| TOP STORIES | Facebook reveals new music features, including Musical.ly style lip-syncing READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LEGAL | Sacha Robotti goes legal after ex-management redirects website to porn READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| DEALS | Jake Shears partners with Absolute for UK & Ireland album release READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| MEDIA | BBC announces closure of Maida Vale Studios, new studio complex to open in East London READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ARTIST NEWS | PPL reveals that Ed Sheeran was played a lot in 2017 READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| RELEASES | Noga Erez reveals Bad Habits Idles announce second album, Joy As An Act Of Resistance READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| GIGS & FESTIVALS | Will Haven announce UK tour dates READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | Tekno, [PIAS], Selena Gomez, more READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | Devon phonebox takes 'world's smallest club' record READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
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COOKING VINYL - OFFICE SPACE TO RENT (WEST LONDON) Cooking Vinyl is pleased to offer a newly refurbished office space in Acton, West London. Ideal to share with other likeminded creatives in a hot desk environment, or alternatively to rent the space as a whole, comfortably fitting 30+ desks. For more information and to apply click here. |
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DHP FAMILY - CONCERT PROMOTIONS CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) DHP Family is looking for a creative and motivated individual with a demonstrable passion for music. You will be forward-thinking and able to work autonomously as well as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. For more information and to apply click here. |
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PROPER MUSIC DISTRIBUTION - CREDIT CONTROL ASSISTANT (DARTFORD) Proper Music Distribution is recruiting for a Credit Control Assistant to join a small dedicated team in a busy accounts department working in the music industry. For more information and to apply click here. |
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JAAK - ACCOUNT MANAGER (LONDON) JAAK is a London-based startup building a new global network for intellectual property rights registration, management and monetisation, starting with the music industry. Join us and help supercharge our engagement with the music industry, ensuring the products we’re building serve real needs. For more information and to apply click here. |
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THE ORCHARD - DIGITAL ACCOUNT MANAGER (LONDON) The Orchard has an immediate opening for a digital sales specialist to manage key digital retail relationships in the UK. The role will involve working closely with the label management team and Orchard’s marketing teams to create compelling retail campaigns for our content and labels. For more information and to apply click here. |
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DHP FAMILY - LONDON VENUES PROMOTERS (LONDON) DHP Family is seeking Venues Promoters to provide a marketing function for a club event operation in London, maximising awareness, and promoting growth in attendance figures and revenue by maintaining current in-house club brands and events. For more information and to apply click here. |
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ERASED TAPES - PRODUCT MANAGER (LONDON) Erased Tapes Records is currently seeking an experienced Product Manager to join its team. The chosen candidate will oversee manufacturing and stock control including vinyl records and CDs for our international distribution network. For more information and to apply click here. |
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PARTISAN RECORDS - LABEL ASSISTANT (LONDON) Partisan Records is looking for a label assistant to join its London office. This is an exciting opportunity for a forward thinking individual to join a dynamic independent music company. This is an entry-level position in an administrative role. For more information and to apply click here. |
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UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER STUDENTS' UNION - SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER (MANCHESTER) The University of Manchester Students’ Union and Manchester Academy are looking for an experienced operations manager, with knowledge of everything important to make our events shine. For more information and to apply click here. |
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RAYMOND GUBBY LTD - SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER (LONDON) The successful candidate would be responsible for ‘the voice’ of social media for RGL and would be responsible for developing and implementing the social media strategy. For more information and to apply click here. |
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INCORPORATED SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS - PUBLIC AFFAIRS & CAMPAIGNS MANAGER (LONDON) This is a great opportunity for a highly-skilled public affairs professional to join the dynamic and innovative ISM and lead on our public affairs work. For more information and to apply click here. |
