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 26 June 2015, 11:44 | By Chris Cooke
Commercial radio welcomes OfCom rules change, wants more
Business News Media
The commercial radio sector has welcomed plans by media regulator OfCom to simplify the way music formats are described in each station’s licence, though it would actually like even more simplification. Well, really it would like no restrictions on music format at all. Which, to be fair, would definitely be very simple.
AM and FM radio stations are obliged under their licences from OfCom to provide a specific kind of service, with restrictions on speech v music and local v national content, and on what kinds of music they can play, in terms of loose genres.
Amongst the changes to the system announced by OfCom this week are that the ways in which pop music is defined will be simplified, the number of music categories will be reduced and specialist stations will be able to simplify their overall format descriptions.
Commenting on the changes, Matt Payton, Director of External Affairs for commercial radio trade group RadioCentre, told reporters: “The changes announced by OfCom are a step in the right direction. They go some way to recognising the dramatic shifts in music consumption over the last few years and expansion of consumer choice”
But there was a but. This but. “But in a digital age where consumers have access to a huge variety of music content at their fingertips, the concept of music formats being set by a regulator is clearly outdated. Ultimately radio stations need to be as free as possible to choose the music they play, so that they can react to the needs of listeners. At least OfCom now appears to recognise this – even acknowledging the case for a change in legislation to provide greater flexibility”.
It remains to be seen if the radio station owners can persuade OfCom to make further concessions. You never know, maybe one day they’ll finally achieve their dream of being able to play back-to-back Olly Murs on every channel. Fear not people, that day may as yet come.
READ MORE ABOUT: OfCom | RadioCentre
Friday 26 June 2015, 11:42 | By Chris Cooke
Guy Garvey to front new music show on iPlayer
Business News Media
An iPlayer-based new music telly show going live every fortnight hosted by all-round nice block Guy Garvey in which the Elbow man and 6Music DJ will discuss current musical passions with a host of other BBC presenters? Fuck me, something is happening under the big BBC Music banner that’s not totally shit.
Says the guy Garvey: “We are a nation of music lovers and the show is specifically designed to connect people with great music that they may not have the time to go and find during their daily lives. In an extension of the spirit of curation that BBC Radio 6 Music lives by, I am literally showcasing the music I think will one day be worthy of the word ‘classic'”.
The show, called ‘Music Box’, will also raid the BBC music archives to replay out performances from old shows, and current ones like ‘Later’. Says James Stirling, Editor of BBC Music: “We’re really excited about this brand-new BBC Music commission and in Guy we have one of the UK’s most talented and respected musicians. BBC Music is developing music programming in different forms and this is the next step in an exciting future”.
READ MORE ABOUT: BBC | BBC Music | Guy Garvey
Friday 26 June 2015, 11:41 | By Chris Cooke
New pop show to arrive in Radio 1’s traditional chart show slot
Business News Media
So, you ask, what will be going in the classic chart show slot over on Radio 1 once the big weekly countdown shifts to Friday drive time as a result of all that global release day nonsense? Well, a new show dedicated to number one records and brand new pop music, that’s what. All hosted by Cel Spellman, the 19 year old who also presents the ‘CBBC Official Chart Show’, which will also move to Fridays later this year.
The new Sunday 4-7pm show will kick off with two hours talking up new pop music, and then an hour of number one records, playing chart toppers from a multitude of different charts. Sounds pretty awful to you? Well, it’s not for you Granddad. It’s for da kids. And they’ll be concurrently Snapchatting, YouTubing and Yik Yaking, so frankly it doesn’t really matter what’s actually coming out of the radio.
Confirming the new show, Radio 1 boss Ben Cooper said: “Radio 1 and CBBC are changing the way radio and TV work together to create great content for young new music fans on their radio and phone. Cel has proven how influential he is to young audiences and I can’t wait for him to start”.
While CBBC boss Cheryl Taylor added: “This is a fabulous opportunity for Cel and another great collaboration for CBBC and Radio 1. Our audience have a strong rapport with Cel and the new Sunday show is the perfect way for them to share their love of music with him as well as building on the launch of the ‘CBBC Official Chart Show'”.
READ MORE ABOUT: BBC Radio 1 | Cel Spellman
Friday 26 June 2015, 11:37 | By Chris Cooke
The Who will call it quits this year… until next time
Artist News
If I start with the TL:DR will you only read that and skip the fuller article? But then you’d be skipping the words of Pete Townshend. And you wouldn’t do that, would you? Well, whatever: he and Roger Daltrey aren’t feuding, but will probably call it a day on The Who this year, though will still work together again in the future, but not as The Who, except management will probably force them to anyway. Got that?
Speaking to Mojo ahead of this weekend’s Glastonbury set, Who man Townshend said: “Roger and I were both so upset when the English newspapers decided that we were feuding. Because it’s just not the case”.
But nevertheless: “I think I will stop after this year. When this tour is over, we’ll probably both go our separate ways”.
But nevertheless: “I think Roger and I will do odd things together. I hope that one day I can write him an album of songs that suit him and the record company won’t demand that we call it the fucking Who”.
But nevertheless: “I’ve got a bad feeling about that: “I think that if I wrote Roger a bunch of good songs, our manager would say, ‘Why not call it The Who? We’ll sell double as many records!””
But nevertheless…
READ MORE ABOUT: Pete Townshend | The Who
Friday 26 June 2015, 11:36 | By Chris Cooke
CMU Beef Of The Week #262: Courtney Love v François Hollande
And Finally Artist News Beef Of The Week
I think we all know what old-school taxi drivers think about Uber. If you don’t, flag one down this lunchtime, and as you pull away say to the driver in a nice clear voice “so, this Uber thing’s good, isn’t it?” I think you’ll get his or her opinion in no uncertain terms. Though if you’re in Paris, maybe not. French taxi drivers might tell you in slightly too uncertain terms.
