Friday 24 January 2014, 12:06 | By Chris Cooke

Last.fm pulls in YouTube videos for new player

Business News Digital

One of the original “yeah, but I don’t get how you’re EVER going to make any money” online music services Last.fm is in the process of overhauling its music player in a move that could well make the user-experience more compelling, though is almost certainly more about saving money.

Basically the CBS-owned site’s music player is changing so that rather than playing tracks off its own platform it pulls in videos from YouTube. It means that the Last.fm personalised radio service now comes with video, and that you can navigate YouTube’s music libraries via Last.fm’s personalised playlists.

Still in beta, it’s not entirely clear if and how YouTube’s pre-roll advertising will play; whether the Last.fm technology overcomes some of the sound-level wobbles that occur when you use YouTube as a music player; what the move means for catalogue size, given the Google-owned video sites is less comprehensive when it comes to album tracks; and whether Last.fm can pull in Vevo content (without which catalogue gaps would be more significant).

But it could all work – and actually would be kind of cool if extended the other way, so that those who have allowed Last.fm to monitor their music listening for the last decade could let the platform organise their YouTube listening.

Presumably for CBS the move is more about saving money though. The streaming music element of Last.fm – the bit of the venture that seemed to have the most potential to become a viable business in its own right, and which was a significant player in the early-doors streaming music market in a handful of countries, for a time – has been greatly downsized in recent years. With Last.fm still losing owners CBS money, the move could be seen as a last ditch attempt to capitalise on the set-up’s enviable data pile while allowing other parties to worry about content licensing costs.

Slightly ironically, the most recent incarnation of Last.fm’s own music player, with it’s arty slide shows utilising artwork attached to tracks, is rather like what we expect YouTube’s own in-development audio streaming service to look like when it goes live later this year.

Newsbeat editor removed from post for ‘bullying’

Business News Industry People Media

The BBC has moved the editor of Radio 1’s ‘Newsbeat’, one Rod McKenzie, from his position following an inquiry into alleged ‘bullying’. McKenzie denies the claims made against him, which centre on accusations that he’d shown favouritism towards a small group of employees, and shouted at others.

Whilst said accusations span the past 20 years, they were most recently included in the BBC-commissioned Dinah Rose QC’s ‘Respect At Work Review’. Set up in May 2013 in the wake of the Savile-gate scandal, it was designed to look into instances of inappropriate behaviour within the corporation. The National Union Of Journalists later made a formal complaint about McKenzie, citing the Dinah Rose Review, on behalf of over 20 employees.

Having reportedly received a final written warning, McKenzie has been reassigned to an unconfirmed alternative post at the Beeb, leaving Newsbeat’s one-time deputy Kevin Silvetton to serve as acting editor of the programme.

The Independent quotes a source close to McKenzie as saying: “He strongly rejects these claims and maintains that his behaviour is entirely in keeping with a pressurised news environment”, adding that McKenzie is pleased to note the “most lurid” claims have been dismissed and that, whilst he didn’t have favourites, is said to have argued that “a favourite is a high achiever by another name”.

Global Radio to extend Academy initiative to full education programme

Business News Education & Events Media

Global Radio yesterday announced that it is planning to expand its work placement and internship programme the Global Academy to create its own education initiative in partnership with the University Of Arts London. The second gen Global Academy will be a ‘university technical college’ in London providing vocational training for 14-18 year olds equipping them for a career in digital broadcasting.

Announcing the new scheme, that will launch in September 2015, Global boss Ashley Tabor told CMU: “Since founding Global, I’ve been struck by the shortage of young people coming into the industry with the right practical skills or broad enough skills. As emerging technologies continue to change the way we do business, that skills gap will only get bigger”.

He went on: “With this new Global Academy, we want to lead the way in developing and nurturing talent and securing jobs for young people from all backgrounds. We will bring talented young people, some of whom wouldn’t otherwise get the chance to gain these skills, into the exciting digital broadcasting industry and help ensure the industry continues to thrive while simultaneously equipping these students with the real skills they need to succeed in today’s industry”.

Sir Elton John to guest edit Clash mag

Business News Media

In one of the most natural fits for a star/print-publication pairing since @rustyrockets and the New Statesman, Sir Elton John is to serve as the first ever guest editor-in-chief of Clash Magazine, taking over its February edition.

Beginning with an Editor’s Letter, Sir Elton will go on to give his thoughts on new music, and the industry behind it. The issue’s cover story will be a behind-the-scenes history of John’s ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ LP, which turns 40 this year, including quotes and input from its surviving writers and contributors.

The mag will also feature a six-page photo spread of some of John’s seldom-seen costumes, and a discussion with his long-time designer Annie Reavey. The issue will hit shelves on 6 Feb.

Century Media co-founder Oliver Withöft dies

Business News Industry People

Co-founder of independent metal label Century Media, Oliver Withöft, died on Monday following several months of illness, it was announced yesterday. He was 49. In a statement, the label said: “On 20 Jan 2014, the Century Media family lost a creative genius, a visionary, a founder, an inspiring mentor and boss, parent and family member. We miss you”.

Co-founder Robert Kampf added: “I have lost my best friend of 32 years and my business partner of 24. Although the unthinkable already happened three days ago, I am still in a state of utter shock. Oliver Withöft leaves a space that cannot be filled for all who held him dear. He was a tremendous father, husband, son and friend and will be terribly missed. I will always treasure him in my heart as the witty, brilliant and altogether great person he was”.

