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DISSECTING THE DIGITAL DOLLAR - STEP BY STEP As the UK's Music Managers Forum publishes two new guides as part of phase three of its 'Dissecting The Digital Dollar' programme, CMU Trends summarises what we've learned from the project so far in 30 points - ten from part one, ten from part two, and ten from the new guides. Along the way we cover digital licensing, all the key issues with the current streaming business model, and what you need to know about label deals and transparency in the streaming age. [READ MORE] |
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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] |
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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] |
| TOP STORIES | New abuse claims made against R Kelly READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LEGAL | Entertainment industry litigation against MegaUpload kept on ice Three pharmacists reprimanded for trying to access Prince's prescription history Classixx sue H&M over some classixx jumpers READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| DEALS | Vimic sign to T-Boy Records READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LIVE BUSINESS | AEG to launch new East London festival READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ARTIST NEWS | Marilyn Manson pays tribute to Daisy Berkowitz READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| RELEASES | Ezra Furman announces new album READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | Frank Ocean, Liam Gallagher, Ellie Goulding, more READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | Camilla Cabello has a framed Ed Sheeran tweet in her bedroom READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
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CR2 RECORDS - PRODUCT & MARKETING MANAGER (LONDON) Cr2 Records is looking for an experienced Product and Marketing Manager to manage all singles and albums / compilation releases. This will include all product and marketing assets, scheduling, promotion timelines and co-ordinating between all departments internally and teams externally to ensure the best possible product chart positions and sales for the label. For more information and to apply click here. |
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CIRCUS RECORDS - LABEL ASSISTANT (LONDON) Circus Records and its associated group of companies are looking for a key addition to their growing team. We are looking for a label assistant working within the company, to aid and support key functions within administration, communication and operations of the label. For more information and to apply click here. |
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EVENTBRITE - SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, MUSIC (LONDON) Eventbrite is looking for someone to help build a world-class business development team focused on music in Europe that consistently exceeds business targets, partners cross-functionally with our global teams, and helps write the playbook for our European market. For more information and to apply click here. |
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WORLDWIDE FM - STATION MANAGER (LONDON) Worldwide FM is looking to hire a Station Manager to organise the day-to-day running of the online radio platform. The role is working closely with the directors on all aspects of the business. For more information and to apply click here. |
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MUSIC CONCIERGE - MUSIC CONSULTANT (HERTFORDSHIRE) Music Concierge, the award-winning music consultancy for boutique hotels, luxury brands, restaurant and bars, is looking for a Music Consultant to join our small but expanding creative team. For more information and to apply click here. |
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MUSIC CONCIERGE - PLAYLIST DESIGNER (HERTFORDSHIRE) Music Concierge, the award-winning music consultancy for boutique hotels, luxury brands, restaurant and bars, is looking for a Playlist Designer to join our small but expanding creative team. For more information and to apply click here. |
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KOBALT - SVP SYNCHRONISATION UK & EUROPE (LONDON) The Senior Vice President of Synchronisation will be responsible for overseeing creative pitching, clearance and synch administration for the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Netherlands and overseeing synch agents and sub-publishers in key territories including France, Italy and Eastern Europe. For more information and to apply click here. |
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THE ORCHARD - INTERACTIVE MARKETING MANAGER (LONDON) The Orchard is looking for a savvy, seasoned digital music marketer to promote its distributed artists in Europe and beyond. The ideal candidate will come from a label or distribution background and have an exceptional understanding of the digital space. For more information and to apply click here. |
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SJM CONCERTS - JUNIOR PROMOTER (MANCHESTER) SJM Concerts are at the forefront of the Live UK Music market. With nearly a 30 year history as a company we promote some of the biggest tours for artists from around the world. Those who are both long established and those setting the bar for the future. For more information and to apply click here. |
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BMG - DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT, CATALOGUE RECORDINGS (LONDON) We are looking for a passionate Digital Marketing Assistant to join our Catalogue Marketing team. This is a newly created role and the successful candidate will assist the Marketing Manager and wider team with developing and executing effective digital marketing strategies for the BMG Catalogue campaigns. For more information and to apply click here. |
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WARP RECORDS - CREATIVE LICENSING MANAGER (LONDON) Warp Records is looking to hire a Creative Licensing Manager, Advertising to join our Sync team in London to deliver licensing opportunities for our Artists focusing on Advertising, Trailers & Promos. For more information and to apply click here. |
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GREEN MAN - MARKETING MANAGER (LONDON) Green Man Festival wishes to appoint a Marketing Manager to join our friendly team, who will create and implement marketing campaigns for the festival as well as other Green Man events and experiences. For more information and to apply click here. |
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NINJA TUNE - MARKETING ASSISTANT (LONDON) Ninja Tune seeks a Marketing Assistant to provide support for the Product Managers across all areas of artist campaigns. Someone who is passionate about music, with previous music industry experience, preferably within marketing. For more information and to apply click here. |
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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. |
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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. |
New abuse claims made against R Kelly
New allegations of abuse have been made against R Kelly in a lengthy interview in Rolling Stone with former radio DJ Kitti Jones, who claims she was mentally and physically abused during a two year relationship with the singer from 2011 to 2013.
