This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Friday 28 March 2014, 12:52 | By Aly Barchi
Jamie xx reveals new EP title track
Artist News Releases
A never-wavering presence in the alt-dance field since, oh, it feels like always, The xx’s team DJ Jamie (xx) yesterday shared the A-side (and title track) to his new EP, ‘Sleep Sound’.
Jamie’s first solo release since 2011’s ‘Far Nearer’ extended play, which arrived at the same kind of time as his and Gil Scott Heron’s collaborative LP, ‘I’m New Here’, was… well, ‘there’, the new set, which also features a track named ‘Girl’, will be available via Young Turks on 5 May.
READ MORE ABOUT: Jamie XX
Friday 28 March 2014, 12:51 | By Andy Malt
Kate Bush tickets sell out fast
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Tickets for Kate Bush’s 22 London shows at the Hammersmith Apollo later this year sold out within fifteen minutes, after going on sale at 9.30am this morning. So that’s that then. Until she announces yet more dates, or someone finds more down the back of a filing cabinet.
Actually, some people have suggested that they were still able to get tickets later than that. But it looks like they’re all gone now. Even the really expensive hospitality tickets (as opposed to the really expensive general admission passes). So maybe that really is it. Maybe your first chance to see Kate Bush in 35 years is now gone. Maybe she’ll never play live again after this. Maybe you really have blown it. I can’t believe you blew it, you idiot.
Asked to comment on the sell out, Bush said this: “I’m completely overwhelmed by the response to the shows. Thank you so much to everyone. Looking forward to seeing you all later this year”.
Not you though. You blew it.
READ MORE ABOUT: Kate Bush
Friday 28 March 2014, 12:50 | By Aly Barchi
Gigs & Tours Round-Up: Drenge, Amen Dunes, Pissed Jeans and Woods
Artist News Gigs & Festivals Gigs & Tours Round-Up
Rounding up the latest gig news…
The brothers Drenge have announced some UK and Irish dates during which fans can take the chance to watch the ‘post-grunge’ duo playing those “darker and more moody” songs of theirs.
The tour, such as it is, starts at the Hull Welly on 3 Jun, and continues on through Oxford, Cardiff, Coventry, Derry and Cork, landing last at Galway’s Roisin Dubh on 3 Jul. Rock on over to this URL to look at the full listings now.
Also bound for a tour in May, it’s Brooklyn-based Scared Bones signing Amen Dunes, aka Damon McMahon, who’s just planted a run of EU dates on the altar of his forthcoming LP ‘Love’. His first port of call in the UK is at Brighton’s Old Market on 19 May, supporting Mac Demarco, with slots also carved out at London’s Jabberwocky Fest (15 Aug), and Liverpool Psych Fest on 29 Sep. Follow this link to plot his full course on FB, and this one to palm a play of one of the loveliest of McMahon’s ‘Love’ songs, ‘Lilac In Hand’:
Next, Pissed Jeans are making a stream of live GB appearances behind their label Sub Pop’s new ‘Pissed Jeans’ greatest hits’ comp ‘2009-2013: Live At The BBC’, which is released on 20 Apr (ie Record Store Day), and features archive tracks taped live between the years stated in its title, at the BBC.
All taking place in August, the shows range from 13 Aug at Brighton’s The Haunt, to 15 Aug at Birmingham’s Institute, and are topped off with a booking at ATP’s Jabberwocky at London’s ExCeL on 16 Aug. Look at black-and-white proof of all that via this link.
Finally, the gently psychedelic men of guitar band Woods (pictured) will chop into the campaign trail for their latest LP, ‘With Light And With Love’, by playing a string of shows in September. Following an appearance at Dorset’s End Of The Road fest, the band will continue on to headline London’s Dingwalls on 2 Sep, before running off to Europe.
The group are then due to return to the UK on 22 Sep to fulfil a billing at The Lantern in Bristol, before doing other shows in Dublin, Glasgow, and Newcastle, with the short drop-in culminating at the Liverpool Psych Fest on 27 Sep. So, that was thorough to the point of long-winded, wasn’t it? Find an easy guide to the tour on this page, and a SoundCloud-assisted play of the title track to ‘With Light And With Love’, which by the by will have its DIY release (via Woods’ Woodsist label) on 14 Apr:
READ MORE ABOUT: Amen Dunes | Drenge | Pissed Jeans | Woods
Friday 28 March 2014, 12:49 | By Aly Barchi
Festival Line-Up Update: End Of The Road, Beacons, Secret Garden Party and more
Artist News Festival Line-Up Update Gigs & Festivals
So, in a UK exclusive, a huge line-up of HUGE figures in indie music, namely Beach House’s Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold, Grizzly Bear’s Daniel Rossen and ex-Fairport Convention man Iain Matthews, plus some of Wye Oak and Celebration, are coming as one to Salisbury’s End Of The Road Festival. Masquerading as The Gene Clark No Other Band, they’ll all pitch in to play Gene Clark of The Byrds’ 1974 solo LP ‘No Other’, all the way to the end.
Beach House say this of ‘No Other’: “It feels like a special moment in Gene Clark’s songwriting, it’s one of those records where each time you listen, you love a different song the most. Each song is nuanced and amazing in its own way. Throughout the years since, many have dug the record up and fallen in love with it. We, Beach House, are certainly two of those people and we hope that the tour we are organising to play the record live will spread the album even more”.