Pitbull and J-Lo lock down World Cup song

Artist News Releases

Sing-rapping pop cue ball Pitbull is to move on from singing about pushing girls over in clubs with Ke$ha, to singing about togetherness (and kicking a ball all over a grass pitch) with Jennifer Lopez. Because, yes, he really is that versatile.

Long-time collaborators J-Lo and Bull will join in on the official song for 2014’s FIFA World Cup, which for any non-football-fans is taking place this year in his native Brazil. It’s titled ‘We Are One’, and will also have vocals on it by Claudia Leitte, popstar and coach on ‘The Voice Brasil’.

This is a photo showing the facts in black, white and blue.

So It Goes: Ratking confirm first LP

Artist News Releases

NYC rap nihilsts Ratking (warning: don’t Google ‘Ratking’ by itself) have confirmed their first LP – first on XL’s Hot Charity imprint, and first, period – the resignedly-titled ‘So It Goes’. Release post-Fools’ Day on 7 Apr, it’ll feature King Krule, viral hit-girl Wavy Spice, and Paris-born vocalist/MC Salomon Faye.

All that’s evidenced in this tracklisting (and no, the asterisk isn’t a misprint):

*
Canal
Snow Beach
So Sick Stories (feat King Krule)
Remove Ya
Eat
So It Goes
Puerto Rican Judo (feat Wavy Spice)
Protein
Bug Fights
Take (feat Salomon Faye)

And this is preview single ‘Canal’:

Gigs & Tours round-up: Kurt Vile, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Shonen Knife, Cults and Tycho

Artist News Gigs & Festivals Gigs & Tours Round-Up

Rounding up the latest gig news…

America’s Kurt Vile – minus his band The Violators – is headed back to Britain in the spring, playing solo live dates at St James Piccadilly in London on 12 Apr, and Brighton’s All Saint’s Church on 13 Apr. Forming part of a larger European tour, the shows support Vile’s new EP, ‘It’s A Big World Out There (And I’m Scared)’, and less new 2013 LP, ‘Wakin On A Pretty Daze’. Details and tickets here.

Making her second trip over to the UK from Japan this April is Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. The pop oddity will be bringing her day-glo stage show to the Shepherd’s Bush Empire on 29 Apr, playing songs from her two Yasutaka Nakata-produced albums (he being one of our Artists Of The Year for 2013, you’ll remember). Tickets for that went on sale this morning and are available here.

Keeping it Japanese, Osaka’s first ladies of rock Shonen Knife are to gratify their many fans in May, playing a long, long line of shows starting at Manchester’s Ruby Lounge (30 Apr) and Dingwalls in London (18 May). The band’s ‘Overdrive’ trip will coincide with the release of their new TBA LP, on Damnably Records. Skim over the list of dates at this link.

Pop sophomores Cults are off on tour, too, in March, rallying for a fourteen stop run of Europe which pulls in at London’s Electrowerkz (its only UK stop-off) on 17 Mar. Designed to switch crowds on to the sounds of the duo’s second LP ‘Static’, out now on Columbia, the tour is copied here in its entirety, complete with ticket links.

The kind-of-solo vision of Scott Hansen, ethereal psych type(s) Tycho (which is now a trio, technically) will signpost the 17 Mar release of his/their latest LP, ‘Awake’, by playing a show at London’s Oval Space. Placed at the top of a five-date circle of the continent, its details, and links to find a way in to the show, are available here.

And this is Tycho’s new track ‘Montana’:

Festival line-up update: Dour, Awakenings, Foalk By The Oak and more

Artist News Festival Line-Up Update Gigs & Festivals

Today’s tray of a la carte festival treats feature line-up updates via massive Amsterdam dance weekender Awakenings, big new additions to Belgium’s alt choc box Dour, rumblings at rustic day Folk By The Oak, and many (well, three) more events besides…

AWAKENINGS, Spaarnwoude, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 28-29 Jun: Adam Beyer, Adam Beyer & Joseph Capriati, Alan Fitzpatrick, Anton Pieëte & Kabale And Liebe, Awanto 3, Bart Skils & 2000 And One, Ben Klock, Ben Klock & Marcel Dettmann, Ben Sims, DVS1, Blawan, Sigha, Breach, Candy Cox, Carl Cox, Clouds, Daniela Haverbeck, Dave Clarke, De Sluwe Vos, Dispar Vulgo, DJ Rush, Dominik Eulberg & Gabriel Ananda, Dubfire & Paco Osuna, Egbert, Egbert&Secret Cinema, Extrawelt, Fatima Hajji, Fernanda Martins & DJ Lukas, Finnebassen, Gaiser, Gary Beck & Jonas Kopp, Gesaffelstein, Giorgio Gigli, Gregor Tresher, Gui Boratto, Guy Gerber, Harvey Mckay, Henrik Schwarz, Hot Since 82, Huxley, Ici Sans Merci, Ida Engberg, Jeff Mills, John Digweed, Jon Rundell, Joop Junior, Joran Van Pol, Joris Voorn, Joseph Capriati, Karotte, Klaudia Gawlas, Laura Jones, Len Faki, Luciano, Luigi Madonna, Maceo Plex, Manu Kenton, Marcel Dettmann, Marcel Fengler, Marco Carola, Max Cooper, Maya Jane Coles, Midland, Nic Fanciulli, Nina Kraviz, Noir, NT89, Oliver Schories, Pan-Pot, Pangaea & Pariah, Paul Ritch, Perc&Truss, PET Duo, Pfirter, Recondite, ROD, Sam Paganini, Schwarzmann (Henrik Schwarz & Ame), Secret Cinema, Seth Troxler, Skream, Speedy J, Spiros Kaloumenos, Sven Väth, Tale of Us, The Advent & Industrialyzer, Tim Wolff & Paul Boex, Zeitgeber. www.awakeningsfestival.nl

