MUSIC RIGHTS – INSIDE & OUT
A beginner's guide to music copyright – everything you need to know about copyright law, licensing, monetising copyright, the fight against piracy and the future of the music rights industry. Wed 18 May 2011

PROMOTING MUSIC - MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA AND MORE
How to build a profile for your artists - the state of the music media, traditional and new publicity techniques, social media and the future of music PR. Wed 1 Jun 2011

For more information or to book visit www.theCMUwebsite.com/training

SPOTIFY REVAMPS DOWNLOAD SERVICE, ADDS IPOD SYNCING
Spotify this morning announced changes to its software which seemingly attempts to turn its free service into a closer competitor to iTunes. Having added new limitations to its ad-funded version at the beginning of the month, it has now added some new functionality: an expanded download service, syncing for basic iPods, plus access to its mobile app (previously only available to paying subscribers) for all users.

The new features are of most significance (and most likely to be used by) users of the free version, making it and the paid-for one even more distinct. The ad-funded version is now seemingly being positioned much more as a preview service for people who still wish to purchase music, while the paid-for option is for the streamers. Given Spotify's original business model was based on the idea that the future of music was "access rather than ownership", that does seem to be something of a backwards step, though given the ad-funded access model doesn't seem to have worked commercially, and given that some reckon the access and ownership models of digital music can co-exist, perhaps dabbling in both domains is sensible.

Spotify's Chief Product Officer Gustav Söderström told CMU: "Accessing music on your mobile phone is the future, but today that makes up a pretty small percentage of music fans. We want to open up the Spotify experience to as many people as possible, and in a way where they can get exactly the music they want at a great price".

The previously low-profile Spotify download service will continue to be handled by 7Digital, though users will now have to charge up their accounts with credit in advance, rather than paying per track iTunes style. Bundles are offered on a sliding scale ranging from 80p to 50p per track, with ten tracks costing £7.99, fifteen tracks £9.99, 40 tracks £25 and 100 tracks £50.

Once tracks are downloaded, iPod Classic, Nano and Shuffle users can then sync them (and any other local audio files imported into their Spotify library) to their portable devices via Spotify without having to load up iTunes. This new feature does make it possible for users of these devices to dump iTunes altogether as a tool for managing their music collections.

iPod Touch and iPhone users also have this option - to an extent - now that Spotify's mobile app is free to all. It will allow free and bottom tier paid subscribers to wireless sync local files over wi-fi. However, streaming via the mobile app is still restricted to those signed up to the service's most expensive subscription option.

Commenting on the latest update to the Spotify software, CEO Daniel Ek told CMU: "From today, Spotify really is the only music player you'll ever need. Our users don't want to have to switch between music players, but they do want to take their playlists with them wherever they go, on a wider range of devices, more simply and at a price they can afford. Now we've made that possible on one of the world's most popular consumer devices".

While he is right that Spotify users can now use the service as their sole music player, it doesn't make it an 'iTunes killer' by any means. For iPod Touch and iPhone users, iTunes will remain an important bit of software, because they likely use it to do more than manage their music collections - ie to sync apps, photos, contacts, calendars, videos, ebooks between devices, as well as downloading and managing podcasts. And for those who do only sync music, Spotify's currently fairly clunky offline library mixes up podcasts and audiobooks on your computer with your music files (and misrecognises some videos files as audio), which is all a bit of a turn off.

There was a time when Apple might have responded to a development like this by tweaking its device software to block Spotify syncing, though given the limitations of Spotify's syncing functionality the company probably won't be too concerned about this innovation.

Spotify probably realises the limitations, but wants to get some benefits out of the freemium user-base it has recruited in recent years. Also, if users of the free service are regularly charging up their accounts to buy downloads, over time it prove easier to convince them that they'd be better off paying for a premium subscription.

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EMI TAKES DIGITAL RIGHTS BACK FROM ASCAP
EMI Music Publishing has taken the administration of the digital performing rights in its April Music catalogue away from US collecting society ASCAP and will now license the 200,000 songs in it to digital services directly. The so called 'performing' rights in the April Music songs will now be managed, and licensed out, by the same people within EMI who already handle 'mechanical' and 'sync' rights with relation to those tunes.

EMI says that by bringing the management of performing rights into the same unit as mechanical and sync rights it is simplifying the licensing process for digital service providers. Though said providers are unlikely to concur.

