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Thursday 22 February 2018, 11:08 | By Andy Malt
Approved: Animal Hack
CMU Approved
Production duo Animal Hack have just released their latest EP, ‘Gift’, pulling together the last six months or so of their output. A shift from last summer’s ‘Boy’ EP, it drives the volume right into the red for large sections, although is not without moments of subtlety.
Opening track ‘Body’ sets things off in furniture-rattling form, before giving way to ‘Letter’, which balances overdriven drums and synths with intricate guitar work. A (slightly) lighter sound comes on ‘WIMM?’, which leaves space to ponder the unusual vocal sample it employs. Meanwhile, ‘Plastic Night’ really does shift things down a gear, coming as a welcome respite at the EP draws to a close.
Listen to ‘Body’ here.
Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist.
READ MORE ABOUT: Animal Hack
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 13:34 | By Andy Malt
Spotify founders will retain control after stock market listing
Business News Digital Top Stories
It turns out that Spotify is not going to become some sort of utopian democracy when it finally lists of the stock market. Not just because OBVIOUSLY, but also because founders Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon have made moves to ensure that they will keep control of the company even once it’s publicly listed.
According to Bloomberg, inspired by the founders of Google and Facebook the two men who launched the company in 2006 both own a class of share that gives them “super voting power”. Shares bought on the open market will have just boring normal voting power. This will mean that new shareholders will have much less influence on the future of the streaming service than the likes of Ek and Lorentzon.
Although a stock market floatation by Spotify has been rumoured for several years, it’s thought that that it is now actually imminent. It’s been known for a while that Spotify plans to go with a direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange, rather than the customary IPO which also raises new finance.
The jury is still out on whether or not this unusual method of listing will work. It means fewer presentations and less schmoozing ahead of the company’s arrival on the stock market. But that also makes it harder to assess interest among the investment community. Some reckon the innovative approach gives the company an advantage. Some reckon it’s doomed to failure. So, situation normal for anything Spotify does really.
Either way, the stock market listing will put ever more scrutiny on the operations and finances of the market-leading streaming firm. Which is probably why Ek and Lorentzon are keen to retain control of the business once they are properly in the glare of Wall Street.
As for where Ek and Lorentzon might take Spotify next, it appears that the firm might be planning to enter the increasingly crowded smart speaker market. This assumption is based on the fact company is currently advertising three jobs based in Stockholm related to “hardware production”.
“Spotify is on its way to creating its first physical products and setting up an operational organisation for manufacturing, supply chain, sales and marketing”, says an ad for an Operations Manager. Once recruited, the new Senior Project Manager and Project Manager“will contribute in the creation of innovative Spotify experiences via connected hardware”.
It has long been suggested that Spotify might move into hardware at some point. Several years ago, launching a physical speaker was put forward as a possible way for the company to engage more mainstream music listeners. These remain a difficult demographic for streaming services to crack, most people not being particularly turned on by simply having access to tens of millions of tracks on-demand. A physical device that works more like traditional radio could be one way of drawing customers like this in.
Elsewhere on the Spotify jobs site, the company is also seeking a Head Of Fraud Prevention. This may be useful, given that Music Business Worldwide has just put the spotlight on an alleged scam that may have occurred on the Spotify platform resulting in a chunk of the streaming firm’s monthly royalty pay-out going to the scammer. Although, as MBW points out, the scam doesn’t necessarily constitute actual fraud. But some terms and conditions may have been breached.
MBW reckons that a Bulgarian company uploaded hundreds of short songs to Spotify’s servers, then signed up for 1200 premium accounts from which to play back that music, probably 24/7. With enough plays, the potential royalties from this would be vastly higher than the money spent on the premium accounts.
Of course, this scam only works because of the way Spotify income is shared with the music industry. Currently, all monies received by any streaming service is put into one pot each month and then divided up based on consumption share across the entire platform in any one market. Many feel that this system skews in favour of big rights owners and superstar artists. And Bulgarian scammers.
Some advocate an alternative ‘user-centric’ royalty distribution system. In particular Deezer, which is busy trying to persuade the labels to pilot that approach to sharing out the money each month. Under the ‘user-centric’ system each user’s subscription fee is individually divided up between the artists that they have specifically listened to. The per-stream rate would then vary greatly depending on how much music each user streams.
Under that system, the Bulgarian scam wouldn’t work, because if only the scammers themselves were streaming their music, they would only get their own subscription money back. Minus sales tax and Spotify’s cut.
User-centric royalty distribution is explained in more detail in this recent CMU Trends article on the streaming business. And you can read all about how exactly streaming services are licensed, and how the money flows through the system, in ‘Dissecting The Digital Dollar’ – available to buy in print form from Amazon here.
Of course, however the money is made through music, it seems certain that someone somewhere will always find a way to scam the system.
In 2009, twelve people were arrested over a credit card scam, where they fraudulently bought their own music off iTunes with other people’s cards. Thus getting nice clean royalties in their bank account. Although, as noted, in the new alleged scam on Spotify, it appears that no actual crime has been committed. Therefore the police probably wouldn’t get involved. Instead, Spotify’s new Head Of Fraud Prevention might have to take on the scammers alone.
READ MORE ABOUT: Spotify
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 13:31 | By Chris Cooke
Frank Ocean sues producer over Blonde songwriting credits
Artist News Business News Legal
Frank Ocean has sued record producer Om’Mas Keith in a dispute over who contributed to the songwriting on the 2016 album ‘Blonde’.
It seems that the producer, who also worked with Ocean on his debut album ‘Channel Orange’, has claimed co-writing credits on various songs that appeared on ‘Blonde’. This has mainly been done via the database of US collecting society ASCAP. He didn’t get any credits on the liner notes that accompanied the record.