There have been protests over Uber in various cities, as the taxi app undercuts classic car services, and amidst claims that in some countries Uber drivers aren’t complying with taxi licensing rules. But these protests have turned violent in France this week, with angry taxi drivers blocking access to airports and train stations in a bid to stop Uber drives picking anyone up.
This all became music news when Courtney Love arrived at Charles De Gaulle airport yesterday and tried to get into a taxi. Chaos ensued and the tweets followed. Addressing Kanye West, who was presumably also at the Paris airport on his way to Glastonbury, she tweeted “Dude @kanyewest we may turn back to the airport and hide out with u. Picketers just attacked our car #ParisUberStrike”.
Embellishing on her trauma, and providing both a photo and video for those tuning in, Love continued: “They’ve ambushed our car and are holding our driver hostage. They’re beating the cars with metal bats. This is France?? I’m safer in Baghdad”.
To be fair to Love, the whole experience did look partly scary and majorly annoying. Which was obviously all the fault of François Hollande. Which is why Love started addressing the French President directly. “François Hollande, where are the fucking police??? Is it legal for your people to attack visitors? Get your ass to the airport. WTF??”
Alas, Hollande did not get his ass to the airport, so Love took to Instagram and continued: “How on earth are these people allowed to do this? The first car was destroyed, all tires slashed and beat with bats, these guys trying to open the doors and the cops are doing nothing?? French Taliban? Civil reform needed in France?? I want to go home”.
But worry not, Hollande may not have intervened, but fate did and Love did not have to go home. Two friendly motorcyclists speeded Love out of the airport into Paris. “Love French people but your government blows”, she concluded, on reaching her destination. The French government’s opinion on Love is currently unknown.
READ MORE ABOUT: Courtney Love | Uber
Friday 26 June 2015, 06:19 | By Andy Malt
CMU Podcast: Apple Music, Ed Sheeran, UK Music, Deadmau5
Artist News Brands & Merch Business News Deals Digital Labels & Publishers Legal Setlist
CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review the week in music and the music business, including Taylor Swift causing a u-turn on Apple Music’s royalties policy, Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ spending a year in the Top 40, the music industry’s win against the government on the private copy right, and Deadmau5’s latest legal escapades. The CMU Podcast is sponsored by 7digital.
Subscribe: iTunes | audioBoom | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Spreaker | MixCloud | RSS
Stories discussed this week:
Taylor Swift v Apple Music
• Apple u-turns on royalty free trial after Taylor Swift speaks
• Indie groups endorse revised Apple Music deal
• Concert photographer criticises Taylor Swift’s rights demands
• Taylor Swift rep say photographer agreement “misrepresented”, as second contract emerges
Ed Sheeran track spends a year in the Top 40
• Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ spends a full year in the Top 40
Private copy right ruling
• Music industry wins judicial review on private copy levy
• MU chief welcomes High Court’s private copy right ruling
Deadmau5 v Deadmouse: The Musical and Disney
• CMU Beef Of The Week #258: Deadmau5 v Deadmouse: The Musical
• Deadmau5 reaches settlement with Disney over trademark dispute
Listen to this week’s CMU Approved artists:
• The Radio Dept
• The Chemical Brothers & St Vincent
• Svē
• Death Team
What we didn’t have time to talk about:
• Second Tidal CEO steps down
• Google launches free, ad-funded Google Play Music app
• Australia passes web-blocking laws
• MU lobbies for agent of change principle
• Scarlet Mist returns
• Live sector raises concerns over business rates being applied to festival sites
• SFX sells $10 million in stock, despite Sillerman’s planned share buy-back
• TFI Friday to return for eight edition series
• Kanye concedes that Beck does in fact respect artistry
Please subscribe, rate and review the show once you’ve listened!
READ MORE ABOUT: Apple | Apple Music | Association of Independent Music (AIM) | British Academy of Songwriters Composers & Authors (BASCA) | Deadmau5 | Disney | Ed Sheeran | Merlin | Musicians Union (MU) | Official Charts Company | Taylor Swift | UK Music
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:54 | By Andy Malt
Approved: Death Team
CMU Approved
Where do you even start with Death Team? The duo apparently met at Spotify’s Stockholm HQ while performing with different projects. Although neither has much memory of that initial meeting, they nonetheless ended up trying to work together. Initial attempts at punk floundered, which possibly explains their first single ‘Fucking Bitches In The Hood’, its aggression somewhat diminished by the nursery rhyme delivery and rock n roll piano.
They describe the sound that has been gradually forming over the course of a number of releases as ‘Abba meets Eminem’, but that doesn’t quite do it. I don’t think either of those acts would perform a song about being free “like a dolphin”. Nor would they turn their websites into a headache-inducing 90s-style compendium of information about dolphins.
Their latest track, ‘So Fresh’, actually the b-side to ‘Dolphin Style, which was released last month, is another strangely infectious piece of music that should by rights just be annoying. “With ‘So Fresh’ we wanted to make the perfect Death Team summer anthem”, they say of the track. “Adding things we love like ice-cream, cruising around in a top down car and listening to hip hop in the sunset. We want to dedicate this song to all our fans and haters: We love you!”
Well, there you go, Death Team fans and haters, this is for you:
READ MORE ABOUT: Death Team
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:45 | By Chris Cooke
19 adds the ‘Spotify equity issue’ to its big Sony Music legal battle
Business News Digital Royalties Timeline Labels & Publishers Legal Media
While America’s real pop idol took on Apple last weekend, the telly-show-made Idols are taking on the major record companies and tackling many of ongoing bones of contention between artists and labels.
