Streaming data to be added to the UK albums chart
So, it was confirmed last night that the UK's Official Albums Chart is "being reshaped for the future of music", and possibly the present, and maybe the recent past. Yes, they're throwing some streaming stats into the mix, and why the hell not, that's what I say. But I'm famously modern. I mean, I watched a telly programme on Netflix just last night.

It's particularly good news for fans of maths, because there's quite a sum behind this madness. It goes like this: Take the twelve most-streamed tracks from each album. From them, take the two with the most streams (which are likely the single releases, and therefore may well have had way more listens than all the other tracks) and "down-weight" them in line with "the average of the next ten".

Then work out the total number of streams of all twelve tracks (ie the down-weighted totals for the top two plus the straight totals for the other ten) and divide that number by 1000. Then drop those figures in with the CD and download album sales figures and bake until a light brown. Serve with a cup of English tea.

And while that might all seem rather complicated, it's designed to ensure that one hit single doesn't unfairly skew the performance of an entire album, to the detriment of a long player that is enjoying good listening as a whole but doesn't have that one track that goes sky high. Which seems like a damn fine methodology to me.

So much so, we'll let the Official Charts Company have a little brag about it. "While the UK will not be the first market to introduce streams to the Official Albums Chart", says the record industry's stats machine, "it will be the first to do so using a new methodology designed to ensure that the rundown continues to reflect the popularity of the albums themselves, rather than just the performance of one or two smash hit singles".

So hurrah for everyone. Though let's withhold judgement of the OCC's coining of the term 'stream factor' to describe the final streaming stat for each album each week. And, in case you wondered, streaming stats influencing the album charts countdown from later this month will be coming from Deezer, Napster, Google Play, O2 Tracks, Rara, Rdio and XBox Music, but mainly, we suspect, Spotify.

And now the customary quote from OCC boss Martin Talbot: "The Official Charts Company's mission is to compile the most accurate, reliable and up-to-date charts around, and in 2015 that means reflecting the popularity of streaming, alongside downloads, vinyl and - still the most popular album format - the CD. Initial indications are that the impact on actual chart positions will be modest to begin with, but we expect this to grow as streaming becomes increasingly popular".

Aimee Mann drops MediaNet lawsuit
Aimee Mann has dropped the lawsuit she brought against digital music provider MediaNet way back in 2013, having reached an agreement over the licensing of her music via the company.

As previously reported, MediaNet began life as MusicNet with ambitions to become a consumer-facing download store way back in 2001 as a joint venture between EMI and the original BMG, when the majors were still hoping to control a then emerging digital music market.

After failing to capture the consumer market, thanks chiefly to the arrival of iTunes, the company switched to providing music (and subsequently other digital content) to other online businesses, making it an early (and for a time significant) player in a sector now dominated by 7digital and Omnifone.

Though, but for this lawsuit, the company has had a much lower profile in more recent years. Its website still lists amongst its client base Turntable.fm, Microsoft's Zune, and MOG. Yes, I was as impressed as you.

Mann's lawsuit related to an agreement she made with the company in 2003, which she said she had terminated in 2006. In 2013 she alleged that, despite the 2006 termination, MediaNet continued to distribute her work without a licence and had also failed to pay her any royalties. MediaNet denied that it had distributed her music without licence or that it had not paid her any royalties, but did remove Mann's music from its system while the dispute was ongoing.

It's OK though, everyone's friends again now, with the two sides reaching an agreement over how Mann's music should be licensed on the service.

In a statement that reads like it was written by a lawyer (or more likely several lawyers), Mann told Billboard: "MediaNet and I have resolved our differences, and I feel confident that they are making every effort to license their content correctly in a way that protects the rights of artists and songwriters. I've therefore agreed to put my music back on their service".

MediaNet CEO Frank Johnson added: "Music rights are at the heart of our business, and we take the proper tracking and royalty payments to copyright holders very seriously".

So that's a happy ending, isn't it? And now I'm off to fill my Zune with Aimee Mann albums, and maybe DJ a few tracks on Turntable.fm too.

--------------------------------------------------

Justin Bieber's not done his community service, but that's OK
Justin Bieber is such a thoroughly nice bloke now, that it must really hurt him not to have been able to do the community service he was ordered to carry out last year.

As previously reported, as penance for throwing eggs at his neighbour's house, last July Bieber was sentenced to two years probation, fined $80,900, told to attend an anger management class and to do five days of community service.