In his legal filing, Ocean states that Keith was paid a set fee for his work on ‘Blonde’ and is not due any future royalties from his involvement in the record. Moreover, says the lawsuit, the producer did not “contribute any lyrics, melodies, or music that would give rise to any claim of authorship”.
The litigation aims to have Keith’s ‘Blonde’ songwriting credits removed from the ASCAP database and to secure an injunction preventing the producer from making any claim to co-ownership of the works in the future. In terms of money, Ocean seems to only want his legal costs covered.
A spokesperson for Ocean confirmed the litigation to Pitchfork, saying: “A complaint has been filed against Om’Mas Keith who has falsely stated to have written certain songs which appear on the album ‘Blonde’. These claims are untrue and this issue is being dealt with by litigators”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Frank Ocean | Om'Mas Keith
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 13:22 | By Chris Cooke
ICE announces Facebook deal
Business News Deals Digital
The Facebook licences continue to slot into place. This morning ICE – the licensing hub that brings together various European song rights collecting societies – announced its first deal with the social network.
Facebook has been busy negotiating music licences for sometime as its shift into video made the need for deals with the music industry more pressing.
Although the first big deal was with Universal Music, covering the mega-major’s record labels as well as some of its publishing catalogues, most of the subsequent deals have focused on song rights rather than recording rights.
This isn’t to say that Facebook doesn’t want the labels on board – it does – but the social media giant does seem to be prioritising the publishers and collecting societies. Which is the opposite to most digital music services, which usually do the label deals first.
However, given that Facebook mainly needs licences for music contained in user-uploaded videos, it isn’t relying on its music industry partners to pump music directly into its servers. It’s that requirement that makes label deals the top priority for more conventional music streaming services.
Also, while the labels want to share in all that Facebook advertising money, they also recognise the promotional value of having their music popping up in people’s news feeds. So it’s more the publishers who have been employing Facebook’s Rights Manager technology to block unlicensed music, causing content to be taken down.
Confirming that it had agreed a deal with ICE, the copyright hub that was co-founded by UK collecting society PRS, Facebook’s Anjali Southward said: “We are delighted to continue deepening our relationship with music by partnering with ICE in a first-of-its-kind licensing deal. Facebook’s journey with music is just beginning and we look forward to working with ICE and songwriters to build a community together around music”.
Meanwhile the Commercial Director of ICE Services, Ben McEwen, added: “We are excited to work with Facebook to ensure we are delivering value back to creators for the use of their works on Facebook platforms. The future of music depends on our industries working together to enable the development of new models for music consumption in the digital age, to ensure a healthy future for songwriters and composers”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Facebook | ICE
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 13:20 | By Chris Cooke
Turner and Boateng promoted at Atlantic Records
Business News Industry People Labels & Publishers
Warner Music has promoted Briony Turner and Alec Boateng to become Co-Heads Of A&R at its Atlantic Records UK label.
The wider Atlantic A&R team will now report into Turner and Boateng, although Ed Howard – who leads A&R for the Asylum Records imprint – and Paul Samuels, the label’s VP A&R, will continue to report into the division’s President Ben Cook.
Confirming everything I just said, Cook said: “Briony and Alec are two of the most exciting players in A&R, their dynamism as individuals and potency as a pair means they deliver with our brilliant artists time and again. This credibility makes Atlantic UK a landmark destination for the new generation of smart talent”.
Meanwhile Turner added that “I love working with Alec and I’m very excited about continuing to build on the momentum we’ve collectively gathered over the past few years”, and Boateng chipped in: “Briony is a complete G, together we’re going to focus on developing the unique culture and artist roster at Atlantic”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Alec Boateng | Atlantic Records | Briony Turner | Warner Music
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 13:17 | By Chris Cooke
BRIT Trust-supported charity highlights how music can be used to rehabilitate young offenders
Artist News Awards Business News Labels & Publishers
Ahead of this evening’s big BRITs bash, an organisation supported by the BRIT Trust – the music industry charity in no small part funded by the BRITs shows – has put out a short film highlighting how music can be used in the rehabilitation of young offenders.
The charity is called Key4Life, which runs a programme seeking to help young offenders to channel their energies into more positive pursuits, the aim being to reduce re-offending. Music is a key part of that programme, and the charity has been supported by the likes of George The Poet, Al, the Native and KSI.
The charity’s founder and CEO, Eva Hamilton, says: “Music therapy is vital part of Key4Life’s engagement strategy to build confidence, emotional resilience and unlock young men’s creative potential and we are hugely grateful to The BRIT Trust and BPI for their invaluable support over the last three years”.
Speaking for the BRIT Trust, its Chair John Craig adds: “At the Trust we recognise how important it is to provide opportunities for young people to express their creativity, often through music. It is the first time we have supported an organisation working with young offenders, allowing them to express themselves, and it fits in perfectly with the Trust’s ethos and mission in giving young people life skills that can help them and then hopefully convert into jobs. On behalf of all my fellow trustees I wish Key4Life much success”.
You can watch the video here:
READ MORE ABOUT: BRIT Awards | Key4Life
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 13:14 | By Andy Malt
Andrew WK named Person Of The Year by American Association Of Suicidology
Artist News Awards
Andrew WK has been named Person Of The Year by suicide prevention charity the American Association Of Suicidology. The first person to receive the prize, the organisation said that it was presenting it to him “due to his consistent and powerful use of positivity to improve the lives of those who hear his music”.
“Andrew’s message resonates with the field of suicide prevention in that he encourages people to use their capabilities to create a life worth living”, says AAS president Julie Cerel.
Executive Director Colleen Creighton adds: “Andrew WK has brought so much hope and joy to so many people through the power of his music, lectures, and writings. He has empowered individuals to find a positive path forward. Therefore, we are pleased to name him our inaugural Person Of The Year for the incredible impact he has had in transforming lives throughout the world”.
