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Friday 25 November 2011, 11:58 | By CMU Editorial
European Court rejects wide-spread infringement monitoring by ISPs
Business News Digital Legal Top Stories
So there was an interesting if not especially surprising copyright ruling in the good old European Court Of Justice this week, which has an impact on the content industries’ efforts to force internet service providers to play a more active role in policing online piracy, though not as big an impact as some have suggested.
This all relates to a long running Belgian case which saw collecting society SABAM try to get the courts to force an ISP called Scarlet to filter out copyright infringing content being shared on its networks. At first instance the rights society got its injunction, but the net firm appealed claiming that fulfilling the obligations set out in the court ruling would involve carrying out “invisible and illegal” checks on net users’ online activity. This would breach various bits of European legislation, they argued, hence why the Belgian appeal courts bounced the matter up to the ECJ.
As previously reported, back in April an advisor to the ECJ, Advocate General Pedro Cruz Villalón, said that the Belgian court’s injunction did indeed breach the EU’s Charter Of Fundamental Rights. He noted: “The installation of the filtering and blocking system is a restriction on the right to privacy of communications and the right to protection of personal data, both of which are rights protected under the Charter”.
And, unsurprisingly, the ECJ this week took that advice and ruled that Scarlet cannot be forced to monitor its users’ web use for copyright infringement. It said in its ruling: “EU law precludes the imposition of an injunction by a national court which requires an internet service provider to install a filtering system with a view to preventing the illegal downloading of files. The filtering system would also be liable to infringe the fundamental rights of its [Scarlet’s] customers, namely their right to protection of their personal data and their right to receive or impart information”.
At first glance it looks like a pretty damning ruling for rights owners busy lobbying for new laws or applying for court injunctions to force ISPs to block access to copyright infringing websites, or to reduce or suspend the access of individuals who prolifically infringe. However, the ruling doesn’t really directly impact on those activities (and not just because Villalón’s advice in April provided a few get outs if national government’s are willing to introduce explicit laws on this matter).
The Sabam injunction application was always ambitious in that it basically says to ISPs, “you take complete responsibility for infringement, spy on every exchange of content, keep yourself abreast of who owns every bit of content, and block any exchange that looks dodgy”. It was a wide-ranging demand, that would be costly (and possibly technically as well as legally impossible) for ISPs to fulfil, and likely to hinder a lot of entirely legitimate web usage.
But most other efforts to force ISPs to play ball in policing online piracy have been much more narrowly defined, and usually involve the rights owners footing the bill for monitoring the net for copyright infringement, meaning such monitoring efforts are much more modest. Therefore this week’s ruling is unlikely to impact majorly on those efforts, though it will always provide a constraint should rights owners – buoyed by recent successes in the courts and law making communities – get a little more ambitious in their demands of net firms.
Commenting on the ruling for the global record industry, Frances Moore of IFPI told CMU: “This judgment will help in our ongoing efforts to protect creative content online. It confirms ISPs and other online intermediaries can be required to take measures against both existing and future online infringements and re-states the importance of protecting intellectual property as a fundamental right. In this particular case, the court rejected the content filtering measure presented by the Belgian court as too broad. However, this does not affect the forms of ISP cooperation that IFPI advocates including graduated response and the blocking of rogue websites, which are already being implemented in countries across Europe”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Copyright | ECJ | European Court Of Justice | ISPs | SABAM | Scarlet
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:55 | By CMU Editorial
Jessie J scores biggest selling debut album of 2011
Artist News
Jessie J’s ‘Who You Are’ has been named the biggest selling debut album in the UK of 2011, even though 2011 isn’t over yet. So that’s nice. She’s also one of eight British artists in the top ten, which proves just how xenophobic the British record buying public has become.
Below are the top 20 biggest selling debut albums of 2011 in full, according to the Official Charts Company. I’m not sure all of them really count as debuts, but, hey, I don’t make the rules.
1 Jessie J – Who You Are
2 Ed Sheeran – +-
3 Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
4 The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From The Vaccines
5 Katy B – On A Mission
6 Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding
7 Nicole Scherzinger – Killer Love
8 Hugh Laurie – Let Them Talk
9 Matt Cardle – Letters
10 Kanye West & Jay-Z – Watch The Throne
11 Bad Meets Evil – Hell: The Sequel
12 Nero – Welcome Reality
13 Christina Perri – Lovestrong
14 Cher Lloyd – Sticks And Stones
15 Wretch 32 – Black And White
16 Miles Kane – Colour Of The Trap
17 Foster The People – Torches
18 Clare Maguire – Light After Dark
19 Mary Byrne – Mine And Yours
20 Alexis Jordan – Alexis Jordan
READ MORE ABOUT: Jessie J
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:54 | By CMU Editorial
Elbow recording Olympic theme
Artist News
The theme song for the BBC’s 2012 Olympics coverage will be written by Elbow, it has been announced. The band have been tasked with recording a six minute track that will feature heavily on the BBC during the Games, akin to Gorillaz’s 2008 effort for the Beijing Olympics.
Elbow’s Guy Garvey said: “We are knocked out to be involved and it’s been quite a challenge. We have feelings of real responsibility as we will be the soundtrack to so many images of personal sacrifice and endeavour while the nation roots for and celebrates with Team GB”.
