| Available to premium subscribers, CMU Trends digs deeper into the inner workings of the music business, explaining how things work and reviewing all the recent trends. | |
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TOP FIVE STREAMING CHALLENGES It's been a while since we've put the spotlight on challenges in the streaming sector. CMU Insights presented a new speed briefing on that very topic at the Output conference in Belfast this week. Based on that, here is a CMU Trends overview of the top five streaming challenges. [READ MORE] |
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TOP THREE MUSIC BUSINESS TRENDS IN JANUARY For the super busy music business professional, CMU Trends helps you keep up to speed on the most important developments in the music industry in recent weeks with a concise summary of the top three trends of the last month: mechanical rights in the US; agent of change; YouTube and safe harbour. [READ MORE] |
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REVIEWING THE SALES V LICENCE DEBATE It's four years now since CMU Trends last looked in on the sales v licence debate. But a new lawsuit filed by Enrique Iglesias against Universal Music is set to pose the question anew, this time very much from a streaming perspective. With that in mind, CMU Trends reviews the debate to date and what might happen next. [READ MORE] |
| TOP STORIES | Music publishers call on CISAC to suspend Spanish collecting society SGAE READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| DEALS | Enrique Iglesias signs publishing deal with Kobalt READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LABELS & PUBLISHERS | Absolute to distribute Cherry Red's acquisitions from Warner READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ARTIST NEWS | Mark E Smith's family reveal cause of death Metallica's James Hetfield to appear in Ted Bundy movie Smashing Pumpkins deny blocking D'arcy Wretsky from reunion Ultimate Painting split, cancel album release READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| GIGS & FESTIVALS | Judas Priest's Glenn Tipton retires from touring READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | Stuart Camp, Marshmello, Jorja Smith, more READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | Kendrick Lamar not banning smartphones from gigs, just pro photographers READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| Check out all the latest job opportunities with CMU Jobs. To advertise your job opportunities here email [email protected] or call 020 7099 0906. | |
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INVOLVED GROUP - ROYALTY & ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT MANAGER (LONDON) Involved Group is looking for an experienced Royalty & Accounts Assistant Manager to join its busy and growing Finance Team. For more information and to apply click here. |
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O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN - ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER (LONDON) Academy Music Group is recruiting for an Assistant General Manager to assist in all aspects of the Operation of the building in relation to events staged at O2 Forum Kentish Town. For more information and to apply click here. |
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KOBALT MUSIC RECORDINGS - INTERNATIONAL LABEL & PRODUCT MANAGER (LONDON) Kobalt Music Recordings is looking for a flexible, confident and highly organised International Label & Product Manager, based out of our London office. For more information and to apply click here. |
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CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING - ROYALTY TRACKING MANAGER (LONDON) Concord Music Publishing's Royalty Tracking Manager role will focus on maximising client royalties through the tracking of missing revenue. A good understanding of UK, and potentially European, music collection societies and royalty processes is essential. For more information and to apply click here. |
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LISTEN UP - SENIOR PRESS MANAGER (LONDON) Listen Up is currently recruiting for a highly motivated Senior Press Manager with a passion for electronic music and industry relevant experience to join our rapidly growing team. For more information and to apply click here. |
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HOUSE OF BESTIVAL - NEW BUSINESS PROJECT MANAGER (LONDON) House of Bestival, the brand activation and creative prop house division of the Bestival group, is recruiting a New Business Project Manager. For more information and to apply click here. |
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KOBALT MUSIC GROUP - CLIENT ADMIN ASSISTANT (LONDON) Kobalt Music Recordings (KMR) is looking for a detail-oriented and organised individual to assist with our royalty and accounting responsibilities within our Artist and Label Services department, incorporating the AWAL distribution business. For more information and to apply click here. |
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THE ORCHARD - INTERNATIONAL ARTIST & LABEL MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) The Orchard is looking for a savvy, seasoned International Artist & Label Marketing Co-ordinator to promote The Orchard’s artists and labels in Europe and beyond. For more information and to apply click here. |
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THE ORCHARD - LABEL MANAGER (LONDON) The Orchard has an immediate opening for a label manager in our London office. Managing key relationships you will be the first point of contact for a number of labels, artists and managers. For more information and to apply click here. |
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FIRE RECORDS - PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION ADMINISTRATOR (LONDON) Fire Records is seeking a Production And Distribution Administrator, experienced in all areas of record production and manufacturing. For more information and to apply click here. |
