentary agenda last week, so opposition to the idea is likely to be even more vocal if and when it reaches the House Of Commons.

Meanwhile, BPI boss Geoff Taylor and the Featured Artist Coalition's Jeremy Silver are due to talk on this very issue at an Internet Service Provider Association conference next week, which should be interesting. The FAC have mixed opinions about net suspensions for file-sharers, of course, but the BPI has been spearheading the lobbying activity to get such measures on the statute book. Given most ISPs hate the idea of suspending net users, Taylor could be in for an interesting hour.

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HEAVEN & HELL MAN HAS CANCER
Heaven & Hell and sometime Black Sabbath frontman Ronnie James Dio has announced he has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. The announcement follows the news Dio was cancelling some live shows last week due to ill-health.

In a statement issued yesterday, Dio's wife Wendy told reporters: "Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans. Thanks to all the friends and fans around the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up. Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio".

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GUARDIAN STUDENT WINNERS
So, in case you hadn't noticed, this is the week for celebrating the great and the good among the UK's student media community. Tuesday night saw the Student Radio Awards take over the Indigo bit of London's big dome, while last night The Guardian dished out its awards to the students who write well at Camden's Proud Gallery. And tonight Record Of The Day will present the CMU-supported Best Student Music Journalist gong at their awards for music journalism and PR, which is all jolly exciting.

But let's take a step back and list, celebrate and congratulate the winners of the Guardian's student media awards for 2009, which are as follows:

Reporter Of The Year: Michael Stothard - University Of Cambridge
Feature Writer Of The Year: Zing Tsjeng - University Of Cambridge
Photographer Of The Year: Stuart Capper - Blackpool & The Fylde College
Publication Design Of The Year: The Journal - University Of Edinburgh
Critic Of The Year: Catherine Sylvain - University Of Edinburgh
Broadcast Journalist Of The Year: Steph Oliver - Nottingham Trent University
Sports Writer Of The Year: Ben Riley-Smith - University Of Cambridge
Diversity Writer Of The Year: Jessica Tabalba - London School Of Economics
Travel Writer Of The Year: Clyde Macfarlane - University Of Manchester
Columnist Of The Year: Charlotte Runcie - University Of Cambridge
Student Journalist Of The Year: Patrick Kingsley - University Of Cambridge

Newspaper Of The Year: Leeds Student - University Of Leeds
Magazine Of The Year: The Oxymoron - Oxford University
Website Of The Year: www.nouse.co.uk - University Of York

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25 RECORDINGS ADDED TO GRAMMY RECORDINGS HALL OF FAME
The Beach Boys, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown and Louis Armstrong have all got songs about to be listed in the US Recording Academy's Grammy Hall Of Fame which, unlike the main US Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, honours songs rather than bands.

Songs have to be at least 25 years old to enter the Hall Of Fame. The youngest song added to the Hall this time round is Birdland's 'Weather Report' from 1977.

Announcing this year's list, the Recording Academy's Neil Portnow told reporters: "These recordings all greatly deserve to be memorialised. The selections are timeless staples that span six decades and represent a wide range of genres from comedy to rock, reggae, jazz and R&B".

The comedy, by the way, is George Carlin's 'Class Clown', the 1972 comedy album most notable for the "seven words you can never say on television" routine.

The rock, reggae, jazz and R&B can presumably be found somewhere in this list of the other 24 new entrants to the Grammy Hall...

Dooley Wilson - As Time Goes By (1944)
Weather Report - Birdland (1977)
The Beach Boys - California Girls (1965)
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch A Fire (1973)
Billie Holiday Crazy He Calls Me (1949)
King Oliver & His Jazz Band - Dippermouth Blues (1923)
Duke Ellington - Don't Get Around Much Anymore (1940)
Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie - Ella and Basie (1963)
Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad (1970)
Judy Garland & Gene Kelly - For Me And My Gal (1942)
Mahalia Jackson - His Eye Is On The Sparrow (1958)
Muddy Waters - I Feel Like Going Home (1948)
James Brown - It's A Man's Man's Man's World (1966)
Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd - Jazz Samba (1962)
Jelly Roll Morton - Kansas City Stomps (1928)
Louis Armstrong - Lazy River (1931)
Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars - ...Plays WC Handy (1954)
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Mr Bojangles (1970)
Janis Joplin - Pearl (1971)
The Doors - Riders On The Storm (1971)
The Isley Brothers - Twist And Shout (1962)
Bo Diddley - Who Do You Love (1956)
Harry James & His Orchestra - You Made Me Love You (1941)
Johnny Mercer - Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (1946)

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FORMER EMI CHIEF GETS HONORARY DEGREE
Tony Wadsworth, chair of record label trade body BPI and formerly UK boss of EMI, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate Of Music from the University Of Gloucestershire.