But, like I said, he hasn't yet done that community service. A turn of events that must have caused him pain deep down in his nice-guy heart. Though he was in actual, literal physical pain too, apparently, because it was an ankle injury that stopped him from giving something back to his community, like only a nice guy (order to by the courts) would.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, at a court hearing on Tuesday, probation officials submitted a report saying that Bieber had not completed his community service because, right when he was planning to do it in January, he sustained that ankle injury. And as flippant as I'm being about all this, Bieber's lawyers did submit a chiropractor's report supporting this claim.

Superior Court Judge Leland B Harris agreed that this seemed reasonable, and allowed the singer more time to complete the community service, and also attend the anger management counselling, which he's also not done. Although you'd think that now he's such a great bloke and all, he probably doesn't even need it any more. Still, his lawyer said that it would all be done and dusted by the next court hearing on the case on 11 May.

Bieber himself was too busy out and about being a bloody lovely chap to attending the hearing himself.

Pandora announces direct deal with classical label
While busy bickering with the American music publishers via their collecting society BMI in a New York courtroom yesterday, streaming service Pandora announced another direct deal on the sound recordings side of the equation.

As previously reported, although the record labels are obliged under law to licence Pandora-type services in the US via the SoundExchange collective licensing system, the streaming companies can choose to do direct deals with the labels if they so wish. Though the assumption is that a Pandora wouldn't be interested in such a deal unless a label offered more favourable terms than available through SoundExchange, and why would a label offer such a thing?

But indie label repping Merlin announced a headline-grabbing direct deal with Pandora last year, part of which assures participating independent labels marketing benefits that might increase overall plays, and therefore overall royalties.

The latest record company to do a direct deal with Pandora is classical music label Naxos, which has long-standing relationships with the likes of Leonard Slatkin, Marin Alsop, Gerard Schwarz, Nicolas Horvath, Tianwa Yang, Boris Giltburg, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and the Nashville Symphony.

Confirming the deal, Pandora CEO Brian McAndrews told reporters: "This deal represents another important step in Pandora's efforts to become an indispensable partner to music makers. We have a passionate base of classical music listeners, and our agreement with Naxos ensures we can continue expanding the audience for their unparalleled catalogue".

Meanwhile Naxos CEO Jeff Van Driel added: "Because of the way in which listeners enjoy music on Pandora, this partnership will allow us to introduce the unfamiliar to the magnificent world of classical music through the vast Naxos catalogue of recordings. It will also give listeners who already know and love classical music the opportunity to discover new works, composers and performers. We look forward to a prosperous relationship with Pandora which will be prolonged by our mutual desire to serve our listeners, new and old".

--------------------------------------------------

Ninja Tune's Counter Records toasts growth with new singings
Following on from the news that it had signed Howling, Counter Records has also added Maribou State to its books. This marks the next step in a period of rapid growth from the previously fairly low key Ninja Tune imprint.

Discussing the label, Ninja Tune co-founder Matt Black says: "Counter Records have just made two exciting signings in Howling and Maribou State, so this is a good time to let people know what Counter is about. The imprint really took off with The Heavy blowing up in the States. 'How You Like Me Know' became an anthem, yet in a different musical style to Ninja's signature sound. With this vote for Ninja's wider tune spotting ability, yet wanting to keep the Ninja sound recognisable, Counter was established".

He adds: "With Howling and Maribou State onboard, and our first Billboard Top 50 album with Odesza, it's brilliant to have another outlet for music we love to sit alongside the goodness at Ninja, and craft its very own story".

As previously reported, Howling - aka Ry X of The Acid and Frank Wiedemann of Âme and Innervisions - will release their debut album on 4 May, via a partnership between Counter and the Monkeytown label. Meanwhile, Maribou State's debut album, 'Portraits' will be released on 1 Jun. Taken from that, here's the single 'Rituals'.

Cooking Vinyl Australia launches new rock label
Cooking Vinyl Australia has announced the launch of a new alternative rock imprint label operating under the Double Cross brand previously used by Cooking Vinyl in the UK for similar genre releases.

The Australian version of the label will be led by CVA co-founders Stu Harvey and Leigh Gruppetta, who have previously worked with plenty of heavy rock acts like Bring Me The Horizon, The Sword, Melvins and Fantomas.

Confirming the new venture, Harvey said: "Leigh and I have talked about a properly funded rock imprint label ever since we started CVA. There is so much amazing music being produced, our aim for Double Cross is to build a diverse roster highlighting great rock and heavy music from all around the world. We've definitely got some signings up our sleeve that may come as a surprise".