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ACADEMY MUSIC GROUP - ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER (LIVERPOOL) Academy Music Group has an exciting opportunity for an Assistant General Manager to join two of Liverpool’s premier live entertainment venues, O2 Academy Liverpool and Arts Club. For more information and to apply click here. |
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UEA(SU) - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE (NORWICH) The students' union's Assistant Director of Social Enterprise (Venues) will be at the centre of developing and managing the union’s Venues operations, including the operation of the largest music venue in the region, multiple bars and student club nights alongside a unique and renowned venue in Norwich city centre. For more information and to apply click here. |
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UEA(SU) - COMMERCIAL SALES & MARKETING MANAGER (NORWICH) The Students’ Union’s Commercial Sales & Marketing Manager will be at the centre of leading a freshly redeveloped team in the union aimed at maximising internal and external revenue and creating meaningful partnerships both locally and nationally, ensuring our members remain at the forefront of our marketing activity. For more information and to apply click here. |
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MODEST! MANAGEMENT - ARTIST DIGITAL MANAGER (LONDON) Modest! Management seek an Artist Digital Manager to work across an exciting, international artist roster in their busy London office. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and passionate music loving individual to deliver innovative and creative digital marketing campaigns for a truly global roster. For more information and to apply click here. |
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THE COLUMBO GROUP - PROMOTIONS MANAGER (LONDON) The Columbo Group is seeking a Promotions Manager to join our events team. You will be responsible for the marketing and promotion of all club nights at one of our key venues, working alongside a team of very passionate people. For more information and to apply click here. |
Facebook reveals new music features, including Musical.ly style lip-syncing
Having now handed over a small mountain of cash to the all those cash-loving money fans in the music industry, Facebook is celebrating by ripping off Musical.ly. And why not? When you've written advance cheques that big, I think you should be allowed to rip off a rival app that has proven super popular with the youth demographic who have been leaving your service in their droves. In fact, I'm pretty sure that right is enshrined in the bible somewhere.
"We're starting to roll out Lip Sync Live, which lets you lip sync to songs from forever favourites like 'Welcome To The Jungle' by Guns N Roses to new hits like 'Havana' by Camila Cabello", wrote Facebook in a blog post yesterday. "With Lip Sync Live, you can express yourself with music from a variety of genres in real time. So whether you prefer songs like 'Happier' by Ed Sheeran or 'God's Plan' by Drake, Lip Sync Live lets you bring friends and family into spontaneous musical moments".
Facebook has been busy signing advance-heavy licensing deals with all the records companies, music publishers and collecting societies in recent months, having been locked in negotiations for over a year. Users have been uploading stacks of music onto Facebook's platform for ages now of course, especially since it really started pushing video posts, but - with a few minor exceptions - it's only now that the social media firm has licensing deals in place to make music on its service legit.
Facebook has no ambitions to become a Spotify-style streaming service, but sees opportunities to make its various platforms - Facebook, Instagram and all that VR nonsense - more compelling by officially bringing music into the mix. For example, helping users sync tracks into their video uploads safe in the knowledge that no music rights owner will then try to block said video. Or inviting them to lip sync to their favourite tunes. Unless, of course, they're already bored of that after over-use of the Musical.ly app, in which lip-syncing was the original core proposition.
"We've been partnering with music companies around the world to bring music to more experiences on Facebook", said yesterday's blog post. "Today we're announcing new ways for people to express themselves with music in their posts".
"From weddings and holidays to everyday celebrations" it went on, "the special moments in life are often ones we associate with music. Together with the music industry, we are working to enable people around the world to include music in their videos on Facebook, opening up more options for creativity and sharing memories with friends and family".
These innovations (innovative within the Facebook universe at least) are being tested in several markets as of now, with plans to roll them out more widely in due course. And fans of not quite innovations can expect plenty more innovations in the coming months, some of them probably not quite innovations, but possibly also some innovative innovations as well. How innovative.
"We're exploring more ways to bring music to Facebook" the post concluded. "In the coming months, we'll start testing options for adding the music you love to Facebook Stories. We're looking forward to continuing to work with the music industry to create new ways for people to connect and express themselves through music across our family of apps".
As are we all, I'm sure. Though, for the music companies themselves, all this super innovation is unlikely to be as exciting as those big fat advance cheques were.
