Tuesday 28 February 2012, 11:30 | By

Hodgy Beats releases free mixtape

Releases

Hodgy Beats

Rapper Hodgy Beats, perhaps best known for being in Odd Future sub-sect Mellowhype, has released a free nine-track EP – a track count which sounds more like an LP to me, but whatever, the tracklisting is below. Bearing the title ‘Untitled’, the L-EP is available for download here, or to stream below.

Traklisting:

Bullshittin
Cookie Coma
Lately
Samurai
In A Dream
Ave
Lamented
If Heaven Is A Ghetto
Higashi Loves You

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Tuesday 28 February 2012, 11:24 | By

Julia Holter streams LP

Releases

Julia Holter

Avant alert! Acclaimed alt-pop singer songwriter Julia Holter’s new album ‘Ekstasis’ is now previewing on US site NPR.

It’s all free, which is very good value indeed. Not least because CMU approved track ‘Goddess Eyes’ features in two alternative guises, thus proving one can never have too much of a good thing.

But all this free listening can’t and shouldn’t discourage you from buying the LP upon its proper release on 8 Mar, so do be aware this is all just temporary and will pass.

So. Here’s ‘Ekstasis’.

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Tuesday 28 February 2012, 11:21 | By

Guns N Roses to tour

Gigs & Festivals

Guns N Roses

Guns N Roses will mark the year of their induction into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame with an aptly ambitious arena outing, perhaps (though, almost definitely not) featuring the band’s ‘classic’ line-up. Set to be GNR’s first stab at playing to UK crowds since 2010’s Reading And Leeds debacle, Axl Rose and a tbc supporting cast will appear across the following UK dates:

19 May: Nottingham Arena
20 May: Liverpool, Echo Arena
23 May: Newcastle, Metro
25 May: Glasgow, SECC
26 May: Birmingham, LG Arena
29 May: Manchester Arena
31 May: London, O2 Arena

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Tuesday 28 February 2012, 11:15 | By

Over 90 more bands added to Great Escape bill

Artist News Gigs & Festivals

The Great Escape

The second festival announcement for this year’s Great Escape was made this morning, with Maximo Park added to the Dome show line up, and Mystery Jets, Rolo Tomassi and Foxes among the stack of talent added to the core festival line-up. It’s also been announced that selected Great Escape shows will this year be opened up to the fourteen to eighteen age group, responding to popular demand.

The Great Escape, of course, is Europe’s leading festival for new music, taking place in Brighton each May, with hundreds of new bands playing across the city, plus the UK’s premiere music business convention, which is programmed by CMU. On the convention side, a series of panels on the role of music radio in 2012, including an in conversation with Xfm’s new music champion John Kennedy, have already been confirmed, and a second convention announcement is also due later this week.

On the festival side, Maximo Park join the Africa Express Sound System in the Dome show programme, taking place in the Brighton Dome (a £7 top up ticket guarantees access to these shows), while among the 90 bands added to the rest of the bill are Mystery Jets, Booka Shade, Alabama Shakes, Natty, Lianne La Havas, Ema, Forest Swords, Madeon, Errors, Willy Mason, Foy Vance, Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves Of Destiny, Micachu & The Shapes, Maxxi Soundsystem, We Have Band, Loney Dear, Tanlines, New Look, Koreless, Jordan Cook Aka Reignwolf, Jackson Firebird, Massmatiks and Martha Paton.

Early bird tickets are now on sale for both the festival and the convention. The £120 early bird delegates pass gets you access to whole convention and priority access to festival venues, subject to capacity. Buy them now! Click here.

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Tuesday 28 February 2012, 11:13 | By

Festival line-up update – 28 Feb 2012

Artist News Festival Line-Up Update Gigs & Festivals

V Festival

AWAKENINGS FESTIVAL, Spaarnwoude, The Netherlands, 30 Jul: Running for eleven hours and across nine stages, this techno-centric Dutch rave-a-thon will feature such leading beatsmiths as Jeff Mills, Dave Clarke, John Digweed, Adam Beyer, Chris Liebing, Speedy J, Marcel Fengler, Len Faki and Marcel Dettmann, and Ben Klock. www.awakeningsfestival.nl

BUSHSTOCK, various venues, Shepherds Bush, London, 2 Jun: A single wristband grants access to a multitude of W12-based happenings at London label Communion’s newly expanded Bushstock, which, with further bookings still to be announced, is slated to host Dan Croll, Lanterns On The Lake, Marcus Forster, Pale Seas, Rae Morris, Raghu Dixit and Sarah Jarosz. www.bushstock.co.uk