BBC’s Director of London 2012, Roger Mosey, added: “[Elbow’s track] should be just-about the most heard piece of music in 2012. This builds on our recent tradition of using great British contemporary artists to deliver our music, as we did with Damon Albarn in 2008; and we reckon Elbow have a unique combination of credibility – hence their Mercury Prize – with a style that can be enjoyed by people of all ages”.
Here’s that Gorillaz track and accompanying video to enjoy all over again:
READ MORE ABOUT: Elbow | London Olympics 2012
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:52 | By CMU Editorial
Broadcast may release another record
Artist News
James Cargill, bandmate and partner of Broadcast frontwoman Trish Keenan, who died suddenly earlier this year, has said that the band may record another album. Speaking to Under The Radar, Cargill said: “I need to figure out what it is I do now. I made music with Trish, but I also made it for her”.
He added that there are a number of unreleased recordings made by Keenan prior to her death, which he does intend to work into finished tracks, although whether this would be done under the Broadcast name is unclear.
“Trish left a lot of tapes, four-tracks and stuff”, he said. “The next thing I release with Trish on it will be more like a monument and a tribute to her rather than this obsessive thing I used to have about making albums. Trish’s vocals are really great. They’re a bit more pastoral, almost a bit more like [2003 album] ‘Haha Sound’. I liked the lyrics she was writing. They fit the pastoral, folk thing. She’d taken a lot from Lewis Carroll and some of the nonsense verse she was into. I think it might be a bit more like the older Broadcast”.
He added: “It’s difficult, and I’m connected to it at the same time. It’s wonderful, but I’m also feeling a sense of loss”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Broadcast | James Cargill | Trish Keenan
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:48 | By CMU Editorial
Wiley won’t stop releasing albums
Releases
Given that he’s released two albums this year alone (the brilliant ‘100% Publishing’ and free download ‘Chill Out Zone’), it seems Wiley has earned the right to insist that Big Dada release his new long player, ‘Evolve Or Be Extinct’, on his next birthday. In fact, he’s been in such a prolific mood lately that the album has been extended to a double-disc release. Though apparently one of the tracks doesn’t have any music on it. And to all those who don’t know when Wiley’s birthday is, shame on you. It’s 19 Jan.
Feel free to bring conciliatory cards and cake to any of Wiley’s 2012 tour dates, which are as follows:
20 Jan: Norwich, Waterfront
21 Jan: Manchester, Ritz
22 Jan: Coventry, Kasbah
23 Jan: Glasgow, ABC2
25 Jan: Edinburgh, Picture House
26 Jan: Middlesboro, Empire
27 Jan: Birmingham, Institute
28 Jan: Liverpool, Masque
30 Jan: Brighton, Concorde
31 Jan: Swansea, Sin City
1 Feb: London, Scala
READ MORE ABOUT: Wiley
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:46 | By CMU Editorial
God Don’t Like It announces last ever shows
Gigs & Festivals
Having put together nights for the likes of Factory Floor, Erland And The Carnival, Lower Dens and Becoming Real, London promoter God Don’t Like It is bowing out with a final run of shows at The Lexington. Drone quartet Teeth Of The Sea, psych-beat outfit Speak & The Spells, and synth-punk drum enthusiasts Drum Eyes will be amongst those providing the soundtrack to the send-off.
You can click here to buy a £12 ticket granting access to all four nights. The full line-ups are listed here:
27 Dec: Drum Eyes, Deadfader
28 Dec: Teeth Of The Sea, Devilman, Speak & the Spells
29 Dec: Left With Pictures, Eyes & No Eyes, Grant K Fennell
30 Dec: Grubby Mitts
READ MORE ABOUT: God Don't Like It
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:40 | By CMU Editorial
New Chad Valley dates
Gigs & Festivals
Fresh from a gruelling US tour in honour of his ‘Equatorial Ultravox’ EP, Hugo ‘Chad Valley’ Manuel has announced he’ll be playing his final dates of 2011 at London’s Corsica Studios on 15 Dec, and at the Oxford O2 Academy on 17 Dec. He’ll also appear on both occasions in his some-time guise as frontman of jubilant folk-pop quartet Jonquil.
All affiliates-in-arms of Oxford’s Blessing Force collective, ODC Drumline, Pet Moon and Solid Gold Dragons are booked for the Corsica Studios bill. Pet Moon, meanwhile, will perform again alongside Sisterland and Motherhood in Oxford.
READ MORE ABOUT: Chad Valley
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:38 | By CMU Editorial
Outfit debut DIY video ahead of London show
Gigs & Festivals
Having appeared in our CMU Approved section on the brilliant basis of their debut single, ‘Two Islands’, Liverpool five-piece Outfit are now poised to play a headline show at London’s Cargo on 29 Nov.
You can prime your eyes and ears for the event via the band’s new ‘Two Islands’ video. They filmed and edited it all by themselves, you know.