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SHOGUN AUDIO GROUP - PRODUCT AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER (BRIGHTON) Shogun Audio Group is looking to hire an experienced, highly motivated, passionate Product and Distribution Manager to join our growing team. For more information and to apply click here. |
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ACADEMY EVENTS - TOUR MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) Academy Events is seeking a Tour Marketing Co-ordinator to co-ordinate the sales and marketing function for tours, liaising with promoters, agencies, marketing depts and PR, seeking creative marketing opportunities, maximising ticket sales and other such revenues by developing and managing key marketing campaigns. For more information and to apply click here. |
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WILDLIFE ENTERTAINMENT - FINANCE MANAGER (MATERNITY COVER) (LONDON) Finance Manager for a successful artist management company based in Parsons Green. Accounting for artists, in particular touring for multiple active acts. This is a part time role, three days a week, for a nine month maternity cover contract commencing April 2018. For more information and to apply click here. |
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THE MUSIC ROYALTY COMPANY - ROYALTIES ASSISTANT (LONDON) The Music Royalty Company provides financial and administrative services to many record labels, distributors, publishers and recording artists. We require a dedicated Royalties Assistant eager to progress their career alongside other talented people. For more information and to apply click here. |
| CMU Insights provides training and consultancy to music companies and companies working with music. Find out about our seminars, masterclasses and primers here... | |
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CMU SEMINARS: MAKING MONEY FROM MUSIC COPYRIGHT Mondays 19 Feb 2018 at 6.30pm in London The final of our copyright focused seminars puts the focus on the music rights sector, providing a concise overview of the digital market, including key streaming services, plus physical, sync and public performance income. Places at the seminar are just £49.99. CLICK HERE FOR INFO. |
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CMU SEMINARS: BUILDING A FANBASE AND FAN BUSINESS Mondays 26 Feb, 5, 12 Mar 2018 at 6.30pm in London These three CMU Insights seminars together provide an overview of how to build a fanbase for new artists and new music. They also look at how artists can use these channels to build a direct-fo-fan business. You can book into each individual session at £49.99 per seminar or you can book a place on all three at the special price of £125. CLICK HERE FOR INFO. |
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CMU PRIMER: KEY MUSIC BUSINESS TRENDS 2018 These are courses we can run in-house at your company As we head into 2018, CMU Insights is now offering music companies a special two-hour primer session reviewing five key areas of the music business, summarising important developments from the last twelve months and looking at the challenges that lie ahead in the next year. Including: the streaming business, piracy, safe harbour, ticketing and data. CLICK HERE FOR INFO. |
Music publishers call on CISAC to suspend Spanish collecting society SGAE
The International Confederation Of Music Publishers has called on CISAC, the global grouping of song right collecting societies, to suspend Spanish performing rights organisation SGAE because of serious concerns about the operations of the society.
The Spanish society has been subject to various controversies in recent years. Its offices were raided by police last June over an alleged scam dubbed 'the wheel', which involved TV royalties that the society collects.
It was alleged that certain SGAE members had colluded with a number of executives at Spanish TV stations in order to shuffle a disproportionate amount of the TV royalties the collecting society collects into their own bank accounts. The scam chiefly involved TV stations playing music by certain SGAE members overnight, so that those members could claim a portion of the broadcasters' royalty payments.
Last year's raid followed a similar incident in 2011 where an assortment of fraud allegations were made against the society's management team. Only one of the accused was actually jailed in relation to those allegations, though he later penned a book about his time expensing drugs and prostitutes to the music rights body.
ICMP says that SGAE's "misconduct and lack of respect" towards its members "have been cause for serious concern among ICMP's global membership for many years". However, the Confederation came into specific conflict with the society last December after representatives from the Spanish subsidiaries of three global music publishers - Sony/ATV, Warner and Peermusic - were barred from a SGAE board meeting.
In a letter to SGAE President José Miguel Fernandez Sastrón last month, the ICMP stated that: "We believe these actions are not supported by law and call on you, as the individual responsible, for an immediate reversal of your unilateral actions. ICMP is outraged by all of these actions, which once again show your complete lack of respect towards your most important constituent: the national and international community of authors, composers and music publishers SGAE has the honour and fiduciary responsibility to represent in Spain".
Linking recent developments to last year's scandal, ICMP's letter continued: "We have learned that SGAE is attempting to replace these three democratically elected music publishers with other publishers who were never previously elected by SGAE's voting members and who might have relationships with the anomalous night music distribution. We find it preposterous that SGAE would even contemplate replacing democratically elected publishers with those who are now under judicial investigation for their links to the 'wheel' practice".