ICELAND AIRWAVES, various venues, Reykjavik, 31 Oct – 4 Nov: Organisers have handpicked an initial batch of Airwaves acts to entice early interest, confirming Friends, Django Django, Exitmusic, Daughter, Prins Póló, Úlfur Úlfur and The Vintage Caravan, with many more international names to be unveiled in due course. www.icelandairwaves.is

LIVE AT LEEDS, various venues, Leeds, 4-7 May: The Enemy, Dog Is Dead, Ghostpoet and Lianne La Havas form the latest assortment of acts added to Live At Leeds’ 2012 line-up, as also features Example, Wretch 32, Marina And The Diamonds, Los Campesinos!, Ladyhawke, Friends, AlunaGeorge, Charli XCX and SCUM. www.liveatleeds.com

LIVE FROM JODRELL BANK, Cheshire, 23-24 Jun: Elbow headline night one, while Paul Weller will top the bill on day two, at this countryside fest on the site of the rather marvellous Jodrell Bank space gazing centre in Cheshire. Alongside all the music there’ll be plenty of scientific goings on too. www.livefromjodrellbank.com

RADIO 1’S HACKNEY WEEKEND, Hackney Marshes, London, 23-24 Jun: Sean Paul, Tinchy Stryder, Flo Rida, Devlin and Azealia Banks head up a host of hip-hop types just added to Radio 1’s free-for-all fest, lucky ticket winners to which can also take in live sets from Will.i.am, David Guetta, Jack White, The Maccabees, Lana Del Rey, Tinie Tempah, Plan B and Florence And The Machine. www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/hackneyweekend/2012/

ROCK WERCHTER, Rotselaar, Belgium, 28 Jun – 1 Jul: Jack White, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Ed Sheeran, Kreayshawn, M83, Azealia Banks and Chase & Status are amongst the latest supplement to this year’s Rock Werchter roster, which thus far also stars Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Florence And The Machine, Justice, The Cure, Elbow, Kasabian, Mumford & Sons and Anna Calvi. www.rockwerchter.be

V FESTIVAL, Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex/Weston Park, Staffordshire, 18-19 Aug: Taking place, as is tradition, at dual sites with identical bills, the festival’s seventeenth edition is to be headlined by The Killers and The Stone Roses, no less. Elsewhere on the bill, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Snow Patrol, Nicki Minaj, Tinie Tempah, Ed Sheeran, Pixie Lott, Example, Rizzle Kicks, James Morrison, Frank Ocean, Emeli Sande and Olly Murs make for a selection sure to delight any V devotee. www.vfestival.com

WAY OUT WEST, Gothenburg, Sweden, 9-11 Aug: Fresh roster meat Wilco, Factory Floor and Mazzy Star join an existing bill featuring the previously booked likes of Blur, Bon Iver, Azealia Banks, The Black Keys and Florence And The Machine. www.wayoutwest.se

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Tuesday 28 February 2012, 11:09 | By

Davenport Lyons appoints two new people

Business News Industry People Legal

Davenport Lyons

Media and entertainment law firm Davenport Lyons has announced the recruitment of Philip Somarakis, most recently with Blake Lapthorn, and Jonathan Monjack, a founder of Engel Monjack Solicitors, who will take on the roles of Partner and Consultant respectively.

Somarakis has a background in licensing for the bar and live entertainment sector (as well as being something of an expert on motoring offences, apparently), while Monjack specialises in media law and has worked with companies across the media and music industries, and directly for numerous artists, producers and industry execs.

Davenport Lyons Partner Michael Hatchwell told reporters: “We are delighted that we continue to attract high calibre lawyers to the firm. Philip and Jonathan are both well-regarded in their respective fields of practice. Philip’s appointment extends our extensive [high net worth] client offering to cover motoring offences and we are also delighted to be further strengthening our licensing team, a traditional practice area of the firm which is important to our clients in the hotel, restaurant and club sector. Jonathan is extremely well connected in the media industry one of our traditional areas of strength and we look forward to sharing the synergies that result from our relationship”.

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Tuesday 28 February 2012, 11:07 | By

Uncut revamps

Media

Uncut

IPC Media will relaunch its Uncut title today, with a new design and various new editorial features, including the republishing of old interviews from IPC’s music archives, including classic features from the NME and long defunct music weekly Melody Maker. A revamped reviews section will also extend the coverage of catalogue reissues and such like.

Commenting on the use of the IPC archives, Uncut Editor Allan Jones told reporters: “For years this [content] has been fairly dormant. There have been one or two attempts to make use of it, like the Ultimate Music Guides, but it is coming up with the idea and context for the material. There is stuff in the archive which is just amazing”.

On the revamped reviews section, he continued: “If there is one thing we know about our readers, it is [that] they love reviews and they love reading about music. It seemed an opportune moment [to redesign the reviews section] because there are so many lavish box sets coming out these days with so many extras, it can get a bit mind-boggling”.