Sacha Robotti goes legal after ex-management redirects website to porn
Dance music artist Sacha Robotti is suing his former management in a dispute over his official website domain.
He accuses management agency TSG of holding him to ransom over control of the domain, which until recently was seemingly pointed towards a porn site rather than his official website. It is currently pointing to music released by another TSG-managed act, Mr Kristopher.
According to Courthouse News, Robotti parted ways with TSG - his management team of three years - late last year. In his lawsuit, he alleges that TSG said they were owed $3800 - and then later $4900 - in unpaid commission.
The management firm registered the domain name sacharobotti.com a year before it actually started working with him, and still controls the address. In an email, the company allegedly told Robotti that it would keep hold of the domain until all commissions had been paid and a three year 'sunset clause' in his contact had been honoured.
Sunset clauses allow managers to continue charging commissions to artists even after they have stopped actively working with them.
Robotti, who disputes that any commissions are owed, says that his managers then redirected his domain to a porn site called lemonparty.com.
The name of the site references an old 'bait and switch' prank on various online forums where people would claim to be linking to one thing and then send linkers to lemonparty.org, which contained a single sexually explicit photo. A bit like Rickrolling, but less likely to result in anyone winning an MTV award.
The porn linking was still happening when Robotti filed his lawsuit. His legal filing states: "Consumers and fans searching for information about plaintiff and his musical works, which likely include minors, are thus re-directed to a website containing obscene and lascivious videos and photographs".
Needles to say, Robotti wants control of his domain. For its part, TSG is yet to respond to its former client's allegations and lawsuit.
Jake Shears partners with Absolute for UK & Ireland album release
Jake Shears of off Scissor Sisters has announced that he will release his debut solo album in the UK and Ireland via a partnership with Absolute. The label services company will facilitate the sales, marketing and distribution of the record, released through Shears' own label, Freida Jean Records.
"We are excited to be working with Jake on this very special debut solo album, which combines his unique sound with a sprinkling of Scissor Sisters", says Absolute's Senior Label Manager Fraser Ealey. "Jake is a prolific writer, performer and professional, and we have put together an extremely focused campaign, which includes a superb direct-to-consumer offering together with a targeted approach to media campaigning and retail marketing".
Shears' manager at Punkdafunk, Neil Hughes, adds: "The mixture of enthusiasm, persistence, professionalism, attention to detail and genuine love and understanding of Jake and his new music made Absolute a great fit for launching his solo career in the UK".
The album, titled 'Jake Shears', will be released on 10 Aug. UK tour dates will follow later the same month.
BBC announces closure of Maida Vale Studios, new studio complex to open in East London
The BBC has announced that it is closing down its iconic Maida Vale Studios. In their place, it will open a new complex in the Olympic Park in Stratford, East London. This, says the Beeb, will enable the corporation to "record and broadcast more live music than ever before".
"I understand how much our musical heritage at Maida Vale means to us, to artists and to audiences", said Hall in a memo to staff yesterday. "We haven't taken this decision lightly. But we're determined to ensure that live music remains at the heart of the BBC and moving to this new development gives us the opportunity to do just that".
The BBC first converted a former rollerskating rink in the London borough of Maida Vale into a studio in 1909, and over the years it has variously played home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Numerous iconic live sessions by artists have also been recorded there. However, it has been on borrowed time for more than a decade - the Beeb declaring in 2007 that the complex was "wholly unsuitable for the 21st century".
Anyone who had their heart set on recording a session at Maida Vale has a bit of time still. The changeover isn't expected to take place until 2022 at the earliest. The West London space may, of course, continue to operate as recording studios after that time if a new owner for such a thing could be found. Although we should probably assume that it will get turned into luxury flats like everything else. Or maybe when Brexit causes the bottom to fall out of the property market the building will just be left derelict. So many exciting possibilities!