Accepting the award, Andrew WK say: “Words cannot adequately convey my astonishment at having been selected for this unique recognition. I’m grateful to the American Association Of Suicidology for the incredibly valuable work they’ve done for so long, and continue to do now, when it’s needed more than ever”.
He continues: “My story is a familiar one. From a young age, I felt consistently uneasy in the world, and thus began an ongoing search for something to quell the sense of wrongness inside of me. I was lucky enough to discover a life’s work, which not only transmuted my darker tendencies into something brighter and more deserving of my energy, but also allowed me to amplify and share that quest with others”.
“In my mission to find joyful meaning in life, I never imagined my rock and roll destiny would become a source of inspiration for those who also dwelled in the shadows. To reach into the abyss and somehow make contact with the unknown is both terrifying and miraculous, but even more terrifying and miraculous, is to reach into yourself and somehow make contact with your fellow man. It’s in this quintessential form of contact – this primal physical and emotional connection – that the truth about life must surely be found. This is our challenge – to see if we can find the other person inside of us, and us in them, and to let this process of enlightened discovery open our hearts, and purify our minds”.
“I’d like to humbly accept this award on behalf of all the people who work every day at forging this sacred human bond. I’d like to accept this award on behalf of music itself, and on behalf of the mysterious life-force feeling I simply call ‘partying’. I’d like to accept this award on behalf of every person who has struggled and overcome, and struggled and fallen – for I have been both”.
“I’d also like to accept this honour on behalf of every person who’s lost someone – or lost themselves – to seemingly insurmountable darkness”, he concludes. “In a world of confusion, distress, and extraordinary challenges, there are few efforts more worthwhile than devoting oneself to the raising of the collective human spirit. If any of our work can contribute to this vast emergency – this crisis of joy – then may the Party Gods grant us ever more strength, so we may all help make the world a partier place”.
The award will be officially presented at the AAS Annual Conference in Washington, DC in April.
READ MORE ABOUT: American Association Of Suicidology | Andrew WK
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 13:13 | By Andy Malt
Confidence Man announce confident debut album
Artist News Gigs & Festivals Releases
Confidence Man have announced that they will release their debut album, ‘Confident Music For Confident People’, on 13 Apr. Along with this news comes new single, ‘Don’t You Know I’m In A Band’.
“We wrote this song for people who think they’re really cool just because they’re in a band”, says the band’s Janet Planet of the single. “People like us”.
Her co-frontperson Sugar Bones adds: “Don’t you know? Didn’t you know? Well if you didn’t know by now you should do your homework. Being in a band is the coolest and it ain’t ever gonna change”.
You should really see Confidence Man live. Luckily, you’ll be able to at various UK festivals this summer. They’ll also be playing a headline show at London’s Village Underground on 30 May.
Here’s ‘Don’t You Know I’m In A Band’:
READ MORE ABOUT: Confidence Man
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 13:11 | By Andy Malt
One Liners: Father John Misty, PJ Harvey, Alexis Taylor, more
Artist News Business News Industry People Marketing & PR One Liners Releases
Other notable announcements and developments today…
• Naomi Belshaw has been appointed PR Executive & Manager at Wildkat PR. She will take up the position in May, leaving her current job as Grants & Programmes Manager at the PRS Foundation. “I am delighted”, says Belshaw. “We are THRILLED”, says Wildkat boss Kathleen Alder.
• Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty, has released a new song, ‘Mr Tillman’.
• PJ Harvey and Harry Escott’s ‘An Acre Of Land’ has a video now.
• Alexis Taylor is releasing a new solo album, ‘Beautiful Thing’, on 20 Apr. This is the title track.
• Cabbage have released new single, ‘Arms Of Pleonexia’, all about the international arms trade. Here’s the video.
• Superorganism have released new single, ‘Reflections On A Screen’. They’re touring next month, and releasing their debut album too. What fun.
• CupcakKe has released the video for ‘Fullest’ from her ‘Ephorize’ album.
• RM Hubbert and Aidan Moffat have recorded an album together, titled ‘Here Lies The Body’. Here’s first single ‘Cockcrow’.
• Dena and JFDR have recorded a song together.
• Fifi Rong has released another new track from her upcoming ‘Awake’ EP. This is ‘Horizon’.
• Rival Consoles will release a new album, ‘Persona’, on 13 Apr. He’ll play XOYO in London on 12 Apr too. Here’s new single, ‘Unfolding’.
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily – updated every Friday.
READ MORE ABOUT: Aidan Moffat | Alexis Taylor | Cabbage | Cupcakke | Dena | Father John Misty | Fifi Rong | Harry Escott | JFDR | Naomi Belshaw | PJ Harvey | Rival Consoles | RM Hubbert | Superorganism | WildKat PR
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 13:03 | By Andy Malt
Blossoms launch helpline for fans fearing split
And Finally Artist News
Blossoms have set up a helpline for fans concerned that the band are on the verge of splitting up. This follows rumours that the band are on the verge of splitting up. Possibly started by the band themselves.
Fans (or curious journalists) who ring 0808 281 2482 are met with a recorded message from guitarist Josh Dewhurst, informing them: “To be honest, I’ve been kept out of the loop on this one. Last to know, as per. C’est la vie. I’m probably not the best person to advise on this TBH. Not with my bloody nerves. Anyway, rest assured we have paid therapeutic professionals dealing with this fall out. One of them has been on ‘This Morning’ twice, and was booked on the Matthew Wright show but had to pull out cos of a dodgy belly”.
He adds: “I wanted to reassure you that it’s not over yet and I’m 50% sure it’ll be fine. All proceeds from this £10 a minute call will go to the relevant people. Hang on in there”.
There then follows a blast of what might be new music from the band, but just sounds like all music does when played over a phoneline. After which, another voice informs you that no professionals are available to speak to you, but that “it’s important to us that someone cool like you wants to get in touch”.
