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PRESS OFFICER WANTED Leading independent music PR company looking for a Press Officer with experience in both online and traditional PR. Must be passionate, enthusiastic, intelligent, and a creative thinker. Knowledge of communications: PR, marketing, and blogging would be ideal, but not essential. If you are looking for a challenge within a dynamic company, please forward a copy of your CV to: [email protected] -- Advertise your jobs here: £100 for five editions - [email protected] |
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![]() 26 or younger and have never attended MIDEM? Grab your reduction now! Networking: Seek out key contacts and extend your professional network; make deals with your partners and identify new business opportunities. Educational content: access to the renowned MidemNet digital business conference at no extra cost; get concrete, practical knowledge and training from experts through workshops. Live concerts: hook up with partners and new contacts at the Opening and Closing Night Parties; discover new international artists with Talent showcases. MIDEM: the one stop destination for the world’s music community, 23-27 January 2010. Register now! Click here -- MIDEM 2010, Cannes: Intimate club venue available for hire in the Palais du Festival - to showcase your artists and bands. www.splashpromotions.co.uk - www.leylinepromotions.com -- SHOREDITCH OFFICE, 764 SQUARE FOOT (15-20 DESKS), £1000 PER MONTH -- Advertise your stuff here: £120 for five editions - [email protected] |
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![]() ERA IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES IN HIGH STREET MUSIC MARKET Of course, the last ten years has seen a huge decrease in the number of high street record stores, with the closure of the Fopp, MVC, Musiczone, Zavvi and Woolies retail chains and countless independent music stores. Research company Millward Brown, which provided the postcode data, reckons some 1600 music-selling shops have closed in just the past five years. Commenting on the new research, ERA chief Kim Bayley told reporters: "It's a simple but vital point in a year when we've seen the closure of Woolies and Zavvi and literally hundreds of music outlets. Put music in front of people and they will buy it. These figures indicate that there may well be a number of areas where there is still scope to open new record stores. Proximity and convenience are clearly not the only factors when it comes to persuading people to buy music, but this study certainly indicates that if you make it difficult to buy music, then people will buy less. The lesson for the music industry is clear: maintaining as broad a possible retail distribution network could be a significant factor in boosting music sales". The ERA research compared music sales in each postcode with population to calculate the average music purchases per consumer. This makes for some interesting stats because the big cities which would otherwise top any survey of 'most music sales per town' come lower down the list, with the exception of central London, which still tops the poll (presumably because so many people come into the area from Greater London and beyond to buy music, so it's not just the local population buying). Excluding London, the towns and cities where most music is sold relative to population are Inverness, Cambridge, Twickenham, Glasgow, Brighton, Edinburgh and Manchester. The lowest selling towns and cities include Harrow, Wigan, Motherwell, Bradford and Wolverhampton. The trade body for entertainment retailers reckons that one explanation for the low per population music sales in those latter areas is the lack of music products available to consumers on the high street, suggesting that if retailers in those areas added a CD department they might find there was customer interest, and in doing so up the local music buying average. -------------------------------------------------- BORDERS START CLOSING DOWN SALES As previously reported, a management buy out earlier this year failed to turn round the fortunes of the retail chain, and they went into administration last week. Although administrators insist that it is business as usual for the time being while they try to find a buyer, closing down sale signs went up at all of the firm's stores this weekend, which certainly suggests there are no firm buyers at the negotiating table just at the moment. Obviously, we'd all love for the Borders chain to survive, but in the meantime, if you're looking for some stocking fillers, some books and CDs have been discounted up to 50%, so one last trip to your local Borders store might be a good move. -------------------------------------------------- DOHERTY SINGS NAZI ANTHEM. IN GERMANY Joseph Hadyn's 'Das Deutschlandlied', which was written in 1797, has been used as a whole or in part as Germany's national anthem since 1922. While under Nazi rule, only the first stanza, commonly known as 'Deutschland, Deutschland Über Alles', was used. Following the Second World War, the song was initially banned, though the third stanza of the piece, which has the same tune but different lyrics, has been used as the country's official anthem