And if this case ever gets to court, it could be one of the most significant music industry legal battles in years. Forget about Pharrell ripping off other people’s pop songs, this one could impact on every major label deal in the filing cabinet, in the US and possibly beyond. Which would be fun. Yes, it’s the ongoing 19 v Sony case, pulling apart the record deals of various ‘American Idol’ finalists who were signed to Sony Music but managed by ‘Idol’ format owners 19.
As previously reported, there are an assortment of gripes in the lawsuits filed by 19 on behalf of the former Idols it still represents, most of them relating to common areas where artists and labels fall out. That includes the fees Sony charges as money moves around the company, what happened to the cash Sony received from its LimeWire settlement, and the big post-iTunes squabble: whether digital income should be treated as a ‘sale’ or a ‘licence’, artists usually being due a much higher cut of the loot on the latter than the former.
In the latest development, 19 has amended its lawsuit to cover another tricky topic, the equity stakes Sony – and other labels – have in various streaming music start-ups, but mainly Spotify, as that’s the shareholding that could be worth millions if and when the streaming firm floats. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the revised 19 lawsuit expresses the concern of many in the artist and management community, that Sony took the equity stake, which it (arguably) doesn’t have to share with its artists, in return for accepting less favourable terms on royalty payments, a cut of which does go to talent.
And 19 isn’t just accusing its direct opponent here. Rather: “Each of the major record labels also own an interest in Spotify. On information and belief, those other record labels have engaged in the same self-dealing as Sony with respect to the diversion of payments to them, and the below market streaming royalty rates to artists. Together, and individually, Sony and the other major record labels therefore have significant power to exert control over Spotify in order to not only dictate how revenue will be paid, but wrongfully and in bad faith divert money from royalties that must be shared to other forms of revenue that they can keep for themselves”.
The majors are usually cagey about the size of their equity stakes in the likes of Spotify, and about what exactly will happen to the profits when those shares are sold down the line. But behind the scenes some label execs argue that the equity stakes do not have a big impact on the revenue share and minimum guarantee arrangements in their big streaming deals, because the value of that equity is totally unknown at the outset (shares in many start-ups could be ultimately worthless) and it could take years to have any opportunity to cash in.
But 19 argues that once a business like Spotify gains momentum – so that those shares do become valuable – companies like Sony have an interest in continuing to give the firm more favourable royalty rates, so to further boost the streaming firm’s growth, in order to maximise valuation at the point of sale. A similar logic would say that the majors wouldn’t really mess too much with Spotify’s freemium-to-premium business model – despite concerns about the number of free users and the low royalties that element pays – because why would you rock the boat this side of an IPO?
Whatever the rights and wrongs, the revision of 19’s lawsuit means yet another of the big talking points in the artist and management community could get discussed in court. And with the same lawyer who won for the Marvin Gaye family in the aforementioned ‘Blurred Lines’ legal battle with Pharrell Williams batting for the Idols so, yes, good times.
Meanwhile, for an explanation of how those streaming deals are structured, check out this CMU trends piece here.
READ MORE ABOUT: 19 Entertainment | Sony Music
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:42 | By Chris Cooke
Sound recording copyright term now 70 years in Canada
Business News Labels & Publishers Legal
So that was quick wasn’t it? The sound recording copyright term in Canada is now 70 years after release, like in Europe.
As previously reported, the Canadian government’s Economic Action Plan published in April announced that Canadian copyright law would be amended to bring the sound recording term in line with Europe. And that new law has now been given royal assent.
Recordings previously had 50 years of copyright protection in Canada, but legislators there have followed the lead of the European Union in pushing that up to 70, despite opposition from various quarters, with some critics arguing that copyright terms are, in the main, too long already and shouldn’t get any longer.
Welcoming the development, Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada, said yesterday: “In extending the term of copyright in recorded music, Prime Minister Harper and the government of Canada have demonstrated a real understanding of music’s importance to the Canadian economy. Thank you. We are thrilled to see Canada brought in line with the international standard of 70 years”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Copyright extension
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:38 | By Chris Cooke
Diddy responds to arrest for kettleball assault
Artist News Legal
A rep for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has commented on his arrest earlier this week after an altercation with a football coach at UCLA.
As previously reported, the hip hopper was charged with three counts of assault after a run in with his son’s American football coach, Combs being accused of using a kettleball as a weapon.
But speaking for Diddy, Nathalie Moar said reporting of the incident had been “wholly inaccurate”, adding: “What we can say now is that any actions taken by Mr Combs were solely defensive in nature to protect himself and his son. We are confident that once the true facts are revealed, the case will be dismissed”.
So now you know.
READ MORE ABOUT: Sean Combs
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:35 | By Andy Malt
Vessels sign to Just Isn’t Music
Business News Deals Gigs & Festivals Labels & Publishers
Longtime CMU favourites Vessels have signed a new publishing deal with Ninja Tune’s Just Isn’t Music.
Say the band: “We’re buzzing to be working with JIM and really looking forward to our future together. Ninja Tune has played such a big part in all of our musical lives for so long that it’s a great honour to be working with their publishing house”.
Just Isn’t Music’s David O’Bryan adds: “Just Isn’t Music are delighted to sign Vessels. I’ve been a massive fan of them for years now, since first hearing their always incredible techno cover versions, and have followed them closely as they’ve released an incredible album and become a live act to be reckoned with. We’re all excited to be part of this continuing journey with them and look forward to working closely together”.
If you would like to see Vessels’ impressive live techno show (you would), they’ve just announced a new show at XOYO in London on 21 Oct.
READ MORE ABOUT: Vessels
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:32 | By Chris Cooke
Spotify buys analytics firm
Business News Deals Digital
“You can never have too much data”, that’s what Jesus said. I think. So praise be to the Lord that Spotify has bought itself another stats business, bringing a team of twenty number crunchers to the party.