Yesterday ICMP called on CISAC, as the global organisation for song right collecting societies, to take action against SGAE, in a bid to force the hand of the Spanish society's top guard. The Confederation confirmed: "Recent developments have now precipitated the ICMP board to file a formal complaint with CISAC calling on it to suspend SGAE from its membership".
ICMP added in a statement that it "firmly believes that the only way CISAC can comply with its mission of ensuring that its member societies operate according to industry best practices is to suspend SGAE, until the Spanish society complies with basic rules of non-discrimination between creators and publishers and treats national and international authors equally".
Meanwhile, the President of ICMP, Chris Butler from the Music Sales Group, told reporters: "It's time for the general collective management community to address the gravity of this matter and to work towards a definitive solution".
Enrique Iglesias signs publishing deal with Kobalt
Enrique Iglesias has signed a new publishing deal with Kobalt, covering his songs catalogue to date and future work.
"Enrique is one of the biggest global artists ever, so it is an honour that he has chosen Kobalt to support him in both creative and global admin services", says Kobalt CEO Willard Ahdritz. "He is an amazing singer, songwriter and producer with an extraordinary capacity to write in Spanish and English. The potential for his new music is massive and we're excited to support him".
Meanwhile Kobalt's President of Latin America, Nestor Casonu adds: "It is a privilege to work with Enrique, a great human being and extraordinary artist whom I admire. Since the start of his career, he has consistently topped charts all over the world due to his great capacity to work, engage with his fans, as well as the respect and care he gives to the creative process of his songs".
News of the new publishing deal comes shortly after Iglesias launched legal action against his former label Universal Music last month, claiming that the major label had underpaid him millions in recording royalties.
Absolute to distribute Cherry Red's acquisitions from Warner
Absolute Label Services has announced a deal to provide global distribution for Cherry Red Records for catalogues the indie label acquired late last year as part of Warner Music's ongoing divestment programme.
Warner, of course, has been divesting certain artist and label catalogues to independent music companies as part of a commitment it made to the indie community when it bought the Parlophone Label Group back in 2013.
As part of that arrangement, Cherry Red has acquired recordings by artists including Dinosaur Jr, Renaissance, Four-play, Third Ear Band, Greenslade, Marc Almond, Howard Jones, Kim Wilde, Mel & Kim, Curved Air, Be-Bop Deluxe, Barclay James Harvest and Chris Squire.
Commenting on those acquisitions, Cherry Red MD Adam Velasco says: "These deals mean another exciting year ahead for Cherry Red. We are honoured to expand our catalogue even further and represent such a varied and thrilling range of music. We will work alongside the artists to release enduring artefacts that will nurture their formidable legacy".
Meanwhile, on securing the deal to provide distribution services to the label for those recordings, Absolute Label Services Director Simon Wills adds: "We are so pleased to be working with a label as distinguished as Cherry Red Records. It feels like the independent sector is getting smaller every day in our world, but we're going to work alongside the fantastic team at Cherry Red to make sure that these great albums benefit from our shared work ethic and philosophy".
| Approved: Upsahl Taylor Upsahl has been performing and recording music since her early teens, developing a talent for songwriting across several early releases. Now something of a veteran despite still only being eighteen, she's begun pursuing a more formal career in music outside her local scene in Phoenix, Arizona. "My dad was touring in bands long before I was born", she says. "So I was lucky enough to have a band room in my house all throughout my childhood. Having access to instruments and a thorough understanding of music allowed me to start writing my own stuff when I was thirteen". Performing just as Upsahl, she released new single 'Can You Hear Me Now?' last year. Both in terms of production and songwriting, it marked a new step up for her. And now, with latest track, 'Kiss Me Now', she's taken a giant leap. "I'm incredibly excited to see what's next", she continues. "Not only has my sound evolved, but so have I". Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
Mark E Smith's family reveal cause of death
Mark E Smith died from inoperable cancer, his family have revealed in a new statement. The Fall frontman died last month, aged 60.
"Mark fought a long and hard battle after his diagnosis of terminal lung and kidney cancer", say Smith's three sisters - Barbara, Suzanne and Caroline - in a statement published on The Fall's website. "He took every treatment going, which could be brutal at times and left Mark with some horrible side effects. Mark was such a strong man and hated letting his fans down and tried to carry on regardless against all advice".