since 1952. A spokesperson for the singer told Sky News that Doherty hadn't intended to cause offence and hadn't realised the song's associations, saying: "[He] wanted to celebrate his appearance in Munich by assimilating and integrating with the crowd, something he tries do wherever he goes. He was unaware of the controversy surrounding the German national anthem and he deeply apologises if he has caused any offence. Peter himself is from Jewish descent and has fought against racism and fascism with numerous organisations including Love Music Hate Racism. This is a subject he feels very strongly about". CANADIAN BITTORRENT SEARCH SERVICE SUES THE MAJORS It's the latest development in isoHunt founder Gary Fung's attempt to have his file-sharing search service declared legit in the face of infringement claims from the music and movie industries. He argues that while his website links to all sorts of infringing content, isoHunt itself does not provide, host or endorse any illegal music or movie files. It's the standard line used by file-sharing search services looking to sidestep accusations of copyright infringement, of course, though one that has often proved unsuccessful. isoHunt basically operates like the search component of The Pirate Bay and the founders of the Swedish service were, of course, found guilty of copyright infringement for simply providing links to unlicenced content. Judges often make such services liable for the infringement actually undertaken by their users by applying the principle of 'authorising' or 'contributory' infringement. However, despite the precedent set in The Pirate Bay case, Fung might be onto something. The Canadian courts have not been overly helpful to record and film companies trying to challenge file-sharing, with many judges there saying Canada's copyright laws, passed in 1985, are too vague to enable them to actually deem anyone sharing music files online to be guilty of copyright infringement. Until the country's copyright laws are updated - and that's been a long time coming - Fung probably has a strong case that isoHunt is not infringing any copyrights under Canadian law. With all that in mind in 2008 Fung asked the British Columbia court to formally confirm his service did not violate Canadian copyright law. They refused, saying there would have to be a full case to confirm whether or not that was the case. He unsuccessfully appealed that ruling, so is now embarking on that full court case, by suing the CRIA and their major label members. Commentators reckon it will take at least a year for the case to come to court, which basically gives isoHunt the OK to continue to operate in the meantime. With that in mind, Fung told reporters yesterday: "As for CRIA and member record labels, if you come to your sense of reason, I would love to talk to you outside of court. The ball you've dropped on us is back to you". -------------------------------------------------- A SECOND LAWSUIT LAUNCHED IN DEATH ROW FALLOUT As previously reported, Lara Lavi, who led the second acquisition of Death Row after its original bankruptcy, has fallen out with the investors who backed her purchase, a company called New Solutions. She has accused them of dodgy financial dealings, and they have been ordered by the New York courts to not enter into any transactions on behalf of Death Row pending a full court hearing. We knew all that yesterday. But now we know that Lavi herself has also been accused of financial dodgy-ness, though this time through the Canadian courts (her company and her investors are based in Canada). Lavi's business partners seem to be accusing her of depositing Death Row royalty cheques into her own personal bank account. Which, if true, would definitely count as financial dodgy-ness. They are using those allegations as justification for firing Lavi as Death Row CEO, and have now got themselves a Canadian court order banning her from entering the record company's offices. The new court ruling also demands Lavi hand over emails relating to the record company, and that a copy of the Canadian court papers be posted on the Death Row website (and they have been). I'm not sure what will now happen with regards to all this, as Lavi is pursuing action against her backers through the American courts, while the backers pursue action against Lavi through the Canadian courts. New Solutions argue that Lavi set up a new company in New York earlier this month simply to launch legal action against them, foreseeing her pending dismissal as Death Row CEO. But, they argue, the all new Death Row is and always has been based in Canada, so the dispute does not fall under the New York court's jurisdiction. What we do know is that the case is due to be reconsidered by the New York courts on 3 Dec, while the Canadian courts will give the issue some quality time on 7 Dec. So, plenty more fun ahead for the hip hop label that's has, for a long time, been more prolific in the litigation game than the record releasing business. ALPHABEAT SIGN TO UMP ALBARN NAMES "NEARLY FINISHED" GORILLAZ ALBUM CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG ALBUM DETAILS Watch the video for 'Heaven Can Wait' here: www.charlottegainsbourg.com/video55.php Here's the album's