Jones says she began a relationship with Kelly after meeting him at a concert in 2011 and subsequently relocated to Chicago to move into his apartment.
She alleges that Kelly offered to pay her double her current salary to make the move, while telling her that he wanted her to meet some of his female friends. She claims he told her: "I have friends and I have girls I've raised. I eventually want you to meet them, but I want to make sure you're mentally ready for that".
During her time living in Kelly's homes, Jones says that the singer was routinely controlling over her life and the lives of other women, who were often monitored and required to ask for permission to undertake mundane tasks. She was also allegedly forced to become sexually involved with those other women for Kelly's gratification.
She states: "He videotapes everything that he does, and sometimes he'll just make you watch what he's done to other girls or girls that he had be together. He would masturbate to that and then have you give him oral sex while he's watching what he did with somebody else on his iPad".
Jones alleges physical abuse too, in particular after she questioned Kelly about his 2008 child pornography trial - in which he was acquitted - and when she tried to reclaim some belongings after deciding to end their relationship.
The experience ultimately resulted in Jones becoming suicidal, before she decided to get away from Kelly, telling the singer she needed to return to Dallas to see her son.
Numerous abuse allegations have been made against Kelly over the years, including the accusations of him sexually abusing underage girls, which led to the 2008 court case.
American journalist Jim DeRogatis has regularly reported on those allegations, documenting numerous lawsuits that have been brought against Kelly alleging sexual abuse, all of which the singer settled out of court.
His most recent piece for BuzzFeed in July claimed that R Kelly was running an abusive cult, with three sets of parents alleging that their daughters had been "brainwashed" by the singer who was now controlling their lives, down to what they eat and wear, and when they sleep and bathe.
Kelly has always denied the various allegations made against him. Responding to the new allegations in the Rolling Stone interview, a representative said: "Mr Kelly is aware of the repeated and now evolving claims of [Ms Jones]. It is unfortunate that Ms Jones, after public statements to the contrary, is now attempting to portray a relationship history with Mr Kelly as anything other than consensual involvement between two adults".
The rep continued: "As stated previously, Mr Kelly does not control the decision-making or force the actions of any other human being, including Ms Jones, by her own admission. Any claim of wrongdoing of any kind or of mistreatment of any woman by him is false, ill-motived and defamatory".
Entertainment industry litigation against MegaUpload kept on ice
The civil proceedings against MegaUpload have been kept on ice as the criminal case against the one-time controversial file-transfer site continues to progress at a snail's pace.
As much previously reported, both the music and movie industries in the US have sued the long defunct MegaUpload for copyright infringement in relation to the distribution of content over its servers before it was shut down by the American authorities in 2012.
Meanwhile, founder Kim Dotcom and a number of his former colleagues are still fighting extradition to the US to face criminal charges of copyright infringement. Most of the defendants are in New Zealand and although the courts there have ruled the former MegaUpload execs can be extradited to the States, Dotcom et al still have appeal routes to exploit, so the legal wrangling continues.
