BRIT AWARDS DISHED OUT
So, it was the BRIT Awards last night. Do you care? Were you there? Did you go by boat? I mean, the Jubilee Line was fucked, wasn't it? Or perhaps you tuned in via the wonders of the Independent Television network channel one, home of shit? Or did you opt to experience the whole thing through Twitter, trying to guess who'd won by all the bitchy remarks? We did a quick survey this morning and reckon the latter option was the most fun.

Anyway, what can I tell you? Tinie Tempah won two awards, as well he should, the faux-folk revival scored two prizes, one for Laura Marling and one for Mumford & Sons, which possibly confused the average ITV1 viewer, Arcade Fire took the Best International Group and Best International Album gongs, and Justin Bieber was declared Best International Breakthrough Act, which is good news for the Wikipedia biogs of fellow nominees Bruno Mars, The National, The Temper Trap and the cast of Glee, if nothing else.

In its new home under that large tent in Greenwich, the all new BRIT Awards show seems to have been generally well received, passing without any really embarrassing incidents, cock ups or fallouts, though some might argue that fact made the whole thing a bit dull, certainly for those watching at home. And James Cordon is still no Michael Aspel, whatever anyone says.

Take That, Rihanna, Plan B, Tinie Tempah and Adele were among those to sing songs and wiggle around a bit (well Adele didn't do much wiggling). Cee-Lo Green closed the show, which was great until Paloma Faith joined him and sang along in the wrong key, but you can't have everything. If you enjoyed those bits and want a copy to keep for eternity, the iTunes store is already selling copies of each BRITS performance in aid of the BRITS Trust, though they're audio recordings so you'll have to imagine the wiggling.

Anyway, how about a full list of winners? Go on, why not. No one ever died from reading a list BRIT Award winners. Well, there was that one time, but that was highly unusual.

British Male Solo Artist: Plan B
British Female Solo Artist: Laura Marling
British Breakthrough Act: Tinie Tempah
British Group: Take That
British Single: Tinie Tempah - Pass Out
British Album: Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
International Male Solo Artist: Cee Lo Green
International Female Solo Artist: Rihanna
International Breakthrough Act: Justin Bieber
International Group: Arcade Fire
International Album: Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Critics' Choice: Jessie J
British Producer: Marcus Dravs

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CANADIAN INDUSTRY'S ISOHUNT LAWSUIT COMES TO THE SURFACE
The Canadian record industry has launched a lawsuit against Canada-based file-sharing service isoHunt. Well, actually it launched the suit last May, but the legal action has come to public attention now via a blog post by Michael Geist.

isoHunt is one of the biggest BitTorrent services on the internet. The movie and music industries say that the service exists primarily to enable copyright infringement and that the company that operates it, and its founder Gary Fung, are therefore guilty of contributory infringement. Fung, for his part, denies liability, mainly using the usual "but we don't host any of the infringing files, I'm just like Google" argument that has generally failed in most of the big file-sharing court cases.

In his home country of Canada, Fung took the unusual approach of tackling his accusers in the music industry by suing them, looking for judicial clarification that isoHunt's operations did not constitute copyright infringement. In various jurisdictions, including the US, Australia and Sweden, that argument would almost certainly fail, but Canada's current copyright laws are a bit hazy on all things file-sharing, so a finding one way or the other isn't assured.

Last May's lawsuit by the Canadian record industry was in essence a countersuit to Fung's action. It aims to have isoHunt shut down while also suing for in the region of $4 million in damages for past infringements. A similar earlier lawsuit pursued by the US movie industry was successful, forcing isoHunt to introduce filters that block file titles similar to movie names, though that was under American copyright law where there are more precedents on this.

Much was being made on various tech blogs and websites yesterday about the fact that the Canadian record industry has not talked much about this lawsuit, despite it being launched last summer. Some suspect that is because the Canadian record labels are currently busy lobbying for a reform of copyright law in Canada, arguing that under the current system it is impossible for content owners to target file-sharers and companies that enable file-sharing. The fact a lawsuit is currently working its way through the courts arguing its case under existing Canadian copyright rules possibly contradicts that claim.