They continue: "Mark had a great life and loved and lived it to the full and always by his own rules and we, as his sisters, were privileged to be part of it too. Mark is at peace now and pain free, but we, his three sisters have been left heartbroken and will miss our big brother very much".
Smith was known to be struggling with health problems over the last year, which led to the cancellation of various tour dates.
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Metallica's James Hetfield to appear in Ted Bundy movie
Metallica frontman James Hetfield is to make his acting debut, playing a police officer in a new biopic about serial killer Ted Bundy called 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, And Vile'.
Joe Berlinger - who made Metallica documentary 'Some Kind Of Monster' - is directing the film. Starring Zac Efron as Bundy, Hetfield will play Bob Hayward, the Utah highway patrol officer who was the first policeman to arrest the killer in 1975.
"Having spent hundreds of hours behind the scenes with James and the rest of Metallica, I have experienced his charisma and powerful presence close up", says Berlinger. "It seemed only natural that he would bring that same power and magnetism to a dramatic role, so when he agreed to my pitch that he be in the movie, I was THRILLED".
Currently filming, the movie also stars Haley Joel Osment and John Malkovich, with British actor Lily Collins playing Bundy's girlfriend Elizabeth Kloepfer.
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Smashing Pumpkins deny blocking D'arcy Wretsky from reunion
Have we mentioned that the Smashing Pumpkins are reforming? I can't remember, but it's a key fact in this story, so consider yourself told. It's not just Billy Corgan and some random people this time, either. It's the classic line-up. Well, most of it. Ahead of an official announcement later this week, there's been some bickering.
Corgan, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlain have all already been working together again, seemingly on a new album. Details are sparse, aside from some hints on Corgan's Instagram account and a countdown timer on the band's official website, which will run down to zero on Thursday. Oh, and the angry war of words with the band's former bassist D'arcy Wretsky.
Wretsky told BlastEcho last month that she would not be involved in the reunion, claiming in a new interview last week that Corgan had originally invited her to take part and sent her a contract. However, she says, he subsequently rescinded the offer. She also claimed that Iha's involvement in the new music that's being recorded by the band was limited.
In a statement responding to this (and thus confirming the reunion before the official announcement of the reunion), the band said that Wretsky hadn't been blocked from joining. Rather, they said, she has been unwilling.
"In reuniting The Smashing Pumpkins, the band's dedication remains to its fans and its music", says the outfit as one. "To that, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlin and William Corgan haven't played a show with D'arcy Wretzky for over eighteen years. But it's not for a lack of trying".
They continue: "Despite reports, Ms Wretzky has repeatedly been invited out to play with the group, participate in demo sessions, or at the very least, meet face-to-face, and in each and every instance she always deferred. We wish her all the best, and look forward to reconnecting with you all very soon".
Chamberlain was fired from the band in 1996, following the drug-related death of live keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin. He re-joined in 1999, although Wretsky then left the band shortly afterwards. Iha then followed in 2000, and the band officially split at the end of that year.
Corgan continued to work with Chamberlain on various projects, and in 2006 the pair revived Smashing Pumpkins without their other former bandmates. Since then, Corgan has been by various musicians, the only consistent other member being guitarist Jeff Shroeder, who joined in 2007, and is reportedly involved in the latest incarnation too.
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Ultimate Painting split, cancel album release
Ultimate Painting have announced that they have split up, cancelling the release of new album 'Up!' at the same time.
In a statement on Facebook, the duo's Jack Cooper blames "an irreconcilable breakdown" of his relationship with bandmate James Hoare.
"I'm very sad to announce that Ultimate Painting are no longer a band. Anyone who has worked with us knows that the partnership at the core of this band has always been a very fragile thing, but due to an irreconcilable breakdown we will no longer be working with each other".
The band were set to release their new album on 6 Apr, which would have been their first for Bella Union. They had already released a single, 'Not Gonna Burn Myself Anymore', and announced UK and Ireland tour dates for April.
The statement continues: "Obviously if there's no band, then it's understandably not really in Bella Union's interests to put out the previously announced album, therefore I've asked them not to release 'Up!' at this point in time, which they have agreed to".
Cooper recently completed a tour in support of his debut solo album, 'Sandgrown'. Speaking about that record recently, he said: "Recording on my own liberated me to sing more like I actually sing. I think I've spent a long time in loud bands singing in a way that can be heard through music. The songs that I wrote for 'Sandgrown' suit my voice more than anything I've done before".