As there is no obligation for music rights owners to licence digital services, there is no obligation for them to do so through a collecting society either. As a result, the major record companies have, in the main, chosen to directly license digital services rather than using their collecting societies, what would be PPL in the UK. This means every digital service must do a separate licensing deal with all four majors, plus a deal with Merlin for the big indies and various aggregators for the smaller independents.

With regards publishing rights, most of the publishers have decided in many cases - especially with regards performing rights (ie what streaming services need) - to license digital services through their collecting societies, so PRS in this country, and ASCAP and BMI in the US. This means Spotify et al only need to get one licence, from the collecting society, rather than doing deals with every individual publisher.

If EMI's move in the US sets a precedent, and more publishers choose to licence all kinds of digital services directly, then the list of licences any one digital service requires will double in size. Given bosses at digital providers reckon there are already far too many different licenses required for their services, I don't see them welcoming this development. EMI wouldn't comment on whether it would apply the same policy to its other American publishing catalogues, or catalogues in other territories.

Digital licensing remains a hot topic within the music business, with some of the opinion that the future is all digital rights being licensing through collecting societies - so that digital service providers can license themselves in the same was radio stations do - ie via collecting societies (the music business is, in the main, obliged by copyright law to licence radio collectively). Others do not concur, and this debate will be had at The Great Escape next week with both viewpoints represented.

In the meantime, EMI big cheese man Roger Faxon stuck with the line that taking performing rights away from collecting societies simplified the licensing process. He told reporters: "The digital world demands a new way of licensing rights in musical compositions. Today we are embarking on that new way. We are reunifying the rights in many of the songs that we represent. By bringing these rights back together our aim is to reduce the burden of licensing, to create greater efficiency and importantly to reduce the barriers to the development of innovative new services. That absolutely has to be in the interest of everybody involved in the process - songwriters, licensees and consumers alike".

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CHRIS BROWN STRUCK DOWN IN AUSTRALIA
Chris Brown has been diagnosed with a "severe viral illness" while on tour in Australia, meaning he was forced to cancel his show in Perth last night. Having already battled his way through a gig in Brisbane on Friday, the singer had vowed to carry on with the tour as planned, but has been ordered by doctors to sit down and not do any of that performing stuff.

His doctor, Bill Anseline, told reporters: "Chris has a severe viral illness. The virus has developed into a nasty chest infection and he needs rest. He is not fit to perform on stage nor is he fit to travel. He was devastated and wanted to push and go for it, but for Chris' health and wellbeing I recommended that he didn't take any risks to avoid ongoing complications".

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PATTI TO GET THE POLAR
Patti Smith will receive Sweden's Polar Music Prize this year, alongside US-based string quartet the Kronos Quartet. The award is handed out by the Royal Swedish Academy Of Music.

Confirming Smith was one of this year's winners, the prize committee said it was honouring the punk icon because she had devoted "her life to art in all its forms, demonstrating how much rock n roll there is in poetry and how much poetry there is in rock n roll".

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GIRLS ALOUD TO PLAY OLYMPIC SHOW?
Following the news that Girls Aloud will reunite, Cheryl and all, at some point next year, The Sun is now claiming that their big comeback could be as part of a show to celebrate the Olympics. Other acts potentially on the bill are The Rolling Stones and Coldplay, the latter of whom invited Girls Aloud to support them at two Wembley Stadium shows in 2009.

A source told the tabloid: "The girls are getting very excited. The promoters are only looking to book massive, show-stopping acts, which they would be perfect for. They would tick the pop box while The Rolling Stones would appeal to a much wider audience".

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IF PIXIES RECORD A NEW ALBUM, IT'S ALL BONO'S FAULT
I like the fact that, despite getting back together in 2004, Pixies have never recorded a new album. On the whole, bands who succumb to the desire to get back together would do well to follow this lead. Though it's probably easier to do if you don't have Bono yabbering in your ear all the bloody time.

Guitarist Joey Santiago recently told Spinner: "Bono even asked... He's like, 'Please make a record!' Goddamn, we can't leave that unturned. That would frustrate me. It would. I think we should do it. But it's up to everybody".

Of course, Santiago and drummer David Lovering have been more vocal about wanting to record new material in the past. Main songwriters Frank Black and Kim Deal have generally been more tight-lipped on the matter. Hopefully they recognise that if you want advice on recording new albums that maintain the quality levels of your early work later in your career, Bono is not the man to talk to.