So that’s fine. In the run up to the launch of the helpline, frontman Tom Ogden drummer Joe Donovan have been squabbling on Twitter. On one occasion, Ogden referred to Donovan as “my backstabbing former bandmate”, which some people took as a sign of a split. Donovan responded by accusing Ogden of asking “his mum to buy him a special leather glove to eat pasties with after he burnt his thumb on a Greggs steak bake”.
Both appeared on the NME Awards red carpet together two days later though, with Ogden explaining: “It’s just one of them, isn’t it? When you spend hours and hours with someone on tour and every time someone has a drink, he fucking goes ‘ahhh’, every single fucking time. Do you know what I mean? When someone does that all the time, and they don’t stop doing it, it’s going to grind on you, isn’t it? Especially when you’ve known someone twelve years. He makes a clicking noise when he speaks as well, but I had to tell the manager to get him to stop doing that”.
Donovan added: “It is one of them, isn’t it? When your best mate from Stockport starts saying he’s from Cheshire, it just kind of changes things a little bit. He’s got these little nicknames as well. There was one of the other day, he called me ‘Wingo’. I think he was referring to Ringo Starr and how when I play drums my arms flap about a bit. Just little stuff like that, does my head in a little bit”.
Anyway, Blossoms have been working on their second album, so I think that’s what this is all about.
READ MORE ABOUT: Blossoms
Wednesday 21 February 2018, 12:13 | By Andy Malt
Approved: Helena Deland
CMU Approved
Helena Deland released her debut EP, ‘Drawing Room’, last summer. It constituted four songs crafted to a level that you don’t usually expect so early in a career. Songs of the sort where you immediately want to hear some more. So, yeah, more than half a year later, she’s back. I guess you can’t rush good things.
On 2 Mar, the two halves of new release ‘Altogether Unaccompanied Vol I & II’ will accompany each other into the world as twin seven-inches or on cassette, depending on your physical media preference.
Already out in the world is ‘There Are A Thousand’, from volume one. More in line with the country-tinged style of her previous release, it floats along on woozy synths, though still offers a vague hint of the about turn she takes on new single ‘Take It All’.
Altogether darker, ‘Take It All’ rides funereal synths and tense guitars. Of the song, she says: “It’s about the feeling of denial and eventually humiliation when you expect something significant from a relationship with another whose reasons for involvement are deceptive”.
UK shows are to be announced imminently. Listen to ‘Take It All’ here:
Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist.
READ MORE ABOUT: Helena Deland
Tuesday 20 February 2018, 13:03 | By Chris Cooke
Irish government could back ticket touting ban
Business News Legal Live Business Top Stories
The Irish government might give its backing to legislative proposals that would basically make the touting of tickets for profit illegal in Ireland.
Two members of the Irish parliament, Noel Rock and Stephen Donnelly, have been calling for tough new regulations limiting online ticket touting for a while now. That led to a government review of the secondary ticketing market last year by the Department Of Business, which included a public consultation.
Some in the Irish live music industry gave full backing to strict new rules, while some in the ticketing sector questioned how effective an outright ban would really be. Though that did include Live Nation’s Ticketmaster which, of course, has interests in both primary and secondary ticketing, so has generally lobbied for light regulation of the latter.
That review of the ticket resale sector is complete and, according to the Irish Examiner, Rock and Donnelly will now meet with the Department Of Business to discuss the outcomes. It is thought the two politicians will then re-introduce their proposed new law that would ban the resale of tickets for profit and that the Irish government may formally back the proposals.
On those plans, Donnelly told the Examiner: “This will change mindsets. Anyone trying to sell at an inflated price will be breaking the law. It will be a culture change”.
Specifics of those proposed new rules are not yet clear, with questions still to be asked including what happens if tickets are touted for Irish events on websites based outside of Ireland, and who would be responsible for enforcing any ban. Similar proposals were passed in the Australian state of New South Wales last year.
READ MORE ABOUT: Secondary Ticketing
Tuesday 20 February 2018, 13:02 | By Chris Cooke
Aussie movie exec says Google “facilitates crime”
Business News Digital Legal
An Australian movie industry boss has hit out at Google for “facilitating crime” by failing to play its part in combating online piracy. Graham Burke, co-CEO of and a shareholder in film producer Village Roadshow, added that the web giant is welcome to sue him if they take offence at his “facilitating crime” accusation.
Burke’s comments come as two piracy debates continue in Australia. First, the expansion of Australia’s currently very narrow safe harbour. Second, a recently announced review of the country’s web-block system.
Although the safe harbour in Australian copyright law operates in much the same way as the similar principle in the US and Europe, it currently only protects internet service providers. In America and the European Union a wide range of web operators also enjoy safe harbour protection, so that they can’t be held financially liable for their customers’ copyright infringement. In the EU, of course, efforts are under-way to restrict the safe harbour a little so that user-upload sites like YouTube are no longer protected.
In Australia moves are afoot to expand safe harbour protection to the likes of libraries and educational or cultural institutions. However, under pressure from the copyright industries, web firms like Google will not be included in the expanded Australian safe harbour.
Needless to say, Google is not impressed with that decision. According to Torrentfreak, in a recent submission to ministers the web firm said that the Australian government’s current plan “falls far short of a balanced, pro-innovation environment for Australia. Further, it takes Australia out of step with other digital economies by creating regulatory uncertainty for investment and start-up/entrepreneurial success”.
Google then added that, without safe harbour protection, it and other web firms would have less incentive to work with copyright owners on developing anti-piracy tools. It stated: “If Australian-based service providers are carved out of the new safe harbour regime post-reform, they will operate from a lower incentive to build and test new voluntary tools to combat online piracy, potentially reducing their contributions to innovation in best practices in both Australia and international markets”.
