 |
GLOBAL MUSIC DATA AND BLOCKCHAIN There has been lots of debate around the music rights data problem in recent years, and a number of initiatives are underway to tackle the issue. Though Spotify's mechanical royalties dispute and the lack of songwriter credits on the streaming platforms shows the problem persists. As Music 4.5 puts the spotlight back on all things data, CMU Trends reviews discussions to date, challenges to be met, and where progress is being made. [READ MORE] |
 |
THE RIGHTS OF ARTISTS AND SONGWRITERS POST-ASSIGNMENT - PERFORMER AND MORAL RIGHTS Copyright provides creators with control over that which they create, but what happens when the creators themselves don't own the copyright in their work? Artists and songwriters who are no longer in control of their copyrights do still have some rights, sometimes by contract, and via performer and moral rights. CMU Trends considers what the law says about the rights of artists and songwriters after their copyrights have been assigned. [READ MORE] |
 |
THE VALUE OF MUSIC Rarely a week goes by in the music business news these days without at least one catalogue acquisition. But who - other than labels and publishers - is buying music rights, and why? Are there opportunities for individual artists and songwriters to do deals with professional investors? And how do you even value music rights? CMU Trends reviews the music rights market - past, present and future. [READ MORE] |
| TOP STORIES | More than 20 killed in Las Vegas country music festival shooting READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LEGAL | Guvera execs to be questioned under oath at liquidators 'public examination' Spinal Tap litigation to proceed, though some new paperwork is required first READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LABELS & PUBLISHERS | Gorgon City launch new record label, Realm READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| EDUCATION & EVENTS | CMU and Featured Artists Coalition launch new educational programme READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| INDUSTRY PEOPLE | Mick Clark dies READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ARTIST NEWS | Marilyn Manson cancels shows after being crushed by stage prop READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | Pearl Jam, Billy Corgan, Kimbra, more READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | LCD's Al Doyle calls Irish PM a "tosser" over abortion laws READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
 |
FROM THE FIELDS - MARKETING AND DIGITAL DESIGNER (MANCHESTER) From The Fields is looking for a Marketing & Digital Designer to join its friendly team. From The Fields are one of the North’s most exciting and creative festival promoters. For more information and to apply click here. |
 |
NIGHT DEPARTMENT - ARTIST MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT (LONDON) Night Department is looking to bring in someone ambitious to join its expanding team. A great opportunity for someone to step up as we grow as a company with our roster. For more information and to apply click here. |
 |
ULTRA MUSIC - MARKETING SALES CONSULTANT (LONDON) Ultra Music is seeking a dynamic, detail-oriented consultant with a proven track record of previous marketing/sales experience and a developed music industry network. For more information and to apply click here. |
 |
KOBALT - SOCIETY RELATIONS ASSISTANT (LONDON) Joining a growing Neighbouring Rights team in London, Kobalt's Society Relations Assistant will help manage our client roster at neighbouring rights societies around the world. For more information and to apply click here. |
|
KOBALT - CLIENT ASSISTANT (LONDON) Joining a rapidly growing Neighbouring Rights team in London, Kobalt's Client Assistant will be a key contact for clients with regards to any issues or queries relating to their catalogue. For more information and to apply click here. |
|
KOBALT - EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT (LONDON) Kobalt is looking to hire a highly organised, self-driven and detail oriented Executive Assistant to support both the President of Kobalt Music Recordings and SVP Recordings Operations in our London office. For more information and to apply click here. |
 |
How The Music Business Works SEMINARS | every Monday until 13 Nov, London | INFO Our 'How The Music Business Works' programme consists of eight two-hour seminars which together cover: the various ways the music industry generates revenue, building and engaging a fanbase, the business partnerships artists form with music companies, and how the artist/label relationship is changing. |
 |
Enforcing Music Rights - Safe Harbours And Piracy MASTERCLASS | Monday 20 November 2017, London | INFO In this half day masterclass, CMU MD and Business Editor Chris Cooke will look at how the music industry enforces its copyrights, at the long-running battle with online music piracy, and at the controversy around the copyright safe harbour. |
More than 20 killed in Las Vegas country music festival shooting
Over 20 people are dead and more than 100 wounded following a shooting at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas. Police have said that a suspect is also dead.
