The Pirate Bay is back online (more or less)
It's back. Did you miss it? Of course not, you're a copyright respecting, creator supporting, artist enabling, law abiding schmuck. You don't even know what The Pirate Bay is, and can't even comprehend the news that the always controversial, yet ever popular file-sharing site is back online after a server raid temporarily shut the operation down back in December.

But yes, in a bold move for the freedom of expression online, aka free Ariana Grande and 'Game Of Thrones' downloads for all, The Pirate Bay re-emerged this weekend. A countdown to the 1 Feb had been, well, counting down on the old Pirate Bay homepage for sometime, though the site was actually up and running again on Saturday, making a mockery of the whole counting thing somewhat.

The site is pretty much as it was before Swedish authorities took the service offline during a server raid on 9 Dec. Though a phoenix currently sits on the home page where the site's pirate ship logo would normally be seen, a handful of static pages are yet to re-emerge, and the whole site has wobbled quite a bit since its return, going down again several times, very possibly due to particularly high demand for its database of links to unlicensed music, movies and TV shows.

As expected, behind the scenes a moderation panel, whereby Pirate Bay staffers previously monitored links being added to the site's database, has not be reactivated. According to Torrentfreak, this element has been removed to make the site easier to manage and reduce the risk of future shutdowns.

Though the move has been unpopular with some of those previously involved in running the file-sharing service, who argue it will make the TPB database less reliable. And some of those disgruntled former team members are reportedly now considering launching an alternative site, which means there could soon be multiple Pirate Bays. Indeed, back-ups of the site as of 9 Dec had already been posted elsewhere online.

But for today, why not relish in the joy of the original and supreme Pirate Bay being back on the web? By steering clear of it and telling everyone you meet that file-sharing is very bad indeed, obviously.

Appeals court rejects Jacksons' latest bid to make AEG liable for Michael's death
No surprise here really, given the appeal judges hearing this case seemed to get very close indeed to asking lawyers representing the claimants "what the fuck?"

California's Court Of Appeals ruled against the Jackson family on Friday in their latest attempt to hold AEG Live liable for the death of Michael Jackson in 2009, on the grounds it was paying for the services of the doctor convicted of causing the late king of pop's demise through negligent treatment.

As previously reported, in their second attempt to overturn a 2013 ruling that went in AEG's favour, the Jackson's legal team argued last month that the jury in the original trial were given misleading information by the judge, and that he incorrectly dismissed some of the claims against the live music firm before the court case began.

But after the Jacksons' lawyers retold the events that occurred prior to Jackson's death - the hiring of Dr Conrad Murray and his administration of the surgical drug propofol at the pop star's house as a cure for insomnia - one appeal judge reportedly exclaimed "what is the fault of AEG in this? I'm just lost in all of this".

Given the questions asked by said judges, it was no surprise on Friday when the Jacksons' appeal was rejected. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the appeals court ruled: "AEG did not owe Michael a duty to refrain from exerting pressure over Dr Murray, AEG did not undertake to provide protective services to Michael, and AEG owed Michael no duty arising out of the contract with Dr Murray".

They went on: "The undisputed facts establish that Dr Murray was an independent contractor as a matter of law, AEG is not liable under the peculiar risk doctrine as an independent contractor and Dr Murray is not an agent of AEG".

Even before last week's ruling, the Jacksons' legal team had indicated that their clients intended to take the case to the Californian Supreme Court if unsuccessful this time.

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Police continue to investigate Suge Knight hit and run, CCTV evidence may be lacking
Crucial CCTV footage showing the hit and run incident allegedly involving one time hip hop mogul Suge Knight last week may not be available, according to TMZ, because a crucial security camera was not working.

As previously reported, Knight handed himself in to LA police on Friday after the traffic incident, in which one man died and another was injured. There doesn't seem to be any doubt that the Death Row Records founder was driving the car which drove into the two men, though police are investigating the circumstances around the episode.