For its part, Village Roadshow urged the government to resist pressure to extend safe harbour to protect the likes of Google, stating in its submission: “It is very unlikely given their size and power that as content owners we would ever sue [Google], but if we don’t have that right then we stand naked. Most importantly if Google do the right thing by Australia on the question of piracy then there will be no issues. However, they are very far from this position and demonstrably are facilitating crime”.
Burke then repeated the “facilitating crime” remark when discussing web-blocking in Australia. Specific new laws were passed in the country to allow copyright owners to request that internet service providers block their customers from accessing piracy platforms. Since those rules went into effect, Village Roadshow has been a key participant in demanding blockades against an assortment of copyright infringing websites, alongside other music and movie companies. The whole web-blocking system in Australia is now being reviewed.
Of course, a key issue with web-blocking is how easy it is to circumvent the blockades, usually via a simple Google search. Burke, like many copyright owners, reckons the web giant should be much more proactive in keeping web-blocked piracy sites – and proxies that help users get around the blockades – out of its search engine.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he said of Google’s failure to proactively remove piracy sites from its search results, “my view is they are complicit and they are facilitating crime”. And, he added, Google is welcome to sue him if they take issue with that remark.
Unlikely to want to participate in any such messy legal battle, instead the web giant had a spokesperson tell the Herald that the company takes piracy “very seriously”, that it has invested “tens of millions of dollars” to deal with the issue, and that it continues to have “meaningful and earnest conversations with industry about copyright”. Fun times.
READ MORE ABOUT: Google | Village Roadshow
Tuesday 20 February 2018, 13:00 | By Andy Malt
Scottish government adds agent of change to planning law
Business News Live Business
The Scottish government last week announced that it would update its planning policies in line with England and Wales, meaning that the ‘agent of change’ principle will be introduced in all three countries. This will force property developers to protect new property developments from noise created by existing venues.
In a statement, the Scottish government said the new guidance recognised “the cultural and economic contribution of Scotland’s music industry, as well as the importance of live music to the vibrancy of our town centres and to our night-time economy”.
The UK government announced plans to update the National Planning Policy Framework, so to include agent of change, in January, following pressure from campaigners. However, this policy only applies to planning laws in England. In Wales, plans to implement the change were already announced in May last year. As a result, music industry reps in Scotland began their own campaign to have the law changed there.
“The Scottish government recognises the significant cultural and economic contribution of our music industry”, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart told The Scotsman. “It is only right we do what we can to protect the established and emerging musical talent and that is why we are embedding the ‘agent of change’ principle in our planning guidance”.
He continued: “Music venues should not have to make high cost changes or deal with expensive disputes because of new developments. Developers will be responsible for identifying and solving any potential issues with noise, giving residents of new homes a better quality of life and allowing our music venues to continue to operate”.
Chief Planner John McNairney has reportedly written to all local authorities in Scotland asking them to “act now” on the changes to planning rules.
READ MORE ABOUT:
Tuesday 20 February 2018, 12:55 | By Andy Malt
One Little Indian’s Katie Malcolmson to head up Brixton Agency UK office
Business News Marketing & PR
Katie Malcolmson is to head up the new UK office of US music PR firm Brixton Agency. Currently Head Of Press for indie label One Little Indian, she will continue to represent the company in her new role.
“I’m incredibly excited to be able to give Brixton Agency a home in the UK, as well as continuing to work with the fantastic roster of One Little Indian Records”, says Malcolmson. “Coming from a label background as a PR, you are equipped with a far greater understanding of the inner workings of an entire campaign, from marketing to radio to international – something that some agency PRs tend to overlook. You are able to look at the bigger picture and create bespoke campaigns to suit each artist and label”.
She continues: “I’ve admired Brixton Agency co-founders Sean Patrick Rhorer and Talia Miller for many years, having seen first-hand how they’ve grown the company in the US. They’ve been the first to discover some of my favourite artists and they truly have their respective fingers on the pulse of new music. I think their success is rooted in the fact that they are genuinely fans of every artist they work with. I’m excited to be able to do the same thing in the UK, presenting some awesome US artists to the UK music media as well as home-grown talent”.
The Brixton Agency currently represents acts including Circa Survive, La Dispute, Modern Baseball, and Kevin Devine.
READ MORE ABOUT: Brixton Agency | Katie Malcolmson | One Little Indian
Tuesday 20 February 2018, 12:48 | By Andy Malt
Facebook planning two smart devices
Business News Digital
“I like small speakers, I like tall speakers”, sang Cliff Richard on ‘Wired For Sound’. But he was conspicuously quite on smart speakers. Well, he’s going to have to make a decision some time soon, because Facebook looks set to join the ever-expanding market for speakers you can shout at.
According to DigiTimes, the social network is set to launch two smart devices in July. Both will feature touchscreens and built in speakers, with a focus on allowing you to video chat with friends and family. Sounds like an utter fucking nightmare.
Sources told the website that the two devices are codenamed Aloha and Fiona. Aloha is the more technically advanced model, using facial recognition as well as voice commands.
The race to put pointless shouty boxes in homes is hotting up at the moment, of course. Amazon is the market leader with its Echo range, followed by Google Home. Apple recently finally got around to launching its HomePod this month, to a fairly lukewarm reception.
READ MORE ABOUT: Facebook
Tuesday 20 February 2018, 12:47 | By Chris Cooke
Pirate Studios launches new talent initiative The Pirate Prodigies
Business News Education & Events
Pirate Studios – the network of rehearsal, DJ and production studios that have been quietly popping up all around the UK – has announced a new talent initiative called The Pirate Prodigies that will provide proactive support to three artists among the thousands who regularly book space with the company.
Launching the new initiative, Pirate Studios co-founder David Borrie said: “We have 20,000 musicians in our community, a lot are producing amazing music. We find it incredible some of these guys aren’t already household names so we thought it would be awesome if we could be the ones to give them a helping hand”.
The artists selected for the programme will have access to mentoring from experts across the music industry, will attend masterclasses and workshops, including one run by CMU:DIY, will get unlimited free use of Pirate Studios’ facilities, and additional support producing both recordings and video content.