DOUR, Plaine De La Machine A Feu, Dour, Belgium, 17-20 Jul: Baauer, Mr Oizo, 65daysofstatic, Goldie, Connan Mockasin, Noisia, Shantel & Bucovina Club Orkestar, Steel Pulse, The Underachievers, Kölsch live, Claptone, Daniel Avery, DJ Rashad & DJ Spinn, Klingande, High Tone, Intergalactic Lovers, Onra, Shigeto. www.dourfestival.be

FOLK BY THE OAK, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, 20 Jul: Seth Lakeman, Kathryn Tickell & The Side, The Elizabethan Session, Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker, March Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr, Jim Moray, Bella Hardy, John Smith, Hannah James, Rachel Newton, Emily Askew. www.folkbytheoak.com

LEMONFEST, Newton Abbot Racecourse, 31 May: Gentleman’s Dub Club, The Other Tribe, Mad Dog Mcrea, Will And The People, Owen Penrice, Moriaty. www.lemonfest.co.uk

SWINGAMAJIG, Boxxed, Digbeth, Birmingham, 4 May: Molotov Jukebox, Electric Swing Circus, The Destroyers, Renegade Brass Band, The Fresh Dixie Project, Smokey Joe and The Kid, Sam Green & The Midnight Heist, The Jenova Collective, Little Violet, The After Hours Quintet, Lunatrix, Mr Tea And The Minions, Holy Moly & the Crackers, Temple Funk Collective, Playing Django, The Collective 43, and The Swingamajig House Band, A Skillz, Bobby Friction, and Cat In The Hat, plus Jamie Berry, Costa Le Gitan, DJ Wolfie Razzmatazz, DJ Chris Tofu, DJ/VJ Nick Hollywood, Big Swing Sound System feat HypeMan Sage, Jamko, Madame Electrifie, DJR, and Myko Du Mal. swingamajig.co.uk

WATCHET LIVE, Parsonage Farm, West Somerset, 22-24 Aug: Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Toploader, The Ohmz, Abdoujaparov, NUMB, Joywride, Leatherat, The Sweetchunks Band, The Ten Pound Suit Band, The True Deceivers, New Groove Formation, One Eyed God, Thinker, Abi Ewles, Darren Hodge, Jess McAllister, Stevie – One Bloke One Mandolin. www.watchetfestival.co.uk

Mick Jagger not writing autobiography

And Finally Artist News

If you were hoping for a Mick Jagger autobiography, like the one bandmate Keith Richards penned a couple of years back, then you’re out of luck. Though if you have an internet connection, he’ll point you in the direction of the information you require.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Jagger said: “I think the rock n roll memoir is a glutted market. I’d rather be doing something new. I’d rather be making new films, making new music, be touring. If someone wants to know what I did in 1965, they can look it up on Wikipedia without even spending any money”.

Or you can stay right here, because I’ve already checked it out. Here’s everything Jagger did in 1965:

• Turned 21
• Played a concert at Georgia Southern College
• Played 34 shows for about 100,000 people in Australia and New Zealand
• Had a number one album in the UK and US
• Had two number one singles in the UK and US

I can’t see how Mick Jagger could bring much more insight to all that.

CMU Beef Of The Week #191: Justin Bieber v God

And Finally Artist News Beef Of The Week Legal

So, while we were all praying for egg assassin Justin Bieber yesterday, he was out (allegedly) drinking, taking drugs and drag racing. The three Ds. As a result, the police arrested him, something he seemed rather pleased about. Look at his cheeky little face in this mugshot.

Anyway, in the early hours of Thursday morning, police spotted two Lamborghinis speeding down a road near Miami Beach, apparently racing each other. When stopped by police, he asked, “Why did you stop me?” Then, when asked to get out of the car, “Why the fuck are you doing this?” A police report notes that officers “immediately smelled an odour of alcohol emanating from the driver’s breath and bloodshot eyes”. And you know someone is really drunk when there’s a smell emanating from their eyes.

Coaxed out, Bieber was made to stand with his hands on his car while he was searched. Insisting that he “ain’t got not fucking weapons” and that no search was necessary, he was told that if he took his hands off the car before the search was complete, he would be arrested. See if you can guess what happened next.

If you guessed that he took his hands off the car and turned around, you win the chance to look at that mugshot again. Well done. Bonus points if you also thought he might have resisted arrest a little too.

He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs, plus resisting arrest and driving with an expired licence, before being released on $2500 bail, paid for by his manager Scooter Braun. The driver of the other car, singer Khalil, was also arrested and charged with DUI.

Braun later tweeted a message to Bieber, saying: “[I] love you and I will act in the manner of someone who truly cares. That is all I have to say. Thanks for all those concerned”.

All of which just goes to show that none of us were praying hard enough, even after the singer’s mother asked us so nicely. Well, either that or the idea that praying could affect any sort of change at all is utter nonsense. If only the Lord would give us a sign so we know whether to bother or not.