Seed Scientific previously worked for various clients, including the United Nations, and, interestingly, Beats Music, offering “data discovery, collection, science and visualisation services”. But following the deal only Spotify will get access to the Seed Scientific team’s data skills.
Confirming the acquisition, the data firm said in a statement: “Seed Scientific’s team and technology will now become the foundation of a new advanced analytics unit at Spotify that combines cutting-edge math, science, design and engineering to craft insights, models and tools with data. Seed Scientific’s founder and CEO, Adam Bly, will head up this new unit, based in New York City”.
The there mentioned Bly added: “Seed Scientific was founded to advance ‘scientific thinking’ in the world using data. Today, our algorithms, insights and applications are beneath the surface of major brands, NGOs and governments. We are thrilled to now be joining forces with Spotify – a pioneer in shaping culture with data – to create the leading advanced analytics organisation in the world”.
Speaking for the streamers, Spotify’s analytics dude Henrik Landgren added: “Adam and the entire team at Seed Scientific blew us away with their insights around data and analytics, and how to apply those insights to solve real world problems for clients. We are incredibly excited to welcome Seed Scientific to Spotify as we continue to build a world class analytics team that will allow us to accelerate our plan to leverage data and insights throughout the entire organisation”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Seed Scientific | Spotify
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:25 | By Chris Cooke
Resident Advisor launches listings app
Business News Media
Electronic music website Resident Advisor has launched its first app which aims to do what Songkick and Bandsintown do for gigs, but for club nights and dance music events.
Which Songkick and Bandsintown might well argue they sort of do already, but Resident Advisor will be tapping into to its existing database of clubbing and dance music events, and reaching out to its existing community of clubbers and electronic music fans. Or, as RA co-founder Paul Clement says: “No other events app is entirely optimised for electronic music. The RA Guide is specifically built for our world”.
Explaining the app project in more detail, the site’s other co-founder Nick Sabine explains: “Millions of music fans already come to RA every month to discover new music, artists and events. We wanted to develop a product that enhanced that experience by combining RA’s extensive artist tour date data with important user information, like favourite artists and location, to deliver each user an entirely personalised app so they can find the world’s best parties”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Resident Advisor
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:19 | By Chris Cooke
Def Leppard guitarist able to join tour despite cancer treatment
Artist News
A spokesman for Def Leppard has confirmed that guitarist Vivian Campbell will be able to join the band on upcoming gig dates, after finding a treatment programme that won’t require him to stand down from live performance commitments.
As previously reported, Campbell was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma back in 2013, and has had various bouts of treatment since then. For a time it looked like the latest round of treatment would force the guitarist to sit out the band’s current tour, but an alternative approach was proposed by his doctors.
Campbell wrote on Facebook earlier this week: “So, so happy to report that I’ve dodged the bullet of radiation. I was due to start a course that would have sidelined me for most of the first leg of the US tour, but my brilliant doctors have steered me towards an alternative course of treatment that will enable me to rejoin the tour”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Def Leppard | Vivian Campbell
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:17 | By Andy Malt
Brian Wilson cancels UK tour, says 2016 European shows will be his last
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Brian Wilson has cancelled his upcoming UK tour dates, and announced that a European tour to mark the 50th anniversary of the Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds’ will be his last.
A statement on the musician’s website does not disclose a reason for the cancellation of the September shows. And although it was described as a postponement, ticketholders are nonetheless advised to seek refunds.
A comment from Wilson himself says: “I’m sorry I won’t be able to make these shows this year, but I look forward to seeing all my fans in 2016 to help me celebrate 50 years of ‘Pet Sounds’. This will be my final European tour… I’ll see you all soon. Best, Brian”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Brian Wilson
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:15 | By Andy Malt
Stewart Lee to curate ATP festival
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Stewart Lee has been announced as the curator of next year’s ATP festival, which the comedian says will require attendees to bring “bucket, spade, swimwear and an open mind”.
As previously reported, earlier this year ATP announced plans to revive its holiday camp festivals, despite hosting its ‘last ever’ such shows back in 2013. With a new site at Prestatyn Pontins in North Wales, the first will be a Nightmare Before Christmas weekend at the end of November, with the Lee-curated bash to follow next April.
Commenting on his appointment, Lee said: “Of all the ATPs I’ve attended, the 2001 weekend, when Tortoise curated it and laid American free jazz, European improv noise, alternative country rock, alienating stand-up comedy, ambient electronica, 80s hardcore, 70s CBGBs nostalgia, smart-arse post punk, Dutch anarcho-jazz and all manner of unexpected cross-currents on curious young people, remains a pivotal point in my musical education. It’s a great honour to be allowed to attempt something similar. Bring bucket, spade, swimwear and an open mind”.
It’s alright, you’ve still got time to pack. This will all take place on 15-17 Apr next year.
READ MORE ABOUT: ATP | Stewart Lee
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:13 | By Chris Cooke
CMU’s One Liners: Apple Music gubbins, Mogwai rarities, Tom Morello workings and more
Artist News Business News Digital Gigs & Festivals Releases
Other notable announcements and developments today…
• Pharrell Williams will seemingly be the first pop man to have an exclusive track streaming out of Apple’s new music service next week, or so this tweeted clip suggests. There’s a free year’s Apple Music subscription to the first person to work out what pop song he’s ripped off this time. Though don’t worry, Taylor Swift will still get royalties during the free year. Oh, and look, it’s an Apple Music ad. Boom.
• To celebrate their 20th anniversary (aside from the Roundhouse residency) Mogwai are releasing a three CD or 6 LP boxset featuring rarities and career highlights. It’ll be called ‘Central Belters’ and is out on 9 Oct. Here’s a new video for old track ‘Helicon 1’ to mark the announcement.
• Rage Against The Machine and Bruce Springsteen guitarist Tom Morello says he’s working on a “big solo rock” album.
