| TOP STORIES | Kesha's claims to Lady Gaga about Katy Perry also part of Dr Luke defamation lawsuit READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LEGAL | Supreme Court ruling on web-blocking costs shouldn't affect music cases READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| DEALS | Nas label Mass Appeal signs distribution deal with Universal READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LIVE BUSINESS | Young Fathers axed from German festival over support for pro-Palestine movement READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| RELEASES | Anna Meredith merges with Vivaldi on new album Anno READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| GIGS & FESTIVALS | Scarlxrd announces UK tour READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | Troye Sivan & Ariana Grande, Drake, Slaves, more READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | Ryan Adams presents weather after begging local TV station in song 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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ENTERTAINMENT INTELLIGENCE - CLIENT ADMINISTRATOR (LONDON) As Client Administrator, you will act as liaison between clients and the business. The successful candidate will be expected to thrive in a start-up environment, contributing ideas and solutions to improve both client relationships, and data management. For more information and to apply click here. |
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MPA GROUP OF COMPANIES - TRAINEE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT (LONDON) The MPA Group of Companies (MPA, MCPS and PMLL) is seeking a trainee financial accountant to assist the Director of Operations with all of the finance functions across the three companies as well as providing assistance with other finance related projects. For more information and to apply click here. |
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KOBALT MUSIC GROUP - SENIOR MANAGER, CONTENT OPERATIONS (LONDON) Kobalt is looking for an experienced Content Operations Manager to join the expanding AWAL team. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the global Content Operations function, ensuring the continued quality of our release deliveries and maintaining excellent relationships with priority partners. For more information and to apply click here. |
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KOBALT MUSIC GROUP - DIGITAL SUPPLY CHAIN CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) Kobalt is looking for a Digital Supply Chain Co-ordinator to join the close-knit and rapidly growing AWAL team supporting the Digital Supply Chain Managers in their day to day work. For more information and to apply click here. |
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ROUNDHOUSE - MUSIC EVENTS MANAGER (LONDON) The Roundhouse is looking for a highly experienced Music Events Manager with outstanding contacts in the music industry to plan, deliver and execute all Roundhouse commercial music events and to act as a central point of contact for all incoming promoters and artists. 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. |
Kesha's claims to Lady Gaga about Katy Perry also part of Dr Luke defamation lawsuit
The focus of the long running legal battle between one-time collaborators Kesha and Dr Luke is now the latter's defamation lawsuit against the former. Newly revealed court papers relating to that litigation show that among the remarks alleged to be defamatory are comments made by Kesha to Lady Gaga about Luke and Katy Perry.
Kesha, of course, has accused producer Luke of drugging and raping her. He has always denied those allegations, claiming they were made in a bid to help Kesha get out of contractual agreements she had made with his various companies. The dispute resulted in a flurry of lawsuits, with legal action ongoing in three separate US states at one point.
Luke's defamation lawsuit continues to go through the motions. In court papers seen by gossip site The Blast, it has emerged that his legal action focuses on three allegedly defamatory remarks made by Kesha: the already known allegations that he drugged and raped her, but also text messages to Lady Gaga that alleged he also raped Perry.
The court papers state: "On 26 Feb 2016 [Kesha] sent a text message to Stefani Germanotta pka Lady Gaga which repeated [Kesha's] false claim that [Luke] had raped her. [Kesha] also falsely asserted that [Luke] had also raped Kathryn Hudson pka Katy Perry. Following this text message conversation, and with [Kesha's] encouragement, [Lady Gaga] spread negative messages about [Luke] in the press and on social media".
It's not the first time that Gaga has been pulled into this dispute. Last year, her people hit out at efforts by Luke's team to force the pop star to give a deposition in relation to the defamation action. Team Luke sought to question Gaga based on those past text message conversations she had had with Kesha.
Prior to that Kesha's one time legal rep Mark Geragos courted controversy after Gaga spoke about being raped when she was nineteen and he subsequently suggested that Luke was the rapist. Gaga denied that was the case and Geragos was then also sued for defamation.
With the allegations involving Katy Perry now also public domain, legal reps for Dr Luke issued another statement last night again denying all the claims made by Kesha to date.
That statement reads: "Katy Perry herself confirmed that Dr Luke did not rape her. Kesha's accusation to the contrary - just like her other outrageous lies about Dr Luke - is baseless and irresponsible, and it is disrespectful to both Katy Perry and Dr Luke".