READ MORE ABOUT: Outfit
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:35 | By CMU Editorial
Festival line-up update – 25 Nov 2011
Artist News Festival Line-Up Update Gigs & Festivals
BENICASSIM, Valencia, Spain, 12-15 Jul: Second headliners Florence And The Machine have just been confirmed to keep fellow bill-toppers The Stone Roses in fine company at next year’s edition of the summery Spanish fiesta. The Vaccines, also newly booked to play Benicassim 2012, complete the recent announcements. www.fiberfib.com
EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG, De Oosterpoort, Groningen, Holland, 11-14 Jan: Tipped Brit types Emeli Sandé, Spector, Matthew And The Atlas, The History Of Apple Pie and Veronica Falls are amongst the host of fresh additions to next year’s Eurosonic throng. With the overall bill nearing completion, they join the likes of TEED, Jessie Ware, Zulu Winter, Vondelpark and Battlekat on a pleasantly eclectic pan-European party. www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl/en/festival
ROCK WERCHTER, Rotselaar, Belgium, 28 Jun – 1 Jul: Red Hot Chili Peppers and Justice get first dibs on the Rock Werchter bill. Both are confirmed to appear on the festival’s Main Stage, with Justice taking opening night duties while RHCP secure the Sunday slot. Tickets for the event will go on sale on 3 Dec. www.rockwerchter.be
READ MORE ABOUT: Benicassim | Eurosonic Noorderslag | Rock Werchter
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:30 | By CMU Editorial
Liverpool Sound City announces new event in NYC
Business News Education & Events
Organisers of the Liverpool Sound City festival and convention, which takes place in the North West city each May, have announced the launch of a sister event in New York – New York Sound City, obviously – due to take place next March.
Noting past spin-off events in Dubai and the Norwegian city of Tromso, Sound City chief David Pichilingi told CMU: “The UK businesses, individuals and artists we have showcased and assisted have gone onto generate over £12 million of real money for the UK music and digital economy. We do not mess about. For us to partner up with New York is the next logical step. Liverpool and New York have always shared a special relationship with each other. Two of the world’s biggest cities and both synonymous with art, music and pop culture. This is the first announcement in what is going to be an exciting time for the growth of our strong brand”.
Other spin-off events around the world are expected to be confirmed soon, including a return to the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile LSC itself takes place from 17-19 May next year.
READ MORE ABOUT: Liverpool Sound City | New York Sound City
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:27 | By CMU Editorial
IMPALA welcomes EC review of private copy remuneration
Business News Labels & Publishers Legal
Pan-European indie labels trade body IMPALA has welcomed the news that the European Commission has asked Antònio Vitorino, a former EU Commissioner himself, to mediate on the issue of private copying remuneration.
Unlike in the UK, where under copyright law consumers are not – technically speaking – allowed to make private back up copies of sound recordings they buy, in the rest of Europe a private copy right does exist, but usually on the proviso that rights owners are compensated in someway. This traditionally was done by charging a levy on blank cassettes and later CDRs, on the assumption that the majority of those devices were used to make back up copies of private works.
As the use of cassettes and CDRs has died out, a debate has raged as to what, if any, other devices a similar levy should be added to. Should all digital music players come with a levy, and if so, what kind of levy, given people buy these much less frequently than they used to buy blank cassettes.
And what about PCs and mobile phones, both of which some people use to make back up copies of copyright material. And what happens if the licence attached to the original recording purchase allows a back up copy to be made, in the way most download stores allow users to transfer a track between devices?
So, lots to discuss. Different countries have dealt with this matter in different ways, and in many places one or more affected stakeholders, whether they be rights owners, artists or technology firms, are not happy with the outcomes. Vitorino’s job will be to consult all affected parties and make recommendations, hopefully by summer 2012.
Welcoming his appointment, IMPALA said yesterday: “We are very pleased that such a high profile person has been appointed which sends a strong signal as to the importance of the issue at stake. As has been re-iterated many times before, the right holders are very much open to discussion on this issue and regret the time that has been lost since the premature closure of the previous dialogue in early 2010. We are ready and willing to constructively contribute to the discussions in the new year”.
Of course moves are afoot to introduce a private copy right in the UK (though, admittedly, they have been for some time now). Two government reviews of copyright – Gowers in 2006 and Hargreaves earlier this year – proposed introducing a private copy right with no remuneration for rights owners. However, should the private copy right be made law, it is likely some in the music industry will push for some kind of remuneration system, possibly citing European precedent.
Elsewhere in IMPALA welcoming things news, the trade body also this week welcomed another European Commission announcement, that it was setting up a 210 million euros fund to guarantee bank loans to music companies and other creative enterprises. The fund, which will properly launch in 2014, will aim to persuade more banks to back creative start-ups, which many bankers see as being particularly risky businesses (incorrectly if a recent Demos report is to be believed).
IMPALA Executive Chair Helen Smith told CMU: “This is an excellent initiative to address the current market failure facing independent music companies in accessing finance. We encourage all member states to fully support the scheme, which now needs their agreement, as well as the approval of the European Parliament. We believe this instrument has the potential to transform the sector’s viability and leverage much-needed investment for medium, small and very small operators and artists”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Antònio Vitorino | European Commission | The Independent Music Companies Association (IMPALA)
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:26 | By CMU Editorial
Scottish music industry body announces five year plan
Business News Labels & Publishers Management & Funding
The Scottish Music Industry Association has announced a five year plan to “create a stronger, more united music industry in Scotland”. Among the initiatives planned are a series of Independent Label Market style events, a new training programme supported by the Music Managers’ Forum, and various projects to promote Scottish music, including managing Scotland’s presence at SxSW.
Confirming the new plan, SMIA Chair Tam Coyle told CMU: “The SMIA has enormous potential. We have an excellent board with an appetite to change Scotland’s music industry for the better; the events and initiatives currently being developed are enormously exciting and should help the SMIA to become a unifying, proactive advocate for Scotland’s music industry. By driving our membership recruitment, the SMIA can employ its financial resources into delivering initiatives for the industry, by the industry, without having to rely on external funding in the longer term”.