The honorary degree recognises Wadsworth's role in setting up the popular music degree at the university, as well as his general contribution to the good old music business, especially during his 26 year career at EMI, all the way up until the point then new owners Terra Firma kicked him out of the door in possibly their least wise decision since acquiring the major.

Confirming the award, the leader of the university's Popular Music course, former Sneaker Pimp Joe Wilson, told reporters: "It is not an exaggeration to say that without the contributions of Tony Wadsworth, the sound and success of British Music around the world would have been radically different. His vision and leadership has led British music to have an international reputation for excitement, creativity and originality".

Tony himself added: "This is a real honour and very humbling; but the biggest thrill is to see the passion for music of the first cohort of popular music graduates, as they bring their collective energy to the UK music industry".

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TAKE THAT BREAK DVD SALES RECORD
We're moving ever closer to a day where Take That hold all sales records in the music industry. Their latest is for having the fastest selling music DVD ever in the UK, with 'Take That Present: The Circus Live'. They managed to rack up the highest first week sales ever in just one day, shifting 82,414 copies in 24 hours and snatching the record from the previous holder, 'Now That's What I Call A Music Quiz'.

HMV's Gennaro Castaldo told reporters: "We've had record pre-orders for a music DVD title [for this release] via hmv.com, and now we're seeing a real surge in demand through our stores around the country. This is a phenomenal performance for a non-studio release, and it underlines the band's massive popularity with fans of all ages".

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BEYONCE'S CRAZY IN LOVE NAMED BEST SONG OF THE DECADE
Who doesn't love a poll? That's right, no one. So, you'll be pleased to know that the NME have asked around a bit and found out what the best single of the last decade is. Turns out it's 'Crazy In Love' by Beyonce. So now you know.

Here's the top ten:

1. Beyonce - Crazy In Love
2. MGMT - Time To Pretend
3. The Strokes - Hard To Explain
4. MIA - Paper Planes
5. OutKast - Hey Ya!
6. The Rapture - House Of Jealous Lovers
7. Klaxons - Golden Skans
8. Blur - Out Of Time
9. Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
10. Arctic Monkeys - A Certain Romance

Speaking of excellent polls, there's still time to vote in CMU's Track Of The Year. Let us know your favourite song from the last twelve months here: tinyurl.com/cmutrackoftheyear2009

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PUSSYCAT DOLLS DENY SPLIT RUMOURS
Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin has denied rumours that the group have split, following claims that main singer Nicole Scherzinger has stopped speaking to her bandmates.

Antin told HollyScoop.com: "The Pussycat Dolls are very much alive and there is no truth to the silent treatment statements. Nicole and the Dolls have always been close. Nicole is and always has been a strong creative force within this group and I cherish the way we collaborate".

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REEF RETURN
Reef are back together and will head out on a UK tour next April. According to the press release we received about this from the band's PR yesterday, the dates were to be released "exclusively to fans" later today, which I assumed meant "only on the band's website". In which case, I'm sure band and fans alike will be pleased to know that Live Nation sent out the dates to everyone in a press release this morning.

Here they are:

18 Apr: Norwich, UEA
20 Apr: Birmingham, Academy
21 Apr: Bristol, Academy
23 Apr: London, Shepherds Bush Empire
24 Apr: Manchester, Academy

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FLORENCE PREPARES FOR ALBUM #2
Florence Welch, she of Florence And The Machine, has revealed that she will begin work on her second album in January, following her biggest UK tour to date next month.

Welch told The BBC: "We're recording the second album in January. Got the plan, I just want to start recording as soon as possible".

Of course, Flo has had quite a year this year, albeit attracting as many naysayers as she has fans. However, she says she's tried not to let negative comments get to her: "Sometimes I get scared by the exposure, scared by negative criticism but it's something you learn to deal with and take it less personally. When you first get that it's like, 'Why is someone saying something so mean?' But you learn to take it not so personally".

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ARCADE FIRE ALBUM COMING NEXT YEAR
Following much rumour and speculation, Mercury Records yesterday confirmed that "Arcade Fire's third album will emerge in 2010".

No further details have yet been announced, but the band's Richard Parry recently told The Quietus, that the band were in a New York studio recording "some strings for some new songs" earlier this month, though he would not say whether or not the songs were intended for a new album.