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DEFTONES PLANNING NEXT ALBUM
Deftones are planning to begin work on their next album, the follow-up to last year's 'Diamond Eyes', before they hit the festival circuit, frontman Chino Moreno has told Billboard.

Moreno said: "We're going to have a month off, but in that month we're talking about going in and starting to write again, maybe even two or three weeks in a rehearsal spot just recording ideas and keeping it going. So if all goes well hopefully we'll have some product for early next year".

In fact, individually band members are already hard at work, he said: "Everyone has their own kind of little recording devices and are putting down ideas, but with a band like us we find that when we actually get together in a rehearsal spot where there's no distractions and we can work together cohesively as a band, that's really when we're writing songs. Even at sound check we'll jam and do things, but it's not like we ever stop and say, 'Okay, let's keep going on this', because there's so many distractions. So we're not that good at working on the road. When we get home and we actually seclude ourselves in a little room, that's when it will start".

The record will be their second without bassist Chi Cheng, who was seriously injured in a car accident in 2008 and remains in a "semi-conscious state", according to Moreno. The singer is, however, hopeful that Cheng will one day rejoin the band: "We're hoping that he's gonna be back on his feet sooner than later, but who knows. It's just going to take time, and all we can do is be patient and just hope for the best".

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LADY GAGA ANNOUNCES BORN THIS WAY TRACKLIST
Lady Gaga has announced the tracklist for her new album, 'Born This Way', which will be released through Universal/Interscope on 23 May. So, that's nice. The album will come with an extra track in the UK (the Jost & Naaf remix of the title track), or more if you plump for the two-disc special edition version.

Here's the tracklist for the two disc release, tracks not on the standard release marked with an asterisk:

Disc One:
Marry The Night
Born This Way
Government Hooker
Judas
Americano
Hair
Scheiße
Bloody Mary
Black Jesus + Amen Fashion*
Bad Kids
Fashion Of His Love*
Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)
Heavy Metal Lover
Electric Chapel
The Queen*
Yoü And I
The Edge Of Glory

Disc Two:
Born This Way - The Country Road Version*
Judas - DJ White Shadow Remix*
Marry The Night - Zedd Remix*
Scheiße - DJ White Shadow Mugler*
Fashion Of His Love - Fernando Garibay Remix*
Born This Way - Jost & Naaf Remix (UK bonus track)

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UNIVERSAL TO RE-ISSUE INXS BACK CATALOGUE
Universal Music has announced plans to spruce up and re-release the entire INXS back catalogue, with initial releases in the project hitting stores next month.

UMG's Vice President of Strategic Marketing, Andrew Daw said: "We're delighted to see the return of INXS. People forget how significant an act they have been. During the 1990s, along with U2 and Guns N Roses, they were THE stadium band. We're looking forward to giving this catalogue the respect it so richly deserves".

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KYLIE MUSICAL IN THE WORKS
A musical based on the oeuvre of Kylie Minogue is apparently in the works. Well, everyone else has got one.

Minogue told Irish newspaper the Evening Echo: "It's definitely happening. We've brought a scriptwriter in and are working on a few synopses. And the critics... music critics are one thing but theatre critics are something else. I suppose if it doesn't work then that's it - it's a closed book. I think it will be [staged in London]".

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BLACK SABBATH GUITARIST SET TO RELEASE AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has announced that his memoirs, which are scheduled to be published by Simon & Schuster, will be titled 'Iron Man: My Life With Black Sabbath And Beyond'

The man himself had this to say: "I've been working on it for a long time. We've been so busy for the last couple of years it's been difficult finding the time to do it. But it's coming on and hopefully it will be out soon".

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KASABIAN ANNOUNCE GIGS AHEAD OF NEW ALBUM
Kasabian have announced a series of gigs ahead of the release of their third album, which is due out in October. The band have been working on new material in San Francisco with Dan The Automator, who also produced last album 'West Ryder Lunatic Pauper Asylum'.

Speaking to Q, guitarist Serge Pizzorno said: "Listening to the [new] songs makes you feel great. Get your fucking jacket on, whack your fucking shoes on. It makes you believe things are going to happen".