Shooting seemingly began as final night headliner Jason Aldean began his performance at the Mandalay Bay casino. As crowds attempted to find safety, there were reports of multiple shooters. However, police have said that they now believe one man to be responsible. He has not yet been named, but it has been reported that he is a local resident.
Police said that they 'engaged' a man on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel in a confrontation which left him dead. They are also seeking a woman, named as Marilou Danley, in relation to the incident.
The three day outdoor festival began on Friday, with performances from country stars including Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Maren Morris and Lauren Alaina.
In a post on Instagram, Aldean said: "Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still don't know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that me and my crew are safe. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night".
Flights from the nearby McCarran International Airport were halted during the incident, with limited activity now resumed.
Guvera execs to be questioned under oath at liquidators 'public examination'
There could be some "impactful and valuable" insights on offer into the financing and collapse of streaming music company Guvera next month, following the news that the liquidator of three of the failed firm's subsidiaries plans to hold a 'public examination' in the federal court in Sydney.
Co-founders Darren Herft and Claes Loberg are likely to be questioned under oath about the Guvera business, which began to fall apart after a failed attempt to IPO on the Australian stock exchange in June last year. The company - which had long argued that the digital music sector had yet to fully capitalise on the potential of ad-funded streaming - finally shut its doors earlier this year, having already gone offline in various markets.
According to The Australian, liquidator Eddie Senatore - from Deloitte - has said he plans to hold public examinations as part of his work on the Guvera liquidation "as a result of the complexities surrounding the intercompany arrangements of the Guvera group". He added that "one of the outcomes of this public examination should be to provide some impactful and valuable insights into these issues as they relate to the collapse of the Guvera group, and business development more generally".
In addition to Herft and Loberg, an assortment of other people linked to Guvera could be called to give evidence. Various former directors of the company are likely to be questioned, along with the company's Chief Financial Officer, and lawyers and accountants who provided services to the business.
As previously reported, there has been some criticism of the way Guvera raised money via investment firm Amma Private Equity, where Herft also had a role. The Australian Securities And Investments Commission expressed concerns about the fundraising methods allegedly used by the streaming firm in a letter to the Institute Of Public Accountants in July.
The public examinations into Guvera are scheduled to take place on 14 and 17 Nov.
--------------------------------------------------
Spinal Tap litigation to proceed, though some new paperwork is required first
The legal battle between the four creators of 'This Is Spinal Tap' and Universal Music owner Vivendi has been given the green light to proceed, though three of them will need to re-file their litigation in their own name rather than that of their respective companies. This follows a court ruling last week in which the judge sided with Vivendi to an extent, but at the same time allowed much of the case to proceed, even if some new paperwork will be required.
As previously reported, Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner all accuse Vivendi - which controls the 'Spinal Tap' movie via its StudioCanal business and the soundtrack via Universal Music - of misreporting financial information about the cult film and its spin offs in order to short-change the four creators who had a profit-share arrangement with the original producer.
After Guest, McKean and Reiner all followed Shearer's lead in suing the French entertainment conglomerate, the four men subsequently claimed that Vivendi "wilfully manipulated certain accounting data, while ignoring contractually-obligated accounting and reporting processes, to deny [the] co-creators their rightful stake in the production's profits".
For its part, Vivendi has dubbed the 'Spinal Tap' litigation as "absurd" and sought to have the case dismissed. The entertainment giant did score some wins in last week's ruling, in that the judge ruled that the 'Spinal Tap' creators had not provided enough evidence regarding their specific accusations of fraud. Judge Dolly Gee said that although the four men had "vaguely alleged the elements of a fraud claim, they have failed to plead sufficient facts". However, the fraud claims can still be amended to overcome those weaknesses.
Meanwhile, Gee also dismissed the cases being pursued by Shearer, McKean and Reiner, but only because they had sued through the companies they use for their creative projects rather than as individuals. Guest filed his litigation in his own right and that case has been allowed to proceed. Shearer, McKean and Reiner are now expected to re-file their lawsuits without their company names on the paperwork.