So, that’s nice. As, to single out some amongst many, are updates to a flaming hot bill at Yorkshire’s Beacons, the diverse latest lists of artists springing up at this year’s Secret Garden Party and Wilderness fest, and the inaugural edition of conductor Charles Hazlewood’s neo-classical Orchestival…
BEACONS, Funkirk Estate, Skipton, North Yorkshire, 7-10 Aug: Erol Alkan, Joy Orbison, Charli XCX, Daphni, A Love from Outer Space: Andrew Weatherall & Sean Johnston, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Rejjie Snow, Cate Le Bon, Metz, Fat White Family, Sleaford Mods, Submotion Orchestra, The Wytches, Joanna Gruesome, John Wizards, Speedy Ortiz, Adult Jazz, Womans Hour, Psychemagik, Slaves, Nai Harvest, Younghusband, Moko, Sivu, Naked (On Drugs), Eaves, Nadine Carina. greetingsfrombeacons.com
BEATHERDER, Ribble Valley, Sawley, Gisburn, 18-20 Jul: 2manydjs, Eats Everything, Hot Since 82, Jagwar Ma, The 2 Bears, Gramatik, Justin Robertson, DJ Deekline, Blonde, Elite Force, Far Too Loud, Ed Solo, Kidnap Kid, Lisa Lashes, The Correspondents, Macka B & The Roots Ragga Band, Mountain Of Love, Slipmatt, John Morales, Captain Hotknives, Asbo Disco, Chris Liberator, Russ Cuban, Tim Sheridan, Skittles, Davos, Pimp Soul, Tayo Meets Acid Rockers, The Templebys, Lumberjack Cowboy Heartbreak Trucking Co, Eddie Earthquake & The Tremors, Two Man Ting, Ed Stones & The BD3, Me & My Friends, Emmott & The Folkestra, Jake and the Jellyfish, Lynn Veronneau, Foxes Faux, The Corporate Tramps, Mrs Cakehead, Blowjangles, Ennio Maccaroni, Afrobilly Jones, Bells In The Birches, Blue inc, Boy Oliver, Brother Bear, ChainSka Brassika, Chloe Foy, DJ Flyffilbybl, DJ Earthdoctor, Espai, Father Funk, Fire Beneath The Sea, Hanky Panky Burlesque Review, Ian Gillibrand, ixy (Spiral Tribe), John Tree, DJ Kate Fear, Krysko/Lord, Mark Turner, Ms MQ, Olivia Fern, Paper Cranes, Pareidolia, Phil Smith, Red Tin Dave, DJ Rich T, Skalextric, Snow Apple, Steve Coby, Steve Jeffries, Stone Penguin DJs, The Dirty Gentlemen, The Inexplicables, Vieka. beatherder.co.uk
BENICASSIM, Recinto De Conciertos, Benicassim, Spain, 17-20 Jul: Example, Paolo Nutini, Above & Beyond, Tom Odell. www.fiberfib.com
BINGLEY MUSIC LIVE, Myrtle Park, Bingley, Yorkshire, 29-31 Aug: Jess Glynne, The Selecter, The Strypes, Emma Garrett, Port Isla, Neon Waltz, The Sherlocks. www.bingleymusiclive.com
BOARDMASTERS, Watergate Bay, Newquay, 6-10 Aug: Zane Lowe, Wilkinson, The Enemy, Dead Kennedys, Oneman, Elli Ingram, Scott Matthews, The Ramona Flowers, Goldierocks, A Plastic Rose, Isaiah Dreads, Amber Run, Bat and Ball, The Magnus Puto Band, Ghouls, Antimatador. www.boardmasters.co.uk
BOOMTOWN FAIR, Matterley Estate, Nr Winchester, Hampshire, 7-10 Aug: Hollie Cook, Pama International, Laid Blak, Poirier feat Face T, By The Rivers, Jus Now, Digital Niya Binghi, Jacky Murda, Uzimon, Slowly Rolling Camera, Illbilly Hitec feat Brother Culture, The BaRLey Mob, Talisman, Capitol 1212, Black Star Dub Collective, Kayanites, One Roots, onlyjoe, Bahia, Steel City Rhythm, Trinity Lo Fi, Dub from Atlantis, Lion Dub, Kobo Town, Vic Ruggiero, Afro Celt Sound System, Babylon Circus, Eats Everything, The Toasters, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra, The Banana Sessions, Jaipur Kawa Brass Band, Lily & Meg, Rumba Do Bodas. www.boomtownfair.co.uk
END OF THE ROAD, Larmer Tree Gardens, Salisbury, Wiltshire, 29-31 Aug: The Gene Clark No Other Band, Black Lips, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, The Felice Brothers, tUne-yArDs, Jenny Lewis, Alice Boman, Archie Bronson Outfit, Arc Iris, Arrows Of Love, Benjamin Booker, Celebration, Chad Vangaalen, David Thomas Broughton, Kiran Leonard, Laish, Lapland, Lau, Lonnie Holley, Lucius, Lyla Foy, Mazes, Otti Albietz & The Voices, Phox, The Rails, Robert Ellis, Samantha Crain, St Vincent, The Districts, Theo Verney, Tides of Man, Traams, Wye Oak, Zachary Cale. www.endoftheroadfestival.com
GLASTONBURY, Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset, 25-29 Jun: Lana Del Rey. www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
LEICESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL, Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, 25-26 Jul: Tinie Tempah, Kool And The Gang. www.leicestermusicfestival.co.uk
NASS, Royal Bath & West Showground, Somerset, 11-13 Jul: Andy C, The Bronx, Gallows, Crissy Criss, Trash Talk, Cerebral Ballzy, Sonic Boom Six, Blitz Kids, Verses. www.nassfestival.com
ORCHESTIVAL, Royal Bath & West Showground, Somerset, 19-20 Jul: Squarepusher, The Unthanks, Will Gregory Moog Ensemble, Philharmonia Paraorchestra, Ruthwall. www.orchestival.com
PARKLIFE WEEKENDER, Heaton Park, Manchester, 7-8 Jun: Public Enemy, George Ezra, Kiesza, MNEK, Gold Teeth, Drop The Mustard, Butter Side Up, Lo-Fi, Zutekh. www.parklife.uk.com
SECRET GARDEN PARTY, Mill Hill Field, Abbots Ripton, 24-27 Jul: Public Enemy, Hercules And Love Affair, Foreign Beggars, King Charles, Alabama 3, Big Deal, Say Lou Lou, Big Gigantic, Rae Morris, The Skints, Thumpers, Koven, John Fullbright, The Hics, Lxury, TCTS, Jacob Plant, Josef Salvat, Eagles For Hands, Nimmo and the Gauntletts, Ted Zed, Mad Professor, Coves, Jon Batiste, Melt Yourself Down, The Ramona Flowers, Losers, Arkon Fly, Ekkah, Killsonik, Wara, Plump DJs, Too Many T’s, Max Cooper, Miraculous Mule, Rag & Bone Man, Norma Jean Martine, Devon Sproule, Gorgeous George, Si Cranstoun, Palace, Dandaluz, Cable Street Collective, Longy, The Future Dub Project, Beans On Toast, Animanz, Feral Mouth, The 45’s, Cut Capers, The Meow Meows, Crinkle Cuts, Alexia Coley, Myles Sanko, General Skank. www.secretgardenparty.com