• Nick Jonas will play an album launch show at the Islington Academy on 17 Jul. He has an album coming out, you see.
• Petite Noir has announced UK tour dates for September, following the 11 Sep release of his debut album. There’ll be a London show at The Lexington on 15 Sep.
• Missy Elliott is headlining the Sunday night at Bestival this year. Exciting.
READ MORE ABOUT: Apple Music | Missy Elliott | Mogwai | Nick Jonas | Petite Noir | Pharrell Williams | Tom Morello
Thursday 25 June 2015, 10:09 | By Chris Cooke
Trump responds to Young over track spat
And Finally Artist News
So Donald Trump has finally shot back at Neil Young. As you’ll remember, the singer hit out at the billionaire businessman when Trump used Young’s song ‘Rockin In The Free World’ while announcing he was entering the race to become the Republican Party candidate in the next presidential election Stateside.
As previously reported, reps for Young quickly put out a statement insisting they hadn’t cleared the song for use at the Trump event (it wouldn’t need clearing providing the launch venue had a blanket licence from the US collecting societies) and that the singer was a supporter of Bernie Sanders for president of the USA.
Young then wrote himself: “I am glad that so many people with varying beliefs get enjoyment from my music, even if they don’t share my beliefs. But had I been asked to allow my music to be used for a candidate – I would have said no. I am Canadian and I don’t vote in the United States, but more importantly I don’t like the current political system in the USA and some other countries”.
Responding, Trump took to the tweets yesterday to call the musician a hypocrite, because “a few months ago Neil Young came to my office looking for $$ on an audio deal and called me last week to go to his concert. Wow … total hypocrite”.
Young had already admitted that he approached Trump about investing in his Pono music service in his aforementioned post. And the photo of the two men together, which Trump posted yesterday to prove to “non-believers” that the meeting had indeed occurred, was already doing the rounds last week.
But whatever, it doesn’t really matter because, says Trump, he used various songs at his launch event and, as for ‘Rockin In The Free World’… “Didn’t love it anyway”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Donald Trump | Neil Young
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 10:24 | By Chris Cooke
Indie groups endorse revised Apple Music deal
Business News Digital Labels & Publishers
With less than a week to go until the launch of Apple Music, the indies are now lining up to opt in to the tech giant’s big new streaming service following the firm’s change of heart over the weekend on paying minimum guarantee rates to rights owners even while users are on a three month free trial.
As much previously reported, Apple initially wanted access to music without paying any royalties at all for the full duration of the three month trial period. Which is something the majors seemingly agreed to in return for the promise of a higher revenue share down the line, and possibly other kickbacks we don’t know about, but the indies hit out at the proposal, arguing a royalty free summer on a service that could have an immediate direct hit on download income just wasn’t viable for smaller record companies.
Apple, of course, capitulated on the royalty free trial period on Sunday, partly / mainly / officially / cynically / not-really-at all (delete as you wish) based on the intervention of Taylor Swift, she being signed to indie label Big Machine in the States.
Though it was initially unclear what minimum guarantees Apple would actually be offering during the trial period, with rumour it would be less than the minima being offered on paid for streams (and, of course, Apple exec Eddie Cue’s big tweet on the issue meant he was only technically committed to pay royalties to one artist based on one customer’s usage, thanks to some slack grammar).
But last night, as it was confirmed that Beggars Group – which went public with its criticism of the original Apple Music deal – had now endorsed the revised agreement, indie label digital rights organisation Merlin sent a memo to its members saying that, having seen the revised offer from Apple, it was now happy to back the arrangement.
Merlin boss Charles Caldas wrote: “I am pleased to say that Apple has made a decision to pay for all usage of Apple Music under the free trials on a per-play basis, as well as to modify a number of other terms that members had been communicating directly with Apple about. With these changes, we are happy to support the deal”.
As previously noted, Merlin is not directly involved in the Apple Music contract, because Apple’s deals with the indies pre-date the creation of the digital rights body. In some ways that may well have been the cause of this month’s debacle, in that the tech firm’s proposed deal seemed to land with the indies right at the last minute with minimal consultation, despite the new streaming service having been in development for a year. Had Apple engaged earlier the whole stand-off might have been avoided, and a Merlin relationship would have provided a forum for that engagement. Indeed it seems that the Merlin, alongside Beggars, helped smooth over the problems in the last week.
And Caldas added in his memo: “As you know Merlin has not historically had a direct contract with Apple. Apple has direct deals with our members, and that continues to be the case. Therefore, the amendments referred to above will apply to your existing direct agreements, and the amended contract will shortly appear on iTunes Connect. However, Apple has indicated that in the future they are open to engaging with Merlin as a central point of communication and negotiation for our membership”.
All that said, Apple spinning its change of heart as being a direct response to Swift means that what began as a communications failure might have had an overall positive impact in PR terms – plenty of people outside the industry missed the unveiling of Apple Music earlier this month, but few could have missed the Swift Intervention last weekend. So everyone now knows a new Apple streaming service is launching next week.
Confirming the Apple dispute was now officially over, the World Independent Network issued a statement this morning, with its boss, Alison Wenham, also CEO of the UK’s Association Of Independent Music, saying: “Apple has a long-standing, deep-rooted relationship with the music community and has always helped ensure artists get paid for their work. We think Apple Music provides artists with a business model that’s good for the long-term and we look forward to its launch on 30 Jun”.
As the indie labels all rush to sign up for Apple Music, negotiations still continue on the publishing side of the equation, where some of the majors are on board, but the indies and their collecting societies are still in talks.
Given that songwriters and publishers will also now seemingly get minimum guarantees during the free trial period, no big hold outs are expected here – and it’s not unusual for streaming services to go live without all their publishing deals in place, so the deadline isn’t quite so fixed – though the Apple service launching in so many countries on the same day remains ambitious.