From launch, the new label will work with international acts Cancer Bats and Gallows, as well as domestic singing High Tension.

Rhapsody confirms 2.5 million subscribers
The Rhapsody company yesterday published stats for its Rhapsody and Napster branded streaming music services worldwide, with the top line figure being 2.5 million paying subscribers across the globe.

Which, given Rhapsody was one of the very early players in streaming music (years ahead of the Spotifys) and legit Napster was also relatively early to market (albeit originally as a subscription download set-up), isn't that impressive a figure at first glance. Not when put next to newer services like Deezer (sixteen million total, six million paying) or Spotify (60 million total, fifteen million paying). Meanwhile that other early player in the US market, Pandora, boasts over 75 million users, albeit the vast majority on freemium.

But, as Mark Mulligan notes, "it nonetheless places Rhapsody as the fourth largest [streaming music] subscriber base globally and approximately 10% of the global total". And is probably a sign that after years of treading water as new streaming-based services entered the market in the latter half of the last decade, Rhapsody is finally gaining some momentum again. And, as with those upstarts, that is mainly being achieved through alliances with tel cos and car makers.

Commenting on yesterday's stats release, Rhapsody International CFO Ethan Rudin said: "Our decision to prioritise the mobile music experience is paying off. We're seeing a fast-paced transition towards mobile-only listening throughout our global base of members. Over the next six months, we plan to continue to extend relationships with our wireless, auto and connected device partners to ensure we deliver experiences that make streaming music an essential part of daily life".

Full ILMC schedule announced
Live music industry conference ILMC returns for its 27th edition on 5-8 Mar, taking place at the Royal Garden Hotel in London as usual.

Amongst the speakers recently confirmed for this year's event are Live Nation's Chairman of Global Music Arthur Fogel, AEG Live President John Meglen, YouTube's David Thorpe and Matias Llort Lorenz, Facebook's Niall Fagan and FKP Scorpio CEO Stephan Thanscheidt.

Says ILMC MD Greg Parmley: "It's taken just over six months to build the new conference schedule, and we're confident that it runs the gamut of today's contemporary touring and festival businesses. Overall, there's 50% more panel content than we've ever had, including a new educational workshop programme and some new panel formats".

He continues: "Being an invitation-only event for the leaders of the live music world, ILMC has to constantly adapt with the changing industry, and the new schedule reflects this ongoing evolution. From iBeacon and social media to holistic, 'joined up' business models and new revenue streams, we've aimed for a truly progressive agenda this year".

See the full schedule at 27.ilmc.com/agenda

Kanye West is friends with everybody now
Kanye West is a changed man, everybody. He not only loves Beck, he's also going to record with Taylor Swift.

The rapper, of course, silently interrupted Beck's acceptance speech for Album Of The Year at the Grammys on Sunday, later saying that his fellow music maker should "respect artistry" and give the award to Beyonce. It was an almost repeat of that incident in 2009 when West stopped Swift from thanking the world for her Best Video prize at the MTV Video Music Awards, saying that runner-up Beyonce made "one of the best videos of all time" with 'Single Ladies'.

Speaking about last Sunday to Ryan Seacrest on his radio show this week, West said: "What I really wanted to do is just joke around about what had happened before, but I didn't want to take away from Beck's moment or the time he's having to talk, because you know the Grammys, they play music really quick no matter who you are and everything. So I didn't want anything to take away from his screen time. So I just walked back down because you know, it was kind of a joke like the Grammys themselves".

He added: "Beck is one of the nicest guys and one of the most respected musicians in the game ... And when I said that thing about respect[ing] artistry, I think it came off the wrong way, and that was a mis-wording on my part, because obviously Beck is one of the most respected artists and respects artistry ... But I felt that even though the Grammys sometimes gives awards to people who you wouldn't think should win in the category, as a respect to artists, we mention the other artist's name in our speech. And that was the point I was making about it".

Obviously. Speaking about working with Swift, he said: "She wants to get in the studio and we're definitely going to go in. Any artist with an amazing point of view, perspective, fan base, I'm down to get in the studio and work. I don't discriminate, I don't have an elitism of music because of like how many Grammys or you know, the amount of ratings you get on an album".

He went on: "I that think everyone loves music whether they love hip hop, alternative, country, and if I could be involved in giving people any type of energy, advice in the studio, whether you're Beyonce, whether you're Taylor Swift, whether you're Jay-Z, whether you're Beck, whoever, and they can be reciprocal with that, I'd like to be involved with that".