Fuck knows what that means, but here are the live dates. Tickets go on sale on Friday:

4 Jun: Sheffield, Academy
5 Jun: Leeds, Academy
7 Jun: Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
8 Jun: Manchester, Apollo

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BRUNO MARS ANNOUNCES UK SHOWS
Bruno Mars has announced that he will return to the UK for live shows in August, tickets for which will go on sale on Friday. Then on Monday you can buy his new single, 'The Lazy Song', even though that title makes it sound like he's not really trying. He is, I'm sure. In fact, the word on the street (well, in the Daily Star) is that he's working with Beyonce, who I'm sure wouldn't put up with any laziness.

According to the tabloid, Beyonce and Bruno both appear on a track on Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaborative album 'Watch The Throne', which should be released at some point this year.

Here are those live dates:

16 Aug: London, Hammersmith Apollo
17 Aug: London, Hammersmith Apollo
18 Aug: Birmingham, Academy

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WILCO ANNOUNCE ALBUM TITLE AND UK TOUR DATES
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Wilco front man Jeff Tweedy revealed that the working title for the band's eighth album is 'Get Well Soon Everybody', which is nice. As previously reported, the album will be released via the band's recently launched dBpm label.

Tweedy described the album as being "two threads of material" saying: "One [is] a little weirder - snot-nosed obnoxious pop songs - and the other [is] more languid, atmospheric-country music".

The album is slated for released in September followed by the band's first UK tour in over three years, tickets for which go on sale this Friday.

Tour dates:

24 Oct: Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
25 Oct: Manchester Academy
27 Oct: Bristol, Colston Hall
28 Oct: London, The Roundhouse
29 Oct: London, The Roundhouse

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FESTIVAL LINE-UP UPDATE

BELSONIC, Custom House Square, Belfast, Norther Ireland, 17-27 Aug: Those at the helm of Belfast's premiere sonic extravaganza have added 30 Seconds To Mars, Beady Eye, Example and The Vaccines to the line-up, joining Elbow, Primal Scream, The Specials, Dizzee Rascal and Plan B on the diverse bill. And if that wasn't enough of an incentive to attend, the event is sponsored by Absolut vodka, so is sure to be a right hoot. www.belsonic.com

BERLIN FESTIVAL, various venues, Berlin, Germany, 9-10 Sep: Festival goers can experience culture-hub Berlin at close quarters, with a programme including sets from the likes of Suede, Primal Scream, Mogwai, Santigold, The Drums, Health, Pantha Du Prince, Hercules & Love Affair, Mount Kimbie, all being held at venues across the city. Beirut, Battles, Diplo and Yelle are also amongst those acts on the roster so far. www.berlinfestival.de

THE BIG CHILL, Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire, 4-7 Aug: Empire Of The Sun lead the latest assortment of Big Chill announcees, with US rapper Jay Electronica and actress Lucy Liu appearing as guests of concept act The Bullitts. Winehouse protégée Dionne Bromfield, King Midas Sound and Engine-Earz Experiment round off the eclectic roster of recent billings. Previously-confirmed co-headliners are Kanye West, The Chemical Brothers and Rodrigo y Gabriela. www.bigchill.net

THE GREEN MAN FESTIVAL, Glanusk Park, Powys, Wales, 19-21 Aug: Rick Rubin discoveries Avett Brothers will be purveying some self-proclaimed "punk-grass" tunes at this fiery Welsh fest, with Destroyer, Josh T Pearson, Alessi's Ark and Matthew & The Atlas also bolstering an existing line-up that features Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine, James Blake, Noah & The Whale and Villagers. www.greenman.net

LARMER TREE, Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset, 13-17 Jul: The Phoenix Foundation, Delta Maid, The Selecter with Pauline Black and 3 Daft Monkeys are amongst those acts just confirmed to appear at this genre-defying fest, with performances from such luminaries as Seasick Steve, Jools Holland, Imelda May and Bellowhead already announced. A hilarious comedy line-up boasts the likes of Russell Kane, Andi Osho, Arthur Smith and Phil Nichol. www.larmertreefestival.co.uk

SONISPHERE, Knebworth Park, 8-10 Aug: Sonic Boom Six, Blood Red Shoes, The Defiled, Black Spiders and Cerebral Ballzy complete this year's rockin Sonisphere line-up, with Turbo Wolf and all-girl troupe Cherri Bomb also set to brave the wrath of the crowd at this year's deafening rock riot. Already getting comfortable at the top of the bill are Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, who are flanked by Biffy Clyro, Slipknot and a host of other big rock names. uk.sonispherefestivals.com

WAKESTOCK, Abersoch Bay, Wales, 8-10 Jul: Late bookings for the surf-tastic three-dayer are The Cribs, Kelis, The Joy Formidable, Noisettes, Neon Trees and Pulled Apart By Horses. Older news in terms of line-up announcements are Ellie Goulding, Biffy Clyro, The Wombats, Chase & Status and good old festival fave Example. www.wakestock.co.uk/abersoch

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BMG MAKES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS GALORE
BMG Chrysalis UK made a big fat bunch of new appointments yesterday as the German-owned music rights company fully integrates its existing UK operations with that of Chrysalis, which it bought last year.