Hoare also fronts The Proper Ornaments, who released their last album, 'Foxhole', in January 2017. Prior to forming Ultimate Painting in 2014, Hoare was a member of Victoria Falls, while Cooper fronted Mazes.
Judas Priest's Glenn Tipton retires from touring
Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton is stepping back from the band's touring activities due to the progression of the Parkinson's disease he was diagnosed with a decade ago.
Tipton has continued to perform with the band since then, but according to a statement on the band's website is now finding it harder to perform the band's more complex songs live on stage. As a result, he's decided to retire from touring full time.
"I want everyone to know that it's vital that the Judas Priest tour goes ahead and that I am not leaving the band - it's simply that my role has changed", says Tipton. "I don't rule out the chance to go on stage as and when I feel able to blast out some Priest! So at some point in the not too distant future I'm really looking forward to seeing all of our wonderful metal maniacs once again".
The band will tour to promote their new album, 'Firepower', as planned, with the record's producer Andy Sneap standing in on guitar.
Tipton's bandmates say: "We have been privileged to witness Glenn's determination and steadfast commitment over the years, showing his passion and self belief through the writing, recording and performing sessions with Priest - he is a true metal hero! We are not surprised by Glenn's insistence that we complete the 'Firepower' tour and thank Andy for joining us to make Glenn's wishes become real. As Glenn has said, we also can't wait to have him with us at any time any place on the road".
'Firepower' is due out on 9 Mar. Here's the album's title track.
Stuart Camp, Marshmello, Jorja Smith, more
Other notable announcements and developments today...
• Ed Sheeran's manager Stuart Camp has parted company with Elton John's Rocket Man artist management firm after more than a decade. The move sees the joint venture he launched with Rocket Man - Grumpy Old Management - go independent. Sheeran's going with him, obviously.
• Marshmello has released the video for 'Spotlight', his collaboration with Lil Peep, completed shortly before the rapper's death.
• Rolo Tomassi have released 'Aftermath', the latest track from their upcoming new album, 'Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It'.
• Factory Floor have released new single 'Heart Of Data', taken from their Science Museum-commissioned new soundtrack to Fritz Lang's 1927 film 'Metropolis'.
• Kero Kero Bonito have released new single 'Only Acting', it's true.
• Iceage have released new single 'Catch It'. The band will play The Scala in London on 8 May.
• Will Haven have released the first single from their upcoming new album, 'Muerte'. Titled 'El Sol', it features guitar from Deftones' Steph Carpenter.
• The Body have announced that they will release new album, 'I Have Fought Against It, But I Can't Any Longer', on 11 May. From it, this is brilliant new single 'Nothing Stirs', featuring Kristin Haytor. They'll play a London show with Lightning Bolt at The Garage on 5 May.
• Moaning have released the video for new single 'Tired'. Their debut album is out on 2 Mar.
• Praa is doing it all again with new single, 'Do It All Again'.
• Scandal have released the video for new single, 'Platform Syndrome'. The song is the opening track of the band's new album, 'Honey', which is out this week.
• Jorja Smith has announce UK tour dates for October, which will wind up at Brixton Academy on 17 Oct. Tickets go on sale this Friday.
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
Kendrick Lamar not banning smartphones from gigs, just pro photographers
You may have heard that Kendrick Lamar is banning photography of all kinds from his upcoming live shows. Not so, says his management. Grainy shaky photos taken on smartphones held in the air to obscure the view of everyone else are all fine. It's those pesky professionals taking sharp shots you might actually want to look at that are the problem.
The Guardian reported last week that Lamar was attempting to stop anyone photographing his performances. This was, the newspaper claimed, "an attempt to protect his valuable 'brand' and ensure the appetite for tickets remains keen".
However, this is not entirely correct, the rapper's management - Top Dawg Entertainment - has said. It is just professional photographers with proper cameras who will not be allowed in, fans with smartphones are fine.
Official concert photographs will be available to media, according to Pitchfork, but only from Top Dawg itself, via its own photographers. This is an increasingly common practice, and has been employed by Beyonce since 2013, after photos her team felt were unflattering were posted by Buzzfeed earlier the same year.
Taylor Swift and The Stone Roses have also been criticised in the past for asking professional photographers who attended their shows to give up the rights in any images they took after their first publication.
Lots of artists have also banned fans from using smartphones to take photos and video of shows too, of course. Most recently, Jack White announced that fans would have to agree to have their phones locked away if they wanted to see him perform.
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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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