As for the new studio complex, BBC Director Of Radio & Education James Purnell said: "This proposed new building will act as a magnet for music development in East London and will allow us to share our music facilities and expertise with local, diverse communities as well as being a much better place for our brilliant music staff to work from".
| Approved: Impey Producer Impey returns this week with a new double A-side single, featuring new tracks 'The Deluge' and 'The Alchemist'. Available on ten-inch vinyl as well as digitally, the release is the first through Ghost Notes, the label he co-owns with close collaborator O-Dessa. An expansion of their NTS Radio show of the same name, the company, they say, aims to "deliver conceptual ideas through sound, visuals and physical objects". Nearly two years on from his excellent 'Midnight In Little Havana' EP, the new release finds Impey on fine form. Lead track 'The Deluge' leans towards the more stellar side of his grime-influenced sound, a sparse but grand exploration of ideas. Meanwhile, 'The Alchemist' is similar in tone, although with a different sonic palette that pits piano and bleeps against one another. Listen to both tracks here.Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
PPL reveals that Ed Sheeran was played a lot in 2017
British collecting society PPL has totted up all the plays recorded music got on radio, TV and in public places in the UK last year, and it turns out that Ed Sheeran was quite popular. Sheero fills two spots in the top ten most played tracks list (including number one), and was the most played artist overall.
"PPL's most played charts act as a true barometer of the most popular music on the airwaves over the past year", says PPL CEO Peter Leathem. "Reflecting not only the music played on radio and TV but also music played in public by organisations all over the country".
Congratulating Eddy S, he goes on: "Many congratulations to Warner Music UK, and Ed Sheeran, for being named the most played artist of 2017 and having the most played track with 'Shape of You'. It is an astounding achievement to take both accolades - last repeated back in 2011 by Adele - and highlights the extent of Ed's sustained popularity. We wish him all the best for his four Wembley Stadium shows later this month".
Ah, remember when we were all taken aback by the news that Adele was popular all those years ago? Such innocent times.
Anyway, here are all of the popular artists and tracks (not just old E-Shez) that were forced on people whether they wanted it or not the most in 2017...
Artists:
1. Ed Sheeran
2. Little Mix
3. Coldplay
4. Calvin Harris
5. Clean Bandit
6. Maroon 5
7. Olly Murs
8. Bruno Mars
9. Rag N Bone Man
10. Katy Perry
Tracks:
1. Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
2. Clean Bandit feat Zara Larsson - Symphony
3. Ed Sheeran - Castle On The Hill
4. Rag N Bone Man - Human
5. Shawn Mendes - There's Nothing Holdin Me Back
6. Katy Perry feat Skip Marley - Chained To The Rhythm
7. The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This
8. Rita Ora - Your Song
9. Pink - What About Us
10. Little Mix - Touch
Noga Erez reveals Bad Habits
Having released one of last year's very finest albums, 'Off The Radar', Noga Erez is back with a brand new single, 'Bad Habits'.
"'Bad Habits' is written from a place where one feels they've lost all direction and meaning", she says. "2018, so far, feels to me like living in a place that continues to go down a sloppy road that leads to the loss of any core values that we have grown up with".
She goes on: "'Bad Habits' is an adult adaptation of a 'teen rage against the world' song - a raw and instinctive release of negative energy through a passionate and cathartic blast of anger".
Watch the video for the track here.
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Idles announce second album, Joy As An Act Of Resistance
Idles have announced that they will release their second album, 'Joy As An Act Of Resistance', on 31 Aug. They've also released its first single, 'Danny Nedelko'.
"This album is an attempt to be vulnerable to our audience and to encourage vulnerability; a brave naked smile in this shitty new world", says frontman Joe Talbot. "We have stripped back the songs and lyrics to our bare flesh to allow each other to breathe, to celebrate our differences, and act as an ode to communities and the individuals that forge them. Because without our community, we'd be nothing".
Watch the video for 'Danny Nedelko' here.