While we wait for that, we can bring you the news that there have already been devastating consequences from Bieber’s latest run in with the law. Previously a hub of pro-Bieber activity (possibly), it seems that Gloucestershire is now turning against him. Upon learning the news of the pop tyke’s arrest, The Gloucestershire Echo hit the streets to quiz Beliebers on their views, and it wasn’t good news for Justin. One sixteen year old said: “I’m ashamed to say I’m a fan of Justin now. To think he might have done something so dangerous does make me question whether I still want to listen to his music”.

Rock and roll, eh? I just wonder what Anne Frank would make of all this.

Justin Bieber Miami DUI police report

And Finally

Below is the police report on Justin Bieber’s arrest for DUI in Miami. Read more about this story here.

Justin Bieber Miami DUI mugshot

And Finally

Below is the police mugshot from Justin Bieber’s arrest for DUI in Miami. Read more about this story here.

Approved: Girl Band

CMU Approved

Since 2012, Dublin four-piece Girl Band have put out a small but consistently good collection of singles and EPs. First to catch my attention was a cover of techno producer Blawan’s ‘Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage?’, eight minutes of grinding guitar beneath a deadpan take on the track’s original vocals.

Their latest original material sees them build on the foundations laid by that cover, keeping the overdriven sound of their earlier work but moving further away from traditional rock song structures.

Just back from the Eurosonic Noorderslag festival in the Netherlands, they’ve played two UK gigs this week, the second of which is at The Old Blue Last in London tonight. After that there are four dates lined up in Ireland – details here.

And now, let’s have a listen to the lead track from that new single, ‘Lawman’:

Universal Music Publishing confirms direct deal with Pandora for BMI-repped songs

Business News Deals Digital Labels & Publishers Top Stories

The shift away from collective licensing in the digital domain stepped forward again yesterday as Universal Music’s publishing business in America announced it had entered into a direct licensing agreement with Pandora.

The US-based streaming service has previously licensed all the rights for its American platform via the collective licensing system. In the US the record companies are forced to license Pandora type services through the SoundExchange collective licensing programme. And the music publishers too, although not explicitly forced to do so by copyright law, initially licensed such services through their collecting societies, ASCAP and BMI, the music publishing sector at large initially adopting a collective licensing approach to most digital services.

But in the last couple of years some of the big publishers have started to withdraw from the collective licensing system in the digital domain, mainly because they reckon that they can negotiate more favourable deals directly, because any arrangement negotiated by a collecting society is subject to extra regulation, and usually, ultimately, a copyright court can step in to set rates. Some digital service providers prefer direct dealing too, and one of Pandora’s most recent new competitors, Apple’s iTunes Radio, did just that.

In the States, the publishers’ move away for the collectively licensing of digital has posed two questions. Can the rights owners withdraw their catalogues from existing deals Pandora has with ASCAP and BMI? And can the publishers opt to withdraw just digital rights from their collecting societies?

Those questions have been tackled twice in court as both ASCAP and BMI have tried to alter the catalogues made available to Pandora through their respective deals with the streaming service. In the ASCAP case, the judge ruled that, because of the wording of the society’s deal with Pandora, the group and its right holder members were obliged to continue licensing their full catalogue to the streaming firm for the duration of the current licence period (even though Pandora had already negotiated some contingency direct deals).

But in the BMI case, the judge ruled that its publisher members could withdraw from the society’s Pandora licence with pretty much immediate effect. Though there was a complication because of the big bad second question, can the publishers just withdraw their digital rights from BMI, but continue to use the society for licensing radio, the live sector and other public performances of their songs? The court hearing the BMI case seems to be of the opinion that no they can’t.

With so much consolidation in the radio industry in the last decade, it’s not unfeasible to suggest that the big publishers could start to do direct deals in that domain too. Indeed on the record industry side, some US radio groups have done direct deals with the record companies (though those arrangements are really about digital services, because the labels aren’t actually due a performing royalty from terrestrial radio services under American law). But it seems unlikely that any music publisher would want to get into direct deal licensing in the live or pub/club/shop side of public performance.

Either way, it’s all a bit of a mess at the moment, leaving the BMI-represented catalogues of some big publishers sort of in limbo – can Pandora use them or not under its BMI licence? It seems certain that no publisher is going to accuse Pandora of infringement for continuing to use their songs in the short term, but nevertheless, the digital firm is busy negotiating direct deals. Even if you sense it sees such deals as a short-term fix, while the publishers consider them a brave new era in online song licensing.

Anyway, Universal has done such a deal, and the boss of the mega-major’s publishing business Zach Horowitz told reporters yesterday: “Our deal with Pandora is another step toward reaching our goal of ensuring that there is a vibrant digital marketplace where both music services and the songwriters and composers who make those services possible can thrive. This arrangement will allow music fans to enjoy our music on Pandora while protecting our songwriters and composers”.

Though a Pandora spokesman told Billboard: “[The recent rulings] created uncertainty within the music industry and threatened to negatively impact songwriters and performers by having their music removed from the largest US internet radio service. With only days to act before a 1 Jan deadline, we moved quickly to reach an agreement to keep their music playing on Pandora. This agreement should be viewed as a specific approach to address a short term-issue resulting from a legal decision”.

Believe Digital is latest CMU sponsor

Business News Media Top Stories

CMU is pleased to announce that another sponsor has come on board to enable us to continue expanding the free news and information services we provide the wider music community.