The SMIA is backed by the Scottish government funded Creative Scotland body, a rep from which – Caroline Parkinson – told us: “Creative Scotland works with networks across a range of arts and creative disciplines and we are delighted to begin working with SMIA and its newly developed plans for their work with the Scottish music industry”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Scottish Music Industry Association | SMIA | Tam Coyle
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:23 | By CMU Editorial
Julie’s Bicycle announces new associates from live sector
Business News Live Business
Julie’s Bicycle, the body which campaigns to make the music and wider cultural industries more environmentally friendly, has announced that four new companies from the live sector have become Associates, meaning they have made a specific commitment to make their operations more eco-friendly.
The companies making the commitment are live music giant AEG Live and one of its UK-based affiliates, Kilimanjaro Live, plus Birmingham-based venue operator the NEC Group and outdoor event producers Artichoke.
Confirming the new associates, Julie’s Bicycle Director Alison Tickell told CMU: “Week by week more companies are recognising that our creative capital is vested in environmental sustainability. Julie’s Bicycle is really pleased to be working with four new, very different and exciting companies committed to making environmental sustainability core to their business operations”.
READ MORE ABOUT: AEG | Artichoke | Julie's Bicycle | Kilimanjaro Live | NEC Group
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:18 | By CMU Editorial
FAC chief re-elected to PPL Performer Board
Business News Labels & Publishers
Recording rights collecting society PPL confirmed earlier this week that Mark Kelly had been re-elected to its Performer Board. The election took place at the organisation’s Annual Performer Meeting.
Kelly, of the band Marillion and also now CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition, told CMU: “I am delighted to be re-elected to the PPL Performer Board after a productive and enjoyable two years in office. I see PPL as a very well managed organisation that has made significant progress in recent years. I look forward to the prospect of serving the performer community for another two years and will endeavour to do my upmost to serve and represent all performers to the best of my ability”.
PPL top man Fran Nevrkla added: “Mark’s successful re-election is a testament to his hard work and dedication over the past two years. Mark offers a valuable insight into the performer community and we welcome his further input into ensuring that we continue to maximise the value of the rights entrusted to us by our performer members”.
Among the presentations given at the APM was one from PPL MD Peter Leathem who revealed that the rights body now has 50,000 performer members, a rise of 2500 since the organisation’s AGM in June.
READ MORE ABOUT: Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) | Mark Kelly | PPL
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:17 | By CMU Editorial
Future Publishing records losses
Media
Classic Rock and Metal Hammer publisher Future Publishing saw its profits plunge in the last financial year to a £19.3 million loss, compared to a £5.5 million profit the previous year.
We already knew things hadn’t been too rosy at Future of late, mainly because last month saw the sudden and surprise exit of both the company’s CEO and CFO more or less over night in a bid to save a million a year on the salaries budget, despite Chief Exec Stevie Spring enjoying a particularly high profile within the publishing industry.
The top two execs, who sat above Future’s UK and US divisions, were replaced by the existing bosses of the UK business, basically removing a whole layer of management.
It’s the US business that has caused the most problems. Mark Wood, now CEO of the whole Future company, admitted: “Future delivered disappointing results for the past year. While the UK business showed resilience in challenging conditions, the US operations tipped back into loss, pulling down the group’s overall final results”.
Future has enjoyed some success in the UK in the digital domain, both by creating digital products around existing print titles and with some online-only ventures, and there are hopes some of those digital projects can be launched Stateside to help fix that side of the company. A statement from the firm said: “We are migrating the US business to a predominantly digital model and have taken steps to de-risk remaining print properties”.
The publicly listed company’s share price fell sharply, partly because of the disappointing financials, partly because the Future board announced it would freeze dividend payouts to shareholders until 2013, seemingly as a condition of new loan agreements.
READ MORE ABOUT: Classic Rock | Future Publishing | Metal Hammer
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:14 | By CMU Editorial
Newspapers score record viewing figures for online
Media
Two very different deaths, those of Steve Jobs and Muammar Gaddafi, both helped the websites of British newspapers score record traffic in October, according to new figures from the Audit Bureau Of Circulation.
The Daily Mail, the biggest British newspaper website for over a year now, and a new contender to become the biggest English language newspaper site in the world (yeah, that’s makes you feel great, doesn’t it?), saw its monthly user base grow by nearly 17% compared to the previous set of web stats, to 78,994,874, with an estimated 4,563,492 daily users.
According to the latest audited stats, The Guardian has 3,275,624 daily users, also a record high, while the Telegraph enjoys 2,292,052 online readers daily, and The Mirror, while only having 710,695 daily browsers, did see the largest growth of its user base. The Independent, the only other national newspaper included in the web-based ABCs, saw its user base fall month on month but increase year on year, so it has an average of 611,488 browsers daily.
So that’s all good. Of course whether any of these titles is making any money out of their free to access websites is another matter, while slumping circulations on the more profitable print side of the business continue to hinder traditional revenue streams. Oh, what a lovely time to be a publisher.
READ MORE ABOUT: ABCs | Audit Bureau Of Circulation
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:12 | By CMU Editorial
Box TV appoints new commercial director
Media
Box TV, the JV between Bauer Media and Channel Four which operates seven music-based TV channels most of them following the jukebox video format, has appointed a new Commercial Director, in the form of Julie Wright, formerly of Paramount Pictures.