The band will also be touring later this year. Here are dates:
16 Oct: Bristol, SWX
18 Oct: London, The Forum
19 Oct: Manchester, Ritz
20 Oct: Glasgow, ABC
23 Oct: Newcastle, Riverside
24 Oct: Leeds, Stylus
25 Oct: Nottingham, Rock City
26 Oct: Birmingham, Institute
27 Oct: Brighton, Concorde 2
29 Oct: Oxford, Academy
Will Haven announce UK tour dates
Will Haven have announced that they will be in the UK for a string of tour dates in October and November. The news arrives alongside a video for 'Hewed With The Brand', a track taken from their latest album, 'Muerte'.
"We are super excited to come back to not only our second home of England but to a few of our other favourite European cities [too]", say the band. "We can't wait to see all of our amazing die-hard fans and play the new record for them as well as the classics. Should be a blast!"
Of the new video, guitarist Jeff Irwin adds: "We love this new video. Brian Cox [not that one. Or that one] did an amazing job of capturing the band live as well as tying in the new record really well. It was a fun video to shoot and - a little side note - it was filmed on my birthday!"
Belated happy birthday, Jeff. Watch the video here. And here are the tour dates:
31 Oct: Bristol, Tunnels
1 Nov: Manchester, Rebellion
2 Nov: Birmingham, Asylum
3 Nov: London, Dome
Tekno, [PIAS], Selena Gomez, more
Other notable announcements and developments today...
• Get a daily news summary, our latest job ads and more via our Messenger bot. Click here to get started.
• Universal's Island Records in the UK has signed a distribution deal with Nigerian pop musician Tekno. "I want the Tekno brand to reach the global stage", he says. "Being with a full team in Nigeria, in Africa, and working with Alex [Boetang] and Island UK means that there are machines in place to ensure my music is delivered to my fans and the world with the best quality possible".
• [PIAS] has hired Lucy Francis to work in A&R, with a focus on international development.
• Selena Gomez has released the video for new song 'Back To You', which features on the soundtrack of series two of 'Thirteen Reasons Why'.
• A$AP Rocky has released the video for 'Praise The Lord (Da Shine)', featuring Skepta.
• Rich The Kid has released a new track with Drake nemesis Pusha T, called 'Can't Afford It'.
• Suede have released new single, 'The Invisibles'. The track is the first taken from new album 'The Blue Hour', which is out on 21 Sep.
• Rick Astley has released new single, 'Beautiful Life'. His new album of the same name will be out on 20 Jul.
• Father and son team Neil and Liam Finn are set to release an album together, called 'Lightsleeper', on 24 Aug. From it, this is 'Back To Life'.
• Sophie will release new album, 'Oil Of Every Pearl's Un-Insides', on 15 Jun.
• I thought Rina Sawayama had already released a video for 'Ordinary Superstar', but apparently not because it just went online yesterday.
• Moaning have released a new video for 'Misheard', ahead of UK shows next week.
• Fifi Rong has released the video for new single 'Horizon'.
• Aadae has announced new single, 'Just Found Out'. "At the time I was working on this song, there was a lot going on in my personal life", she says. "I wanted to make something that would help me dance away my pain".
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
Devon phonebox takes 'world's smallest club' record
The small Devon town of Kingsbridge has opened a new music venue, and in doing so has taken the record for the world's smallest nightclub. It seems likely that it'll hold onto that record for some time as, being situated in an old telephone box, the club in question has a capacity of one.
The old red telephone box was purchased by Kingsbridge Town Council from BT earlier this year, as part of the company's Adopt A Box scheme. The 5000th phonebox to be acquired under said scheme, BT then assisted in installing a jukebox. It will play songs such as 'Hanging On The Telephone' by Blondie and 'Telephone Line' by ELO to anyone willing to drop a quid into it.
All money pumped into the box to hear some tunes will be donated to local charity @115, which runs activities for adults with disabilities in South Devon.
"This red phone box is an important part of Kingsbridge's heritage and we were determined to keep it", says local councillor Chris Povey. "But we also wanted to do something different with it - something really eye catching so we came up with making it the world's smallest nightclub. Very importantly, it will also help raise funds for a Kingsbridge charity, which provides a vital service for the local community".
The phonebox takes the 'smallest club' record from Club 28 in Rotherham, which holds a maximum of six people plus a DJ.
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