The lawyers conclude: "In his defamation lawsuit against Kesha, Dr Luke seeks damages for the harm caused by these malicious falsehoods".
Supreme Court ruling on web-blocking costs shouldn't affect music cases
The UK's Supreme Court has ruled that intellectual property owners should cover some of the costs of web-blocking when it is trademark infringement that the blockades seek to prevent. However, the judgement shouldn't affect web-blocks secured by copyright owners like the record industry.
Web-blocking, of course, has become an anti-piracy tactic of choice for copyright owners in recent years. Record labels and movie studios go to court and get injunctions forcing internet service providers to block their customers from accessing websites that exist primarily to facilitate copyright infringement.
ISPs usually moan loudly about copyright-based web-blocks when they are first introduced, but then fall in line and start implementing the blockades whenever a court instructs them to do so. Plus, of course, as more ISPs move into providing video-on-demand services, they tend to become more sympathetic to the piracy gripes of copyright owners.
Trademark owners though? They can go fuck themselves. Or at least until ISPs set up websites flogging legit luxury goods. Which is why there was another round of loud ISP moaning when the High Court issued a web-block injunction in 2014 aiming to stop the infringement of trademarks owned by Compagnie Financière Richemont - which includes the Cartier mark - through the selling of counterfeit goods online.
The Court Of Appeal upheld that injunction two years later, though tel cos BT and EE fought on over the issue of who should pay to enforce those web-blocks.
The net firms weren't objecting to covering all the costs associated with web-blocking. Some of the IT costs they'd have to cover anyway as part of their efforts to block other illegal content. However, they did object to costs directly associated with the Cartier web-blocks, both in terms of initial set up and the ongoing task of keeping offending sites blocked when they move to new domains.
That dispute went to Supreme Court, which ruled earlier this week. It concluded that the rights owner - ie Cartier - should shoulder any specific costs related to web-blockades that are protecting its rights.
Said the judge: "There is no legal basis for requiring a party to shoulder the burden of remedying an injustice if he has no legal responsibility for the infringement and is not a volunteer but is acting under the compulsion of an order of the court. It follows that in principle the rights-holders should indemnify the ISPs against their compliance costs".
However, while the mechanics of web-blocking are the same whether you're seeking to stop copyright or trademark infringement online, the specific laws that enable that web-blocking are different. Which means the precedent set in this case should only apply to trademark protecting web-blocks, and therefore not the flurry of web-blocking injunctions already secured by the UK record industry, of which more will surely follow in the future.
Commenting on this week's ruling, Kiaron Whitehead, General Counsel at record industry trade body BPI, told CMU: "Whilst the UK Supreme Court's ruling is disappointing, it is a narrow judgment based on the quirks of trademark infringement. The limited finding that Cartier must pay the ISPs' implementation costs does not apply to music industry cases. BPI-led cases are based on copyright-infringement-driven website blocking, for which there are long-standing precedents in the UK and beyond that ISPs pay their own costs".
Nas label Mass Appeal signs distribution deal with Universal
Nas's media and entertainment company Mass Appeal has signed a new distribution deal with the Universal Music Group.
Universal will distribute records released by the label side of the Mass Appeal business, and also provide promotion and marketing services. The deal will also see Mass Appeal collaborate with Universal's Def Jam label on the release of Nas's new Kanye West-produced album.
"I've been blessed to work with two of the best brands in music", says Nas. "Columbia Records was how I got my start and Def Jam was where I continued that journey. In my next chapter, I am proud to say that I am signing myself to myself. I look forward to releasing many projects in the very near future with Mass Appeal's new global partnership with UMG".
The new deal expands on an existing relationship between the two companies, Universal having been the lead investor in a Mass Appeal funding round last year.
Referencing that, Mass Appeal CEO Peter Bittenbender says: "In the fifteen months since joining forces with UMG, we have seen the Mass Appeal brand expand rapidly, experiencing our most successful year to date. Much like fans across the world we are hyped that Nas is finally dropping his new album and couldn't be more proud that it's our first release through this new partnership".
UMG EVP Michele Anthony adds: "Mass Appeal is a thriving multimedia platform that speaks to an audience that is increasingly influencing culture. I couldn't be more THRILLED to expand our relationship. UMG will now provide Mass Appeal's label with our expertise and resources to maximise the global opportunities for their exceptional roster of artists".