In her new role she will oversee the international sale of programmes and formats as well as ad sales, sponsorship and branded content, product placement and “cross-platform content distribution”.
Box TV MD Gidon Katz told reporters: “We are fortunate to have found an executive who shares the same passion for music, television and digital as we do at Box TV. We know that Julie’s expertise and relationships matched with our capabilities will take us to new heights”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Bauer Media | Box TV | Channel 4 | Julie Wright
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:08 | By CMU Editorial
Willoughby and Yates to host UK Voice
Media
Just in case you needed another reason not to watch the UK version of new telly talent contest ‘The Voice’ when it airs on BBC One next year, Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates have been confirmed as hosts. Well, I suppose there is a certain logic to that, the lack of talent among contestants will presumably be less apparent when parked alongside a duo of hosts with no apparent presenting talent either.
As previously reported, ‘The Voice’ is like all the other wannabe-popstar shows, except that judges only hear auditionees sing, so they can’t be influenced by appearance. I think initially contenders will sing from behind a screen, though when ratings flag in series two, don’t rule out judges being actually blinded on screen at the start of series three.
Jessie J is set to be one of those judges, and according to Contact Music both Kylie Minogue and Tom Jones are considering offers of roles on the show. Rumour had it producers were really struggling to find A or even B list artists willing to participate in the show, many presumably wondering whether – given the declining audience of ‘X-Factor’ – whether the BBC’s latest bought-in franchise really has the potential to revitalise a TV format long past its sell by date.
READ MORE ABOUT: Holly Willoughby | Reggie Yates | The Voice
Friday 25 November 2011, 11:05 | By Andy Malt
CMU Beef Of The Week #88: Perry Farrell v Brazil
And Finally Beef Of The Week
Jane’s Addiction frontman and founder of the Lollapalooza festival Perry Farrell found himself in hot water with the people of Brazil this week after he apparently suggested that they are “uneducated about music”.
Actually, I’m not sure he was quite as blunt as that in a recent interview with the country’s biggest newspaper, Folha de São Paolo. However, when explaining why he had not been involved in selected Brazilian bands for a South American edition of Lollapalooza in the country, he did say: “I’m learning about the Brazilians now, as you are now learning about international bands”. It’s not quite as bad as saying Brazilians are “uneducated”, but to suggest they don’t really know about artists outside Brazil is a bit, erm, uneducated.
Whatever, Brazil was unhappy. And that’s before we even mention that the website for the festival crashed when it went live on Tuesday and in the ensuing chaos hackers gained access to the personal information of people who had managed to buy tickets. Farrell, once again failing to ingratiate himself to the Brazilian people, claimed that this was because Brazil isn’t very good at running websites either.
However, he’s now seen the error of his ways, after looking through the thousands of angry messages posted on Twitter. He told Rolling Stone Brazil: “My wife [showed] me Twitter. I was going crazy. I said: ‘My God, Etty, they hate me! They are very angry with me. I messed up?’ And she told me that [even the websites of] major US companies, such as Target, [sometimes crash]”.
Add to this the announcement that Brazilian musician Labao was pulling out of the festival, due to take place in April, because he hadn’t been given the slot on the line-up below headliners Foo Fighters he says he was promised (which Farrell denies), and you’ve got one shaken up festival boss. “I’m sensitive, man”, he said. “[What with] this musician who doesn’t like me and all those [other] people [on Twitter] … this has all taken a few years off my life”.
I guess you could say it’s been an educational experience. Still, he’s over it now:
READ MORE ABOUT: Jane's Addiction | Lollapalooza | Perry Farrell | Rolling Stone Brazil
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:44 | By CMU Editorial
Playlist: Tony Colman, Hospital Records
CMU Playlists
London-based drum n bass label Hospital Records was launched by Tony Colman and Chris Goss in 1996, with the company’s initial releases coming from their own projects, Peter Nice Trio, Dwarf Electro and London Elektricity. Following the success of the latter’s debut album, ‘Pull The Plug’, in 1999, the label began to expand and sign other artists, including Landslide, Danny Byrd and High Contrast.
In 2002, Goss retired from the studio in order to concentrate full time on running the ever growing label, with Colman continuing London Elektricity as a solo project. As well as signing some of the best electronic producers on offer, the label also launched the first of its various popular compilation series, ‘Out Patients’ and ‘Plastic Surgery’, with a club night, Hospitality, following in 2005 and the company’s award winning podcast in 2007.
With a new compilation to mark the fifteenth anniversary of Hospital Records, featuring classic, extended and previously unreleased tracks from the label, out on Monday (28 Nov), we asked Colman to look back through the Hospital catalogue to select ten favourites for this week’s Powers Of Ten playlist.
Colman explains: “We’re celebrating fifteen years of Hospital Records this year so I’ve picked some of my highlights from throughout the last decade and a half; from club anthems to deep electronica on [experimental spin-off label] Med School, one-off releases to remixes, all these tracks in some way come together to form the sonic identity of Hospital Records”.
TONY COLMAN’S TEN
Click here to listen to Tony’s playlist in Spotify, and then read on to find out more about his choices.
01 Dagga – Laughing Gas
A proper one-off release on Hospital, this twelve-inch came out in 2002 and it’s been in my record box ever since. A perfect Bristolian roller, 170bpm funk at it’s finest. Dagga has stopped making music, he is now a plasterer. A real shame for music lovers but probably a boon if you live in Bristol and need an unsung dnb hero to do up your kitchen!