That said, I'm pretty sure we knew the Canadian record industry was planning on countersuing Fung already, and it is true that contributory infringement lawsuits of this kind are less clear cut under the Canadian system, where you're actually relying on the less wide-ranging English law concept of authorising infringement. The labels' lawyers may rely on the ruling in the Kazaa case in Australia - also an 'authorising infringement' case - though Canadian courts have a history of interpreting the concept of authorising less widely than those in Australia.

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BLACK SABBATH NOT REFORMING
Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has said categorically that the original line up of his band will not be getting back together to record a new album. So there.

Last month Ozzy Osbourne told the lengthily-named 95.5 KLOS Southern California's Best Rock: "I often get asked this question: 'Will there ever be a [new Black Sabbath] album?' One thing I can say for definite [is] we are all talking, we are all friends. But it's been 30 years since we did a studio album - if it's not something extra, extra special, the people are gonna go: 'We waited 30 years [for this...]' But before my life's over, I would love... my dream is to do the ultimate Black Sabbath album; I would love to do that".

You'll notice that Ozzy doesn't actually say they're doing anything, but seemingly people have taken the "we are all talking" part and stretched it out into "we are all in the studio recording a new album right this very second".

Putting an end to all of that, Butler posted a statement on his own website this week, saying: "I would like to make it clear, because of mounting speculation and rumours, that there will be definitely NO reunion of all four original members of Black Sabbath, whether to record an album or to tour".

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CIARA NOT DROPPED, BUT WOULD LIKE TO BE
Ciara has responded to rumours that she has been dropped by Sony Music's Jive Records. In a message to fans posted on her Facebook page she revealed that, much to her dismay, she is still very much under contract with the label.

The singer wrote: "This week the net has been a buzz of the rumour that I have been dropped from my label. At this point that rumour is false. [But] it is true that I have asked and I pray that my label will release me".

She continued: "I have had some great times and success with my label, but sometimes like all great things, it's at that point where I feel we don't share the same views on who I am as an artist. The past two albums have been very frustrating for me ... I do understand that some labels are not financially supporting their artists and I have become one of them ... I've tried to be a team player with the label only to have compromised what I truly believed".

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DARKSTAR SIGN TO WARP
Electronic trio Darkstar, who released their debut album 'North' through Hyperdub last year have signed a new deal with Warp Records.

Hyperdub confirmed the news to Fact yesterday, after label boss Kode9 said via Twitter: "I would just like to send my love and gratitude to Darkstar and wish them the best possible future on Warp Records".

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BUCKS SIGNS DOHERTY AND WAVE MACHINES
Independent music publisher Bucks Music has confirmed it has recently signed Babyshambler Pete Doherty and Liverpudlian alt rock four-piece Wave Machines to publishing deals.

Both deals have been struck through joint ventures. The worldwide Doherty deal is via a joint venture with Normal Music, while the Wave Machines signing was achieved through a collaboration with Mensch Music, the company of former Atlantic Records A&R man Steve Sasse.

Commenting on the unusual nature of both these deals, Bucks MD Simon Platz told Music Week: "These agreements mean that composers and bands have the best of both worlds - with the expertise of the signing company and Buck's sync, creative, royalty and copyright infrastructure".

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IMAGEM SIGNS REBECCA JORDAN
Independent publisher Imagem has signed up rising American singer songwriter Rebecca Jordan, who wrote the track 'Beautiful Disaster' on Kelly Clarkson's debut album back in 2003, and who has more recently worked with John Legend, Jens Gad, 1984 and Alice Smith, amongst others.

Confirming the deal, Imagem's A&R Manager Amanda Schupf told CMU: "I couldn't be happier about Rebecca joining our family at Imagem Music. I have known Rebecca for a few years now and find her to be one of the most unique, skilled and passionate writers of her time. I am confident Rebecca and Imagem will enjoy huge success together for many years to come".

Jordan herself added: "I'm thrilled to join the Imagem family. The musical diversity, global presence, and passion of their team make Imagem a uniquely special company and a great fit for me as a writer and artist".