SEMIBREVE, Braga, Portugal, 10-12 Oct: Demdike Stare, Patten, Ryoichi Kurokawa. www.festivalsemibreve.com
SLAM DUNK, Leeds University/The Foruym, Hertfordshire/Wolverhampton Civic, 24-26 May: Kids In Glass Houses, Mallory Knox, Capdown, We The Kings. www.slamdunkmusic.com
STAG AND DAGGER GLASGOW, various venues, Glasgow, Scotland, 4 May: Albert Hammond Jr, Arc Iris, The Beaches, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Courtney Barnett, Ratking, The Districts, East India Youth, Forest Swords, The Hold Steady, Honeyblood, Jagwar Ma, Johnny Flynn, Jungle, Lanterns on the Lake, Los Campesinos!, All We Are, Big Ups, Casual Sex, Eyedress, Model Aeroplanes, Phox, Royal Blood, Skinny Dipper, Tennis, Ezra Furman, Lizzo, September Girls, Sivu, Sons And Lovers, Syd Arthur, Wet. www.staganddagger.co.uk
T IN THE PARK, Balado, Kinross, Scotland, 11-13 Jul: DJ Fresh & Messy MC, The Charlatans, Foxes, Duke Dumont, Twenty | One | Pilots, Skream, Jackmaster, Factory Floor, Kerri Chandler, Tale Of Us, Chloe Howl, Guy Gerber, Wolf Alice, Drenge, Pretty Lights, Reverend And The Makers, Royal Blood, Circa Waves, Clouds, Alex Smoke, Josh Record, Mark Henning, Joris Voorn, Robert Hood, Red Hot Chili Pipers. www.tinthepark.com
TRUCK, Hill Farm, Oxford, 18-19 Jul: Julio Bashmore, Deap Vally, Slow Club, Dan Croll, Catfish And The Bottlemen, Saint Raymond, Dodgy, Canterbury, Superfood, Maybeshewill, Chris T-T & The Hood Rats, Big Deal, The Wytches, Danny And The Champions Of The World, Fickle Friends, Pixel Fix, The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, As Elephants Are, The Dreaming Spires, The St Pierre Snake Invasion, Empty White Circles, Ella Martini, My Darling Clementine, Otis Gibbs, Steven James Adams, Ralfe Band. truckfestival.com
VOLKSFEST, Newnham Park, Plympton, Plymouth, 23-26 Mar: The Feeling, Razorlight, Heaven 17, Hayseed Dixie, Toyah, Johnny Borrell & Zazou, Moriaty, The Rising. www.plymouthvolksfest.co.uk
WILDERNESS, Cornbury Park, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, 8-10 Aug: Joan As Policewoman, Chet Faker, Slow Club, Jack Savoretti, Teleman, Hozier, Josh Record. www.wildernessfestival.com
WOMAD, Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, 24-27 Jul: Bobby Womack, Manu Dibango, Youssou N’Dour, Tunng, Trombone Shorty, Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita, Justin Vali & Ny Malagasy Orkestra, 9 Bach, Snarky Puppy, Debademba, Aar Maanta, Jus Now, Chloe Charles, Orange Hill, South Korean duo [su:m], Vinicio Capossela’s Banda Della Posta, Imed Alibi, DakhaBrakha, Ethno Trio Troitsa, Madeeh. womad.org
READ MORE ABOUT: Beacons | Beatherder | Benicassim | Bingley Music Live | Boardmasters | Boomtown Fair | End Of The Road Festival | Leicester Music Festival | NASS | Orchestival | Parklife Festival | Plymouth Volksfest | Secret Garden Party | Semibreve | Slam Dunk | Stag And Dagger | T In The Park | Truck Festival | Wilderness | Womad
Friday 28 March 2014, 12:48 | By Andy Malt
CMU Beef Of The Week #200: Simply Red v Anglers
And Finally Artist News Beef Of The Week
It’s alright, everyone. Mick Hucknall has sorted out a dispute over hunting rights on the estate in Ireland he owns with his former Simply Red bandmate Chris De Margary.
This story dates back to 2005, when Hucknall and De Margary bought the Glenmore Estate in County Donegal, but got serious in 2009. In December of that year, the pair launched legal action against a neighbour, John Wilde, who lives on an estate on the opposite side of the River Finn, in a bid to stop him from allowing his guests onto their land to fish for salmon – the river being one of Europe’s prime spots for doing so.
Wilde claimed that his father had been given the right to fish and hunt on both estates 26 years previously. Hucknall and De Margary said any such right became theirs exclusively when they purchased the land on their side of the river, and they’d very much like him to keep to his side now.
In their original legal challenge, they said that by allowing his guests to cross the river, Wilde had disrupted their “quiet enjoyment” of the land.
Now, just in case you thought this was all because the Simply Red boys were sensitive musicians, angry that people were standing on their lawn and killing fish, you would be wrong. They are both keen anglers themselves. Also, killing things is their business.
The Glenmore Estate, offers, says its website, “in excess of 60 kilometres of pristine estate-run rivers [which] teem with salmon and trout, while the 24,000 acres of shooting ground is home to herds of Red deer. Throughout the winter the hillsides and bogs provide unrivalled woodcock and snipe shooting; the numerous lakes give opportunities for outstanding duck shooting and trout fishing”.
Yes, it sounds like a beautiful spot to quietly enjoy shooting at animals. I wouldn’t want that spoiled by people coming over and killing some fish either.
Five years ago Judge John O’Hagan told the two sides that they should try to “sort it out” between themselves. And earlier this week they stood up in front of him again and revealed that they finally had. The exact details of that agreement are not known, though it’s safe to say that while there may be a lot of needless death at Glenmore, it’ll all be in good fun.
Buoyed by the outcome of this disagreement, Mick Hucknall then went and sorted out all the problems in the British political system by appearing on BBC One’s ‘Question Time’. He did this in quite a subtle way though, by either not saying anything, or failing to demonstrate any knowledge of the issues he was discussing.