Uncut, like all newsstand music magazines, has seen its circulation decline in recent years. The revamp would suggest a stepped up focus on an older demographic who, presumably, are more prone to splash out on a print magazine once a month.

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Tuesday 28 February 2012, 11:02 | By

Dappy disses Murs

And Finally

Dappy

I don’t think we needed Dappy to confirm that Olly Murs’ performance at last week’s BRITS was a bit of a shocker, but he has.

Says the former N-dubber: “Bloomin hell. Olly Murs needs to learn how to sing, boy. He came off ‘The X Factor’ so he should be able to sing and yet that was a horrific performance. You can’t do things like that”.

If Murs wants to return the critique, he can find Dappy’s version of ‘We Will Rock You’, performed on Radio 1 to promote his solo single collaboration with Brian May, right here:

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Monday 27 February 2012, 13:17 | By

Five Day Forecast – w/c 27 Feb 2012

CMU Planner

Andy Malt

Did you all celebrate the end of Russian pancake week, Maslenitsa, yesterday? I did, if slightly by accident. There was a big bash in Trafalgar Square with music, a live video link up with Moscow and lots of people speaking in Russian. I looked at a lot of Russian dolls, including a Beatles set which had a total of four figures inside the main one, leading to the utterance of this sentence: “But who’s inside Ringo?” A fine addition to any Sunday. Anyway, this all means it’s spring now, so happy spring to you. Let’s celebrate by looking at the week ahead.

01: Great Escape announcements. There will be not one but two Great Escape related announcements this week. Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to tell you anything about either of them. This is good for point one on my list, isn’t it? An announcement of an announcement. Or two announcements, rather, There will be two of them. I can’t stress that enough. Two. Not one. Two. So look out for those here in your CMU Daily.

02: NME Awards. The NME Awards will take place at Brixton Academy this Wednesday. There will be performances by Kasabian, The Vaccines, Florence And The Machine, The Maccabees, The Horrors, and this year’s Godlike Genius Noel Gallagher, while Jack Whitehall will host. Bloody hell. If you can’t make it down there on the night, highlights of the ceremony will be shown on Channel 4 at 11.55pm on Saturday.

03: IMPALA European Independent Album Of The Year Award. Blimey, that’s a bit of a mouthful, isn’t it? Well, anyway, this Wednesday as the NME Awards get underway, IMPALA will announce the best album released by a European artist last year. Now in its second year, nominees for this year’s award include Adele, M83, Sigur Rós, SBTRK Little Dragon, Ane Brun, Iceage, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Modeselektor, and Rubik.

04: New releases. Out this week are new albums from High Contrast, School Of Seven Bells, Bad Weather California, A Whisper In The Noise, plus Olafur Arnalds‘ score for Sam Levinson-directed movie ‘Another Happy Day’, and a new compilation from RAMP Recordings unearthing early singles by the likes of James Blake, SBTRKT and Zomby from the catalogue of its short-lived Brainmath imprint. And if you’re looking for something shorter, you could pick up the new single from Marshall Teller Records owners Colours.

05: Gigs. There’s a lot of touring action this week, though first let’s get a few one-off shows at Shepherds Bush Empire out of the way. St Vincent will be playing there tonight, while Gotye will headline on Wednesday, and My Life Story will mark the fifteenth anniversary of their ‘The Golden Mile’ album on Saturday. Amongst those out on the road this week are Florence And The Machine, Sleigh Bells, Laura Marling, Soko, The Cribs, The Milk, Prinzhorn Dance School, Killing Joke and Icarus Line, Jack Beats and Benga.

Andy Malt
Editor, CMU

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Monday 27 February 2012, 13:16 | By

Approved: New Build

CMU Approved

New Build

New Build are a London-based collaborative project centred on Al Doyle, Felix Martin and Tom Hopkins, whose forthcoming debut album ‘Yesterday Was Lived And Lost’ betrays distinct echoes of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem, something which is hardly surprising considering the trio’s connections to said groups.

Though the material is as you’d expect sonically, it’s still richly rewarding, with tracks ranging from sharp DFA-friendly new wave anthems (with subtle nods to Eno-era Talking Heads on the likes of ‘Medication’ and ‘Misery Loves Company’) to dreamy New Order style synth-pop. The trio also deal in sleek dance-pop whose latent euphoria amid the house and techno stylings belies a lyrical bleakness that is a common theme throughout their songs.

Released on Lanark Recordings on 5 Mar, you can sample four tracks from ‘Yesterday Was Lived And Lost’ on SoundCloud now.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 13:11 | By

More industry comment following ticket resale exposé

Business News Live Business Top Stories

CPA

The fallout from last week’s Channel 4 exposé of the secondary ticketing market, and the use of it by some key tour promoters to sell their own tickets at hiked up prices, continues, with anger about the practice still simmering online, though many of those promoters and artists directly accused by the ‘Dispatches’ documentary are staying quiet on the issue.