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PIXIES PLANNING NEW ALBUM
Surely the best thing about the Pixies reunion is that they've never recorded a new album and have been fairly open about money being a considerable motivation for playing shows together again. But while they all seem on reasonably good terms, the depressing possibility of new material always looms large.

Drummer David Lovering told Billboard this week: "It's still up in the air. We've been talking about [recording a new album] for about three years now, actually. I don't know if it will come to fruition; I'm waiting and waiting to see what will happen. All I can say is if there is one, it better be good. We'd really have to work at it".

Guitarist Joey Santiago added: "We're waiting for that, like, 'a-ha!' moment. I'm already there. It's just a matter of timing and everything aligning. There's days where I think it could happen and other days I go: 'The shit's never gonna happen'. I guess there's a little pressure from the legacy thing. Sure there is. But I don't think there's any preconceived thing that anyone could expect us to do. The possibilities are pretty wide open, I'd say".

The band are currently on tour playing their 'Doolittle' album in full to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Lovering said that after that's done they've "been talking about doing [1988's] 'Surfa Rosa'", though Santiago added that this actually "hasn't been a discussion point. Maybe we'll go back to the old-fashioned way and just do a set of songs".

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KID CARPET TO SOUNDTRACK REPO MAN SEQUEL
It's been ages since we've written about Kid Carpet. Hooray for having an opportunity to do that again. The news facilitating this is that the producer has recorded a soundtrack to 'Repo Chick', the sequel to Alex Cox's cult 80s movie 'Repo Man', which is also directed by Cox.

Kid Carpet says of the slightly unusual hook-up: "Like most opportunities that come my way, this one was very convoluted and strange. I'd never looked in the spam folder of my email account before - [but when I did] there was some fanmail in there from a lady in America, talking about how she and her partner were Kid Carpet fans, and that her partner made films and might like to use some of my music".

He continued: "I remembered his voice from the 'Moviedrome' BBC documentary series from the 80s, which he presented. So by now I was really excited. I'd love to make music for films, especially Alex Cox films. He made 'Sid & Nancy' and 'Repo Man', great punk rock films. It was a lot of fun, I'd love to do more of it".

I read a review of 'Repo Chick' the other day and it panned it. But shush, we're talking about Kid Carpet, and he's ace. His soundtrack will be released as an album by Dan Le Sac's new label Dumb Dumb on 18 Apr. It will be preceded by a single, 'Shuffle', on 14 Mar, which will come with remixes by Dan Le Sac, 1bpm (aka David Thorpe of Pete & The Pirates) and Voluntary Butler Scheme.

Here's a spoof trailer Kid Carpet made using some chickens: youtu.be/JBnMCfvRcsU

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UNIVERSAL TO PROMOTE EMERGING ARTISTS WITH SERIES OF NEW ALBUMS
Universal Music is to release a digital only-trio of 'Introducing' LPs intended to showcase to consumers in their early 20s the major's finest budding new talent, as well of some of their more established acts.

UMTV product manager bloke Chris Douch says of the scheme: "There is so much good music out there it's not always easy to know where to start. We've taken a little inspiration from Hype Machine and are offering fans a guide to the best new offerings across our labels. We're hoping that the price point, the focus on digital and the mix of known and lesser-known new artists will attract buyers and allow us to develop something really worthwhile".

The tracklisting of the first album will look like this:

Jamie Woon - Night Air
The Naked & Famous - Punching In A Dream
Clare Maguire - Ain't Nobody
James Blake - Limit To Your Love
Mona - Listen To Your Love
The Pierces - Love You More
White Lies - Bigger Than Us
Tinashe - Mayday
Alice Gold - Orbiter
The Bees - Winter Rose
Yuck - Georgia
Alex Clare - Up All Night
Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude

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BIRDS EYE VIEW LAUNCHES 2011 PROGRAMME
The programme for the seventh annual Birds Eye View Film Festival is out. This London fest celebrates the best and brightest in international female filmmaking talent, and this year it takes place from 7-18 Mar on London's Southbank.

There's a great music programme, as usual. First up there's the Sounds & Silents programme, where musicians are commissioned to compose scores for classic silent films. Taking part this year will be Imogen Heap, Micachu, and Arista Hawkes of Guillemots.