As well as Nas, artists signed to Mass Appeal include DJ Shadow, Run The Jewels, Dave East and Fashawn.
Young Fathers axed from German festival over support for pro-Palestine movement
Young Fathers have criticised a German festival for dropping them from its bill because of their support for the pro-Palestine Boycott, Divestment And Sanctions movement. BDS is a campaigning group that says it is working "to end international support for Israel's oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law".
Organisers of Ruhrtriennale, an arts festival that takes place in former industrial buildings in the Ruhr Area of Germany, seemingly asked Young Fathers to distance themselves from the BDS movement. When they declined to do so, the festival - despite acknowledging that criticism of Israel does not constitute anti-Semitism - decided to cancel the group's show.
The festival's Artistic Director, Stefanie Carp, stated: "Regrettably, Young Fathers have not distanced themselves from BDS. We explicitly do not conclude from this that the band is anti-Semitic, and - in this context - I consider it important to emphasise that criticism of the policy of the current Israeli government is not per se equivalent to anti-Semitism".
"However", Carp continued, "the Ruhrtriennale distances itself in all forms from the BDS movement and wishes to have absolutely no connection with the campaign. We have therefore decided to cancel the concert. We regret this immensely, because the Young Fathers would have set an important tone in the programme of the Ruhrtriennale".
Needless to say, Young Fathers are critical of the festival's decision. In a statement issued to Artists For Palestine UK, they said: "We feel it is a wrong and deeply unfair decision by the festival to take this stance and to also ask us to distance ourselves from our human rights principles in order for the appearance to go ahead".
They added: "Anyone who knows the band and our history will know we oppose all forms of hatred and racial discrimination. Always have. And we, like BDS, 'do not tolerate any act or discourse which adopts or promotes, among others, anti-Black racism, anti-Arab racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, sexism, xenophobia or homophobia'".
Concluding, the group wrote: "We support one of the only peaceful protests a person can take, in the hope to achieve a just and comprehensive peace that allows Palestinian refugees the right to return to a safe homeland, and that allows Israelis and Palestinians of all faiths (and none) to live together in peace".
Artists For Palestine have been tweeting messages for various other artists and writers supporting Young Fathers and likewise criticising the decision of Ruhrtriennale.
Among them is Brian Eno, who writes: "To criticise the Israeli government after the recent killings of unarmed Palestinian protestors is not anti-Semitism - it is pro-civilisation, speaking out in favour of civilised behaviour and against state brutality. It is standing up and saying: 'The rule of law applies everywhere'".
| Approved: Hockeysmith After a number of years making music together, sisters Annie and Georgie Hockeysmith put the project bearing their surname on hiatus around the end of 2016. While Georgie returned to university, Annie quietly went about honing her sound under the name Annie EEL. Feeling suitably honed, she now returns to Hockeysmith as a solo project. Taking inspiration from 90s IDM, trip hop and shoegaze, she is set to release a still to be titled album at some point in the probably near future. The first track from it, 'Holy War', retains a link to the former incarnation of Hockeysmith, but the sound is richer and more developed. There's certainly a case for referring to it as R&B, but the eclectic influences that rub up against the sound pull it in other weirder directions. Listen to 'Holy War' here.Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
Anna Meredith merges with Vivaldi on new album Anno
Anna Meredith has announced that she will release a new album, 'Anno'. The record is based on a live performance premiered in 2016, which sees new compositions by Meredith entwined with Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons'.
First performed at Spitalfields Music Summer Festival in June 2016, 'Anno' was conceived by Scottish Ensemble Artistic Director Jonathan Morton, after he noticed parallels between the styles of Meredith and Vivaldi. The live performance, which sees musicians move around the stage as they perform, is complemented by visuals created by Meredith's sister Eleanor.
For the recorded version, Meredith worked again with the Scottish Ensemble. Recorded using a 'binaural recording head', listeners will be able to experience the "unique spatial aspects" of the piece through headphones.
If you fancy experiencing the whole performance in its original live form, Meredith and the Scottish Ensemble will be performing it at this year's Edinburgh Fringe on 17-18 Aug at the Cromdale Theatre in the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
You can also see Meredith perform an expanded version of her debut album, 'Varmints', with the Southbank Sinfonia as part of the Edinburgh International Festival on 11 Aug.
The 'Anno' album will be released through Moshi Moshi on 17 Aug. Right now, you can listen to the melding of Meredith's 'Low Light' and Vivaldi's 'Ice' here.