UPDATE Sat 29 Mar: Mick Hucknall writes: “We are primarily interested in conservation. Salmon population on the Finn and Rhelan DOUBLED. Wild bird population TREBLED under our supervision. Conservation we’re proud of”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Mick Hucknall | Simply Red
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:57 | By Marc Samuels
Approved: Factory Floor – How You Say (Daniel Avery Remix)
CMU Approved
‘How You Say’, the next single taken from Factory Floor’s acclaimed debut album, is released with the usual plethora of remixes, of which Daniel Avery’s eight minute reworking is particularly thrilling.
Minimal in a different way, it improves on the monochrome cold machine electro of the original by adding subtle layers of colour and warmth to hypnotic effect. More deep sleep than deep house, Avery’s mix doesn’t actually do much, but mines a rich melodic vein as it ebbs and flows and throbs with somnambulant bliss, with feedback and disembodied looped vocals drifting in and out that vaguely suggest what Slowdive might have sounded like if they were into progressive house and/or heroin.
‘How You Say’ is released on DFA on the 19 May and you can listen to the Avery mix right here:
READ MORE ABOUT: Daniel Avery | Factory Floor
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:56 | By Chris Cooke
Robertson facing $41 million damages bill from MP3tunes case
Business News Digital Labels & Publishers Legal Top Stories
Ah, American juries and the copyright damages they award. So, Michael Robertson, having lost the most recent instalment in his long running legal battle with EMI over his now defunct digital locker service MP3tunes and its sister service Sideload.com, has been ordered to pay the music industry in the region of $41 million for the copyright infringement his former business enabled. Good times.
As previously reported, original MP3.com founder Robertson was sued by EMI over his digital locker and music link sharing platform in 2007. He more or less won at first instance, but EMI prevailed on appeal; even though by that point neither EMI nor MP3tunes existed anymore, but the companies that acquired the litigation convinced the courts that Robertson should be held personally liable for his former company’s copyright shenanigans.
American copyright law usually offers juries a significant margin of variation when deciding what damages a copyright infringer should pay – from a very low figure to a very high figure. Damages are then theoretically paid ‘per infringement’, which is how you sometimes end up with phenomenal total figures owing. In these cases it’s for the juries to decide what should be paid, even though you sometimes sense even the judges overseeing the proceedings are a little flabbergasted at the final figures that can be proposed.
But Marty Bandier of Sony/ATV, which now controls the EMI music publishing business, thinks the jury got everything right in this latest edition of the EMI v MP3tunes legal battle. He told The Hollywood Reporter: “Sony/ATV Music Publishing commends the jury on their careful consideration of the facts and their decision in the MP3tunes.com case. The judicial process has worked in favour of the songwriter and demonstrated a respect for the copyrights laws. We will continue to vigorously pursue action against those who have disregarded the copyright laws of the works entrusted in our care”.
The complicated nature of this case and this week’s damages judgement means that it’s not 100% clear yet exactly what Robertson will have to pay, and it’s an EMI legal rep who gave Reuters the $41 million estimate. Either way, Robbo will almost certainly appeal.
READ MORE ABOUT: EMI | Michael Robertson | MP3tunes | Sideload.com
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:55 | By Chris Cooke
Imagem links up with Mothership
Business News Deals Labels & Publishers
Independent music publisher Imagem yesterday announced an alliance with Mothership Music Publishing, the music rights joint venture launched last year by Lionel Conway and Brett Gurewitz.
Bad Religion guitarist and songwriter Gurewitz’s best known music business venture is probably the Epitaph record label, and its imprints, though he also runs publishing enterprise FIG Music. It’s on the publishing side that he went into business with industry veteran Lionel Conway last year, creating Mothership. Under the new deal, Imagem will represent the Mothership catalogue, including FIG’s songs, outside of North America.
Confirming the new alliance, Imagem chief André de Raaff told CMU: “Lionel is one of the most unique and successful music publishers of all time. Brett is unique for his continued success and philosophy as a true independent. I’ve enjoyed working with both Lionel and Brett in the past and we have shared great success together. I’m convinced that this new combination of Lionel and Brett will make them even more successful than before as music publishers, and I trust that we can contribute to this through our unique team and worldwide infrastructure”.
From the other side of the deal, Conway added: “We are excited to have Imagem represent our catalogues outside of North America. We have long admired what André de Raaff and his talented team have achieved in music publishing. Both Imagem and Mothership share the same independent ethos – this gives us a unique flexibility to try things different, especially when it comes to developing new talent”.
While Gurewitz added: “It’s a pleasure to be in business with a true independent entrepreneur such as André and I look forward to continued success together with our exciting new company Mothership Music Publishing”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Brett Gurewitz | Epitaph Records | FIG Music | Imagem | Lionel Conway | Mothership Music Publishing
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:54 | By Andy Malt
BMG and Nokia MixRadio set China in their sights
Business News Labels & Publishers
In many ways, China remains one of the big untapped markets for Western music companies, partly because it’s not the easiest place to properly get your tapping tool a-tapping. But BMG reckons it knows where to tap its tools. Basically, what I’m saying here is that BMG is expanding into China.
Thomas Rabe, CEO of BMG’s parent company Bertelsmann, reckons it’s happening and it’s going to be a huge success. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he said at the company’s annual press conference: “There is a new awareness with regard to copyright issues in China and there are new and emerging formats [which can generate revenue]. In short, you can make money in China with music”.
Exactly how he wasn’t clear on, but apparently a team is ready to go and do just that. So that’s fun.
Meanwhile, earlier this week Nokia’s curated streaming radio service MixRadio announced that it is also launching in China, though exact details of that development are also a little sketchy.
Like Nokia’s previous attempt at a music service, unlimited download offering ComesWithMusic, MixRadio is pre-loaded on the phone firm’s phones. However, unlike ComesWithMusic, it is generally talked about in positive terms (helped by it being powered by The Echo Nest).
Nokia did previously have some success with CWM in China, launching it without DRM in 2010, and keeping it operational for a time after it had been closed in most other territories.
A press conference to explain Nokia MixRadio’s plans for China in full is scheduled for later today.