And there remain some questions about how the Beats 1 radio service will be licensed – especially given that performer equitable remuneration would normally be due on that kind of service – and some concerns possibly remain about the royalty free nature of the social network element of Apple Music, aka Connect.
For example, any photos uploaded by the music community won’t be monetised. And as we all know, while Swifty’s always on hand when artists go unpaid, those photographers can, and I quote, “go fuck themselves”. Though I should probably note I’m not actually quoting Taylor Swift there.
Anyway, on the off chance this is the last thing we ever have to say about Apple Music’s licensing deals (and wouldn’t that be a charm?), here are some more quotes for you to snack on, every one of them provided royalty free…
Helen Smith of pan-European labels group IMPALA: “This is a great precedent in any sector on the benefits of working together and taking a stance to achieve a fair result. With 80% of all new releases produced by independent labels, this is also a great result for Apple. Their launch will now incorporate the very music that makes an online service attractive to music fans. The involvement of Merlin is vital considering its fundamental role in strengthening the independent sector. IMPALA has repeatedly called on online platforms to ‘play fair’ and this is an impressive outcome for independent labels and artists”.
Darius Van Arman, Secretly Group: “Apple listened to our community and then revised its music service agreement, demonstrating that it is committed to treating fairly all creators – labels, artists and songwriters. Secretly Group is proud to continue its partnership with Apple towards making music truly indispensable”.
Tom Silverman, Tommy Boy: “Today’s agreement shows Apple’s concern for the issues of the artist and independent label creative community. We look forward to Apple achieving huge and rapid success with its subscription service”.
Oke Gottlich, Finetunes: “The German indie sector is very happy and grateful that Apple has returned to the table, starting a dialogue again and involved our members – the small and middle-sized labels – for making the new Apple Music experience a real game changer for the whole music sector, finally”.
Martin Mills, Beggars Group: “Over the last few days we have had increasingly fruitful discussions with Apple. We are now delighted to say that we are happy to endorse the deal with Apple Music as it now stands, and look forward to being a big part of a very exciting future”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Apple Music | Beggars Group | Merlin | Taylor Swift | The Independent Music Companies Association (IMPALA) | World Independent Network (WIN)
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 10:23 | By Chris Cooke
2 For The Road agents join ATC Live
Business News Deals Industry People Live Business
ATC Live, the booking agency that is a sister business to the ATC artist management group, has announced that Clementine Bunel and Cecile Communal of 2 For The Road Events are joining the company. They bring to the ATV agency their roster of acts that includes Benjamin Clementine, Songhoy Blues, Stromae, Mulatu Astatke and Francois & The Atlas Mountains.
Confirming the move, Bunel said: “We are very excited about our move to ATC Live. We have found like-minded people with a creative vision about building artist careers, pushing boundaries and providing a bespoke approach to their development”.
Meanwhile ATC Live Partner Alex Bruford said: “We are thrilled to welcome Clementine & Cecile to ATC Live. They have done a remarkable job of building 2 For The Road from scratch and this union will ensure all the artists involved continue to receive the unique level of service that has been a founding principle of both ATC Live and 2 For The Road”.
READ MORE ABOUT: 2 For The Road | ATC Live | Cecile Communal | Clementine Bunel
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 10:17 | By Chris Cooke
Second Tidal CEO steps down
Business News Digital Industry People
So Tidal’s CEO is out the door. And yep, we know we reported that very story just 65 days ago, but his replacement is out the door too.
Of course it’s true that when Peter Tonstad replaced Andy Chen at the top of Jay-Z’s streaming service in April it was always meant to be an “interim” appointment. The aim, Tidal said, was for Tonstad – a former exec at the streaming firm’s former owners Aspiro – to implement his “clear vision for how the company is looking to change the status quo”. But I’m pretty sure that vision is yet to be implemented. Or did the status quo change when I wasn’t looking? It was probably something to do with Taylor Swift. Bloody Taylor Swift.
But worry not Pete, Team Tidal are awfully “thankful”. Said the streaming yesterday: “We are thankful to Peter for stepping in as interim CEO and wish him the best for the future. Tidal will be transitioning to a permanent CEO as part of our strategic plan to create a leading platform, and current executives in New York and Oslo will continue to lead our rapidly developing innovation and content initiatives until our new CEO is in place”.
It’s widely thought that Tidal will now appoint a US-based permanent chief exec, with most of the service’s strategic planning being seemingly led by the offices of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, rather than the streaming firm’s original Scandinavian HQ. My money’s on a goldfish called Steven. He’s the only member of the team able to forget THAT press launch.
READ MORE ABOUT: Peter Tonstad | Tidal
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 10:16 | By Andy Malt
Google launches free, ad-funded Google Play Music app
Business News Digital
Google has announced a new ad-funded freemium version of its Google Play streaming service, presumably called Google Play Access All Music But You Don’t Have To Pay Because It’s Free To Play Play Music Music. It means users in the US can now stream for free tracks from a 30 million song catalogue via a series of curated playlists or good old personalised radio. Basically it’s like Songza. Basically it’s Songza. You remember Google bought Songza, right?
Said Google announcing the new service: “Our team of music experts, including the folks who created Songza, crafts each station song by song so you don’t have to. If you’re looking for something specific, you can browse our curated stations by genre, mood, decade or activity, or you can search for your favourite artist, album or song to instantly create a station of similar music”.
Presumably licensed via American rights body SoundExchange on the labels side, given it’s limited to the US, the new service is available through web browsers now, with iOS and Android apps due to roll out later this week. Google is expected to use the freemium offer to upsell the paid-for Google Play streaming service, very much as Rdio already do by offering personalised radio for free and fully on-demand for dollars.
Meanwhile, here’s a tedious video.