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THROATS ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM
Endlessly on tour and flippin brilliant UK hardcore boys Throats will release their eponymous debut album via Holy Roar on 1 Feb. To celebrate, they'll play a free album launch show at The Old Blue Last in London on 30 Jan with Hang The Bastard, Brutality Will Prevail and Betty Pariso, before heading out on a full European tour.

Get a taste of the action here: www.myspace.com/throatsofgold

And here's the album's tracklisting:

Wake
My Hands Are Cold
Fuck Life
Failgiver
Something Low From This Way Comes
Oaken/Wait

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MADNESS ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE
Madness will release a new single, 'Forever Young', from their latest album, 'The Liberty Of Norton Folgate', on 11 Jan.

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MASSIVE ATTACK ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM
Massive Attack have announced that they will release their fifth album on 8 Feb. It will be called 'Heligoland' and features a whole load of impressive guests, including Damon Albarn, TV On The Radio's Tunde Adebimpe and Elbow's Guy Garvey, all of whom contribute their memories of an unpleasant day out at Legoland. Possibly.

Here's the full list of tracks and guests:

Pray For Rain (feat Tunde Adebimpe)
Babel (feat Martina Topley-Bird)
Splitting The Atom (feat Robert del Naja, Grant Marshall and Horace Andy)
Girl I Love You (feat Horace Andy)
Psyche (feat Martina Topley-Bird)
Flat Of The Blade (feat Guy Garvey)
Paradise Circus (feat Hope Sandoval)
Rush Minute (feat Robert del Naja)
Saturday Come Slow (feat Damon Albarn)
Atlas Air

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JAMIE T FORMS COVERS BAND
Jamie T has announced that he is considering forming a covers band to play some gigs while he takes a break from writing his own material.

He told BBC 6music: "I seem to spend a lot of time talking about starting a covers band at the moment, which I'm thinking of doing with a couple of friends. We've done a lot of music over the past year, we've written a lot and I think we are coming to the end of a phase of that I suppose. Maybe it's time to stop writing for a bit. As strange as that sounds, sometimes you need to collect your thoughts a bit before writing, so I think a covers band might be fun. I don't think we'll get into the studio. I think we're just going to play some shows. I think it's just more for the sake of having fun and going out and playing it".

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HOCKEY TOUR
Now this will probably come as quite a shock to most of you, but I wasn't very good at sports at school. Hard to believe now I realise, but there you have it. The only sport I had any time for, really, was hockey. I seemed to have more luck hitting a ball with a stick than I did with my foot. I preferred indoor hockey. It was never cold and on a shiny floor you only had to tap the ball and it would go flying for several miles. So, as you can see, this tour ticks all my boxes - it being a Hockey tour taking place indoors. Actually, I seem to remember quite enjoying basketball too. Does anyone fancy forming a mediocre sort-of-punk indie band called Basketball?

24 Feb: London, Koko
25 Feb: Manchester, Academy
26 Feb: Glasgow, Queen Margaret Union
27 Feb: Belfast, Spring & Airbrake
29 Feb: Dublin, Academy

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DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP ANNOUNCE TOUR
Dan Le Sac and Scroobius Pip will be heading out on tour in March next year, which will coincide with the release of their second album.

Tour dates:

15 Mar: Cambridge, The Junction
16 Mar: Norwich, Waterfront
17 Mar: Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
18 Mar: Leeds, Cockpit
19 Mar: Liverpool, Academy
21 Mar: Glasgow, King Tuts
22 Mar: Manchester, Club Academy
23 Mar: London, Koko
25 Mar: Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
26 Mar: Birmingham, Academy 2
27 Mar: Bristol, Academy
28 Mar: Oxford, Academy 2
29 Mar: Brighton, Concorde 2

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SINGLE REVIEW: Monsters Of Folk - Whole Lotta Losin (Rough Trade)
I went to see Monsters Of Folk recently in London, and they were bloody brilliant. Actually, they were better than brilliant. And this has nothing to do with the fact that I'm quite possibly in love with M. Ward and have been for a few years now. No - it was because they were, and are, the best entertainers from the best possible corners of American music, tied together by their love of bluegrass, Americana and shiver-inducing bottleneck guitar.