READ MORE ABOUT: BMG | MixRadio | Nokia
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:53 | By Chris Cooke
Relativity buys stake in Downtown Records
Business News Labels & Publishers
American media company Relativity has bought a stake in US indie label Downtown Records through its own music division. And before you ask, “Who the hell are these Relativity guys of which you so flagrantly talk?”, well obviously they’re a content engine that has the unique ability to help other entertainment companies reach the next level. And if you’ve no idea what that means, I can only assume you’re not Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh, which is a bit embarrassing.
It’s like Kavanaugh said when confirming his firm’s new alliance with Downtown Records and its founders Josh Deutsch and Terence Lam: “Relativity is a content engine that has the unique ability to help other entertainment companies reach the next level. In just eight years, Josh and Terence have built a cutting edge music business, and we are excited to provide new opportunities for their incredible talent as Relativity continues to grow”.
So there you go. Confirming the deal from his side, Deutsch told CMU: “Since 2006, Downtown Records has been dedicated to discovering and breaking today’s most exciting artists. Relativity is the ideal partner to fuel Downtown Records’ continued growth. Leveraging Relativity’s broad platform, Downtown will generate innovative new opportunities for artists, composers and music fans alike”.
As previously reported, last year Downtown Records split off from its namesake music publishing venture in a deal that put founders Deutsch and Lam back in charge. Artists the label is best known for working with include Gnarls Barkley, Cold War Kids and Duck Sauce.
READ MORE ABOUT: Downtown Music | Relativity | Ryan Kavanaugh
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:52 | By Andy Malt
Last.fm to switch off hosted radio service
Business News Digital
Last.fm has announced that, on 28 Apr, it will switch off its ‘hosted radio service’, currently only available to paid subscribers in a small number of territories, meaning it’s content services will totally rely on music drawn from other platforms.
As previously reported, Last.fm launched a new player for its Pandora-style radio service in beta back in January, which draws music from YouTube. Then a week later in reinstated on-demand streaming through a partnership with Spotify.
In an email to premium subscribers yesterday, the company said: “From 28 Apr, our subscription radio streaming service will come to an end. This means subscriber radio will no longer work on any platform or device. We’re making this change to focus on improving scrobbling and recommendations, while continuing our goal of being your #onemusichome. Of course you’ll still be able to listen to all of your favourite stations on the new Last.fm Player, as well as listen to your favourite tracks with our recently launched on-demand playback feature via Spotify”.
It has been expected that Last.fm would switch off its own hosted radio service for some time, given that this is one of the more expensive parts of its offering, and one which has been slowly downsized in terms of reach and functionality over recent years. This latest shift suggests Last.fm is now fully focused on being a data business that links in to other music platforms.
Last year it was also rumoured that the web company had been given just one more year to begin earning some money for its owner CBS, hence all the cost cutting. Though the site also now has plans to launch a line of merch. So, consider the books balanced.
READ MORE ABOUT: last.fm
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:50 | By Chris Cooke
Partner talks underway for enhancing music sharing within Twitter
Business News Digital
Following the news that Twitter’s standalone #Music app is being shuttered, the Wall Street Journal has reported that the social networking firm has various ambitions for facilitating music sharing within its main platform.
Like its biggest rival Facebook, Twitter has no interest in getting into the business of licensing and hosting music itself, but is seeking partnerships with other music platforms that would involve better integration of those services within the tweets eco-system.
The micro-blogging firm already had partnerships with iTunes, Spotify and Rdio for its #Music service but it’s not clear if the plan is to now move the content partner functionality previously available in the bespoke app over to main Twitter platform. Meanwhile the Journal says that new talks have been had with SoundCloud, Vevo and Beats Music.
The latter might be a logical partner given Twitter’s music projects are now being led by Bob Moczydlowsky, previously of Topspin. Beats Music, of course, is led by former Topspin boss Ian Rogers, and recently acquired the direct-to-fan company.
READ MORE ABOUT: Twitter
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:49 | By Andy Malt
Shazam and Juno to help identify vinyl-only tracks
Business News Digital
Shazam has partnered with online music retailer Juno Records to add a whole lot of dance music titles to its database of tracks, including many that are only available on vinyl. This means that clubbers will be able to identify more of the very coolest music when they’re out dancing. Hurrah!
Will Mills, Shazam’s VP Music and Content, said: “Juno has the world’s most comprehensive catalogue and widest source of genres in dance music and we are very excited to form this exclusive partnership with them, especially as it includes vinyl”.
He added: “Vinyl music is seeing a resurgence in the industry, with sales at their highest for fifteen years. Crucially some of the most important and exciting new music is released on vinyl first before later hitting digital, so this gives Shazam’s 420 million global users an even better experience with the world’s newest and most innovative music which is sometimes beyond the digital ecosystem”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Juno Records | Shazam
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:48 | By Chris Cooke
Bauer moves London radio operations into Absolute HQ
Business News Media
As has been expected for a while, Bauer Media yesterday announced it will move its London-based radio stations into One Golden Square, the home of Absolute Radio, which became part of the Bauer empire last year. The building will be revamped to house the Magic, Kiss, Planet Rock, Kerrang! and Heat stations in addition to Absolute itself.
Confirming Bauer’s non-Absolute radio operations would be leaving their current base at Mappin House, Bauer Radio MD London Steve Parkinson told reporters: “One Golden Square is an iconic radio location, known to the media industry and audiences alike. Having the national radio teams in one building will support our business objectives to drive initiatives and ideas across the Bauer Media group, and to build audiences and revenue”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Absolute Radio | Bauer Media | One Golden Square
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:47 | By Aly Barchi
Madonna dives back into filmmaking. Again.
Artist News
Following yesterday’s very sketchy newsbite re Madonna’s ‘Rebel Heart’, a TBA mystery ‘thing’ (or single) she might be doing (or releasing) soon (or perhaps, never), today’s ‘what is Madonna doing now?’ headline is this: Madonna is directing a film.
She’ll steer, says Billboard, a screen version of ‘Ade: A Love Story’, the 2013 novel by Rebecca Walker, daughter to ‘The Colour Purple’ author Alice. Madonna’s last directorial foray was that ‘WE’, in 2011, which wasn’t all that critically praised, nor was it a box office hit, grossing only half a million (pounds) worldwide.