And the latest sponsor is independent digital specialist Believe Digital, which will be promoting its distribution, marketing, neighbouring rights and other services, plus the Believe label and Zimbalam platform, through the CMU Daily and website.

Confirming the company’s support, Believe’s Lee Morrison, Head of Sales and New Business/SVP Neighbouring Rights, told us: “We are extremely happy to be supporting Complete Music Update, continuing our relationship with one of the leading providers of insightful, high quality music industry news. We see great value in CMU and their extensive readership, one which we feel is highly relevant to Believe and the digital services we offer to independent artists and labels”.

Meanwhile CMU Publisher Chris Cooke added: “It’s always been our mission at CMU to bring together the wider music community, from the biggest major players through to the most exciting start ups, grass roots independents and self-releasing artists, by providing a big chunk of our news and information services free of charge. But it’s only thanks to the support of companies like Believe that we are able to do this”.

Believe is the second new sponsor signed up this month, following ticketscript, which began sponsoring the Gigs & Festivals section of CMU at the start of the year. Other music business service providers interested in becoming CMU supporters, and promoting their companies to CMU’s 25,000 strong audience of music people, should call Sam Taylor on 020 7099 9060 or email sam@unlimitedmedia.co.uk.

Warner signs Westlife’s Kian Egan

Business News Deals Labels & Publishers Releases

Ex-Westlifer and king of the ‘I’m A Celebrity’ hill, Kian Egan, is to release his first solo LP via a still-wet deal with Warner Bros.

Whilst, he says, it “won’t be a million miles away” style-wise from his Westlifian zenith, the new record will have “more rocky, good pop/rock songs”. Rocky and good, both critical qualities to bear in mind while making a pop/rock song.

#kiansdebutalbum (let’s get this trending, Kian fans), which I hope isn’t its actual title, will be released on 17 Mar.

Troy Carter now managing Sky Ferreira

Business News Deals Management & Funding

Having signed Miguel and John Mayer to his Atom Factory firm late last year, Lady Gaga’s acquisitions-mad one-time manager Troy Carter has now taken pop waif Sky Ferreira under his wing.

Ferreira revealed news of her “new beginning” via Facebook, adding that she felt “so excited <3333333” by it. As previously reported, Sky’s first LP, ‘Night Time, My Time’, will have its British release on 17 Mar.

Mogwai sell limited edition whisky

Brands & Merch Business News

Having released their very good indeed new album ‘Rave Tapes’ earlier this week, Mogwai have announced their next release already. This time it’s not new music though, it’s a whisky. And arguably that’s better.

Given the next available number in the band’s Rock Action label’s catalogue, the drink goes by the name of RockAct81w, and has been brewing at the Glenallachie Distillery in the Speyside area of Scotland. Now it sits in 324 individual bottles somewhere in Glasgow. If you want one, it’ll cost you £55. And that might seem like a lot, but it’s 57.1% alcohol. Basically, when you drink it, you’ll sip it quietly and then scream loudly for seven or eight minutes. Like a Mogwai song.

Once they’re gone, they’re gone. So if you’re interested in grabbing a bottle, you should head over to mogwaiwhisky.com to find out more.

Elsewhere in Mogwai news. Tour! There is a tour. You missed a show in Newcastle last night (unless you didn’t). Next are two shows at London’s Royal Festival Hall, but they’re both sold out. Your best bet would be to go to Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on Monday, of the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow on Tuesday. Or, if you enjoy planning ahead, there’s a date at Usher Hall in Edinburgh on 8 Mar.

Rap Genius announces Universal deal

Business News Deals Digital Labels & Publishers

Lyric site Rap Genius has announced a licensing deal with Universal Music Publishing, its second deal with one of the majors since scoring Sony/ATV in November. It’s also the second deal since the US National Music Publishers’ Association named the site the “worst offender” for publishing lyrics without permission.

Announcing the news, Rap Genius co-founder Ilan Zechory said: “We love UMPG! They have a truly incredible stable of writers – we will lend them a wheelbarrow for the Grammys they are about to win! Rap Genius lets UMPG’s writers connect with their most obsessed fans, and we couldn’t be more excited about solidifying this partnership”.

This comes as UMPG reaches its aforementioned agreement with Pandora on its BMI-represented songs. Busy, busy.

Calvin Harris and Irvine Welsh developing TV comedy series

Artist News Media

Well, here’s something. ‘Trainspotting’ writer Irvine Welsh has apparently penned a comedy series set in the world of dance music, developed with the help of top producer and fellow Scot Calvin Harris. What’s more, Jay-Z and Will Smith are on board as executive producers and it’s being lined up to air on US TV network HBO.

Called ‘Higher’, the show is to be a production of Overbrook Entertainment, which is co-owned by Smith. In addition to Smith and Jay-Z, Harris’ managers, Three Six Zero Group’s Mark Gillespie and Dean Wilson, are also listed amongst the many names down to executive produce.

As well as ‘Higher’, Smith and Jay-Z are also involved in a remake of classic film ‘Annie’.

London Electronic Music Event confirms 2014 conference

Business News Education & Events

Details and a list of guest speakers have been released for the third edition of the London Electronic Music Event, a two-day conference directed at those working in the electronic music industry.