So, basically, it's all fine now. Check out the full interview here.

Morrissey hates the BRITs, Dave Grohl loves vinyl, Father John Misty is at least indifferent to touring, and other emotions

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• Rdio and AEG have announced a partnership that will allow people who buy tickets through the latter's AXS.com to receive a free 30 day trial of the former's streaming service. "Thrilled", said Rdio CEO Anthony Bay. "Smartphone", added AXS CEO Bryan Perez.

• Live performances from this year's BRIT Awards will be made available to stream and download through Google Play. "Delighted", said BRITs overseer Geoff Taylor. "Delighted", agreed Google Play's Head of EMEA Music Partner Management Azi Eftekhari.

• Elsewhere, Morrissey has had a bit of a rant about the BRITs. Here are his issues with the awards: Not public voted, not British enough, Madonna performing this year, nominees not successful enough, nominees not artistically credible enough, Ant & Dec presenting, Prince Andrew's innocence not assured, Teletubbies winning Outstanding Contribution. He notes that he is glad (GLAD, I tell you) that he is not nominated.

• Dave Grohl has been announced as Record Store Day's 2015 Ambassador. Whatever that means.

• A new biography of Lee Hazelwood by music journalist Wyndham Wallace is due to be published on 19 May via Jawbone Press. Titled 'Lee, Myself & I', it comes with the seal of approval from Tim Burgess, Dorian Lynskey and Stewart Lee, the latter of whom penned the book's foreword.

• Ed Sheeran and Rudimental, together at last.

• Axwell /\ Ingrosso have released the video for the first single from their debut album. The track is called 'Something New' and the video has motorbikes in it.

• Joanna Gruesome will release their new album, 'Peanut Butter', on 2 Jun via Fortuna Pop! Records. Yep, yep. And they'll be touring the most united of kingdoms, the UK, in April and May.

• Now, would you like to hear a new Lightning Bolt track? I'm sure you would, so here's 'The Metal East'.

• Ringo Starr's releasing a new album. Ringo Starr! Off of 'Thomas The Tank Engine'! Cool. It's called 'Postcards From Paradise' and will be out on 30 Mar. An incomplete list of guests on the record includes Joe Walsh, Benmont Tench, Dave Stewart, Ann Marie Simpson, Richard Marx, Amy Keys, Peter Frampton, Nathan East and Glen Ballard.

• It is certainly true that there is a new Death Cab For Cutie video, because I have witnessed it here.

• Father John Misty has sold out his upcoming UK tour in its entirety, so he's announced that he'll be back to play the Shepherds Bush Empire on 29 Oct. That'll be nice for you.

Miley Cyrus out of porn festival, Azealia Banks in Playboy magazine
Bad news for everyone who'd already bought their tickets, that short film starring Miley Cyrus has been pulled from the schedule of the upcoming NYC Porn Film Festival.

As previously reported, it was announced earlier this week that Quentin Jones' 'Tongue Tied' would be shown as part of the opening night of the festival. However, following the reporting of this news, Cyrus's people have moved to ensure that this will not happen, lest it tarnish the good name of their client.

A spokesperson for the singer told BuzzFeed: "Miley was proud to make a film with acclaimed filmmaker Quentin Jones. Neither she nor Quentin are participating in this 'festival' in any way".

Look at the passive aggressive way they wrote 'festival'. Tough talk.

A spokesperson for the 'festival', responded: "We have removed any mention of [the] Miley Cyrus [and] Quentin Jones film across all our media platforms. We [had] hoped [that having] the film screened alongside great artists such as Amalia Ulman, Bradford Kessler, Richard Kern, Beth B, James Franco, Narcissister, would create a bigger discourse around art, sexuality, gender and pornography".

But sadly Cyrus is too highbrow for such things, and will instead return to singing songs about pissing herself in a car.

Less concerned about how engaging with the adult entertainment industry might affect her career, Azealia Banks has announced that she will appear naked in the April edition of Playboy. The magazine's editors say that it's a "frisky pictorial that's sure to break the internet" when it hits newsstands on 20 Mar.

And now, to add further titillation to this article, here is a sexy edition of the excellent Reply All podcast in which website administrator Greg Knauss explains the backend system he built to ensure that pictures of Kim Kardashian naked failed to deliver on their promise of breaking the internet (or at least the Paper Magazine website).