Other companies supporting the programme include PPL, Flying Vinyl, Various Artists, Fear PR, Music Glue, Radio X, The Great Escape, United Talent Agency, This Feeling and Sentric, while a team of artists, journalists and industry types will also help select the three acts who get to participate in the programme.
Interested artists should apply by 19 Mar here.
READ MORE ABOUT: Pirate Studios
Tuesday 20 February 2018, 12:43 | By Andy Malt
Chris Martin supports proposed freelance parental leave legislation
Business News Industry People
Coldplay’s Chris Martin has leant his support to a campaign calling for the principle of shared parental leave to be extended to the self-employed.
Campaigners will gather outside Parliament tomorrow morning in support of Labour MP Tracy Brabin’s proposed Shared Parental Pay And Leave (Extension) Bill.
In 2015, the law was changed to allow parents to split parental leave between them. However, self-employed mothers are only able to take maternity leave and their statutory maternity pay in one block. Self-employed fathers have no access to paternity leave or pay.
Brabin’s proposed legislation would change this, and would be of particular benefit to those who work in the creative industries, where the rate of self-employment is around 44%.
In a statement, Chris Martin said: “So many of our crew, both in the studio and on the road, are freelance, and we don’t want to lose half of that talent when they become parents – we want them to be able to share their parenting in a way that works for them, and isn’t dictated by being a man or a woman”.
Other musicians supporting the campaign include from Laura Marling, Keane, Ed Harcourt and Fyfe Dangerfield.
READ MORE ABOUT: Chris Martin
Tuesday 20 February 2018, 12:41 | By Andy Malt
One Liners: Tinashe, Diplo, Stefflon Don, more
Artist News Gigs & Festivals One Liners Releases
Other notable announcements and developments today…
• All the bits of Tinashe’s new single that don’t have Future on them are brilliant. Here’s the video for the track.
• Diplo has released the video for new single ‘Look Back’, featuring Dram.
• Stefflon Don’s collaboration with Skepta, ‘Ding-A-Ling’, now has a video. The track remains not good.
• Melvins have released new track ‘Stop Moving To Florida’, taken from upcoming new album ‘Pinkus Abortion Technician’.
• The Chemical Brothers have announced a show at Alexandra Palace in London on 5 Oct. Tickets on sale on Friday.
• Every Time I Die have announced that they will play The Garage in London on 29 May. They will have spent the preceding weekend playing the multi-site Slam Dunk festival.
• Cut Chemist will play an AV set at the Scala in London on 17 May to launch his first solo album since 2006.
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily – updated every Friday.
READ MORE ABOUT: Cut Chemist | Diplo | Every Time I Die | Future | Melvins | Skepta | Stefflon Don | The Chemical Brothers | Tinashe
Tuesday 20 February 2018, 12:34 | By Andy Malt
Fergie apologises for US national anthem performance
And Finally Artist News
Fergie has apologised for her rendition of the US national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game 2018 this weekend. The singer performed a weird jazzy version of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before the sporting match on Sunday.
“I’ve always been honoured and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA”, she told TMZ yesterday. “I’m a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best”.
Yes, if there’s one thing we all know about Fergie, it’s that she’s “a risk taker artistically”. Watch her performance here:
READ MORE ABOUT: Fergie
Tuesday 20 February 2018, 11:09 | By Andy Malt
Approved: G Flip
CMU Approved
Having been involved in various projects with others in recent years, Georgia Flipo has now released her debut solo single, ‘About You’, under the name G Flip. The track is filled with enthusiasm for experimenting with sounds, all hung off a very well-crafted song. The results are infectious.
“Over a year ago I made the decision to give a red hot crack at making my own music”, she says. “I’ve spent the past year locked away writing and producing in my bedroom”.
As for the video, she adds: “Since I wrote, produced and recorded this song in my bedroom, I thought why not make the music video there too! Cheers to my little bro Reuben for shooting it all on my iPhone”.
Watch the video here:
Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist.
READ MORE ABOUT: G Flip
Monday 19 February 2018, 13:38 | By Chris Cooke
Physical music sales continued to decline over Christmas, though impulse buy opportunities remain
Business News HMV Timeline Retail Top Stories
UK sales of physical music products over the Christmas period were down 5.8% year-on-year, according to the latest stats from research firm Kantar Worldpanel.
While music saw a dip, it’s the home video domain where the physical market is seeing the steepest declines, down 21% year-on-year as online video-on-demand platforms really start to take hold. In gaming, however, the appetite for plastic discs remains strong, with sales actually up year-on-year by 2.1%.
Overall, the physical home entertainment market was down 8.8% year-on-year in the quarter up until 14 Jan. Even in gaming, fewer people were buying games in a physical form, it’s just that those who continue to buy are, on average, spending slightly more. Nevertheless, it remains true that the Christmas quarter is still the big one for those selling physical discs.
Kantar’s Olivia Moore states: “Surprising friends and family with physical entertainment gifts is still a popular choice: almost 45% of spend in this market during the final quarter of the year came from customers picking up a game, video or CD to put under the tree”.
In terms of specific retailers flogging the discs, Amazon saw its market share rise by 3.3% in the most recent quarter. HMV led in video though.
In reviewing Kantar’s stats, Moore also made some observations about the impulse buy, which has traditionally provided a boost on the high street in particular, especially during the festive months, with people buying more products than they intended on entering a store. Though impulse buying is down according to Kantar’s stats, with 79% of purchases pre-planned in this period, compared to 72% in the same quarter the previous year.
Says Moore: “As shoppers are becoming more rigid in their spending habits, capitalising on a customer’s impulsive streak is becoming more difficult for retailers – but it can be done. Shoppers that had no intention of making an entertainment purchase – or were browsing for other goods – were tempted into buying a game, CD or DVD on a whim 15% of the time. This jumps to 25% of occasions in the [supermarkets]”.