The focus remains on the Concert Promoters Association, which last week defended the actions of some of its members – ie the ones who put tickets for their own in-demand concerts directly onto the resale sites so to share in the mark-up – by arguing such activities became inevitable after the government refused to act against the boom in ticket touting that took place last decade, enabled by the net and ticket resale sites like Viagogo, Seatwave and Get Me In, not to mention eBay.

On Friday eFestivals challenged CPA Chairman Stuart Littlewood further on the issue, who again said that if uncontrolled online touting was allowed it was inevitable tour promoters would take part, while adding that he was of the view that, for those gigs where large numbers of tickets were resold via the secondary ticketing sites, everyone involved in those tours would have been in the loop, including artists and their management.

While it’s not known whether that is true with regard to all the artists featured in ‘Dispatches’, it’s no secret that some managers have also participated in the resale of tickets for shows by the acts they represent. Nevertheless, last week some agents – the middle men between promoters and artists – denied knowledge of the extent to which some live music firms were touting their own tickets.

eFestivals also took issue with Littlewood over the secrecy that shrouds the resale of tickets by parties directly linked to a tour, arguing that such secrecy breaches the CPA’s own rules on transparency and ethical trading. The website says Littlewood conceded that might be so, adding that the issue would be raised at the association’s next meeting, though he confirmed that there were currently no plans for the CPA to take any action against any of its members.

eFestivals has also spoken to T In The Park promoter Geoff Ellis who, while not himself featured in the ‘Dispatches’ exposé, said he too blamed the government’s inaction on the touting problem for the number of official tickets now being sold by promoters at a mark up via the secondary sites.

Recalling the efforts he and other promoters went to in a bid to persuade government to act a few years back, Ellis added: “We said at the time, if you don’t legislate then the music industry will go into the secondary market. Not because it wants to, but because it has got no choice. That’s not to say it’ll be embraced, but people will do it, because if you’ve got an artist that you’re working with and their fans are buying tickets off a secondary market, if those don’t come from the primary source, ie the promoter, then the artist doesn’t get any of that money, and it all goes to a ticket tout. Plus none of the VAT gets paid on it, and none of the PRS gets paid on it, and none of the money goes back into the industry”.

The tax and PRS issue is perhaps the most interesting element to this whole exposé.

The ‘Dispatches’ programme also claimed some of the secondary ticketing services bought up large quantities of tickets to shows where they didn’t have a relationship with relevant promoters, but then pretended to be an individual reseller when selling those tickets on. It’s not clear what that tax situation is around that sort of practice.

It’s also not clear whether those promoters who resell their own tickets via secondary sites are paying any share of the mark up to PRS For Music, as a royalty to the owners of the songs that are performed at their events. The live royalty PRS collects is a percentage of ticket revenues, and if – as they claim – promoters who sell their own tickets via Viagogo et al view the secondary sites as ‘premium-primary sales platforms’, then arguably 3% of any mark up should go to the songwriter or publisher via their collecting society. This may indeed be already happening though, given the secrecy that surrounds this whole practice, as yet it’s unclear what’s being paid to whom. One assumes the publishing sector will be looking for clarity on this issue this week.

You can read eFestivals’ interviews with Geoff Ellis and Stuart Littlewood here.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 13:05 | By

Murray denied bail

Jacksons v AEG Timeline Legal

Conrad Murray

No real surprise here, but Conrad Murray, the doctor convicted of involuntary manslaughter for causing Michael Jackson’s death through negligence, has been refused bail.

As previously reported, Murray had asked the Californian courts to be let out of jail while he prepares his appeal against both his conviction and sentence. The former doctor suggested he could live under house arrest while awaiting his appeal hearing, which could take a year to come to court. But prosecutors urged the courts to enforce Murray’s full four year jail sentence, adding that they feared the medic would flee California if given the chance.

And on Friday Judge Michael Pastor, who has seemed hostile to Murray throughout, partly because of the doctor’s seeming lack of remorse for his involvement in Jackson’s demise, agreed with the prosecution, turning down the bail application.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 13:02 | By

FBT court papers suggest Universal may owe $4 million in unpaid digital royalties

Business News Digital Royalties Timeline Labels & Publishers Legal

Eminem

Figures prepared by reps for Eminem collaborators FBT Productions as part of their legal squabble with Universal Music suggests that the production outfit could be due in excess of $3.8 million in extra digital revenues from just 2005 to 2009 thanks to their victory in court over a long running royalties dispute.