02 B Complex – Beautiful Lies
Matus B Complex makes unique tunes inspired by the folk music of his homeland Slovakia. He not only came good with ‘Beautiful Lies’, a track nestled in the bosom of volume one of our ‘Sick Music’ compilation series, this track has over the last three years become our most downloaded tune on Hospital.
03 Unquote – Hide Your Tears Because We Are In Heaven
Unquote is part of a growing body of artists from St Petersburg who make achingly beautiful EDM, loosely classifiable as dnb or dubstep. Unquote’s music to me is like modern church music, cathedral like in texture and sound. His album is titled ‘Reverberation Box’ and that describes the cavernous sound of his music perfectly.
04 London Elektricity – Just One Second (Apex Remix)
Apex remixed what was essentially a dnb indie pop track from my album ‘Syncopated City’ and turned it into a Hospitality anthem. I very rarely enjoy having my own music remixed but Rob Apex broke the mould with this, and the simplicity of his production belies a perfect listening/dancefloor sensibility.
05 Seba & Paradox feat Robert Manos – Move On
This is blissed out sublime vocal dnb at it’s best. Released as a one off single around 2004, this is the best tune you could ever end a set with. If a massage followed by a long bath followed by a night of passion with Valerie could be turned into music, this would be the tune.
06 Logistics – Together
One of the two biggest club tunes ever released on Hospital, this is one of those very rare tracks where every single element is perfect, and the sum of the parts results in a mesmerising and almost spooky experience when you listen to it. Uplifting and melancholic and, crucially, I’ve never met anyone who has ever tired of this tune.
07 High Contrast feat Dianne Charlemagne – If We Ever
The other of our two biggest club tunes! A timeless slice of intelligent jungle with parts that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle of an Escher painting… if that makes sense! Lincoln Barrett claims he made it in a couple of hours but we don’t believe him.
08 Mistabishi – No Matter What
I am a big fan of Mistabishi. ‘No Matter What’ is like raving with the wrong drugs – it should lead to a personal meltdown but somehow it doesn’t, it takes you to a totally different and very good place instead. Bishi is always original and despite the sad fact that we had to part ways with him, I suggest you check out his new album ‘The Trip’ out on his own label.
09 LAOS – Panda Style
I have always loved novelty records and this is as close as you will come one in dnb. We released it on a limited edition white seven-inch which is now selling for £40 and upwards. The tune will put a smile on your face and make you jiggle. It’s my five year old’s favourite dnb tune, and it’s one of this 50 year old’s too!
10 Danny Byrd – Weird Science
I can’t get this out of my head even now, some four years since the release. A perfect example of vocal cut ups over an uplifting funky dnb rhythm track. Danny is the master of fun and funky dnb and all his tunes have arrangements so subtle and complex they’d make Quincy Jones proud.
READ MORE ABOUT: Hospital Records | Tony Colman
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:43 | By Andy Malt
Approved: Cappo – Gusto Grizwold mixtape
CMU Approved
A long time favourite of CMU, Nottingham-based rapper Cappo this week released a new mixtape, entitled ‘Gusto Grizwold: International Vacation’. Designed as a precursor to his new album proper, the follow-up to 2010’s ‘Genghis’ due out next year, this collection sees him rapping over music sampled from a variety of genres, spanning choice cuts from the last four decades.
The man himself explains: “For the past year I have been developing my flows and lyricism and expanding my music horizons, this tape marks my metamorphosis from ‘Iron Condor’ to ‘Isotope Flow Glider'”.
I’m not 100% sure what that means – I struggle to keep up with Cappo’s numerous pseudonyms at the best of times – but as he suggests, his musical references remain diverse and innovative, and he’s developed his skills as a lyricist. And, as ever, his skill at delivering those lines remains impeccable.
Released on his newly founded Under The Cap label, the mixtape is available via Bandcamp from www.gustogrizwold.com and you can stream a track from it, ‘Fitted & Snapback’, here.
READ MORE ABOUT: Cappo
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:42 | By CMU Editorial
Record Of The Day awards presented
Awards Business News Marketing & PR Media Top Stories
So the great and the good of music journalism and music PR amassed in Shoreditch last night for their annual pre-Christmas back slapping fest, aka The Record Of The Day Awards, with Huw Stephens doing a particularly fine job at being heard above the throng of hacks and publicists, who were as rowdy as ever.
The very fine people of 4AD and Purple PR both took home two prizes each, while on the media side The Guardian also got two awards, including the customary Best Record Reviewer trophy for Alexis Petridis.
Meanwhile student journalist Adam Bychawski from the University Of York was presented with the CMU supported Best Student Music Writer Award, while The 405 and Popjustice’s Peter Robinson were revealed to have been the most popular publication and writer respectively in CMU’s annual survey of student journalists and influential campus-based music fans. So well done to all of them too.
And for fans of complete winner lists, here’s the complete winner list:
Best Student Music Writer: Adam Bychawski, University of York.