READ MORE ABOUT: Madonna
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:46 | By Andy Malt
Bush back in the studio
Artist News
Bush are in the studio recording a new album. Yes, that Bush. No, they reformed ages ago. In 2010. I can’t believe you don’t remember.
No, they recorded an album back then, this is the second. You really don’t remember? I’d have thought you of all people would remember something like that. Oh, well they’re recording a new album right now. Well stop butting in and I’ll tell you.
Bush are recording a new album – their second since reforming in 2010 – with producer Nick Raskulinecz in Dave Grohl’s Studio 606. As well as following up 2011’s ‘The Sea Of Memories’, it’ll coincide with the 20th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Sixteen Stone’.
Look, they’re working so hard that Gavin Rossdale has fallen asleep while recording a guitar part.
READ MORE ABOUT: Bush
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:45 | By Andy Malt
Wu-Tang to display new album in art galleries, sell to the highest bidder
Artist News Releases
Wu-Tang Clan’s long-awaited new album is a work of art. Not my words, ladies and gentlemen, the words of The Wu-Tang Clan. And given that it’s such a work of art, they’re going to treat it like one.
The group have announced that their first album since 2007, titled ‘The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin…’, will be made available as a one-off item, displayed in art galleries around the world and then sold to the highest bidder. Which is sort of similar to what UK indie band Subliminal Girls did with their single ‘Self-Obsession Is An Art Form’ back in 2008.
Recorded over the course of six years, and featuring guest appearances from Bonnie Jo Mason, Redman, and players from the FC Barcelona football team, amongst others, it will come encased in a hand carved nickel-silver box designed by artist Yahya.
Producers Cilvaringz and RZA explain: “While we fully embrace the advancements in music technology, we feel it has contributed to the devaluation of music as an art form. By taking this step, we hope to re-enforce the weight that music once carried alongside a painting or a sculpture. The album will be put on listening display in renowned galleries, museums, venues and exhibition spaces around the world for only the most dedicated to experience before it disappears into the private collection of a buyer. The public will know that what they will hear will be a once in a lifetime experience”.
So, there you go. If you fancy throwing the group a few quid for their box and its content, do please bear in mind that the word “millions” is used on the website set up to promote it. And that website you will find here.
And if engaging with art projects sounds like a bit to much effort, Wu-Tang will finally release their long talked about ‘A Better Tomorrow’ album this summer through more traditional channels.
READ MORE ABOUT: Wu-Tang Clan
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:44 | By Aly Barchi
Björk and David Attenborough’s Biophilia doc to have DVD release
Artist News Releases
Eureka! Björk’s bio-scientific film ‘The Nature Of Music’, in which she talks over her app-happy last LP ‘Biophilia’ with its narrator, David Attenborough, is being released as a DVD on 5 May.
Also featuring a voice-over by the great Tilda Swinton, the hour-long doc was originally shown on Channel 4 last year, and saw the pair ‘riffing’ on larynxes, crystals, maths, Bach, the cosmos, the ‘hidden’ nature of sound, and all kinds of other fascinating ‘Biophilia’-related wonders.
Björk looked a bit awkward all the way through, sort of like a kooky friend collared and quizzed by a scholarly dad at a dinner party. Fortunately, the dad wasn’t any old dad, but David Attenborough, so it turned out quite amazing, age-gap considered.
Here’s a tiny, infinitesimal glimpse of it, via the trailer Channel 4 made for the film back when it first aired:
READ MORE ABOUT: Bjork | David Attenborough
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:42 | By Aly Barchi
Release Round-Up: De La Soul, Lust For Youth, Lone and Dauwd
Artist News Release Round-Up Releases
Rounding up the latest release news…
I don’t know what time it is where you are, but it’s free mixtape o’clock in De La Soul‘s world, as the NYC hip hop trio show their esteem for late great beat-maker J Dilla by releasing the eleven-track ‘Smell The DAISY’, which samples various beats Dilla made in life. Download the comp and only the comp via BitTorrent here, or as a package also featuring JD tribute film ‘Still Shining’ here, and savour one of its tracks, ‘Dilla Plugged In’, while those queue up:
Signed to the Sacred Bones label, which is always an automatic plus, one-man Scandinavian taskforce Hannes Norrvide, aka Lust For Youth, has just announced a forthcoming album titled ‘International’. He trailed its release, which will be on 9 Jun by the way, earlier this week via its radiantly chilly lead single ‘Epoetin Alfa’, which is available to stream right here:
Hip hop-favouring Mancs producer Lone has an LP of his own to talk about, too, in the form of ‘Reality Testing’, which is arriving via R&S Records on 16 Jun. In lieu of a song from it, since none are out at the minute, you can look at its cover art AND dig once more into ‘Dream Ache’, the free MP3 he gave away as a New Year’s Eve present:
Finally, and for anyone that missed ‘Lydia’ last month, it’s over to another producer, this time Kompakt-signed London DJ Dauwd (pictured), who’s let go a second preview (post ‘Lydia’ I mean) of ‘Kindlinn’, the tri-track twelve-inch EP he’s releasing on 7 Apr. Hear ‘Lydia’ and its fresh-revealed B-side, ‘Rain Raker’, here. Lydia, Lydia, Lydia.
READ MORE ABOUT: Dauwd | De La Soul | Lone | Lust For Youth
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:41 | By Andy Malt
Kate Bush announces more London shows
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Honestly, she doesn’t play a show for 35 years, now you can’t stop her announcing the bloody things. In addition to the fifteen she already announced last week, Kate Bush has just added another seven. These, again, will take place at the Hammersmith Apollo in London.
A pre-sale allocation of tickets for the first fifteen shows sold out in 30 minutes yesterday morning. You’ll have a chance to not get tickets for all the shows when they go on sale at 9.30am tomorrow.
The new dates are 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 Sep and 1 Oct.
READ MORE ABOUT: Kate Bush
Thursday 27 March 2014, 11:40 | By Aly Barchi
Benefits Street’s to blame
And Finally Artist News Releases
As first hinted-at via many a nightmarish Daily Mail headline earlier this year, ‘White’ Dee off of television’s ‘Benefits Street’ now has a day job as a rap artiste, and will release a single by the title ‘Your To Blame’ next week. Apparently. So have that, Mail readers, she’s gainfully engaged in a career, just like you wanted.