As previously reported, FBT have a stake in the early Eminem recordings, and sued Universal’s Interscope over the way digital royalties are paid out. It’s common for artists to earn a higher royalty on licensing revenue than record sales, so labels treat download revenue as the latter, but some artists reckon it should be classified as money stemming from a licensing deal. When heritage artists sued on this issue a few years back the courts sided with the labels, but in this case FBT won.

The US courts will review the case in April to decide what extra money the FBT guys are now due, and last week the Hollywood Reporter published some of the figures submitted to court by the production company’s lawyers, focusing on US revenue from 2005 to 2009. It seems FBT will claim they are due an extra $3.8 million for this period alone, meaning their overall claim for extra royalties could top $5 million.

While as an isolated case that won’t break the bank (and the major will almost certainly dispute FBT’s figures and argue for a lower pay out), this story will be much more significant if the precedent set in this legal dispute regards treating download sales as licensing revenue can be applied to other pre-internet record contracts. As previously reported, the major’s lawyers say not, but an assortment of American artists are now suing, between them, Universal, Warner and EMI to put the principle set out in FBT v Interscope to the test.

Meanwhile, back to the figures revealed by the Hollywood Reporter last week, and some have noted that it looks like Universal might have set its costs incurred in fighting this lawsuit – $2 million – against the royalties it pays FBT. The money for legal costs are apparently listed as ‘legal hold’ on FBT’s royalty statement from the major.

It’s not 100% certain exactly what that sum is really for, and even if it is for fighting this lawsuit the major may well be contractually entitled to recoup its legal costs in this way, though many in the artist community will be simultaneously amused and disgusted if it turns out a major record company really can charge legal fees back to any act who chooses to sue it.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:55 | By

US to try to revoke Mega chief’s bail

Digital Legal MegaUpload Timeline

Kim Schmitz

MegaUpload founder Kim ‘Dotcom’ Schmitz is due back in court in Auckland tomorrow as the US authorities try to appeal the previously reported decision to bail the Mega man.

As previously reported, Schmitz was one of four former Mega execs arrested in New Zealand at the request of the American authorities last month – they are accused of copyright infringement, money laundering and racketeering for their involvement in the Mega companies. All four men have now been bailed pending an extradition hearing – unlikely to take place before August – but the US is trying to revoke the bailing of Schmitz.

Dotcom’s bail application was initially denied because prosecutors said he was a flight risk, adding that he might have access to hidden funds that could be used to flee to his home country Germany where it would be much harder to extradite him. But last week the Auckland courts decided there was no evidence Schmitz had any monies other than those already seized by the American authorities. The Mega chief is now on bail, though tagged and banned from accessing the internet.

But the US will tomorrow try to have that decision overturned by again arguing Schmitz should stay in jail until he can be extradited to America. It remains to be seen if the lawyers have any new reasons why the judge should concur.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:50 | By

Bieber’s lawyers not happy with Joustin Beaver game

Legal

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber is not impressed by Joustin Beaver it seems. Joustin Beaver is the animated star of a smartphone game, and the Biebster’s people reckon the character is trying to rip off his name and identity.

According to TMZ, the maker of the app game, RC3, has received a cease and desist from the pop teen’s people, and a demand they declare to Bieber’s reps any revenues made from sales of the 99 cents game so far. But RC3 seems determined to continue selling the game, which it says is a parody and therefore protected under American law.

As you might remember, in the UK, where parody protection is not so strong, Lady Gaga managed to stop the Moshi Monster social network from releasing songs from its character Lady Goo Goo, though as far as we’re aware both the Goo Goo and another Justin inspired Beaver – Dustbin Beaver – still live within the Moshi universe, unhindered by tedious intellectual property lawyers.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:47 | By

Bee Gee Gibb returns to hospital

Artist News

Robin Gibb

Bee Gees star Robin Gibb spent another three days in hospital last week, though his people insist the hospital stay was routine.

As previously reported, Gibb confirmed he was suffering from liver cancer late last year after much speculation about his ill health. But he told reporters earlier this month that his treatment, including chemo, had resulted in a “spectacular” recovery. He told the Mail: “There have been many false claims around, which I’d like to dispel. I am not and have never been ‘at death’s door'”.

Reporters noted Gibb’s return to hospital last week, but a spokesman told The Sun the three day stay at a London clinic was a routine part of his “treatment and rehabilitation”.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:45 | By

Online Music Awards accepting nominations

Awards

Online Music Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the Online Music Awards, which will be presented for the second year this October. Unsigned and independently released artists are eligible, and there are categories for best urban, rock, pop, dance and international act, and best music video. Anyone can nominate, with the OMA team then picking shortlists for each category in early summer, before throwing it out to a public vote online.