Scarlxrd announces UK tour
Scarlxrd has announced UK tour dates for September, which will conclude at Electric Brixton.
The rapper released his latest album, 'Dxxm', last month. From it, here's his latest video 'fxur/AM'.
Tickets for the new shows go on general sale on Friday. Here are the dates:
20 Sep: Glasgow, SWG3
22 Sep: Leeds, Church
23 Sep: Manchester, Gorilla
24 Sep: Brighton, Concorde 2
27 Sep: Bristol, SWX
28 Sep: Birmingham Academy 2
29 Sep: London, Electric Brixton
Troye Sivan & Ariana Grande, Drake, Slaves, 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.
• Troye Sivan has released his new collaboration with Ariana Grande, 'Dance To This'. He explains: "'Dance To This' is about that moment when you feel like you've been to enough house parties or events, and staying home and like, making out in the kitchen and cooking dinner sounds like a much, much better alternative".
• Drake has released the video for 'I'm Upset', and confirmed that his new album, 'Scorpion', will be released on 29 Jun.
• Tedious banging and shouting duo Slaves have released a new single, 'Cut And Run'. Apparently they plan to release more new music soon, which I assume you're all delighted about.
• New music from Tool is coming next year. Maynard said so.
• Girl Unit has reunited with Kelela for 'WYWD (Remix)'.
• Laurel Halo will release a new mini-album, 'Raw Silk Uncut Wood', on 13 Jul. Here's the title track.
• Low have announced that they will release a new album, 'Double Negative', on 14 Sep. Here's a video featuring three tracks from it: 'Quorum', 'Dancing And Blood', and 'Fly'.
• Menace Beach have announced that they will release new album, 'Black Rainbow Sound', on 31 Aug. They've also put out the title track, one of two tracks on the album featuring former Fall member Brix Smith.
• Melody's Echo Chamber has released a video for 'Cross My Heart', taken from her new album 'Bon Voyage', which is out this week.
• HTRK have returned with their first new music since 2014, 'Mentions'. It's taken from a forthcoming new album.
• Pop duo I Am Karate are back with new single 'Expectations'.
• Experimental musicians Aïsha Devi and Pan Daijing will appear at the Barbican on 7 Oct, with performances encompassing dance and visual art alongside their music.
• Estrons have released new single 'Lilac'. They've also announced UK tour dates for November and December.
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
Ryan Adams presents weather after begging local TV station in song
Ryan Adams has appeared as a guest weather presenter on a Denver TV station after writing a letter begging to do so. By 'letter', I mean song, and by 'begging', I mean begging.
Adams penned a new ode to Colorada TV station Denver7 - called 'Denver7 (Piece Of Heaven)' - earlier this month. "Can you let me do the weather one time?" he sings. "I'll wear my Batman shirt and I'll wear my flannel. Stand in front of that green screen and try to remember all the town's I just seen".
This all has quite a convoluted back story. Last month, seemingly out of the blue (although ahead of a show in Denver, Colorado tonight), Adams recorded a song for radio station The Colorado Sound.
"We were surprised, for sure", the station's Assistant Programme Director Margot Chobanian, told local paper Westword. "A mutual friend of Ryan's and ours called and told us Ryan had this idea and would we be cool with it. We said yes, of course!"
With Westword now on Adams' radar, the paper was next in line for a song, earlier this month receiving a reworked version of the 'Westworld' TV series theme tune.
Not wanting to be left out, Denver7 presenter Shannon Ogden tweeted Adams to point out that "lots of things rhyme with Denver7 and Shannon".
Accepting the challenge, Adams delivered with a "smooth rap song", in which he pays tribute to the station, rapping: "Colorado, you're like a little piece of heaven. Watch the TV, turn on Denver7. Gotta get the updates, who saw a bear? Let me do the weather and I'll see y'all up there".
Towards the end, the real begging sets in, as he sings: "Please let me do the weather. Shannon, you got your wish, here is your song. Let me be the guest weather person, what could possibly go wrong? Shannon, you got your song, let me be your guest weather person, we'll all get along".
Last night he got his wish, presenting the 5pm weather forecast. Ahead of the meteorological update, he told the station that it was a lifelong dream to present such a broadcast, saying: "I think it's partially because of the movie 'Twister' I got kind of into it".
"This is exactly as weird as I thought it would be", he said as he realised his dream. Watch Adams' forecast for Denver here.
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