Elsewhere, music will meet cinema in the "ultimate mix-tape" that is Music Loves Video, which is introduced by Kate Nash this year and features a new Patrick Wolf short and the latest audiovisual treat from MTV Award-winning Floria Sigismondi.

The festival will also screen the UK premiere of 'The Night Catches Us', a Sundance-nominated drama set amidst the racial turmoil of 1976 Philadelphia, for which The Roots provide an original soundtrack.

For more details visit www.birds-eye-view.co.uk

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J MASCIS CONFIRMS LONDON SOLO SHOW
Dynamic Dinosaur Jr frontman J Mascis has announced a solitary live appearance, playing an intimate show at London's Cargo to mark the release of new LP 'Several Shades Of Why', due out via Sub Pop on 15 Mar.

Listen to album track 'Is It Done' on Pitchfork here: pitchfork.com/news/41513-listen-new-j-mascis-is-it-done/

Now for that lone tour date:

14 Apr: London, Cargo

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ASOBI SEKSU ANNOUNCE UK TOUR DATES
US dream-popsters Asobi Seksu have set their shoegaze sights on our fair isle, adding a couple of headline shows onto their existing UK support slots for And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead and Rival Schools.

All this touring will be fans' first chance to see material from the band's new album 'Fluorescence' (out this week through Polyvinyl) performed live.

They have also just released the gloomily atmospheric video for lead track 'Trails', which can be seen here: youtu.be/Y0L4PEDqnbE

The forthcoming tour dates are as follows:

15 Apr: London, Electric Ballroom (supporting Trail Of Dead and Rival Schools)
16 Apr: Manchester, Academy 2 (supporting Trail Of Dead and Rival Schools)
17 Apr: Glasgow, Garage (supporting Trail Of Dead and Rival Schools)
18 Apr: Birmingham, O2 Academy 2 (supporting Trail Of Dead and Rival Schools)
19 Apr: London, XOYO (headline show)
21 Apr: Brighton, Audio (headline show)

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MIAMI CLUB SCENE COMES TO HATFIELD VIA SMIRNOFF
Smirnoff, everyone's favourite vodka-touting party planner, is to bring the best of the glamorous Miami club scene to three UK towns as part of their only slightly confusing Nightlife Exchange Project. So far, Edinburgh and er... Hatfield are the lucky locales appointed to host their own unforgettable nights in March, which will feature sets by Miami-based DJ Damaged Goods, palm-fringed bar areas and scantily-clad carnival dancers, the likes of which have never been seen north of Little Havana.

Smirnoff has revealed that the public must vote for their local town to host the third and final stop of the Nightlife Exchange tour, imploring booze fans to rally their friends and relatives to recommend their local venue. See the Smirnoff Facebook page for more information on this: facebook.com/SmirnoffGB.

No word yet as to how the Miami natives are responding to news of the swap.

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FESTIVAL LINE-UP UPDATE

BOOMTOWN FAIR, secret location, 11-14 Aug: Organisers have announced that, amongst a raft of newly-confirmed names, Ms Dynamite, DJ Zinc, Redlight & MC Dread, Toddla T & MC Serocee, The Bug & Flow Dan and High Rankin will take to the Bassline Circus Dance Stage at this year's Boomtown Fair, the location of which is as yet shrouded in mystery. Gracing the Invisible Circus Stage will be 3 Daft Monkeys, The Baghdaddies, The Mandibles and more, whilst the Devil Kicks Dance Hall will play host to Demented Are Go, Random Hand, Citizen Fish and The Caravans. www.boomtownfair.co.uk

DOUR, La Machine A Feu, Belgium, 14-17 Jul: Literally tens of hardcore and metal acts are to flock to Belgium's Dour Festival this year. Well, okay, just ten. Hard case heavy metallers Anthrax and Agnostic Front, and Madball, as well as Terror, Born From Pain, Fozzy, Dagoba, 50 Lions, Kylesa and Karma To Burn, will play alongside the likes of Vitalic and House Of Pain. www.dourfestival.be/en/