Moore also reckons there remain opportunities in the impulse buy domain. “To encourage shoppers to make more impulse purchases, supermarkets and high-street retailers alike need to become savvier with their in-store layouts and guide customers from aisle to aisle”, she says. “A bit of theatre wouldn’t go amiss either – by tempting more consumers into their stores with colourful displays and attractive designs, retailers can convince customers to splash the cash on impulse”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Amazon | HMV | Kantar
Monday 19 February 2018, 13:37 | By Chris Cooke
Trademark elements of Toni Basil’s Mickey case dismissed
Artist News Business News Legal
A federal court in California last week dismissed a trademark infringement claim made by choreographer and one-time pop star Toni Basil against Disney and others. Though elements of Basil’s multi-layered litigation in relation to her 1982 hit ‘Mickey’ continue.
Basil sued various parties last September over the use of her record in a number of TV programmes and adverts. It was a complicated lawsuit that contained contractual disputes and allegations of copyright and trademark infringement.
At the heart of the dispute is a legal battle with music firm Razor & Tie, which claims to currently control her record. Basil’s lawyers argued that their client’s original contracts with the UK label that put out the track included a veto over sync deals. They also reckoned that various transfers in ownership of the master rights in the track from the mid-1980s onwards were invalid.
Disney and retailers Forever 21 and Kohl’s were accused of trademark infringement, the argument being that by syncing her record into their ads the three companies had used Basil’s image and voice to advertise their products without permission.
The defendants countered that there wasn’t a case under US trademark law, and that Basil was just resorting to making a claim under trademark rather than copyright over a sync, because she doesn’t control the copyright in her record.
Judge Percy Anderson last week agreed that trademark law couldn’t be used to extend rights governed by copyright. He added that while the defendants had named Basil is some promotional material, that was simply in reference to their use of her track, and did not imply any sort of formal endorsement.
Anderson wrote in his judgement: “Defendants used Basil’s name and the ‘Mickey’ song title to describe her and the song, not to describe their own products. Basil and the song cannot be described except by using her name and the song’s title, and the [complaint] does not allege any well-pleaded facts suggesting that defendants used more of the marks than reasonably necessary or do anything that would suggest sponsorship or endorsement”.
However, the case is not entirely closed. First, in addition to claims made under federal trademark law, additional claims were made in Basil’s lawsuit under Californian law, and those matters will need to be dealt with by a state-level court. Anderson also said that Basil’s legal reps can submit an amended lawsuit if they wish.
A spokesperson for those legal reps told Law 360 last week that “the case is not over”. They added: “Disney, Forever 21 and Kohl’s rely solely on technicalities to attempt to escape culpability for misappropriating Toni Basil’s ‘Mickey’ and tying it to Disney’s fiercely protected Mickey Mouse brand. The disregard for Toni’s personal rights is inexcusable and those involved will be held accountable”.
READ MORE ABOUT: Disney | Toni Basil
Monday 19 February 2018, 13:35 | By CMU Editorial
Midem publishes new CMU Insights white paper on AI
Business News Digital
Music business conference Midem has published a new white paper produced by CMU’s consultancy unit CMU Insights that considers the technologies that could really impact on the way music is monitored, marketed and made in the next decade.
Written by CMU Business Editor Chris Cooke, the white paper begins: “The history of the music industry is basically a story about how a sequence of new technologies respectively transformed the way music is made, performed, recorded, distributed and consumed. Each new chapter begins as a new technology takes hold and kick-starts a revolution. Though each time that happens, we know that another equally revolutionary technology isn’t far way”.
Three technologies that could have a major impact on the music industry in the coming decade can all be loosely placed under the banner ‘artificial intelligence’. “Depending on your definition of ‘artificial intelligence'”, Cooke writes, “these technologies are either already examples of AI in action, or they are prototypes that will ultimately embrace machine learning to become ever more sophisticated, as AI at large becomes more efficient and more affordable”.
The white paper reviews recent developments and future trends in audio recognition, automated messaging and music composition AI, and features interviews with tech makers WARM, DJ Monitor, Dubset, POP, Jukedeck and Rotor.
Premium subscribers can read an overview of the report in CMU Trends here, while you can download the full white paper from the Midem website here.
READ MORE ABOUT: CMU Insights | MIDEM
Monday 19 February 2018, 13:34 | By CMU Editorial
Wide Days speakers and CMU:DIY sessions announced
Business News Education & Events
Organisers of Edinburgh-based music showcasing and conference event Wide Days this morning announced initial details about this year’s programme.
That includes a series of sessions aimed at aspiring artists and future music industry talent co-hosted by CMU:DIY. CMU’s Chris Cooke will present a number of practical guides on different aspects of the music business, before leading conversations with relevant industry experts.
A plethora of speakers have also been confirmed for elsewhere in the Wide Days programme, including ITB booking agent Olivia Sime, Decca Records A&R Danny Roberts, Believe Distribution Services marketer Gideon Feldman and DF Concerts PR & Marketing Director Aarti Joshi.
Wide Days takes place in Edinburgh on 20-21 April. Info here.
READ MORE ABOUT: CMU:DIY | Wide Days
Monday 19 February 2018, 13:32 | By Andy Malt
Bon Iver manager aiming to enter politics
Business News Industry People Management & Funding
Bon Iver manager Kyle Frenette is planning to run for US Congress. He is seeking the Democratic nomination to stand in Pennsylvania’s seventh congressional district, against Republican Sean Duffy, who has held the seat since 2011.
Although not yet formally announced, Frenette has submitted the required paperwork and begun collecting donations. The website for his campaign states: “Kyle Frenette is a small business owner, entrepreneur, and the longtime manager of Wisconsin’s Justin Vernon and his band Bon Iver. Born and raised in the Seventh CD, Kyle’s running for Congress because Wisconsin needs better leadership”.