tracklist: Master's Hands BLUR DOCUMENTARY DUE IN 2010 You can watch the trailer for the film on the band's official website, here: www.blur.co.uk -------------------------------------------------- THIS IS IT DVD GETS JANUARY RELEASE THE WHO WILL PLAY SUPERBOWL -------------------------------------------------- AMIINA TO PERFORM LIVE SOUNDTRACK Speaking to The Quietus earlier this year, Amiina's Maria Sigfúsdóttir said: "These are magical and sometimes quite dark atmospheres, because these are Grimm's stories, most of them, and I think we're just going to try and put together a wallpaper of sound, and then put some lines and musical characters over that". Tickets are available here: www.wegottickets.com/f/1248 -------------------------------------------------- KEANE TO BE TAKEN OUT TO THE WOODS A brand new EP, entitled 'The Night Train', will hit stores on 8 May, which contains two collaborations with Somali/Canadian rapper K'Naan, and in June the band will head out on a tour of English forests. Here are the dates: 10 Jun: Thetford Forest JAY-Z TO HEADLINE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL ------------------------------------------------- ENO TO GUEST DIRECT BRIGHTON FESTIVAL 2010 Brighton's big May festival introduced the idea of a Guest Artistic Director earlier this year, with artist Anish Kapor filling the role for its 2009 season. The guest curator works with the Brighton Festival team to put together a three week programme of theatre, music, dance, art and literary debate. Eno's programme will include a "constantly evolving sound and image-scape" called '77 Million Paintings', the world premiere of the first full-length work by choreographer Hofesh Shechter and his Brighton-based dance company, and a site-specific installation piece inspired by 'The Cherry Orchard' by another Brighton group, dreamthinkspeak. Eno will also speak during the festival, and there will be a live performance of his seminal 1983 album 'Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks' by contemporary ensemble Icebreaker, staged alongside footage of the Apollo moon landing. This is all sounding even more exciting. Confirming his role as Guest Artistic Director for Brighton Festival 2010, Eno told CMU sister publication, ThreeWeeks: "I am delighted to be part of a festival which has consistently placed itself at the cutting edge of the creative arts in Britain. I hope to be able to show some recent work that has not yet been seen in this country, and also to develop new works especially for the festival. I would like this festival to provoke and entertain - and hopefully to start some social conversations which will persist long after it has finished. Aside from all that I look forward to a few weeks living in one of Britain's most pleasant cities!" The 2010 Brighton Festival will run from 1-23 May. ALBUM REVIEW: The Swell Season - Strict Joy (Anti-) They recorded their eponymous debut in 2006, which, one year later, would be reinvented as the bulk of the soundtrack to John Carney's modern Irish musical 'Once'. Glen and Marketa appeared in the film as songwriters who discover that their chemistry extends beyond the realms of their musical partnership. It's funny how often life imitates art, and the pair reaffirmed this old adage when they fell in love during the filming. The resulting bashful, swooping joy of new love resounds throughout the elation of 'Falling Slowly', their Oscar-winning song written during the making of the movie. Their unuttered tentative emotions and lust acted as the hot blood pumping the heart of 'The Swell Season', but 'Strict Joy' is a horse of a very different colour. Their romance is no more, but they seem, to a certain degree, at peace with their failed relationship. Here, a sense of comfortable separation replaces the explosive intimacy of the debut album. It works on the basis of a much bigger, fuller sound, lending further to the impression that it is no longer about them, alone. This upbeat, honest affair feels a little deflated when compared to the passion of its predecessor, but the bright spark that burnt so bright between these two is still smouldering. MB Physical release: 16 Nov Buy from iTunes HALFMOON MANAGER CALLS FOR SUPPORT TO SAVE THE VENUE Venue manager James Harris confirmed last week that the popular 200 capacity venue, which has hosted gigs since 1963, is struggling to make ends meet in the current economic climate, and could face closure as soon as the end of next month. The host of the venue's regular unplugged night, Redvers Bailey, told reporters: "It will be a sad day when The Halfmoon closes. I can't think of many venues I've been to who can cater for professional touring bands and rising unsigned bands and are willing to treat the two no differently. Speaking as a musician I'd say I haven't played at any 200 capacity venue that offers as good sound/lighting production, atmosphere and door deal". Although perhaps best known for its links to The Rolling Stones, The Halfmoon has hosted gigs by bands large and small for decades. Whether anything can be done to save the venue at this stage remains to be seen, though Harris seems to think an increase in customers in the next two months may persuade the venue's brewery owners