Student Choice – Best Publication: The 405
Student Choice – Best Writer: Peter Robinson, Popjustice
Business Writer: Eamonn Forde
Live Reviews Writer: Simon Price, Independent
Record Reviews Writer: Alexis Petridis, The Guardian
Most Effective Breaking Music Writer: Mat Wilkinson, NME Radar
Editor Of The Year: Mark Ellen, The Word
Magazine Of The Year: Clash
Most Effective Music Coverage In A Newspaper: The Guardian (Film & Music)
Digital Publication Of The Year: The Quietus
Best Blog: Abeano
Innovation: Jude Rogers/Ian Wade for the My Band T-Shirt Blog
Best PR Campaign For A Breakthrough Act: Ed Sheeran (Taponeswa Mavunga, Atlantic Records)
Best PR Campaign For An Established Act: Bjork (Purple PR)
Best PR Campaign For A Reissue: Nirvana – Nevermind (Dawbell / Division / Bad Moon)
Most Effective PR Campaign For A Festival: Bestival (Get Involved)
Corporate Communications Person Of The Year: Adam Webb, UK Music
Best In House PR Person: Annette Lee, 4AD
Best In House Online PR: Tasha Anderson, PIAS
Best In House PR Department: 4AD
Best Independent PR Individual: Matt Learmouth, Alchemy
Best Online PR Company: Anorak
Best Independent PR Company: Purple PR
Outstanding Contribution To Music Journalism: Nick Kent
Outstanding Contribution To Music PR: Murray Chalmers
Outstanding Contribution To Music Photography: Gered Mankowitz
READ MORE ABOUT: Record Of The Day
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:39 | By CMU Editorial
Murray prosecutors push for maximum sentence
Jacksons v AEG Timeline Legal
Prosecutors in the Conrad Murray case have asked Judge Michael Pastor to sentence the doctor found guilty of causing Michael Jackson’s death to the maximum jail time allowable for the crime of involuntary manslaughter, which in California is four years. They also want the court to order the doc to pay restitution to Jackson’s three children, something that could run into millions of dollars.
According to Reuters, in legal papers submitted ahead of next week’s sentencing, prosecution lawyers say: “Instead of utilising his medical knowledge and training to provide Mr Jackson with proper medical care, the defendant acted as an employee and as a drug dealer and completely corrupted the trust necessary in a proper doctor-patient relationship”.
The prosecutors’ submission to Pastor also claims Murray has shown no remorse for his crime, while also criticising the defendant – who chose not to testify during his trial – for giving an interview as part of that previously reported TV documentary, aired shortly after his conviction, in which he insisted he wasn’t responsible for Michael Jackson’s death. These are all added reasons, the prosecutors say, why Pastor should not show any leniency when sentencing Murray next week.
A separate submission from Murray’s legal team urges the judge to consider their client’s “background and character”, and his history of treating poor patients even though they couldn’t afford to pay for his services. They add that Murray has been a “changed and grief stricken” man ever since Jackson’s death, and that he is therefore already serving “a lifetime sentence of self-punishment”. They want Pastor to sentence Murray to probation not prison time.
It seems likely that Murray will face at least some time in jail, in addition to the few weeks already served since his conviction, though as previously reported, California’s prisons are so full at the moment there is a very high chance that, even if Pastor gave the full jail term, in reality the medic could be out of prison and on house arrest sometime next year.
Possibly more problematic for Murray will be the expected revoking of his medical licenses, and any financial penalties. The prosecution say Jackson’s three children are entitled to restitution from Dr Murray for the financial loss they have suffered due to their father’s demise, which includes lost wages, profits and funeral expenses. The prosecution note that Jackson was due to earn $100 million from the ‘This Is It’ residency in London alone. With Joe Jackson also suing the doctor through the civil courts for damages, Murray could be ordered to pay out sums of money far more than he will ever be able to afford as a result of his conviction for criminal negligence.
Sentencing will take place next week.
READ MORE ABOUT: Conrad Murray | Michael Jackson | Michael Pastor
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:36 | By CMU Editorial
Sugarland sued over Indiana State Fair stage collapse
Legal
Country duo Sugarland have been named as defendants in a lawsuit in the US relating to the stage collapse tragedy that occurred at the Indiana State Fair back in August.
As previously reported, freak 60mph gusts of wind blew over the State Fair’s site just before the country act were due to perform in the event’s main arena, bringing stage rigging crashing to the ground on top of waiting audience members. In total, seven people died and over 40 were injured.
It’s not the first legal claim in relation to the incident, chilling footage of which appeared on YouTube.
According to USA Today, over 90 people made claims against the State of Indiana, whose liability under State law is limited to $5 million in total. A handful of other legal claims have been against various other parties linked to the fair and the Sugarland performance, though the new lawsuit represents 48 parties and specifically targets the band and others associated with their show.
The lawsuit notes that Sugarland’s contract with the State Fair’s organisers, negotiated by the Creative Artists Agency, specifically gave them the power to cancel their performance if there were weather concerns, and therefore the band and their associates are being held liable for failing to do so. One of the attorneys involved in the litigation, Mario Massillamany, told reporters: “Unfortunately, this tragedy could have been prevented if the responsible parties had been concerned about the concertgoers that night”.
At the time of the incident it was reported that Sugarland’s tour manager had requested a delay to the start of the band’s set to assess the impact of the then incoming storm, and that decision may have saved lives, as the ramifications may have been even worse had the band been performing at the time of the stage collapse. Sugarland’s reps are yet to respond to the new lawsuit.
READ MORE ABOUT: Indiana State Fair | Sugarland
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:34 | By CMU Editorial
George Michael diagnosed with pneumonia
Artist News
George Michael has postponed his upcoming shows in Cardiff after being diagnosed with pneumonia. The singer already postponed performances in Strasbourg and Vienna earlier this week, as well as a show at London’s Royal Albert Hall last month.