This means, despite the set backs, the 'Spinal Tap' four saw last week's ruling as a positive, in that the core of their case against Vivendi has been allowed to proceed. Indeed, legal rep Peter Haviland declared that "this ruling is an important victory".
This optimism, Haviland said, was justified because, by refusing to dismiss his clients' case against Vivendi out right, the judge had ratified "a critical contractual right for artists". He went on: "Even in studio-drafted contracts containing a 'No Third Party Beneficiary Clause', artists may be determined by a court to be third party beneficiaries who have the right to sue for wrongdoing, notwithstanding such contractual clauses".
Concluding, Haviland said: "The court has invited us to amend our complaint to clarify the individual rights of each of the co-creators, and we will do so promptly. We will also be adding further facts to highlight Vivendi's history of fraud in this case, and to address equally important issues of copyright reversion and so-called 'works for hire'".
Welcoming the ruling, Shearer said: "Vivendi thought we would be made to go away. Well, not today, not tomorrow, nor the next day. England's loudest band will be heard. But today is a good day not just for us, but for all aggrieved creative artists".
Guest added: "We're doing the right thing, and most importantly, we are setting a precedent for similarly aggrieved artists who can't afford to do this themselves. We're sending a message not just to Vivendi, but to the so-called Hollywood accounting cabal as a whole: treat creators from the outset with genuine fairness and respect".
Glassnote allies with US indie Spacebomb
The Glassnote Entertainment Group has announced a strategic partnership with the Virginia-based Spacebomb Group, which has label, publishing, management and production divisions.
The alliance has been struck between Spacebomb and Glassnote's Resolved Records business, which was set up three years ago to "offer individualised support and services to entertainment entrepreneurs, emerging producers and independent labels".
Under the arrangement, Resolved Records will provide financial, marketing and industry expertise to the various Spacebomb companies, which will also get to collaborate with the rest of the Glassnote Group, including its label, publisher and artist management wing.
Says Glassnote boss Daniel Glass of his new ally: "Spacebomb is truly unique, with an exceptional studio and a creative house band of musicians at its heart, much like legendary record labels like Stax and Motown".
Spacebomb founder Matthew E White adds: "Everything I imagine at Spacebomb is driven by my hunger to make courageous, well crafted, art. Daniel and his team recognise that, welcome it, and encourage it. It is tremendously exciting to work with a partner who believes so clearly, and holistically in what we do".
While Glass says of the Spacebomb deal: "Matthew and his team have already created their own instantly recognisable sound and we're THRILLED to work with them to expand their reach and horizons, and to introduce new artists to this new fantastically creative hub".
Gorgon City launch new record label, Realm
Dance music duo Gorgon City have announced that they are launching their own record label, Realm, which will run as an imprint of Universal's Virgin EMI.
The label will focus on underground and club-focussed tracks of the sort that feature in the duo's DJ sets and on their Kingdom radio show. The first track to be released by the new venture is by... Gorgon City. What a coup! The track, 'Primal Call', has been appearing in their DJ sets at Amnesia in Ibiza over the summer.
"We've been planning to launch our imprint for a long time and it now feels like the perfect time to release 'Primal Call', after getting great reactions over the summer", say Gorgon City. "We wanted the debut to be a new track from us, to set the vibe of what's to come on the label. We can't wait to release more great music on Realm, so watch this space!"
CMU and Featured Artists Coalition launch new educational programme
CMU's educational wing CMU:DIY has today announced a new project with the Featured Artists Coalition called Music:DIY that will tour the UK.
Aimed primarily at aspiring recording artists and songwriters - and future music industry talent - the first edition of Music:DIY will take place as part of Norwich Sound + Vision at the Norwich Arts Centre on 13 Oct, hosted by CMU's Chris Cooke and featuring fifteen guest interviews and an in-conversation with Blur's Dave Rowntree.
The day of talks and interviews will provide a practical guide for artists on how to build a business around their music. Across the day, artists will learn all about their revenue streams, assets and music rights, plus their routes to market - from putting on a show to building a fanbase to choosing the right business partners.