Playing host to XOYO owner/head booker Andy Peyton, Bloc co-founder George Hull, Hypercolour Records’ Jamie Russell, artist manager Anna Russell and the MPG Mastering Engineer Of The Year 2013, Alchemy’s Matt Colton, the event will feature a wide scope of Q&As, hands-on masterclasses and debates on hot topics like ‘The Art Of Sampling’, ‘Club Nights – How To Survive And Thrive’ and ‘The Role Of The Record Label Today’, as well as networking opportunities and technical demos.

Oh, and on the lighter side, there’ll be live sets by the likes of Legowelt, Kris Wadsworth and Neville Watson, and some parties.

Early bird tickets to this year’s LEME, which takes place at Rich Mix between 12-13 Apr, are available here.

The Wanted to “pursue personal endeavours”

Artist News

The Wanted have announced that they will take a break from each other after they complete their upcoming March tour dates. They’re definitely not splitting up though, they’re just going to “pursue personal endeavours” for a while.

Announcing the news yesterday, the group’s website said: “This tour will be their last for a while as Tom, Max, Jay, Siva and Nathan have collectively decided to take time to pursue personal endeavours following the tour’s conclusion. The band wants to stress to their fans that they will continue on as The Wanted and look forward to many successful projects together in the future. They thank their fans for their continued love and support and look forward to seeing them on tour”.

And that’s not a statement that sounds like several lawyers have been at it, does it? Rumours that something wasn’t right in the Wanted camp began to circulate last year, after their third album, ‘Word Of Mouth’, failed to meet sales expectations and a European tour was cancelled. As a result, the ‘World Of Mouth World Tour’ (a name they seem to be sticking with) now numbers just nine dates in the UK. They will be playing the Dubai Jazz Festival in February though.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to score Gone Girl

Artist News

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are to collaborate on another film score, this time on the OST to the forthcoming ‘Gone Girl’.

The on-screen version of Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel is directed, like the two movies Reznor and Ross previously composed (and won an Oscar and a Grammy) for – the ‘The Social Network’ and ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ – by David Fincher. It’s set to premiere in October.

Here’s Trent tweeting the concrete proof.

Vivian Girls split

Artist News

Oh, boo. Cassie Ramone, Katy Goodman and Ali Koehler are amicably killing off their long-ish-time band Vivian Girls, following a final show in the States on 1 Mar.

To be fair, this isn’t really a surprise given the three-piece has been fairly quiet since 2011’s LP, ‘Share The Joy’, with Ramone instead playing in The Babies, Goodman in her sideline La Sera, and Koehler c/o Upset, her duo with one-time Hole drummer Patty Schemel.

The band write via their site: “It’s been a long and crazy journey in the seven years since [we formed], and we feel as though the time has finally come to let our band rest in peace. It’s been an experience that we’ll look back on and cherish and we’d like to thank you for sharing it with us. We have had such an amazing time being a band, touring the world, releasing records and meeting all of you”.

Release round-up: Outfit, Eagulls, Willow Smith and The Anchoress

Artist News Release Round-Up Releases

Rounding up the latest release news…

Liverpool off-pop group Outfit got their nine-show UK tour off to a strong start last night, also putting the video for their new single, ‘Thank God I Was Dreaming’, online. The track, a child of the band’s 2013 LP, ‘Performance’, is released via Double Denim on 10 Feb, so kill time till then by seeing its clip with your eyes, here:

Also putting out a single (and touring) in the coming months, it’s Leeds’ Eagulls, who’ll let rip with new song ‘Possessed’ on 3 Mar, coincidentally the same day their debut LP, ‘Eagulls’, is due via Partisan Records. Check ‘Posessed’ here:

Leaning on the pop side of the fence for a sec, Will Smith’s lil daughter Willow, who at thirteen is actually not all that lil now, laid a brand new track titled ‘5’ on the internet this time last week. It isn’t necessarily anything to do with an LP, but it does feature Jaden (as in her sibling, Jaden Smith), and is really pretty ace. Hear the Smith kids at play here:

Last, it’s over to The Anchoress (pictured), aka London-based Catherine Anne Davies, who has a debut single in ‘What Goes Around’ to show you all. Out on vinyl-only on Too Pure come 5 May, it’s up on SoundCloud, so listen now:

Bands to play live soundtrack to new film, Only Lovers Left Alive

Artist News Gigs & Festivals

White Hills, Jozef Van Wissem, Yasmine Hamdan, and Jim Jarmusch’s band SQÜRL, all contributors to the soundtrack to Jarmusch’s forthcoming film-loosely-about-music ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’, will play parts of the movie’s score live at a one-off show on 6 Feb.

It’ll follow a preview screening of the film – a kind of rock/horrorcore love story starring Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston – at London’s Leicester Square Odeon, and will take place at Heaven, which is a place in London.

Click here to find info and links to tickets for both the screening and the live show, and look here to see the film’s promo reel:

Universal’s Sons & Lovers, Eliza & The Bear and Fred Page to visit satellite cities

Artist News Gigs & Festivals

Three of Universal’s newest ‘indie’ – in the genre sense – signings Sons & Lovers, Eliza & The Bear (pictured) and Fred Page, will transmit a combined live show (ie featuring all three bands) to fans in less-visited cities on a thing titled the Satellite Tour.

Moving off on 5 Feb at The Ballroom in Canterbury, the fourteen date circuit will come to stop on 22 Feb at The Cavern in Exeter. Very reasonably-priced £4 tickets are here, and this is London quintet Eliza & The Bear’s special Satellite rendition of their 2013 single ‘Friends’:

Festival line-up update: Sonar, Sziget, Sonisphere and more

Artist News Festival Line-Up Update Gigs & Festivals

Today in the shifting world of festival line-ups, there’s big news of new listings at three events beginning with ‘S’, plus some others beginning with… different letters.