It's generally agreed that the civil lawsuits shouldn't be heard before the criminal case, because the former could influence the outcome of the latter. To that end MegaUpload have at various points asked for the civil cases being pursued by the Recording Industry Association Of America and the Motion Picture Association Of America to be put on hold.
The latest of those requests from Team MegaUpload has just been granted, meaning the cases will remain in limbo until at least next April.
As previously reported, there had been concerns that all this waiting around might mean that the hard disks that stored files uploaded to MegaUpload when it was operational might become unreadable, them having been sitting around gathering dust for so long. Some of the former MegaUpload servers have already been wiped, but data on those that haven't been touched since the 2012 shutdown could also become inaccessible.
Both the RIAA and MPAA, and MegaUpload, ultimately want access to that data to use as evidence if and when the civil cases get to court. So all parties were concerned that that data might be inaccessible by the time they need it, simply because the servers had gone unused for so long. However, those concerns were alleviated when earlier this year the judge overseeing the case approved a plan to back up the data.
MegaUpload noted that fact when submitting its latest request to keep the civil cases on hold. According to Torrentfreak, its legal reps wrote: "With the preservation order in place, and there being no other objection, defendant Megaupload hereby moves the court to enter the attached proposed order, continuing the stay in this case for an additional six months".
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Three pharmacists reprimanded for trying to access Prince's prescription history
Three pharmacists in Indiana have been reprimanded by regulators for trying to access Prince's medical records in the days after his untimely death in April 2016.
The Indiana Board Of Pharmacy recently issue the reprimands against each of the three individuals, who separately tried to access information about Prince on the state's Inspect database, which doctors and pharmacists use to check the prescription histories of patients.
None of the pharmacists who have been reprimanded had ever treated the musician, who lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They attempted to access his prescription history as rumours were circulating regarding the potential role prescription drugs had played in his death. The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Minnesota later ruled that the pop star had died from an accidental overdose of the painkiller fentanyl.
According to the Associated Press, the three pharmacists have been reprimanded for misusing the Inspect database following an investigation by the state Attorney General's office. All three will have to complete twelve hours of ethics education and community service as a result of the breach, while two were also fined $1000 each.
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Classixx sue H&M over some classixx jumpers
LA-based production duo Classixx last week sued retailer H&M for selling clothing that bears their name without permission. The dance music makers reckon that the clothing seller has infringed their trademark by using the word 'Classixx' on jumpers and such like.
For its part, H&M is seemingly arguing it just likes spelling the word 'classics' with a double x at the end and therefore isn't exploiting any trademarks which may or may not have been registered by the "relatively unknown DJ duo". Ouch. Although, Classixx counter, they are well-known enough to have their music played in H&M stores.
A legal rep for Classixx told Pitchfork last week: "Our client attempted to resolve this amicably with H&M before going to court. But, despite H&M's blatant infringement of Classixx's trademark and publicity rights, it denied any liability, threatened Classixx with claims for costs and attorneys' fees, and insultingly referred to the band as a 'relatively unknown DJ duo'".
The lawyer went on: "Clearly, H&M, which has been known to broadcast Classixx music in its stores, is no friend to the artist. For H&M to profit by marketing and selling without consent 'Classixx'-branded apparel at its stores around the world is bad, but responding in the manner it did is even worse. The band looks forward to their day in court".
Vimic sign to T-Boy Records
Former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison's new band Vimic have announced that they have signed a new record deal with T-Boy Records, the joint venture between Universal Music Enterprises and artist manager Andy Gould.
The band will release their debut album, 'Open Your Omen', early next year. Produced by Jordison and Kato Khandwala, the album was mixed and mastered by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, who also features on new single 'Fail Me (My Temple)'.
"This album wails", says Mustaine. "Joey Jordison and Vimic are incredible. High octane drumming and heavy, melodic songs make this band something you definitely need to check out! I dig them so much I laid a solo down on one of their songs, 'Fail Me (My Temple)'. From there, we decided to take them on tour with us down to South America where Megadeth is massive".