Attendees will pick up all the knowledge and advice they need to get their artist business started, and to then develop and scale their business and their career within the modern music industry.
Each edition of Music:DIY will feature formalised teaching from CMU, plus a series of interviews with fifteen music industry experts, including artists, agents, promoters, labels, publishers, managers and music journalists. Attendees will also get to hear from established artists who are active members of the FAC. Artists due to speak at the Norwich S+V edition of Music:DIY include Dave Rowntree, Roxanne de Bastion, ShaoDow and Eckoes.
Cooke says: "Through CMU:DIY, I've led workshops and seminars for hundreds of young artists in the last couple of years. The artists I've met along the way are very entrepreneurial, and always have lots of questions about the mechanics of the music business. We'll be answering all those questions at Music:DIY, with our talks-and-interviews format specifically designed to ensure we cover all the key topics in a logical order that is easy to follow".
"The FAC works for music artists at all stages of their careers", the organisation's CEO Lucie Caswell adds. "Through our young, peer-to-peer initiative the BEAT Board, we are increasingly connecting with great emerging talent all over the country. Most new artists are smart, entrepreneurial, multi-talented and eager to better understand the business side of music so that, when the time is right, they can grow with the right partners in the best possible way. The FAC works to support these artist entrepreneurs from the off and, in collaboration with our industry partners, Music:DIY is a great way to start".
Meanwhile, Norwich Sound + Vision producer Rosie Arnold comments: "This year's 2017 programme is our strongest yet and is very much about new and exciting artists. We're back doing what we do best, supporting new talent, showcasing new artists and shining a spotlight on Norwich's creative industries. It's great to be able to team up with CMU and the FAC to host the first ever Music:DIY event as part of this years NS+V programme. The day will be packed with really practical information and advice that will help our local artist community get to grips with the business side of their music".
More information and tickets for the first event are available here.
Mick Clark dies
Music industry veteran Mick Clark died suddenly in hospital on Friday evening, it has been announced.
President of his own company i10 Music Group at the time of his death, Clark also worked at labels including Columbia and Virgin during his career. In his A&R roles, he signed acts including Soul II Soul, Leftfield, Maxi Priest, Loose Ends and Grooverider.
Alan McGee, who worked with Mick on a number of projects, said in a statement: "Mick was a musical genius - up until a week ago he was excitedly telling me about some great producer ideas. His sudden passing is a huge shock to me and the many people who loved him".
Clark is survived by two sons, Jamie and Callum. Funeral details will be announced shortly.
| Approved: Eera Anna Lena Bruland - or Eera as she is professionally known - released her eponymous debut EP in the spring of last year. After that she began work on her debut album, 'Reflection On Youth', which will be released on 3 Nov. The record has already been trailed by singles 'Christine' and 'I Wanna Dance', which showcase a powerfully simple sound, revolving around vocals and distorted guitars. "It was a really odd experience to listen back to the record and realise what I'd made", she says of the album. "I was surprised by how different, how much more powerful it felt from the EP. Those songs sounded like I was quietly knocking on the door, trying to get in, whereas the album feels like I'm stepping through it". Her aim, she says, "was to make an incredibly honest record that would give people a real sense of who I am. I think it's important to be vulnerable, to not be afraid of showing emotion and be open about it with the people around you. We all face problems in our lives, so why not meet them head-on?" To that end, she explains that new single 'Living' is "an apology directed to one of my best friends, for a time in my life when I was dealing with a lot of stuff and putting a lot of it on him". You can catch Eera live on tour with Ghostpoet this month and next. And you can listen to 'Living' here. Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
Marilyn Manson cancels shows after being crushed by stage prop
Marilyn Manson has cancelled nine shows on his current US tour after being injured when a piece of stage scenery fell onto him.
The musician was performing at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday when two large guns fitted to scaffolding fell on him, seemingly after he tried to climb them. Video of the incident shows crew immediately run and lift the prop off him, although he does not immediately get up.
Manson was taken to hospital and is now reported to be recovering at home. A rep for the musician said that it is hoped the cancelled shows can be rescheduled.
Pearl Jam, Billy Corgan, Kimbra, more
Other notable announcements and developments today...