Behold:

FARR FESTIVAL, Bygrave Wood, Newnham, Hertfordshire, 18-20 Jul: Hercules And Love Affair, Mount Kimbie, The Skints, Scuba, George Fitzgerald, Andrew Weatherall, Daniel Avery, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Marcus Intalex, Waze & Odyssey, Robert Owens, Kim Ann Foxman, South London Ordnance, Skeptical, Indigo, Greg b2b Krysko, Alfresco Disco, Pardon My French, Hush House, Croz, Oli DAB vs Robin, Sharkbait, Larji Hans & The Ok Jones Band, Sense O, Movement DJs, Rich Wills, Jacques Adda, Pional, Rosie Lowe, Outboxx, Dems, FTSE, Womans Hour, Gaps, Nathan Ball, Georgia Buchanan, Delaire, Jenny Plant. farrfestival.co.uk

LAKEFEST, Croft Farm Waterpark, Tewkesbury, 8-10 Aug: Neville Staple, Ade Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds. lakefest.co.uk

LIFE FESTIVAL, Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland, 23-25 May: Groove Armada, Four Tet, LFO, Maya Jane Coles, Joy Orbison, Nina Kraviz, Dixon, Ben Klock, DJ Koze, Tensnake, Nathan Fake, Ben Pearce, Waze & Odyssey, Ejeca, New Jackson, Parasense, Egorythmia, Kormac’s Big Band, Sunil Sharpe, Frank B, Lumigraph, Barry Redsetta, Nathan Jones, Slowburn, Lunar Disko DJs, and Apartment Records DJs. www.life-festival.com

ROCK WERCHTER, Werchter, Rotselaar, Belgium, 3-6 Jul: Imagine Dragons, Metronomy, Agnes Obel, Dropkick Murphys, Passenger, The Naked And Famous. www.rockwerchter.be

SONAR, various venues, Barcelona, Spain, 12-14 Jun: Pretty Lights, Flux Pavillion, Rudimental, DJ Harvey, The Martinez Brothers, MachineDrum, Tiga, Laurel Halo, Ben Frost, Yelle, MachineDrum, Recondite, Uz, Visionist, Alizzz, DJ Nigga Fox. www.sonar.es

SONISPHERE UK, Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, 4-6 Jul: Chas & Dave, Limp Bizkit, Anthrax, Carnifex, The Sisters Of Mercy, Devin Townsend,m Dropkick Murphys, Silverstein, The Virginmarys, Vooddoo Six. sonisphere.co.uk

SZIGET, Margit-sziget, Budapest, 11-18 Aug: Queens of the Stone Age, Calvin Harris, Placebo, Bastille, Imagine Dragons, Stromae, Klaxons, Laidback Luke, Starlight Girls. www.szigetfestival.com

YO1, York Racecourse, Knavesmire, 4 May: De La Soul, Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, Bicep, Kryder, Danny Howard, Waze & Odyssey, Futuristic Polar Bears, The Mouse Outfit, Jacob Plant, Voyeur, Aartekt, Traams, Viewer, Renegade Brass Band, Grinny Grandad, The Federals, Juffage, Boss Caine, Fawn Spots, The Hangnails. www.yo1events.co.uk

Bieber’s mum wants us to pray for Justin

And Finally Artist News

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Justin Bieber’s mum,
Has asked it be done,
That we all pray for his conduct.
We all know he’s been off his head,
But forgive him his trespasses,
As we forgive those who have led him astray.
So we can stop our condemnation.
Because it’s not like he’s evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Believe.

Friday 24 January 2014, 12:06 | By Chris Cooke

One of the original “yeah, but I don’t get how you’re EVER going to make any money” online music services Last.fm is in the process of overhauling its music player in a move that could well make the user-experience more compelling, though is almost certainly more about saving money.

READ MORE ABOUT: CBS | last.fm | YouTube

Friday 24 January 2014, 12:05 | By Aly Barchi

READ MORE ABOUT: BBC | BBC Radio 1 | Newsbeat | Rod McKenzie

Friday 24 January 2014, 12:04 | By Chris Cooke

READ MORE ABOUT: Global | Global Academy

Friday 24 January 2014, 12:03 | By Aly Barchi

In one of the most natural fits for a star/print-publication pairing since @rustyrockets and the New Statesman, Sir Elton John is to serve as the first ever guest editor-in-chief of Clash Magazine, taking over its February edition.

READ MORE ABOUT: Clash Magazine | Elton John

Friday 24 January 2014, 12:02 | By Andy Malt

READ MORE ABOUT: Century Media | Oliver Withöft

Friday 24 January 2014, 12:01 | By Aly Barchi

Sing-rapping pop cue ball Pitbull is to move on from singing about pushing girls over in clubs with Ke$ha, to singing about togetherness (and kicking a ball all over a grass pitch) with Jennifer Lopez. Because, yes, he really is that versatile.