The hit and run occurred outside a burger bar, and not on the set of a promo shoot related to NWA biopic 'Straight Outta Compton', as originally reported. Though the fast food joint was near the film shoot, and the argument Knight was seemingly involved in prior to the hit and run likely began there, possibly when he was asked to leave the property.

Witnesses have reportedly claimed that it looked like Knight intentionally drove his pick-up truck into Terry Carter and Cle 'Bone' Sloane, both of whom he seemingly knew. But Knight's legal rep James Blatt says that his client accidentally ran his vehicle into the two men while fleeing an unrelated "vicious attack".

Knight's attorney seemingly hoped that CCTV footage from the burger restaurant outside of which the incident occurred would back up this version of events, but the manager of the fast food business has seemingly said his camera wasn't working.

It's thought police are keen to know if any bystanders caught the fracas between Knight and up to four other men on their mobile phones, though other reports suggest officers are already reviewing some video evidence.

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Warner to settle unpaid intern litigation in the US
Warner Music in the US is set to settle a class action accusing the major of breaching employment laws through its past internship programmes.

As previously reported, legal action by two former unpaid interns at Warner - Justin Henry and Kyle Grant - led to a combined class action lawsuit which claimed to represent 3000 other people who had previously interned for the record company and its subsidiaries.

Quite how Warner plans to settle the legal action isn't yet clear, but lawyers working for Henry and Grant told the judge overseeing the case last week that terms had been agreed by both sides in the dispute. As a class action, that deal will need court approval, which means the specifics should be made apparent in early March.

A number of American media and entertainment companies have been hit with similar lawsuits by former unpaid interns in the last year or so. Meanwhile, in the UK, most big music companies have moved away from offering unpaid internships, except where part of a recognised college course, after a crackdown by HMRC on the matter.

Red Bull Records expands its Sony distribution alliance
Red Bull Records has allied with Sony Music for distribution of its releases on a worldwide basis. The fizzy-drink-fuelled independent has had a deal with Sony's RED label services business in North America since 2007, and will now likewise work with Sony divisions everywhere but Japan, possibly on the condition they rebrand their distribution units BULL.

Confirming all of this, Red Bull Records' Joe Calitri, possibly just on his way down from a Red Bull-induced mind frenzy (explaining the use of the word 'elated'), told reporters: "We're elated to enter into this partnership with Sony. Over the years we've formed an incredible association with RED North America and more recently with Sony Music Australia. Expanding our relationship was the next logical step in strengthening our global reach and in the overall evolution of Red Bull Records. We couldn't be more excited to work with the Sony teams around the world".

Sharing in all this excitement (and possibly also frenzied to the heavens through overconsumption of the red syrupy stuff), Sony Music International's Adam Granite added: "We are incredibly excited to expand our relationship with Red Bull Records. Our teams around the world can't wait to work with their outstanding roster - and with a unique partner who brings extraordinary marketing power to the table. We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership together".

The first album to be released under the expanded partnership will be Awolnation's 'Run' in March.

Rolling Stone reviews vinyl revival: "It won't make or break our year"
We all know that the vinyl revival has been rather exaggerated in some quarters, while the fact that CDs sales, although down, remain surprisingly healthy in some markets (including the UK) has gone mainly unnoticed.

But it is true that an uplift in interest in good old fashioned twelve-inch records on both sides of the Atlantic has delivered a welcome cash boost for some independent retailers, while putting the few vinyl presses that remain under pressure to deliver.

And some of those retailers are getting a little stressed with the fact the record industry is struggling to keep up with demand. But because vinyl revenue is - overall - still a tiny part of the recorded music business, and therefore remains a niche premium product for most labels, few are keen to invest in propping up or expanding the UK and US's vinyl pressing plants.

To prove that fact, Rolling Stone has been talking to various American record industry people, finding a common line: "We love vinyl, we love that sales are up, but it's still a tiny part of our business and isn't a priority.