Jordison adds: "The riffs, lyrics, and drums of 'Open Your Omen' will tell you a lot. We started this record when I was coming out of the acute transverse myelitis condition. It's literally what saved me and helped me get back to where I'm healthier than ever. These guys and this album pushed me to not only relearn how to walk, but how to play the drums again. 'Open Your Omen' is the rebirth of the rest of my life".
As well as touring South America with Megadeth, the band are due to play the 100 Club in London on 15 Nov. 'Fail Me (My Temple)' is out now.
AEG to launch new East London festival
AEG's Goldenvoice division - best known for its Coachella festival in the US, but also active in the UK these days - is to launch a new ten day festival in East London's Victoria Park next year called All Points East. Artists such as The xx and The National will play the indie-leaning event.
All Points East will be split into several parts, with a three day music festival kicking things off from 25-27 May, followed by a four day 'community-focussed' event, and then three standalone outdoor music shows, which might look like another three day music festival but apparently aren't. All in all, it's like a slightly confusing, mid-range version of AEG's existing Hype Park festival, British Summer Time.
The first headliner of the proper music festival portion will be The xx, with additional performances from Lykke Li, Popcaan and more to be announced. The National will play one of the standalone shows on 2 Jun, with support from The War On Drugs, Future Islands, Warpaint, The Districts and more.
The National comment: "After a thrilling four sold out shows at the Eventim Apollo in September, we are excited to take over Victoria Park next summer. We are already thinking about ways to make this more than just a show".
Let's not complicate all this further, lads. Just stick to doing a show, I think.
Meanwhile, AEG's Jim King says: "We are THRILLED to be able to launch this new festival concept and bring some of the world's most exciting artists to Victoria Park. With a new three day music festival followed by a programme of midweek events offering open access to the local community all culminating in three huge standalone shows, we're confident that this is the most exciting new event in the country".
John Biggs, the mayor of Tower Hamlets, the London borough where Victoria Park sits, adds: "The council is pleased to be working with AEG, who were selected following a rigorous procurement process, to deliver some exciting events in 2018 which can be enjoyed by local people, Londoners and visitors from across the UK".
What local people won't be able to enjoy, however, is Field Day, the now Global-owned festival that has taken place in Victoria Park since it launched in 2007. It has now lost its early June slot in the park, because its 2018 date clashes with The National's big show. Organisers of that one-day festival announced last week that they would be "upping sticks" for next year's edition. A new site has yet to be announced.
Tickets for The National's All Points East show will go on sale through Amazon Tickets this Friday at 9am. Further tickets and information will follow on the APE website, I suppose. APE is All Points East. In case you wondered. Yes, there's even a new acronym for you all to enjoy!
| Approved: Drahla With a couple of double A-side single releases already this year, Drahla have been gaining plenty of positive attention. Now, with the upcoming release of their debut EP, 'Third Article', and an upcoming European tour, they're ready to take things up a level. Preceding the EP release is new single 'Silk Spirit', a perfect distillation of the band's bass-heavy post-punk sound. Produced by Hookworms' MJ, it strikes just the right balance between rough edges and clarity, with lyrics that casually force a barrage of different imagery into your head. You can catch the band live this week with a show at Crux in Wakefield. After that, they play The Shacklewell Arms in London on 9 Nov, and will be back in the UK supporting Metz at the end of the month. Watch the video for 'Silk Spirit' here. Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
Marilyn Manson pays tribute to Daisy Berkowitz
Marilyn Manson has paid tribute to his former guitarist Scott Putesky, who died from cancer over the weekend aged 49.
He took the name Daisy Berkowitz - combining the names of 'Dukes Of Hazzard' character Daisy Duke and serial killer David 'Son Of Sam' Berkowitz - when he and Manson formed Marilyn Manson And The Spooky Kids in 1989. Putesky was heavily involved in developing the sound and image of the band, whose name was later shortened to just Marilyn Manson.
Due to creative differences, he left the band halfway through the recording of second album 'Antichrist Superstar'. He later sued over royalties from the album in a case ultimately settled out of court.
Putesky worked on a number of musical projects after leaving Marilyn Manson, including as a member of Jack Off Jill, before being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2013.