READ MORE ABOUT: Google | Google Play | Google Play Music | Songza
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 10:13 | By Andy Malt
Rdio CEO says Spotify has the wrong mindset
Business News Digital
Moving again to establish his position as digital music’s most outspoken CEO, Rdio’s Anthony Bay has criticised Spotify and YouTube once more.
Taking aim at Spotify’s business model, he told Music Ally: “This is a retail business, and that’s the first thing you have to remember. It’s not an internet business. What we do, what Spotify does: it’s a retail business not an internet business”.
“This whole concept of a free, on-demand model as a stepping stone to subscription is an experiment”, he continued. “Spotify has an audience of 75 million, so wow, they have 20 million people who pay. You could also say that they have 55 million people who are getting music for free. So they have successfully converted 55 million people to ‘free’. They appear to be behaving like an internet company with internet margins, which is not this business. But whatever anyone says about Spotify, YouTube is worse”.
Continuing with his retail theme, he then compared Apple to a supermarket, saying: “The distribution of [physical] music moved towards companies for whom music is a feature, like Wal-Mart and Best Buy, or Tesco. ‘Come in to grab some lettuce and maybe grab a CD on the way out’. And in the digital world, that’s Apple: they offer music, but they offer music in the same sense that Tesco offers music. It’s not bad, but it’s a means to an end”.
As previously reported, earlier this month Bay complained that Spotify and YouTube’s free tiers are “too good”, making it difficult to launch the more mid-level options, such as his Rdio Select, that many believe are the key to making streaming profitable. How do you sell a cut back paid-for service when your competitors are giving everything away for nothing?
Nonetheless, although Rdio does not publish its user figures, Bay told Music Ally that, in the territories where it is currently available, 90% of people signing up to the $3.99 per month personalised radio Select service are new to the company. A European launch is expected imminently, should issues with licences be ironed out.
READ MORE ABOUT: Anthony Bay | Rdio
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 10:12 | By Chris Cooke
TFI Friday to return for eight edition series
Business News Media
So following its nostalgia-filled one-off return to telly screens earlier this month, ‘TFI Friday’ is returning to Channel 4 for an eight edition new series later this year.
Confirming that the show was returning for a full outing, Channel 4’s Creative Officer Jay Hunt told reporters: “Chris is the best of the best of live broadcasters and I never doubted for a moment that this ‘TFI’ would live up to expectations. Confirming a series was a no-brainer”.
Meanwhile host Chris Evans said: “Oh my goodness, are we really going to get to do this again? Looks like it – and leading into Christmas too. I might actually spontaneously explode on live television due to over excited-ness. Does that still count as unpredictable cos I’ve said it now?” No, it doesn’t.
Back in the day ‘TFI Friday’ was an important platform for labels keen to get new artists and new releases in front of a sizeable TV audience, and providing the new version of the show isn’t just a channel for promoting the recent ‘TFI Friday The Album’ and its tracklisting of 90s nonsense, then pluggers could be lining up to secure a slot for their acts on the returning show.
A five-day-a-week breakfast show and ‘TFI’ every Friday, on top of ‘Top Gear’ and ‘One Show’ commitments for Evans, what could possibly go wrong? Has anyone checked if Mark Radcliffe is ready to be flown in when it goes tits up?
READ MORE ABOUT: Chris Evans | TFI Friday
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 10:09 | By Andy Malt
Taylor Swift rep say photographer agreement “misrepresented”, as second contract emerges
Business News Media
A rep for Taylor Swift has said that a photographers’ agreement published in the wake of her battle with Apple over royalty payments has been “misrepresented”.
As previously reported, after Swift berated Apple for its initial plan not to pay royalties on Apple Music’s three month free trial, freelance photographer Jason Sheldon wrote his own letter criticising her demands on people hired to document her live shows in photo form. Posting a contract on his website, he noted that, under the agreement, pictures taken at the singer’s concerts could only be licensed once to the publication that originally commissioned them, after which the right to use the photographs is handed over to Swift.
“You say in your letter to Apple that ‘three months is a long time to go unpaid'”, wrote Sheldon. “But you seem happy to restrict us to being paid once, and never being able to earn from our work ever again, while granting you the rights to exploit our work for your benefit for all eternity”.
But a UK-based rep for Swift told Business Insider: “[The contract] clearly states that any photographer shooting the ‘1989’ world tour has the opportunity for further use of said photographs with management’s approval. Another distinct misrepresentation is the claim that the copyright of the photographs will be with anyone other than the photographer – this agreement does not transfer copyright away from the photographer. Every artist has the right to and should protect the use of their name and likeness”.
Sheldon responded on Twitter: “For the record, I never claimed they take our copyright. Just the right to use and give our images away worldwide in perpetuity, just as bad. If you have a contentious contract that you present to people, yet say that it’s amendable for anyone that objects to certain parts of it then you’re clearly aware that it’s not a fair contract and if it IS amendable, then there is no point having it in the first place”.
Of course, there’s the other point that this was not an agreement for photographing the current ‘1989’ tour, but actually one from 2011. So it’s a few years out of date. Luckily, another photographer, Joel Goodman, was on hand with a copy of the more recent version. That one, he noted, gives Swift’s team the right to destroy a photographer’s equipment if they break the agreement.
“[This newer contract] has been passed to me by two other photographers whom I know, independently of one another, on condition that they remain anonymous”, Goodman told PetaPixel. “Some photographers fear losing income if they get blacklisted for speaking out against these kind of contracts”.
He added: “This contract is particularly egregious in that it not only contains an all out rights grab on the photographers’ work, whilst limiting their editorial control and ability to earn from that work – and does so without compensation – but because it does so under threat of criminal damage or destruction of property”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Jason Sheldon | Joel Goodman | Taylor Swift
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 10:06 | By Andy Malt
John Grant announces new album, tour dates
Artist News Releases
John Grant has announced that he will release his third solo album, ‘Grey Tickles, Black Pressure’, through Bella Union on 2 Oct.