'Whole Lotta Losin', the latest single to be taken off of the fantastic eponymous debut, is perfect. True story. And there's something wrong with you if it doesn't make you at least want to nod your head along to its infectious continuation of the lyrics "by and by". Catchy from the first play, the song is upbeat; a folksy, country-tinged epidemic of heroic proportions, and will make you love this band whether you want to or not. TW

Physical release: 16 Nov
Press contact: Ribbeck [all]

Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon

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GERMAN LIVE INDUSTRY DECLINING
Well, it's all doom and gloom in the German music industry these days, isn't it? Not only is the country's record industry in terminal decline, now it's been revealed that their live sector is shrinking too. So, happy happy days in Germany then.

According to research by the German Federal Association, revenues in the country's live entertainment sector fell 7% in 2008, while revenues in the live music industry fell by 9%. The stats, a prelim version of which were released at the start of the summer, were formally published at a conference of German concert promoters yesterday. Across the live entertainment sector attendance was down 4%, while revenues were down 7%, despite ticket prices going up 3% on average.

Of course 2008 wasn't a great year for any industry, what with the credit crunch and all that, so there's an argument that these stats show the impact of the recession on live events rather than a general decline in the sector. 2009's figures probably won't be any more positive, but some in the sector remain optimistic about live music long term, with some predicting things will pick up next year.

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BECAUSE DO IT THEIR WAY
Paris-based indie label Because has bought music publisher Jeune Musique, a publishing firm set up by the late French pop star Claude François.

The company owns the publishing rights in many of Francois' own hits, most notably 'Comme d'Habitude', a song adopted by Paul Anka to create 'My Way'. That fact gives the firm co-ownership of the English-language version, made famous by Frank Sinatra of course, but covered by a plethora of people, not least Elvis Presley, Celine Dion, Luciano Pavarotti and Sid Vicious.

Because has acquired the publisher through a new holding company backed by slightly controversial French internet entrepreneur Xavier Niel, who is the majority shareholder in French net firm Iliad. The holding company have let it be known they plan to acquire other publishing catalogues.

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NOKIA DO PAN-EUROPEAN DEAL WITH BUMA/STEMRA
Nokia have entered into a pan-European deal with Dutch publishing collecting society BUMA/STEMRA which will enable the phone firm to make songs by the society's members available in all European territories via their shit music service Comes With Music. A spokesman for BUMA/STEMRA said: "It's important to our members we support all the shit music services out there, so this deal was a no brainer". Well, they said something, but I don't speak Dutch.

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THIS WEEK'S STUDENT RADIO CHART
The songs most rated by student radio stations around the UK. The Student Radio Chart is compiled by the Student Radio Association and aired on student stations across the country, hosted by a different affiliated station each week. More at www.studentradio.org.uk/chart

1. Chase and Status - End Credits
2. Calvin Harris - Flashback
3. Arctic Monkeys - Cornerstone
4. Deadmau5 - Ghosts N Stuff
5. Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway
6. Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This
7. Mumford and Sons - Winter Winds
8. Jamie T - The Man's Machine
9. Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets
10. Florence And The Machine - You Got The Love
11. Ou Est Le Swimming Pool - Dance The Way I feel
12. JLS - Everybody In Love
13. Foo Fighters - Wheels
14. Little Boots - Earthquake
15. Cheryl Crow - Fight For This Love
16. Kaskade vs Deadmau5 - Move For Me
17. Passion Pit - Little Secrets
18. Biffy Clyro - The Captain
19. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
20. The Cribs - We Share The Same Skies

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CERYS MATTHEWS GIVES BIRTH
Cerys Matthews has given birth to her third child two months prematurely. The baby boy is the singer's first child with partner Steve Abbott.

A message on Matthews' official website reads: "How happy I am to let you know that our baby boy was born on Monday 23rd - eight weeks earlier than expected. We are doing very well and excited now to share this happy news with you. What an amazing surprise, just after presenting Children In Need on Friday! Love always, Cerys and Steve".

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MACCA TALKS STAGE FRIGHT
Paul McCartney has said that in the early stages of The Beatles' career he got such bad stage fright that he considered quitting the band.

Speaking at a preview screening of his new live DVD, 'Good Evening New York City', last night, he said: "They used to have a thing called the NME Poll Winners Party, where the owner of the NME would get us, the Stones, all the top acts, to come and perform for nothing! This was a couple of years into The Beatles' career. So, I remember being on the steps of Wembley Town Hall, literally getting ill with nerves, and thinking, 'I've got to give this business up, this is no good'. It was quite nerve-wracking".

He added that the band weren't always well-received in those days, saying: "We went to Stroud one day, and hardly anyone showed up, which wasn't wonderful. Then you used to have these Teddyboys, the louts, you know. They started throwing coins at us. So we ended up picking them up, [and got] a couple of shillings richer!"

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