As news of his death spread yesterday, Manson wrote on Instagram: "Scott Putesky and I made great music together. We had our differences over the years, but I will always remember the good times more. Everyone should listen to ['Antichrist Superstar' track] 'Man That You Fear' in his honour. That was our favourite".
Ezra Furman announces new album
Ezra Furman has announced that he will release a new album, 'Transangelic Exodus', though Bella Union on 9 Feb.
"The narrative thread is I'm in love with an angel, and a government is after us, and we have to leave home because angels are illegal, as is harbouring angels", he says of the record. "The term 'transangelic' refers to the fact people become angels because they grow wings. They have an operation and they're transformed. And it causes panic because some people think it's contagious, or it should just be outlawed".
"The album still works without the back story, though", he insists. "What's essential is the mood - paranoid, authoritarian, the way certain people are stigmatised. It's a theme in American life right now, and other so-called democracies".
Listen to first single, 'Love You So Bad', here.
He'll also be playing some UK shows around the release. Dates as follows:
3 Feb: Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
4 Feb: Liverpool, Arts Club
10 Feb: Folkestone, Quarterhouse
Frank Ocean, Liam Gallagher, Ellie Goulding, more
Other notable announcements and developments today...
• Warner Music's VP Global Playlists Strategy Kieron Donoghue has announced that he is leaving the mini-major. As well as founding the company's playlist brand Topsify, Donoghue also launched its streaming-only label Artists To Watch earlier this year.
• Sophie has signed a new record deal with Transgressive, as new single 'It's Okay To Cry' is officially released. She'll premiere her new live show at the Red Bull Music Academy Festival Los Angeles tonight.
• Frank Ocean has published a 'photo essay' in I-D, in which he suggests he'll be doing something in 2018.
• The National have released the video for 'I'll Still Destroy You', from their 'Sleep Well Beast' album.
• Sleigh Bells have released new single 'Rainmaker'. Their new EP, 'Kid Kruschev', is out on 10 Nov.
• Spoon have released the video for new single 'Do I Have To Talk You Into It?'
• John Maus has released the video for new single 'Touchdown'. He plays two sold out London shows this week.
• Wesley Gonzalez has updated Cliff Richard's 'Wired For Sound' video by scooting around Milton Keynes on not roller skates, but one of those things they call a hoverboard that clearly isn't a hoverboard. Watch the video for his new single, 'Not That Kind Of Guy', here.
• Liam Gallagher has announced that he will play a show in London's Finsbury Park on 29 Jun next year. Tickets will go on sale here at 9am on Friday, priced a fucking lot of money.
• Ellie Goulding's won herself a United Nations Foundation New Voices Award in recognition of her environmental and social justice activism. "I am an earth optimist", she says. "Through the Paris Climate Agreement and the Global Goals the UN has provided an extraordinary opportunity for us to come together to create a positive future. At the same time young people today are famously some of the most inclusive and solutions-orientated thinkers to ever walk on this planet. I want to use my platform to amplify their stories, bring them into the debate and to help fulfil their brilliant promise as global citizens".
• DJ Mag revealed the results of its Top 100 DJs poll this weekend, with Martin Garrix coming out top for the second year running. Check out the full list here.
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
Camilla Cabello has a framed Ed Sheeran tweet in her bedroom
Former Fifth Harmony member, now ramping up her solo efforts, Camilla Cabello has revealed that she has a framed Ed Sheeran tweet in her bedroom. As I'm sure we all do. I have this one.
Asked about her weirdest possession by Buzzfeed, Cabello said: "When I was in my former group, we each had to pick a cover to sing, and I picked Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House'. So we did the cover of the song, and he tweeted us, 'incredible'. And then a fan framed me his tweet. I have it in my room".
She kept something a fan gave her? In her house? Does she not know that the protocol for fan gifts is to either 'accidentally' leave them in the dressing room or burn them after laughing at them. You may also laugh while doing the burning. It helps to keep you grounded.
Cabello is set to release the video for latest single 'Havana' today, by the way. You can watch a teaser here.
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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. Setlist is a weekly podcast dissecting 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.
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