“I do think the album’s great, and I’m really proud of it”, says Grant. “I wanted to get moodier and angrier on this record, but I probably had a lot more fun making it”.
On the album’s title, he adds: “‘Grey tickles’ is the literal translation from Icelandic for ‘mid-life crisis’, while ‘black pressure’ is the direct translation from Turkish for ‘nightmare'”.
Grant plays three UK and Ireland dates in November, kicking off with two nights at Vicar Street in Dublin on 9-10 Nov, and then a night at the Hammersmith Apollo in London on 12 Nov.
Here’s a short album trailer, which features a clip of the album’s title track:
READ MORE ABOUT: John Grant
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 09:57 | By Andy Malt
Nickelback cancel US tour as Chad Kroeger requires vocal surgery
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Nickelback have been forced to cancel their upcoming US tour, after frontman Chad Kroeger was diagnosed with a cyst on his voice box. I’m sure this will please a lot of people who wouldn’t have heard him sing a note anyway. Why must you wish to deny Nickelback fans pleasure? It must be a tough life for them.
The band cancelled two shows last week “due to illness”, eventually announcing yesterday that the entire tour was being called off. “Chad will undergo surgery in three weeks following vocal rest ordered by doctors”, the band said in a statement.
“I am sorry I have to interrupt the party this summer and I am definitely not thrilled with the prospect of being silent for many weeks to come when I could be out there playing for our fans”, added Kroeger. “I am relying on my doctor and his team to help get my voice back in good form as quickly as possible”.
The good news is that the European leg of the tour is still expected to go ahead as planned, starting in Finland on 30 Sep. They are due to hit the arenas of the UK in November, while US dates will resume in 2016.
READ MORE ABOUT: Chad Kroeger | Nickelback
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 09:55 | By Andy Malt
CMU’s One Liners: Queen launch lager, Miguel UK tour, new New Order album, and more
Artist News Brands & Merch Gigs & Festivals One Liners Releases
Other notable announcements and developments today…
• Queen have their own lager now. Just thought you’d like to know. It’s called Queen Bohemian Lager and is hitting the shelves just in time to mark the 40th anniversary of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. “It’s Pilsner! We will not let you go!” says the press release. So that’s something.
• New Order have announced that they will release a new album called ‘Music Complete’ on 25 Sep. That is our ‘Music Complete’ update.
• Petite Noir has announced that he will release his debut album, ‘La Vie Est Belle / Life Is Beautiful’, on 11 Sep. From it, this is ‘Down’.
• Helena Hauff will release a new album on Actress’s Ninja Tune imprint Werkdiscs on 4 Sep. This from it is ‘Sworm To Secrecy Part II’.
• Farao will release her debut album, ‘Till It’s Forgotten’, on 11 Sep. Here’s new single, ‘Bodies’.
• Selena Gomez is releasing a new single featuring A$AP Rocky. It’s called ‘Good For You’. And here it is.
• Miguel will be playing three dates in the UK this October. Brixton Academy on 13 Oct, Birmingham Academy on 15 Oct, and Manchester Academy on 18 Oct. Tickets go on sale on Friday.
• Low will release a new album, ‘Ones And Sixes’, on 11 Sep. They’ll also be playing live dates in the UK in the autumn, concluding with a show at The Roundhouse in London on 10 Oct.
• Eurovision winner Måns Zelmerlöw has announced that he will play a London show at Heaven on 24 Sep. Tickets on sale on Friday.
READ MORE ABOUT: Farao | Helena Hauff | Low | Måns Zelmerlöw | Miguel | New Order | Queen | Selena Gomez
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 09:53 | By Andy Malt
Kanye concedes that Beck does in fact respect artistry
And Finally Artist News Awards Gigs & Festivals
Having conceded earlier this year that some of Beck’s music is “kind of good”, Kanye West has now admitted that it was “inaccurate” to say that the musician doesn’t “respect artistry” at this year’s Grammy Awards.
As I’m sure you all remember, West almost interrupted Beck’s acceptance speech at this year’s Grammys when he won the Album Of The Year award (for the “kind of good” ‘Morning Phase’). Although he’d initially played it down as a light-hearted jape, West later ranted in an interview that Beck should hand the award over to its true winner, Beyonce.
Speaking to last weekend’s The Sunday Times, West said: “I don’t make suggestions, I make propositions. I don’t give requests, I give directives. There’s no in-between. I’m fine to apologise for inaccuracies. You know, I send flowers for inaccuracies. I talked to Beck’s wife, and I think I had a point about Beyonce’s album, but I think I was inaccurate with the concept of a gentleman who plays fourteen instruments not respecting artistry”.
Kanye, of course, is set to headline Glastonbury’s Saturday night this weekend. Unless Beck comes and stops him.
READ MORE ABOUT: Beck | Kanye West
Wednesday 24 June 2015, 09:13 | By Andy Malt
Approved: Svē – BLKNBL
CMU Approved
Keened eyed readers will note that it’s not that long since Svē last featured in the Approved column. But the new song she pushed up onto SoundCloud yesterday perfectly justifies the quick re-appearance.
Taken from her debut album, ‘My Religion’, which is out next week, ‘BLKNBL’ is a monster of a pop song. It’s got drama, tension, unexpected twists, a thoroughly infectious synth line, and Svē, to use the technical term, belting it the fuck out. Lyrically it deals with the battle between the artist and her internal monologue, and overcoming self-doubt. From the sound of it, those demons have been conquered.
I recommend you listen to ‘BLKNBL right now, and prepare for the incoming album:
READ MORE ABOUT: Svē