Meanwhile, organisers of the awards have announced War Child as their official charity. OMA Founder Chris Mitchell told CMU: “We are thrilled to announce War Child as our charity partner. War Child is an extremely good cause that helps children whose lives have been turned upside down by war, I’m extremely proud to be in a position to help them spread their positive message and hope we can help them raise some much-needed money”.

More info and nominate at www.onlinemusicawards.org

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:41 | By

Atomic Kitten not reforming for Eurovision

Artist News

Atomic Kitten

Atomic Kitten will not be reforming for a new TV documentary and then a stint representing the UK at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Well, they’re definitely not doing the Eurovision thing, unless all three members of the former girl group are big fat liars. Rumours that the Kitten were planning on copying Steps in reforming via a fly-on-the-wall TV documentary started circulating earlier this month, while the Daily Star reported that the reformation would peak with a Eurovision performance yesterday.

But all three members of the classic Kitten line up took to Twitter this weekend to deny the Eurovision chatter. Liz McClarnon told her followers on the micro-blogging platform “we know nothing about Eurovision”, while Natasha Hamilton joked that she “thought maybe my memo got lost in the post!”

Of course behind the scenes talks about an Atomic Kitten TV show might have caused the Eurovision rumours, though when Broadcast cited sources commenting on a documentary about the pop trio earlier this month they admitted all discussions about pop-reunion-based projects were at a very early stage.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:35 | By

Lil Wayne signs Limp Bizkit

Business News Deals Labels & Publishers

Limp Bizkit

The president of Universal subsidiary Cash Money Records, one Lil Wayne, revealed last week that he had brokered a record deal with nu metal troupe Limp Bizkit.

Rapper Wayne, whose penchant for all things rock-related is well documented in this Spin article appears to have signed Fred Durst et al to Cash Money’s hip hop and R&B dominated roster as part of an initiative to embrace alternative genres. Or, as he more succinctly phrased it, to “sign everybody”.

Phoning in to late night soul show ‘Kissing After Dark’, Weezy told radio host Lenny Green: “As far as Cash Money, we’re always listening and looking at acts so, it’s like every other day I hear about somebody new just signed to Cash Money. The other day I signed Limp Bizkit to Cash Money so, they’re signing everybody”. He even hinted that the label was in talks to recruit R&B singer Ashanti, who hasn’t released an album proper since 2008.

As for Fred Durst’s thoughts on his band’s new label deal, they ran thus: “The game is missing danger, electricity, and rock n roll! Cash Money Limp Bizkit”.

The Bizkit, of course, released their ‘comeback’ album ‘Gold Cobra’ last year, it achieving reasonable commercial success and charting at number sixteen in the US Billboard 200. No word from Wayne as to when the group will make their Cash Money debut, but Fred Durst is sure to tweet something silly about it any day now.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:32 | By

Barlow and Lloyd Webber to pen song for Queen’s jubilee

Artist News

Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber are going to write a song together especially for the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee. Lucky Queen – imagine that, the genius minds of Barlow and Lloyd Webber combined for one magnificent majestic musical tribute. I bet even Liz is regretting having a Diamond Jubilee now.

Barlow plans to tour the Commonwealth for inspiration, which sounds like a real challenge. He’ll be followed by BBC cameras on the jolly, which makes me suspect that licence fee payers might be covering the cost of this little holiday for the Take That-er.

You’d think Barlow himself could pay, given all the extra cash his promoters made by secretly selling half his group’s tour tickets on the secondary market at hiked up prices. Perhaps Barlow’s signed up to this world tour project to get away from all those angry ripped off British fans. Though, of course, I’m sure none of the Take That boys sanctioned their fans being ripped off. No, that could never happen.

Anyway, this new Barlow Lloyd Webber song – “the biggest challenge I’ve ever taken on musically” says Gary, “it’s a huge honour” adds Andy – will be premiered at that special Jubilee Concert Barlow is staging outside Buck House on 4 Jun. Which is yet another reason to find an excuse to be out of the country that weekend.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:29 | By

Spiritualized single

Releases

Spiritualized

Having set back the release of their new long player ‘Sweet Heart Sweet Light’ to 16 Apr, space-rock specialists Spiritualized have managed to polarise public opinion with the premiere of a brand new track, and a preview of their brand new album artwork.

The former, which is entitled ‘Hey Jane’, is very good, while the latter… well, isn’t. It’s so bad, in fact, that it can best be described as resembling an American-style street sign for morons. Still, I’m sure we’ll get used to it. We all love Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Humbug’ LP cover now, don’t we? Quite.

Here’s ‘Hey Jane’, anyway:

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:23 | By

Domino to release ‘flexi-disc zine’ for Record Store Day

Releases

Smugglers WayAs if Record Store Day wasn’t sufficiently special as it is, Domino Records have only gone and compiled a ‘flexi-disc zine’ – titled ‘Smugglers’ Way’ and set for release on 21 Apr – to mark the occasion.