• Pearl Jam will be showing new documentary, 'Let's Play Two', in UK cinemas on 4 Oct. A soundtrack album featuring music from film is also out now.
• Billy Corgan will release a new solo album, 'Ogilala', on 13 Oct, accompanied by a new silent film, 'Pillbox', for which the record forms a soundtrack. Watch the trailer for the film here.
• Kimbra has released new single 'Everybody Knows'. Her third album, 'Primal Heart', will be released next year.
• Frida Sundemo has released the video for new single, 'Gold'. Her international debut album, 'Flashbacks & Futures', will be released on 6 Oct.
• Roger Waters has announced a string of UK arena shows for next summer. His London performance will be as one of the headliners of next year's British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park.
• Former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison's band Vimic will play a one-off show at the 100 Club in London on 15 Nov. The band's debut album 'Open Your Omen' is set for release next year.
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
LCD's Al Doyle calls Irish PM a "tosser" over abortion laws
LCD Soundsystem's Al Doyle has called Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar a "tosser", after the politician came backstage at one of the band's shows in Ireland. Doyle said that the PM failed to respond when he protested against the country's abortion law, though the musician later apologised for making unnuanced arguments. However, he maintained that Varadkar is nevertheless a tosser.
Doyle said that he had put a 'repeal' tote bag around his neck when the Prime Minister had come backstage at the last of the band's three shows at The Olympia in Dublin on Friday, a gesture that apparently prompted the politician to walk away. The 'repeal' bag is in support of the current campaign to repeal Ireland's strict anti-abortion laws, a topic that, Doyle said, bandmate Nancy Whang also "took [the PM] to task" about.
"Irish PM Leo Varadkar came backstage", wrote Doyle. "Wore a 'repeal' tote bag around my neck in front of him; he walked away. Tosser". He added: "Nancy totally fucken took him to task as well, it was uncomfortable and awesome".
A referendum on Ireland's abortion laws is being planned for next year, but exactly what question will be asked is still not known. Many are calling for an outright repeal of the strict laws, introduced as the Irish constitution's Eighth Amendment after a referendum in 1983. Others are suggesting that a more limited change to the law should be put to the vote - in part because some think that Ireland would not back a complete repeal.
Varadkar, who called the referendum, has not yet said whether or not he will campaign in favour of changing the law - refusing to be drawn until the actual wording of the question has been decided.
It seems to be this indecision that Doyle and Whang were mainly protesting against. Although the show's promoter Caroline Downey disputed Doyle's version of events, saying that it "did not happen". She also posted a photo of the band meeting Varadkar.
Returning to Twitter the following morning, Doyle wrote: "Firstly, we should do our due diligence on any politico types that wanna come backstage. We didn't in this case, and that was lax. Sorry. Secondly, a tote bag round the neck is a crap protest; sorry. But that's all I had to hand, and I was very tired. Like, existentially tired. Thirdly, I don't have much right to wade into this debate as some Johnny come lately when it's not even my country, so sorry about that too".
He continued: "I just think that women's bodies are their own, and it's weird that anyone feels they can't just say that for any reason. Also it's totally just my opinion that Leo Varadkar is a tosser. He just seemed like a bit of a tosser in the limited time I spent with him".
Doyle also responded to complaints that coverage of his "tosser" comment was drawing media attention away from a pro-choice protest march taking place on Saturday, saying: "The last thing I wanted to do was detract from the march today that, like an idiot, I'm only now finding out about. I'm glad there's a referendum happening; of course I am. And I'd hate to distract from the real debate in any way".
Varadkar meanwhile told Ireland's Sunday Independent newspaper that it was "a real privilege" to be invited backstage to meet the band, adding: "One or two of the band members wanted to share their view with me on the Eighth Amendment. I had no problem at all with that".
|
 |
CMU supports the music community by providing news, business intelligence, training and education. CMU Daily covers all the latest news and developments direct by email. CMU Podcast is a weekly dissection of the biggest music business stories. CMU Premium gives you access to the weekly CMU Digest and CMU Trends. CMU Insights provides training and consultancy for music companies. CMU:DIY provides workshops and resources for future music talent.
|