MC Dee, real name Deidre Kelly (of James Turner Street, Winson Green, Birmingham), has collaborated on the track with nine-man indie-reggae fusion band XOVA, who claim to have a brass faction “tighter than a gnat’s arse”.
Sample lyrics to the single go: “Lay my cards on the table for the critics to see/No cards unturned, you can’t judge me/Everything I’ve done I’ve done to survive/Or done for my kids, give them better lives/See, I’m not too old to have dreams”.
And that’s only a taste. Order the track in advance, if you dare or care to, via iTunes.
READ MORE ABOUT: Benefits Street | Deidre Kelly | White Dee | XOVA
Wednesday 26 March 2014, 11:55 | By Marc Samuels
Approved: Cloud Boat
CMU Approved
From Lone to Pariah, the resurgent R&S label has been responsible for some of the most thrilling electronic music of recent years.
Among the label’s new breed of artists are Cloud Boat (London duo Sam Ricketts and Tom Clarke). Their new single ‘Carmine’ contains a dubstep kernel, but is awash with mellifluous Cocteau Twins style guitars, shimmering ambience and fragile vocals, making the whole thing sound strangely reminiscent of David McAlmont’s ethereal first band Thieves.
‘Carmine’ is taken from their as-yet-unnamed new album (the follow up to last year’s debut ‘Book Of Hours’), which will be released on R&S/Apollo Records in the summer. The duo are touring the UK in March and April, meanwhile ‘Carmine’ is available on SoundCloud now:
READ MORE ABOUT: Cload Boat
Wednesday 26 March 2014, 11:54 | By Chris Cooke
Legal report measures growth of takedown issuing in last five years
Business News Digital Legal Top Stories
It’s no secret that takedown issuing has become a routine part of the rights management game for the entertainment industry in recent years – as this CMU trends report outlines – but to illustrate that point in one nice stat a new paper from the Virginia Journal Of Law And Technology notes that the number of takedown notices submitted to Google alone increased 711,887% between 2008 and 2012. And will have increased even more since then.
And a few big organisations are behind much of that increase, including record industry trade groups like the Recording Industry Association Of America and the UK’s BPI. As previously reported, the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry announced in January that it and its affiliates worldwide had now submitted over 100 million takedown notices to Google. And that number would likely be higher if the web giant didn’t limit how many notices can be submitted by any one group in any one week.
Takedown notices are issued inline with America’s Digital Millennium Copyright Act, even when alleged infringement occurs outside the US jurisdiction. The DMCA says that web companies which inadvertently infringe or aid copyright infringement (via user-upload or automated services) can circumvent any liability for that activity providing they operate a system via which copyright owners can request content or links be removed.
Use of the DMCA takedown process against Google has reached industrial levels as content owners attempt to have links to unlicensed content removed from the search engine’s result lists, so that when people search for artists or tracks legit sources of content dominate on the first few pages of results.
According to Torrentfreak, this new paper on the takedown phenomenon cites new research by Stanford Law School’s Daniel Seng which documents the rapid rise in takedown notice issuing against sites like Google in the last five years. Seng also says that the number of URLs and pieces of content per takedown notice has also significantly increased in that time.
Seng’s report confirms that a small number of organisations are behind the large increases – Microsoft is another prolific takedown issuer – and also notes that the rapid rise began around about the time most recent efforts to introduce new anti-piracy laws in the US – the so called SOPA and PIPA proposals – fell apart amidst protests from the tech community. Though here in the UK, where the web-blocking initiative SOPA and PIPA were attempting to enable has gone ahead, rights owners are still submitting high quantities of takedown notices.
For their part, the rights owners would argue that companies like Google are partly to blame for the high numbers of takedown notices being issued, because they won’t de-list entire sites that are basically piracy hubs, even if that has been proven in court. It’s Google’s narrow implementation of each individual takedown order – say the content firms – that results in the constant flood of new notices.
READ MORE ABOUT: British Phonographic Industry (BPI) | DMCA | Google | International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry (IFPI) | Recordings Industry Association Of America (RIAA)
Wednesday 26 March 2014, 11:53 | By Chris Cooke
Taylor Swift secures restraining order against threatening fan
Artist News Legal
Taylor Swift has been granted a restraining order against a man called Timothy Sweet, who is accused of claiming to be married to the music star, and to have threatened her family.
An LA judge granted the order after Swift made a submission to the court earlier this month in which she stated: “Mr Sweet’s course of conduct, including threats to harm my family, are seriously alarming and harassing and are extremely distressing to me and my family”.
Sweet, who is accused of posting online messages like, “Dearest Taylor, I’ll kill any man who gets in the way of our marriage”, did not attend the court hearing to consider the restraining order yesterday. The injunction forbids him from approaching the singer’s homes, her parents home, and places where the singer routinely works in LA and Nashville.
READ MORE ABOUT: Taylor Swift
Wednesday 26 March 2014, 11:52 | By Andy Malt
VMG Salsoul sues Moby over alleged sample use
Business News Labels & Publishers Legal
Having lost its legal battle against Madonna over a sampled “single horn stab” in 1990 single ‘Vogue’ last year, New York record label VMG Salsoul is having another go. This time taking on Moby.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, VMG says that Moby used uncleared samples of a recording it owns, ‘Let No Man Put Asunder’ by First Choice, on his 1992 songs ‘Next Is The E’ and ‘Thousand’.
It’s not clear how much of the earlier track the label claims was taken, though probably not much because, as in the Madonna case, the alleged unapproved sampling was only uncovered at this late stage with the use of advanced audio technology not previously available.
VMG lost its ‘Vogue’ case after a judge ruled that “no reasonable audience would … recognise the appropriation”. The company is currently in the process of appealing that judgement. Meanwhile this new litigation is seeking damages of up to $150,000 from Moby, Sony/ATV, Warner Music Group and Knitting Factory Records, plus profits and legal fees.
READ MORE ABOUT: Moby | VMG Salsoul
Wednesday 26 March 2014, 11:51 | By Andy Malt
Universal/Republic signs Vine stars
Business News Deals Labels & Publishers
Universal/Republic has signed US folk-pop duo Us off the back of their success on mini-video sharing site, Vine. Welcome to 2014.