The music aspect features five unreleased tracks, so that’s one each from Domino signings Dirty Projectors, Real Estate, Cass McCombs, Villagers and John Maus. These will be arranged across five vari-coloured flexi-discs. There’s a 24-page zine, too, with contributions from the likes of Laura Marling, The Kills’ Alison Mosshart, Owen Pallett and Andrea Estella of Twin Sister.

As we ponder the wondrous forms those contributions could take, here’s Real Estate’s piece of flex-disc heaven. It’s ‘In My Car’:

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:17 | By

Cherry Red recruiting more footy songs

Releases

Cherry Red Records

Having put together a special compilation of football themed songs for the 2010 World Cup, Cherry Red Records is planning a similar project for this year’s Euro 2012 championship.

And to that end the company is calling on any band, singer songwriter, poet or rapper with an England football team supporting song to share to send them in for consideration. The deadline for sending MP3s is 31 Mar, with the best being picked for a compilation to be released on 4 Jun, just before Euro 2012 kicks off in Poland on 8 Jun.

Interested artists should send their footy tracks to songs@cherryred.co.uk

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:07 | By

Tom Jones and Jack White single to be sold nationwide

Releases

Tom Jones

Tom Jones and Jack White’s single ‘Evil’ will be sold in independent record shops nationwide, rather than in just one store in Cardiff as someone might have told you.

The standard black seven-inch will be released in indie stores across the UK on 5 Mar, followed by chain and digital stores on 19 Mar. There will be (as with all Third Man Records singles) a limited run of 150 three-colour seven-inch records, 100 of which will be available exclusively through Spillers Records in Cardiff on 3 Mar. However, the Welsh shop does not have exclusive rights to all physical copies of release. Sorry if you bought a train ticket to Cardiff.

You can listen to ‘Evil’ here:

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:06 | By

Black Sabbath set to play reunion show in US too

Gigs & Festivals

Black Sabbath

While the planned Black Sabbath reunion tour has been rebranded as an Ozzy Osbourne solo outing, Sharon Osbourne has told VH1 Radio that one US show as Black Sabbath will still happen.

As previously reported, the reunited Black Sabbath have scaled back their live plans while guitarist Tommy Iommi receives treatment for cancer. The band will still play their headline set at the Download Festival, though, and are continuing work on a new album.

And, according to Ozzy’s manager/wife Sharon: “They’re gonna be doing one show in America this summer but I can’t say yet [where and when it is] because we can’t announce it, the promoters have to. But they are doing one show in August”.

Of course none of this is as yet involving the band’s original drummer Bill Ward, who is still embroiled in a contract dispute with the band’s management. If he does sign up, the new album will be the first featuring the original Black Sabbath line up since 1978. Though, again according to Sharon, the rest of the band have already sketched out fifteen new songs without him.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 12:02 | By

Shabazz Palaces tour

Gigs & Festivals

Shabazz Palaces

Outre US rap outfit Shabazz Palaces, whose debut album ‘Black Up’ was lauded so much upon its release last year, have announced details of a forthcoming live stint for no particular reason. Beginning in style at Brighton’s The Great Escape on 10 May, the tour will then progress as listed:

11 May: Bristol, Start The Bus
16 May: Manchester, Islington Mill
17 May: London, XOYO
18 May: Dublin, Twisted Pepper
19 May: Cork, Pavilion
20 May: Glasgow, Arches
21 May: Leeds, Brudenell
22 May: Sheffield, Harley

View the video to match ‘Black Up’ component ‘Are You… Can You… Were You?’ below.

And just in case, the LP is still available to stream in its entirety here.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 11:59 | By

Here We Go Magic conjure live dates

Gigs & Festivals

Here We Go Magic

Art-pop quintet Here We Go Magic, whose previously featured new album ‘A Different Ship’ is due to dock on 7 May, are to play a trio of shows just prior to the release.

Tour dates:

4 May: Brighton, Green Door Store
5 May: London, The Sebright Arms
6 May: Manchester, Deaf Institute

If you haven’t yet done so, take advantage of a free download of album track ‘Make Up Your Mind’ here.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 11:55 | By

Festival line-up update – 27 Feb 2012

Artist News Festival Line-Up Update Gigs & Festivals

Camp Bestival

CAMP BESTIVAL, Lulworth Castle, Dorset, 26-29 Jul: With ‘Step On’ songsmiths Happy Mondays just announced as closing Sunday headliners, new additions to a crowded Camp Bestival bill also include Mr Scruff, Dodgy, Redlight, Little Roy and 2 Bears. Amongst those confirmed in previous line-up memos are the likes of Kool & The Gang, Chic feat Nile Rodgers, Earth Wind & Fire Experience, Jimmy Cliff, Rizzle Kicks, Rolf Harris, Little Dragon and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. www.campbestival.net