RCA Records' Tom Corson says: "We welcome [renewed interest in vinyl]. It's a sexy, cool product. It represents an investment in music that's an emotional one. [But] it is a small percentage of our business. It's not going to make or break our year. We devote the right amount of resources to it, but it's not something where we have a department for it".

Meanwhile Jonathan Daniel, co-manager of the likes of Fall Out Boy and Sia, told the mag: "On a personal level, I love it. I grew up with vinyl. I have a record player. I buy records. It sounds better to me. On a business level, I don't think it means anything. It's so small relative to Fall Out Boy or Sia or any of our artists. It's still not a meaningful part of their business".

While Robb Nansel of indie Saddle Creek said of the vinyl market: "It's always going to be a niche. It's great, obviously, that people are buying records. Not to be negative about it, but I feel like it's going to peak, if it hasn't already".

So there you go. Consider all that put in perspective before the week has even really started. And now go check out the Rolling Stone article in full.

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[PIAS] announces new logistics alliance as Arvato pulls out of UK music distribution
The UK distribution division of [PIAS], which works for numerous indie labels, last week announced a new alliance with logistics firm Cinram, which will take over from Arvato in handling the physical supply chain of records distributed by the group.

Confirming the shift, [PIAS] UK's Richard Sefton told reporters: "Cinram understands our business very well and we're looking forward to combining our skills to provide a market leading solution for the artists and labels [PIAS] is proud to work with".

While Dean Watkins at Cinram added: "Music is at the very heart of Cinram's heritage. [PIAS] is therefore a natural fit for us and we are delighted to welcome them and their extensive range of exciting labels as a new client. With both parties' progressive attitude and passion for the sector, there is great scope and flexibility for us to build on the relationship as the industry evolves".

Confirmation of the [PIAS]/Cinram partnership came as Arvato, a division of German media giant and BMG owner Bertlesmann, announced it was pulling out of the UK music distribution sector, a decision that will result in the closure of its Milton Keynes site. Arvato, which will continue to work in music distribution elsewhere in the world, previously handled logistics for all the majors as well as [PIAS] in the UK.

Commenting on the latest developments in the music distribution domain, the MD of another independent label distributor, Proper's Drew Hill, told CMU: "It's a very competitive marketplace, with some consolidation almost inevitable, and our sympathies go to all those employees facing redundancy. With Proper, Sony DADC, Cinram and Plastichead among others all going strong, the UK distribution infrastructure remains in the pink; just as well given the recent BPI/Official Chart Company figures revealing that CDs and vinyl account for 48.8% of all music consumed in the UK".

Mike Weatherley MP calls on Chancellor to give tax breaks to small music venues
Mike Weatherley MP, who has, of course, been very vocal on both copyright and ticketing issues during this Parliament, has written to inept manchild and Chancellor Of The Exchequer George Osborne requesting tax breaks for small and medium sized live venues.

This comes in the wake of an interim report published by the Music Venue Trust last week outlining the significant challenges threatening the survival of many such venues. Tax breaks would only address a small number of these, but it would be a start, I suppose.

In a statement, Weatherley said of his letter: "Supporting live music venues is essential if we want to protect our musical heritage. Britain produces some of the best music in the world and it contributes hugely to our economy. I will continue to push for support for live music venues and hope that the Chancellor will seriously consider tax breaks or other financial incentives in order to support this important industry".

The letter itself reads: "As you know, our music industry is an enormous asset to Britain both culturally and financially. At the heart of this success story are the incredibly valuable live music venues. I do not think that we can overestimate the value that live music brings to the lives of millions of people".

And continues: "Unfortunately, for many reasons it is becoming harder for smaller live music venues to be financially viable and, as a result, alarmingly the number of venues is going down. Quite simply, the support of government and local authorities is key to the success of live music venues".