to keep it running as a music venue for a little longer. Otherwise a relaunch as a gastropub seems to be on the cards. Harris: "Please vote with your feet and come for a drink, or come to one of our nightly live music shows. To see what's on visit the gig guide at www.halfmoon.co.uk. If you can't make it down in person then visit our forum here The Halfmoon Forum and show us some love for all to see". -------------------------------------------------- IMAGEM SIGN UP TO RICALL Confirming the deal, Imagem UK MD Tim Smith told CMU: "Our in-house sync team already does excellent work and anything that supports their efforts and makes the sometimes cumbersome process of sync licensing quicker and easier is something we want to encourage. We are looking forward to increasing the number of licensing opportunities we can bring to our writers and the catalogue owners we represent". Ricall founder and CEO Richard Corbett said that the deal "marks our first deal with a substantial music publisher. We are confident that many more music publishers will see the value that Ricall's online service can bring to their sync licensing activities with the launch of our new suite of tools". MURDOCH JR TO BUY BILLBOARD? TOTAL ROCK WORLD ALBUM CHART 1. Foo Fighters - Greatest Hits (Sony) ALANIS ON DOPE Alanis tells the mag: "As an artist, there's a sweet jump-starting quality to it [marijuana] for me. I've often felt telepathic and receptive to inexplicable messages my whole life. I can stave those off when I'm not high. When I'm high - well, they come in and there's less of a veil, so to speak. So if ever I need some clarity... or a quantum leap in terms of writing something, it's a quick way for me to get to it". So you heard her kids, if you're looking for songwriting inspiration, light up a spliff and your muse shall speak unto you. Though Alanis adds that it's all about moderation. She continued: "I have a lot of friends who have wanted to specifically quit smoking marijuana because they felt that it was having a negative effect on their lives, and I absolutely supported them doing so. Then I have other friends who I've coerced into smoking because I thought it would be great for them". -------------------------------------------------- NINE INCH NAILS FLOG GEAR ON EBAY A message on the band's website reads: "We've been going through the NIN touring and studio rigs and are getting rid of a large selection of gear and equipment the band is no longer in need of ... We do not know which (if any) tour these items are from unless specified, nor can we get any items autographed, so please do not ask. Hundreds of items will be listed over the next several weeks such as guitars, keyboards, amplifiers, drums, staging, anvil cases, cables, rack/outboard gear, guitar effects, and pedal boards". So far, it's just guitars. Assuming you class the banjitar as a guitar, as I do. Place your bids here. New listings will be announced via the band's twitter page: twitter.com/nineinchnails -------------------------------------------------- COWELL HAPPY FOR SLIM SHADY TO JUDGE First name terms, eh? You know, all these years I never knew Marshall Mathers' real name was Em Inem. -------------------------------------------------- RICK RELISHES IN SLOW FIDDY SALES If such a show existed, the ongoing 50 Cent/Rick Ross feud would be an important case study. You've probably not been following this story, but Def Jam-signed Ross has been doing the beef thing with Fiddy for a while now, meaning he's relishing reports that Mr Cent's new album 'Before I Self Destruct', released last month, has been the rapper's worst performing long player to date, selling 161,000 units in its first week of sale in the US, which is still pretty good going, but not by hip hop superstar standards. Allhiphop.com report that Ross, while chatting to his audience at the birthday party of record producer and radio type DJ Khalid last week, said: "So we celebrating my nigga's birthday, but we're also celebrating the demise of a pussy [that's Fiddy]. RIP to the donkey, we buried him. It feel good, nigga. Don't look surprised, you knew we was gonna do it". Allhiphop.com go on to provide a quick summary of the Ross/Fiddy beef to date, the highlights of which include the former releasing a record ridiculing the latter for his much reported public falling out with the mother of his son, and her allegations he had her house burned down. 50 Cent responded by recruiting the mother of Ross' estranged son for a series of video clips, and then published photos of said estranged son at Fiddy's mansion. 50 Cent also published footage of Ross friend Khaled's mother at work, seemingly recorded without her knowledge; a stunt that backfired somewhat when fans and journalists criticised the video, forcing Fiddy to publicly apologise. Stupid rapper feuds, and Death Row Records in court, it's good to know some things never change in the world of hip hop. |
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SUBSCRIPTIONS>> CMU Daily is a free daily e-bulletin for people working in the music industry and music media, delivered direct to your PC each morning. 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. |
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