GOTTWOOD, Carreglwyd Estate, Holyhead, Wales, 30 Jun - 3 Jul: DJ Format and A Guy Called Gerald are amongst the first names on the line-up for Wales' leading electro fest. Also booked to appear is an array of underground talent including Kollektiv Turmstrasse, Lee Foss, Royalty, Zeds Dead, Round Table Knights and Dark Sky. The Stop Making Sense Festival, Berlin-based promoters Klangsucht and Corsica Studios' Trouble Vision will host their own stages, whilst tribal tech-house types Jackmode and You Can Call Me Pelski will get the party started with some mind-bending beats. www.gottwood.co.uk

GREEN MAN FESTIVAL, Glanusk Park, Powys, Wales, 19-21 Aug: Offset by the ritual burning of the huge Green Man figure at this Welsh festival of the same name, will be a scorching set from headliners Fleet Foxes. The hairy US harmonisers will be joined by a righteous roster of acts including Bellowhead, Villagers, The Burns Unit, Robyn Hitchcock, Sic Alps, The Travelling Band, Ellen And The Escapades, Emily Barker, Bleeding Heart Narrative, Polar Bear, Dry The River, and Wild Nothing. www.greenman.net

LIMETREE FESTIVAL, Lime Tree Farm, Grewelthorpe, North Yorkshire, 26-28 Aug: Festival goers are invited to share the love at Yorkshire's funkiest Bank Holiday bash, which is to host on its Green Man stage the ethnic electronica of Transglobal Underground, with The Fantastics, Krystle Warren and Mercury-nominated jazz singer Carleen Anderson also confirmed to play. Those in the Dance Tent will see sets from Zero 7 and Celt Islam, whilst China Shop Bull, Captain Hotknives, and local heroes Leonards Revenge and The Secret Sirens are to perform on the Jason Rae Stage. www.limetreefestival.co.uk

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ALBUM REVIEW: Nu:Tone - Words and Pictures (Hospital Records)
Dan Gresham, aka Nu:Tone, first caught my attention with his sterling remix of Lenny Fontana's 'Spread Love' back in 2003. Here he presents his third long player on Hospital, which intends to put vocal drum n bass back on the map.

The opener, 'Shine In', takes us to more generic poppy pastures, but it does get harder as things progress, with 'Coming Back' a much better track, Heidi Vogel's vocals nicely intense over a slightly moody little roller. Ben Westbeech features later on 'The Feeling', which is very much a Hospital sounding track, though could still aim for the charts I think. Also good is Natalie Williams doing a cover of Roberts Flack's ''The First Ever', which actually works really well with a pretty decent backdrop. Elsewhere, there's some urban downtempo with 'Piece Of Heart and a bit of a dubstep vibe on 'Set Me Free', both of which are OK. Though unfortunately the collaboration with 4hero, 'Invisible', is nothing special.

A mixed bag from Nu:Tone then, though I look forward to seeing a few of the remixes of this project from his stable mates. PV

Physical release: 28 Feb

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HARGREAVES TO MEET FACE-TO-FACE WITH SMALLER STAKEHOLDERS
The Prof, you know, Ian Hargreaves, the geezer hired by David Cameron to write yet another review of UK copyright law - possibly for Google's benefit, or at least that's what certain record industry types seem to fear - has announced he will take short face-to-face submissions from various smaller interested parties on 28 Feb at the London HQ of the Intellectual Property Office.

The 'call for evidence' stage of the review ends of 4 Mar, and the music industry is expected to make its submission via UK Music. The big trade bodies for other content and digital industries are expected to likewise make submissions, as will those lobby groups who advocate copyright reform. But the open surgery day will allow smaller stakeholders to present their opinions directly to the prof as well.

Hargreaves is aiming to present the result of his review to government in April. Before that, he'll speak at a conference called Cr8net at the Royal Institution in London on 24 Mar.

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LOWE JOINS THE AGENCY GROUP
The Agency Group has announced that agent Greg Lowe, formerly with the Elastic Artists Agency, has joined the booking agency's London office. He brings with him his roster of artists, which includes Girl Talk, Crystal Fighters, Fujiya & Miyagi, Neon Indian, The Phenomenal Handclap Band and Zola Jesus, among others.