And then continues still: "There is precedence of successful tax breaks for bands playing overseas and in other areas of entertainment (theatre/opera, for example, who also enjoy tax breaks and financial incentives), but not for the small and medium sized live music venues, which are the bedrock of all creative music talent".

Finally come these words: "Given the importance of live music venues in the career development of musicians and to our economy, I hope that you will seriously consider the introduction of tax breaks or other financial incentives in order to help stem the national challenges faced by live music venues".

Osborne, of course, is already keen on tax breaks for live music, though specifically live music that doesn't involve any of that nasty pop and rock business. Classical, mate. Classical.

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Natasha Guiotto joins MN2S
The booking agency side of MN2S announced the appointment of Natasha Guiotto last week, who joins the company from The Industry Group where she spent two years booking acts into the UK club and college circuit.

Confirming the hire, MN2S Agency Director Sharron Elkabas told reporters: "We're very glad to welcome Natasha to our team here and look forward to providing an even better service to the club and university circuit in the UK. As we grow the roster and team of agents, now is an exciting time for MN2S".

Meanwhile Guiotto herself said: "Joining MN2S is an exciting move for me. With outstanding talent on the roster from around the globe and operations in over 100 countries, MN2S will give me limitless new opportunities to grow and develop as an agent. I'm surrounded by experience and am genuinely thrilled to be part of the excellent team here".

Christina, Courtney and some other C words

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• Christina Aguilera is working with Pharrell. Which I think means that everyone now has. She told Extra TV: "During my pregnancy, I had a meeting with him and just connected on where I want to take the next album. We started talking music, and he has one song in particular that I love".

• A new Passion Pit album, you say? No, you don't. I'm saying it. There's going to be one though. In April. It's called 'Kindred', because it's fuckin dreadful. No, not really, I'm sure it's just swell.

• That Courtney Barnett you all like is going to release her debut album, 'Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit', on 23 Mar. Here's the video for new track 'Pedestrian At Best', in which she dresses as a clown. What fun.

• Dean Blunt has released a new track called 'War Report'. And that's basically all I know about that.

• Deerhoof will be in Europe next week for a European tour. Which seems like the best place to have such a thing. They'll be in the UK from 23-26 Feb, the last of those dates at East London's Oval Space. Here's their new video for 'Black Pitch'.

• King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard have announced two UK shows. One in Manchester at Sound Control on 8 Jul, the second at London's Scala on 9 Jul. And here's the video for their new single, 'Slow Jam 1'.

• Black Sabbath man Geezer Butler has said that that bar fight he got himself into last week was "unfortunate". Which I suppose it was.

Wes Borland prepares for cruise ship festival trip by insulting all fellow passengers
The Shiprocked ocean cruise festival sets sail today from Miami on its way to the Bahamas. Sounds delightful, no? Not if you're Wes Borland from headliners Limp Bizkit, apparently.

"Getting all packed up this week for Broatchella 2015", he said in an Instagram post last week. Even though that's not the name of the festival, the silly man. "It's the same as Brochella but it's off land".

He continued: "Can't wait to see me some roided out tribal tattooed spray tanned Jell-O shot filled bohunks do their best drunk MMA impressions in the top deck mosh pit. Whenever we aren't on stage, I'll be curled up fetal position in my cabin, palms up, while I desperately cling to the last week of my 30s as it slips through my hooked fingers".

So, that's the audience ostracised. Probably best to try to make friends with the other bands on the bill.

"I'd like to give a shout out now to all the other over-the-hill late 90s/early 2000s bands going on the cruise", he wrote to his colleagues. "Let's give these people the raging alcohol fueled nostalgia fest they're paying for guys! I know we can do it if we tune down low enough!"

To be fair, I can't really think of anything much worse than being stuck on a cruise ship for four days, with or without a festival on board. At least Borland is working hard to make the whole experience a bit more interesting. Will he make it to the Bahamas without being thrown overboard? It'll be a nice reward if he does.