FARMFESTIVAL, Bruton, in Somerset, 27-28 Jul: Staged on an organic farm amidst Somerset’s agricultural heartland, this 4000-capacity DIY music happening will see in its seventh year with Submotion Orchestra and Man Like Me, the first of many names yet to be unveiled. www.farmfestival.co.uk

HIGH DEFINITION FESTIVAL, Forest Farm, Essex, 30 Jun: Word of DJ set by drum n bass types Pendulum, plus live showings from Ms Dynamite, Sub Focus, Mistajam and Fabio, makes for a strong start to High Def’s 2012 revelations, with more acts playing across five stages still to be named. www.hdfest.co.uk

ISLE OF WIGHT, Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle Of Wight, 22-24 Jun: Just unveiled Isle Of Wight bookings Primal Scream are set to reign over a roster also featuring fellow headliners Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, not to mention such supporting acts Elbow, Biffy Clyro, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Example, Kelis, Miles Kane, Enter Shikari, Ash, Crystal Castles and Tinie Tempah. www.isleofwightfestival.com

RHYTHM FESTIVALS, Mansion House, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade: Recent add-ons Booker T Jones, King Mob, Boomtown Rats, Captain Sensible and The Magic Tombolinos serve to supplement a hearty Rhythm roster, as also houses Show Of Hands, David Knopfler, The Travelling Band, Lau, Scott Matthews, Peatbog Faeries, Wishing Well and Strawbs. www.rhythmfestival.com

WIRELESS FESTIVAL, Hyde Park, London, 6-8 Jul: Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky, Cher Lloyd and Tulisa are fresh introductions to Wireless’ triple threat of a weekend bill, as is topped by the performing presence of Rihanna and Drake, plus a thus far tba third headliner. Example, Jessie J, Wiz Khalifa, Professor Green, Calvin Harris, Rizzle Kicks and US rapper J Cole are also set to grace the London-based, Barclaycard-backed bash. www.wirelessfestival.co.uk

WOMAD, Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, 27-29 Jul: Organisers place Led Zep legend Robert Plant, who’ll make his live debut with new band Sensational Space Shifters, atop this year’s worldly WOMAD programme. Buena Vista Social Club, Peatbog Faeries, Dizraeli And the Small Gods, LoJo, Raghu Dixit, Spiro and the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra will also play across the eclectic arts fest’s 30th anniversary edition. www.womad.co.uk

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Monday 27 February 2012, 11:50 | By

Imagem appoints new MD for UK pop catalogue

Business News Industry People Labels & Publishers

Imagem

Imagem has announced the appointment of a new UK MD for its pop music division in the form of Kim Frankiewicz, who joins the independent music publishing firm from Universal.

She will report to Imagem’s UK CEO, John Minch, who told CMU: “We now have a great senior management team at Imagem. Kim is a proven leader with a wealth of experience in music publishing and an international track record second to none. She will bring energy and insight to her new role and her appointment is a real coup for us”.

Frankiewicz herself added: “I am genuinely honoured to have been given this opportunity to work with the team at Imagem. In just four years, they have built a vibrant and dynamic company that is the template for modern music publishing. My main priorities will be to maintain an environment in which new talent can make great music alongside our existing roster of world class songwriters, and to look for new ways to create exciting new creative and commercial opportunities for everyone we represent”.

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Monday 27 February 2012, 11:47 | By

British Music Abroad announces SxSW acts

Business News Education & Events

British Music Abroad

British Music Abroad has announced the acts it will be supporting at South By Southwest this year, which include D/R/U/G/S, Fiction and Django Django.

A joint venture between the PRS For Music Foundation, UK Trade & Investment, Arts Council England and British Underground, British Music Abroad has been providing financial assistance to UK acts invited to play at SxSW since 2006.

Confirming this year’s supported acts, Laura Whitticase, who runs British Music Abroad at the PRS For Music Foundation, told CMU: “With the changing shape of the music industry, it’s important for artists to have access to alternative support networks which help them to develop as professionals on the international stage. We’re proud to be working with our British Music Abroad partners to provide this much needed resource and I look forward to seeing all of the acts we’ve funded showcase their talent at SxSW”.

The full list of artists supported this year are: Bear’s Den, D/R/U/G/S, Django Django, Dutch Uncles, Fiction, Future of the Left, Ghosting Season, Hatcham Social, Kindness, Kwes, Quantic & Alice Russell featuring The Combo Barbaro, Skindred, Slow Club, Spectrals, Spycatcher, The Defiled, Treetop Flyers and Vondelpark.

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