Two other candidates – Margaret Engebretson and Allen Campos – are also vying for the Democrat nomination, according to the Wausau Daily Herald. The primary election is set for 14 Aug.
Frenette has managed Bon Iver since 2007, and in 2010 launched his Middle West Management company. The firm represents a handful of largely Bon Iver related acts.
READ MORE ABOUT: Bon Iver | Kyle Frenette
Monday 19 February 2018, 13:23 | By Chris Cooke
Jackson family hits out at Quincy Jones’ song-theft claims
Artist News
Legendary record producer Quincy Jones dissed a whole load of pop stars in recent media interviews. Not least one of his most famous collaborators, Michael Jackson. Turns out, the Jackson family didn’t think that was very funny.
Jackson “stole a lot of songs”, reckoned Jones. Why? Because he was “greedy, man… greedy”. In particular Jones claimed Jackson borrowed from the Donna Summer record ‘State Of Independence’ for his hit ‘Billie Jean’. Those were remarks that saw the former song enjoy a spike in streams as people went to check out the similarities.
Needless to say, Jackson’s family are not impressed by the comments. While one family member reportedly speculated the producer might “have the first stages of dementia”, the late king of pop’s father was keen to point out that Jones produced both ‘State Of Independence’ and ‘Billie Jean’.
Speaking to the New York Post, Joe Jackson stated: “He says my son stole it, but he was the producer on both [tracks], so if anybody is [in the] wrong it would be Quincy”. Although, he added, he didn’t believe any part of his son’s hit was, in fact, lifted from another record.
Of course, there being conflict between Jones and the Jackson family isn’t new. Just last year the producer won $9.4 million in a legal battle with the Michael Jackson Estate over unpaid royalties in relation to the hits Jones produced for Jackson. There was also feuding between Jones and Jackson himself from as early as the 1980s, when the latter was on his creative high.
READ MORE ABOUT: Michael Jackson | Quincy Jones
Monday 19 February 2018, 13:22 | By Andy Malt
Ministry Of Sound launches new night aiming to improve inclusivity
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Ministry Of Sound has announced a new club night – He.She.They – aiming to promote inclusivity. This follows accusations recently that dance music has become somewhat masculine.
Launching this Saturday in partnership with promoter LWE, organisers say: “Can you remember when dance music culture was all about breaking down barriers, rather than building them? When it didn’t matter who you were just as long as you were friendly and you could be yourself? Well we feel it’s high time to return to those inclusive, ideological roots. From DJs to performers, we’re about giving those who push boundaries a platform, and we invite our partygoers to push their own boundaries”.
They add: “We want to create a sanctuary; a place without prejudice; where people can be people. To create a utopia where people feel they belong whilst expressing their utmost individuality. Where they can spread their creative wings and relinquish the shackles imposed by society, irrespective of age, race, sex, gender, ability, religion, background or their sexual preference. It’s a really simple ethos: have a good time whilst being respectful to others. If you bring a bad attitude, if your intolerances come to the surface, you will not be welcomed”.
Headlining the first event is Maya Jane Coles. Also on the bill are Ellen Allien, Satoshi Tomie, KDA, Sratcha DVA, DJ Barely Legal and more. More info here.
READ MORE ABOUT: Ellen Allien | Maya Jane Coles | Ministry Of Sound
Monday 19 February 2018, 13:20 | By Andy Malt
Haim announce new shows
Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Haim have announced that they’ll be back up this way in June to play a few live shows. The four date tour will culminate in a performance at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Tickets for the shows will go on general sale on 23 Feb.
Here are the dates:
10 Jun: Glasgow, Academy
11 Jun: Manchester, Apollo
12 Jun: Dublin, Olympia
15 Jun: London, Alexandra Palace
READ MORE ABOUT: Haim
Monday 19 February 2018, 13:19 | By Andy Malt
One Liners: Janelle Monáe, Drake, Jay Rock, more
Artist News Gigs & Festivals One Liners Releases
Other notable announcements and developments today…
• Hey, I think 2018’s going to be OK. Janelle Monáe’s announced a new album.
• Drake has released the video for recent single ‘God’s Plan’.
• Jay Rock has released the video for ‘King’s Dead’. Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Future and James Blake, the track is taken from the ‘Black Panther’ soundtrack.
• Marshmello and Anne-Marie have released the video for their single ‘Friends’.
• The Chainsmokers have released the video for new single ‘You Owe Me’.
• David Byrne has released new track, ‘This Is That’, from his upcoming ‘American Utopia’ album.
• Albert Hammond Jr has released a new single, ‘Far Away Truths’. His new solo album, ‘Francis Trouble’, is out on 9 Mar.
• Professor Green has released new single ‘Unruly’, featuring Fekky.
• Fever Ray has released another video for a track from last year’s ‘Plunge’ album. This time ‘IDK About You’.
• Sophie’s released another new single. This is ‘Faceshopping’. “It’s real!” says the producer. “Faceshopping! I’m real when I shop my face!”
• Ride have released the video for ‘Catch You Dreaming’, taken from their new EP ‘Tomorrow’s Shore’.
• Alison Wonderland has released new single ‘Church’. The track is taken from her upcoming new album, ‘Awake’.
• Computer Magic has released new single ‘Perfect Game’. Her new album, ‘Danz’, is out this week.
• Lomboy is back with new EP ‘Warped Caress’. Here’s its opening track, ‘Alien Lady’.
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily – updated every Friday.
READ MORE ABOUT: Albert Hammond Jr | Alison Wonderland | Anne-Marie | Computer Magic | David Byrne | Drake | Fever Ray | Future | James Blake | Janelle Monáe | Jay Rock | Kendrick Lamar | Lomboy | Marshmello | Professor Green | Ride | Sophie | The Chainsmopkers