Here's the heads up. Former Chrysalis A&R man Ben Bodie will become VP Of A&R for the combined firm, while Gareth Smith will be VP Sync & Marketing and Simon Harvey VP Legal & Business Affairs. They will report to Alexi Cory-Smith, Senior VP of BMG Chrysalis in the UK.

Here are some words from the Cory-Smith-meister: "Ben is an exceptional and proactive A&R executive, leading a talented and experienced team. His promotion to this senior role underlines BMG Chrysalis UK's commitment to investing in A&R and developing our roster of writers and artists".

And now talking about Smith: "BMG Chrysalis UK is now operating as one company. Gareth will lead marketing and synchronisation for our enlarged business. A highly talented marketeer, Gareth is passionate about working with writers and artists to devise intelligent and creative solutions that add value to their careers".

And finally some waffle about Harvey: "In Simon, we are fortunate to have a highly experienced and skilled business affairs leader. I am delighted that he will continue to support BMG Chrysalis where he will focus on delivering mutually beneficial agreements with writers and artists, protecting their copyrights and helping to execute our catalogue acquisition and growth strategy".

The rejigs mean that Alan Pell, who headed up A&R at BMG UK prior to the Chrysalis merger, he coming to the firm via its acquisition of Stage Three Music, will now leave the company. And look, I got Cory-Smith to say some shizzle about that too: "I would like to thank Alan for his contribution to Stage Three and BMG. He has signed and developed a number of talented writers during his time here and we all wish him every success in the next stage of his career".

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FACEBOOK EXPANDS RESOURCE OF ARTISTS
Facebook has expanded the resources available at facebook.com/music offering a wider range of tips to musicians on how they might use the social networking site to engage with fans. The new resource also seems to more proactively target venues. So, that's all fun, isn't it?

This is what the social network said about it all: "We're celebrating the re-launch of our Music On Facebook Page! Whether you're a musician, have a job in the music industry, or simply love good tunes, this is the Page to stay up-to-date with what is happening in music on Facebook. We look forward to hearing from all of you in the music community!"

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WHICH? WANTS DIGITAL SWITCH DELAY
Consumer group Which? says that the big switchover to digital radio in the UK should be delayed until 70% of all listening is via digital networks.

As much previously reported, the government is looking to move most radio stations off FM in the next few years (the target is 2015), so that mainstream stations would only be available via the DAB network, or online or via digital TV networks. The government plans to start this process once 50% of radio listening is digital - a move supported by some in the radio industry, but opposed by some smaller players.

And now Which? has called for the switchover to be postponed until the 70% landmark has been passed, even if that takes years to be achieved. Those who support a rapid switchover will point out that it will take the prospect of stations disappearing off FM to persuade a sizable part of the population to switch to DAB, meaning waiting until you reach the 70% mark could delay switchover by two decades.

But radio firm UKRD, which opposes the rapid switchover, has welcomed Which?'s report. Its boss William Rogers told The Telegraph: "The Which? report is a well thought through and serious piece of work, unlike the nonsense that is presently being spewed out by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Ministers would do well to implement its recommendations rather than continue with the shambolic policy they are pursuing".

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I CAN'T THINK OF ANY JUSTIN BIEBER EGG-BASED PUNS FOR THIS HEADLINE
Poor old Justin Bieber, can't he be allowed to do his job without having things thrown at him. First it was a bottle (well, actually it was a wrapped present, but folklore now says bottle - www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e50vqY7Szo), and now he's been pelted with eggs while on stage.

Why anyone would bother to pay money for tickets to a Justin Bieber gig in order to throw some eggs at him, I don't know. People are strange. Still, there is of course video evidence, and I'm pretty sure you all want to see it, so here you go: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pGa5GOg0KI

Also, here is a video of Justin walking into a door - www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_PTggXuE1U - and another of him walking into a window - www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoFRVHEbCRo.

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