The married couple self-released their debut album, ‘No Matter Where You Are’, last year, and while promoting it began posting six second snippets of themselves performing other people’s songs on Vine late last year. The idea took off, and now they’ve amassed over 2.5 million followers on the Twitter-owned website.
Honing in on the duo’s original work rather than their mini-covers, Republic’s Senior VP A&R Nate Albert told The Hollywood Reporter: “There’s a universality to what they’re doing, and I don’t think there’s a glass ceiling to it. Their songs are like walking through the birth of their relationship, and it’s really rare that you see something that has that level of earnestness to it. These are songs that everybody can relate to, but there’s an elegance to how they do it”.
The label will released a remixed version of ‘No Matter Where You Are’ later this year. While you wait, why not endlessly watch this six second cover of ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams?
READ MORE ABOUT: Republic Records | Universal Music | Us | Vine
Wednesday 26 March 2014, 11:50 | By Chris Cooke
New appointments at Warner Music
Business News Industry People Labels & Publishers
Warner Music’s CFO Brian Roberts is stepping down, the music major confirmed to the US Securities & Exchange Commission yesterday. Roberts, formerly with the original BMG publishing business, joined Warner in 2007, initially heading up the finances of the mini-major’s publishing unit, before becoming CFO of the wider group in 2012. Roberts will actually depart at the end of the firm’s current financial year on 30 Sep.
In an internal memo confirming Roberts’ departure, published by Billboard, Warner chief Stephen Cooper wrote: “Even though nothing will change for some time, and I will have another opportunity to thank Brian for all he’s done, I would like to acknowledge his on-going contributions to WMG. As an influential member of our senior management team, the range of his accomplishments far exceeds what the traditional title of CFO would suggest. During a period of rapid transformation, he’s proven himself to be an adept strategist, leader and operator, all the while ensuring we maintain the discipline to nurture our growth”.
Elsewhere in the world of Warner Music, the major has announced a replacement for the boss of its Japanese business, Kei Ishizaka, who announced he was retiring last month. Kazuyuki Kobayashi will take over the CEO role for Warner in Japan, joining from Sony Music Japan where he actually most recently oversaw non-recorded music ventures including TV, magazine, live and ticketing initiatives.
He will be joined in his new job by Shuji Utsumi, who will become the COO of Warner Music Japan, and who also comes from a non-recorded music background, joining Warner from gaming company Q Entertainment. Which possibly tells us something about where Warner sees the real opportunities for its Japanese business, building its interests in music-based ventures beyond just record sales.
Lachie Rutherford, President of Warner Music Asia Pacific, told CMU: “I am thrilled to welcome Kaz and Shuji to Warner Music. They are both pioneering executives with exemplary track records and a wealth of entertainment experience”.
He went on: “Kaz is one of Japan’s leading music professionals whose unrivalled A&R and marketing expertise has guided the careers of huge Japanese artists and global superstars. Shuji’s many business successes can be attributed to his sharp entrepreneurial instincts, strong operational knowledge and deep understanding of the wider opportunities to monetise music. I am confident that their combined skills, vision and commitment to innovation will ensure that we continue to offer the best home for extraordinary talent in Japan”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Brian Roberts | Kazuyuki Kobayashi | Kei Ishizaka | Shuji Utsumi | Warner Music
Wednesday 26 March 2014, 11:49 | By Chris Cooke
Kiss confirm alliance with former Live Nation merch man’s new firm
Brands & Merch Business News Deals
Kiss have announced a new merchandising and brand licensing deal with Epic Rights, the newish business from Dell Furano, who used to head up Live Nation’s merchandising division, where he previously worked with the rock band.
Confirming the new deal with Furano, Kiss men Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons said in a joint statement: “Epic Rights founder and CEO Dell Furano has worked with us for over 25 years, and he is the best in the business. We are confident that Dell and his Epic Rights team will lead us to the Promised Land”.
Despite Furano having worked the Kiss brand for years now via Live Nation and elsewhere, he still reckons there is more revenue potential. He told CMU: “Paul and Gene are definitely the dream team, and it’s very exciting to continue to work with them. The bottom line is that we are looking to grow the Kiss brand and generate substantially increased revenue. Loyal Kiss fans are now beginning to introduce their teens to the band, spawning an entire new generation of ardent Kiss lovers”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Dell Furano | Epic Rights | Kiss
Wednesday 26 March 2014, 11:49 | By Chris Cooke
BPI promotes digital man
Business News Labels & Publishers
Record label trade body the BPI has announced the promotion of its digital man Giuseppe De Cristofano to the new role of Head Of Digital. In his new job De Cristofano will take on “primary responsibility for digital strategy around the BRIT Awards alongside his current remit for the BPI”.
The online elements of the BRITs took another step up this year, of course, with the YouTube webcast and Twitter-voted award (even if sponsor Mastercard’s own amusingly ruined social media campaign grabbed most media attention), and De Cristofano will likely be charged with furthering this expansion in years to come.
Confirming the appointment, BPI boss Geoff Taylor told CMU: “Over the last two years we have greatly expanded the digital initiatives undertaken by the BRIT Awards and BPI. Giuseppe’s new role will see him take primary responsibility in this area, helping to ensure that we connect with music fans in the UK and around the world in innovative and exciting ways that are relevant to how they want to discover and enjoy the music they love”.
READ MORE ABOUT: British Phonographic Industry (BPI) | Giuseppe De Cristofano
Wednesday 26 March 2014, 11:48 | By Andy Malt
Spotify takes student discount offer to US
Business News Digital
Spotify has announced that it is offering a 50% discount to university students in the US. Which you might say is fighting talk. Or just nice. Or a smart move. Pick one, I don’t mind which. Or make up your own. This is an interactive news service.
Students in the UK have been able to claim the same half-price discount since 2012, though up until now this seems to have been the only such offer Spotify has operated worldwide. Rdio also launched a similar offer in the US last year.
US students are able to claim money off Spotify for up to four years, though they must re-apply each year. Details on how to sign up are here.
READ MORE ABOUT: Spotify