A statement reads: “With great regret, George Michael has been forced to postpone his 26 and 27 Nov shows in Cardiff, Wales, due to his ongoing illness. George was recently forced to postpone tour dates in Vienna and Strasbourg under doctor’s orders after being diagnosed with pneumonia. He is currently receiving treatment”.
The Albert Hall show will now take place on 2 May. Details of the other rescheduled shows will be announced in due course.
READ MORE ABOUT: George Michael
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:32 | By CMU Editorial
Folk Award noms out
Awards
The noms are out for the 2012 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, which will take place in Salford next February, the first time they’ve been staged outside of London town. Coming up, the shortlists, but first a very quick quote from Radio 2 Head Of Music Jeff Smith: “Folk is an important component of the network’s specialist music offering, and Radio 2 is looking forward to welcoming hundreds of our listeners to the thirteenth Radio 2 Folk Awards”.
Folk Singer Of The Year: Jon Boden, Jackie Oates, Emily Smith, June Tabor
Best Duo: Tim Edey & Brendan Power, Jonny Kearney & Lucy Farrell, Spiers & Boden, Marry Waterson & Oliver Knight
Best Group: Bellowhead, The Home Service, June Tabor & Oysterband, The Unthanks
Best Album: Last – The Unthanks, Purpose & Grace – Martin Simpson, Ragged Kingdom – June Tabor & Oysterband, Saturnine – Jackie Oates
Best Original Song: The Herring Girl – Bella Hardy, Last – Adrian Mcnally (Performed By The Unthanks), On Morecambe Bay – Kevin Littlewood (Performed By Christy Moore), The Reckoning – Steve Tilston
Best Traditional Track: Bonny Bunch Of Roses – June Tabor & Oysterband, Lakes Of Ponchartrain – Martin Simpson, Maids When You’re Young – Lucy Ward, Sweet Lover Of Mine – Emily Smith
Horizon Award: Megan Henwood, Lady Maisery, Pilgrims’ Way, Lucy Ward
Musician Of The Year: Andy Cutting, Tim Edey, Will Pound, Martin Simpson
Best Live Act: Bellowhead, The Home Service, Peatbog Faeries, The Unthanks
BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award: Sunjay Brayne, Blair Dunlop, Ioscaid, Graham Mackenzie
READ MORE ABOUT: BBC | BBC Radio 2 | Radio 2 Folk Awards
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:28 | By CMU Editorial
Chris Vrenna quits Marilyn Manson
Artist News
One time Nine Inch Nails drummer Chris Vrenna has announced his departure from Marilyn Manson, having performed with the band in various guises since 2004.
In a statement, Vrenna said: “I’m incredibly proud of the work I did with Manson and look forward to the release of [forthcoming Marilyn Manson album] ‘Born Villain’. I wish my brothers well, but with the recording largely completed, I felt it was time to return to other facets of my career, which involves production work, film scoring, and future musical collaborations”.
‘Born Villain’ is due for release via Cooking Vinyl in February.
READ MORE ABOUT: Chris Vrenna | Marilyn Manson
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:25 | By CMU Editorial
Azealia Banks working with Paul Epworth
Artist News
Rising US rapper Azealia Banks has revealed that she will be moving to London next month to begin work on her debut album with producer Paul Epworth, who is probably best known for his work with Florence And The Machine and Adele. She also claims to be “very close” to signing a deal with a major label, and I see no reason why she would lie about that.
Banks told Pitchfork: “I’m not really scared of major labels. I just want to work where I’m allowed to make mistakes and do my own thing rather than getting into a situation where someone else has their own agenda of what they want me to be”.
Here’s Azealia just being herself on her internet hit ‘212’:
READ MORE ABOUT: Azealia Banks | Paul Epworth
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:22 | By CMU Editorial
Nicki Minaj names new album
Releases
Hip-pop lady Nicki Minaj has confirmed rumours that she’s been working on a sequel to her debut album, ‘Pink Friday’. ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’, as she’s gone and called it, will be released on Valentine’s Day of next year. The Roman mentioned in the title is Nicki’s gay male alter ego Roman Zolanski, who first spoke up – sounding virtually identical to Minaj – on her ‘Pink Friday’ Eminem duet ‘Roman’s Revenge’.
Nicki hinted at Roman’s association with the LP a few weeks ago, posting an official blog entry that was later deleted. Make of it what you will: “Roman will be in rare form this time. You know why? Cuz he no longer gives a fuck. He realised that his core matters the most. Everyone else will figure it the fuck out. He can no longer be censored. That’s not Lewinsky on a$$. It’s Roman”.
Roman this, Roman that. Here’s hoping he’s less disappointing than Lady Gaga’s rubbish alter ego, Joe Calderone.
READ MORE ABOUT: Nicki Minaj
Thursday 24 November 2011, 11:20 | By CMU Editorial
Gruff Rhys to release alternative Christmas EP
Releases
Gruff Rhys has announced details of his forthcoming Christmas EP, ‘Atheist Xmas’. Presenting an alternative spin on the festive season, it’s made up of three songs; ‘Post Apocalypse Christmas’, ‘At The End Of The Line’ and ‘Slashed Wrists This Christmas’. You can listen to that last one here.
Gruff will mark the release on 18 Dec with in-store performances at Cardiff’s Spillers Records at midday, Bristol-based Rise at 3pm, and London’s Rough Trade East at 8pm.
READ MORE ABOUT: Gruff Rhys