READ MORE ABOUT: Jennifer Lopez | Pitbull

Friday 24 January 2014, 12:00 | By Aly Barchi

READ MORE ABOUT: Ratking

Friday 24 January 2014, 11:59 | By Aly Barchi

Rounding up the latest gig news…

READ MORE ABOUT: Cults | Kurt Vile | Kyary Pamyu Pamyu | Shonen Knife | Tycho

Friday 24 January 2014, 11:58 | By Aly Barchi

Today’s tray of a la carte festival treats feature line-up updates via massive Amsterdam dance weekender Awakenings, big new additions to Belgium’s alt choc box Dour, rumblings at rustic day Folk By The Oak, and many (well, three) more events besides…

READ MORE ABOUT: Awakenings Festival | Dour Festival | Folk By The Oak | Lemonfest | Swingamajig | Watchet Live

Friday 24 January 2014, 11:57 | By Andy Malt

If you were hoping for a Mick Jagger autobiography, like the one bandmate Keith Richards penned a couple of years back, then you’re out of luck. Though if you have an internet connection, he’ll point you in the direction of the information you require.

READ MORE ABOUT: Mick Jagger

Friday 24 January 2014, 11:56 | By Andy Malt

So, while we were all praying for egg assassin Justin Bieber yesterday, he was out (allegedly) drinking, taking drugs and drag racing. The three Ds. As a result, the police arrested him, something he seemed rather pleased about. Look at his cheeky little face in this mugshot.

READ MORE ABOUT: Justin Bieber

Friday 24 January 2014, 11:48 | By CMU Editorial

Below is the police report on Justin Bieber’s arrest for DUI in Miami. Read more about this story here.

READ MORE ABOUT: Justin Bieber

Friday 24 January 2014, 11:46 | By CMU Editorial

Below is the police mugshot from Justin Bieber’s arrest for DUI in Miami. Read more about this story here.

READ MORE ABOUT: Justin Bieber

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:18 | By Andy Malt

READ MORE ABOUT: Gilla Band

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:17 | By Chris Cooke

The shift away from collective licensing in the digital domain stepped forward again yesterday as Universal Music’s publishing business in America announced it had entered into a direct licensing agreement with Pandora.

READ MORE ABOUT: BMI | Pandora | Universal Music Publishing

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:16 | By CMU Editorial

CMU is pleased to announce that another sponsor has come on board to enable us to continue expanding the free news and information services we provide the wider music community.

READ MORE ABOUT: Believe | CMU

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:15 | By Aly Barchi

Ex-Westlifer and king of the ‘I’m A Celebrity’ hill, Kian Egan, is to release his first solo LP via a still-wet deal with Warner Bros.

READ MORE ABOUT: Kian Egan | Warner Bros Records | Westlife

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:14 | By Aly Barchi

Having signed Miguel and John Mayer to his Atom Factory firm late last year, Lady Gaga’s acquisitions-mad one-time manager Troy Carter has now taken pop waif Sky Ferreira under his wing.

READ MORE ABOUT: Sky Ferreira | Troy Carter

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:13 | By Andy Malt

Having released their very good indeed new album ‘Rave Tapes’ earlier this week, Mogwai have announced their next release already. This time it’s not new music though, it’s a whisky. And arguably that’s better.

READ MORE ABOUT: Mogwai

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:12 | By Andy Malt

READ MORE ABOUT: Rap Genius | Universal Music Publishing

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:11 | By Andy Malt

READ MORE ABOUT: Calvin Harris | Irvine Welsh | Jay-Z | Will Smith

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:10 | By Aly Barchi

Details and a list of guest speakers have been released for the third edition of the London Electronic Music Event, a two-day conference directed at those working in the electronic music industry.

READ MORE ABOUT: London Electronic Music Event

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:09 | By Andy Malt

The Wanted have announced that they will take a break from each other after they complete their upcoming March tour dates. They’re definitely not splitting up though, they’re just going to “pursue personal endeavours” for a while.

READ MORE ABOUT: The Wanted

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:08 | By Aly Barchi

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are to collaborate on another film score, this time on the OST to the forthcoming ‘Gone Girl’.

READ MORE ABOUT: Atticus Ross | Trent Reznor

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:07 | By Aly Barchi

Oh, boo. Cassie Ramone, Katy Goodman and Ali Koehler are amicably killing off their long-ish-time band Vivian Girls, following a final show in the States on 1 Mar.

READ MORE ABOUT: Vivian Girls

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:06 | By Aly Barchi

Rounding up the latest release news…

READ MORE ABOUT: Eagulls | Outfit | The Anchoress | Willow Smith

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:05 | By Aly Barchi

White Hills, Jozef Van Wissem, Yasmine Hamdan, and Jim Jarmusch’s band SQÜRL, all contributors to the soundtrack to Jarmusch’s forthcoming film-loosely-about-music ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’, will play parts of the movie’s score live at a one-off show on 6 Feb.

READ MORE ABOUT: Jim Jarmusch | Jozef Van Wissem | White Hills | Yasmine Hamdan

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:04 | By Aly Barchi

Three of Universal’s newest ‘indie’ – in the genre sense – signings Sons & Lovers, Eliza & The Bear (pictured) and Fred Page, will transmit a combined live show (ie featuring all three bands) to fans in less-visited cities on a thing titled the Satellite Tour.

READ MORE ABOUT: Eliza & The Bear | Fred Page | Sons & Lovers | Universal Music

Thursday 23 January 2014, 12:03 | By Aly Barchi

Today in the shifting world of festival line-ups, there’s big news of new listings at three events beginning with ‘S’, plus some others beginning with… different letters.

READ MORE ABOUT: Farr Festival | Lakefest | Life Festival | Rock Werchter | Sonar Barcelona | Sonisphere | Sziget Festival | YO1