The Agency Group director Geoff Meall told CMU: "I'm delighted that Greg has joined us here in the UK office. Greg boasts an impressive career, having worked in a variety of areas of the music industry, from journalism to public relations to the agency side. His long-standing passion for the industry and developing artists make him a perfect addition to our UK team".

Lowe himself added: "I'm thrilled to begin a promising career at The Agency Group and look forward to the new challenges ahead of me. I'm confident that the company will offer me and my clients many exciting opportunities".

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APPLE LAUNCHES APP SUBSCRIPTIONS SYSTEM
Apple has launched its long time in development new subscription apps system, which is already being used by Rupert Murdoch's iPad newspaper The Daily. The new service allows publishers who make content available via iPad or iPhone apps to take a regular subscription fee from users via the App Store.

The good news is that publishers can decide the price and how long subscriptions run for. There will also be the opportunity for the publisher to get more info about the reader, though only if said reader agrees. The bad news is that Apple will take a 30% cut of any revenue because, well, it can. Though the publisher will still be able to sell subscriptions outside the App Store without paying a commission to the IT giant.

Apple boss Steve Jobs, although on sick leave, found time to include a statement in the Apple press release which said: "We believe that this innovative subscription service will provide publishers with a brand new opportunity to expand digital access to their content on to the iPad, iPod touch and iPhone, delighting both new and existing subscribers".

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BAUER'S MUSIC MAN GETS NEW EVENT-FOCUSED ROLE
Bauer Radio has announced that its music man Ric Blaxill has a new job. As Music & Content Director he will work with the various regional MDs in Bauer's radio business to stage UK-wide event programmes, as well as overseeing Bauer's national digital radio brands The Hits, Smash Hits and Heat Radio.

Look, here's Bauer Radio MD Dee Ford confirming all this: "Ric's contacts and knowledge of the industry have resulted in a number of wins, including the Bauer Radio exclusives with Kings of Leon and Rihanna. This personal approach has resulted in many more joined up conversations between the industry and our 42 stations, and there are a number of exciting initiatives in the pipeline. This senior appointment reflects Ric's expertise and his extensive contacts at all levels of the music world".

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HASE UNIVERSAL GAZUMPED COWELL OVER NEW ITV POP SHOW?
The reason ITV has knocked back proposals by Simon Cowell's Syco for a new peak time pop telly show may well be because it has a similar project in development with Universal Music's TV division Globe Productions, or at least that's what The Sun reckons.

Cowell indicated last year that he was talking to ITV about a new pop show similar to 'Top Of The Pops', but it's known those proposals are no longer on the table. And now The Sun says that Universal is in "advanced negotiations" about making a similar show.

Although Cowell and his Sony Music division Syco have a more high profile relationship with ITV, Universal's Globe Productions has already made a number of artist-specific specials for the third channel.

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BIEBER: LADY GAGA NOT "ARTISTIC OR STUFF"
When Lady Gaga turned up to the Grammys in an egg, I'm sure she wasn't hoping to be branded "weird" by Justin Bieber. But she has been. Take that, Gaga.

Asked his opinion on the egg thing and that other dressing herself in meat thing by E!, Bieber said: "I thought both were weird! But I don't know... People say it's artistic or stuff. I'm just like: 'You're an egg!'"

Pondering further, he added: "[Maybe] she didn't want to talk to a lot of people. A lot of people before they go on stage are on vocal rest".

Maybe it was just for protection: youtu.be/0e50vqY7Szo

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DESTINY'S CHILD REFORM
Um, it's counts as reforming if they all have lunch together, right? Because they did. The members of Destiny's Child, I mean. You know, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Michelle whatsit. All three of them. They sat down together - in a restaurant of all places - and ate a meal. Rumour is now rife that they're planning to get back together on stage. Maybe when Beyonce headlines Glastonbury in June.

I feel at this stage I should tell you all that, despite the fact that I had dinner with some people I went to school with recently, I will not be retaking my A-Levels. Sorry to disappoint you.

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