| TOP STORIES | XXXTentacion killed in shooting incident READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LABELS & PUBLISHERS | Warner announces launch of Elektra Music Group READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| DIGITAL & D2F SERVICES | New YouTube Music service launches in the UK READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| EDUCATION & EVENTS | Digital Dollar masterclass will help explain five developing music business news stories READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ARTIST NEWS | Dr Dre developing Marvin Gaye biopic READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| RELEASES | Beyonce and Jay-Z end Tidal exclusive on new album READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| GIGS & FESTIVALS | Scottish Album Of The Year longlist to be unveiled at special live show READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | Example offers to replace fan's car so he can listen to new album 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. |
| 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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COOKING VINYL - PRODUCTION MANAGER (LONDON) Cooking Vinyl is looking for a new Production Manager to manage its busy UK and international manufacturing and digital delivery requirements. A minimum of one year's experience within a record label, distributor, manufacturer or DSP is required for this role. 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. |
XXXTentacion killed in shooting incident
Controversial rapper XXXTentacion - real name Jahseh Onfroy - was killed in a shooting yesterday. Police in Florida have confirmed that Onfroy died after being attacked outside a motor sports dealership in Deerfield Beach near Miami. He was 20 years old.
According to reports, Onfroy was approached by two armed men as he left the dealership. At least one of the men fired multiple shots at the rapper before fleeing the scene. The men seemingly took a Louis Vuitton bag from Onfroy's vehicle as they fled, leading to speculation the motivation for the attack may have been robbery.
Onfroy initially built a fanbase for his music by posting tracks on SoundCloud, resulting in plenty of interest in him as an artist within the music industry. He subsequently allied with buzzy San Francisco-based label and distribution firm Empire to release an album and mixtape, before entering into a deal with Universal's Caroline to work on future releases.
Along the way Onfroy frequently courted controversy, those controversies sometimes helping his career, and other times hindering it. Among various run ins with the law were allegations he assaulted a pregnant woman. It was the latter that likely resulted in Spotify deciding to remove XXXTentacion tracks from its playlists when it introduced its controversial hateful conduct policy last month.
Nevertheless, fans of Onfroy's output - which included plenty of other artists - had high hopes for his long-term career. Many of those people paid tribute yesterday as news of the homicide was confirmed.
Among them was Diplo, who revealed on Instagram that he had hoped to work with the rapper on his next album. Diplo wrote: "This kid was a genius - a true artist. He made his own rules. He has his faults, but he was young and he worked so hard on his own self. He wanted to be better".
The producer went on: "He texted me this weekend [that] it was one of his goals to get me and Skrillex to finish his next album. I invited him to LA this week. I was wondering if he was gonna come. He was gonna do so much more, he promised me".
Meanwhile Kanye West stated on Twitter: "Rest in peace. I never told you how much you inspired me when you were here. Thank you for existing".
A statement from Universal's Caroline said that everyone working for the company "is shocked to learn of the tragic death of Jahseh Onfroy, professionally known as XXXTentacion. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones".
More details on the police investigation into the shooting are expected in due course.
Warner announces launch of Elektra Music Group
Warner Music has announced plans to launch a new label group in the US employing its Elektra brand. The Elektra Label Group will open for business in October. Among the labels under the new umbrella will be Elektra, Fueled By Ramen, Roadrunner, Low Country Sound and Black Cement Records.
The group will launch with 60 staff, largely pulled in from those existing labels, although with some new hires too. It will be jointly headed up by Mike Easterlin - currently President of Fueled By Ramen and Roadrunner - and Elektra president Gregg Nadel. They will report to Atlantic Records Group CEO Craig Kallman and COO Julie Greenwald.
"Elektra Music Group will be 100% dedicated to developing the careers of authentic artists and helping them realise their visions", say Easterlin and Nadel in a joint statement. "The company will embody the same independent spirit that is at the root of each of our core labels. Elektra, Fueled By Ramen, Roadrunner, Low Country Sound and Black Cement were all founded by entrepreneurs who did it for the love of the music and a belief in their artists, and that philosophy will remain the driving force behind everything we do".
Liking the look of a joint statement, Greenwald and Kallman add: "The birth of Elektra Music Group is all about creating opportunity for artists. It opens up a new door to bring more game-changing talent into the WMG family, while giving them the personal attention that is our hallmark".
Willing to share his statement with no man, woman or beast, the overall CEO of the WMG's recordings division, your main man Max Lousada, yelps: "Our whole approach is to create environments that give artists and entrepreneurs the freedom and support to pioneer the future of music".
Good stuff. He further yelps: "From the outset, Elektra Music Group will be a dynamic community of credible artists and distinctive label cultures. Gregg and Mike are a dream leadership team, able to combine adventurous A&R, bespoke artist development, and full-force global marketing. It feels great to be bringing back the iconic Elektra brand as a major, stand-alone company for the first time in fifteen years".
Originally founded in 1950, Elektra was absorbed into Warner's Atlantic division in 2004. It was revived as an Atlantic imprint in 2009 and has been run by Nadel since 2015.
New YouTube Music service launches in the UK
YouTube has launched is new-fangled super-duper all-singing all-dancing all-embracing dynamically-adapting recommendation-offering ground-breaking agenda-setting awe-inspiring will-all-you-music-people-promise-to-shut-up-with-your-relentless-fucking-moaning-now premium music service in the UK. Woo!
As you all surely remember, YouTube's standalone streaming music service - which is different to all the music already streaming on YouTube, and the Google Play streaming service, and the YouTube Premium service that was called YouTube Red but is now called YouTube Premium - launched in five markets last month. Come on, you definitely remember that. Everyone was very excited. No one was very confused.
Well, YouTube Music has now gone live in twelve other countries, including the UK. It means that YouTube subscribers - rather than just using the video site for lots of freebie music - can now choose to pay for an ad-free music experience with the extra kind of functionality you'd expect from a more conventional music streaming platform.
Although YouTube Music initially went live in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and South Korea last month, access to the new service was actually rolled out to users on a gradual basis. As the service was turned on in twelve new countries yesterday, it was also announced that all users in those five markets could now access it.
YouTube Premium, the wider subscription offer that allows users to turn ads off across the entire YouTube platform, and access some extra video content, is also now live in those seventeen countries, including the UK. YouTube Premium replaces the existing YouTube Red subscription service where that was already available.
Whether YouTube can persuade people to pay to access content on its platform and via its apps is debatable, given how ingrained it is that the video site is a free service. Take up of YouTube Red in the markets where it was available was seemingly pretty modest. But now that the paid-for services are being more widely launched, we'll see I guess.
On the music side, the new premium package is in part an attempt to placate YouTube's many critics in the music industry, who have accused the video site of hindering the growth of the wider digital music market, and who want copyright law rewritten so to force the Google company into paying higher royalties across the board.
The major record companies have been somewhat less vocal in their YouTube bashing since the specifics of the new premium music service were finalised.
Though there are still plenty of critics in the wider music community. And YouTube's long-term relationship with the music industry depends very much on whether it can quickly turn a decent number of its freebie users into paying music streamers, but without stealing too many subscribers from Apple Music and Spotify. Watch this space.
Digital Dollar masterclass will help explain five developing music business news stories
CMU Insights presents its 'Dissecting The Digital Dollar' masterclass in London next month. This half-day training course is based on the three years of research CMU Insights has undertaken for the Music Managers Forum on the streaming music business.
The session explains the deals done between the music industry and streaming services like Spotify, also providing the background information you need about copyright law, record contracts, publishing contracts and collective licensing for those deals to make sense. It then explains how digital royalties are calculated and paid each month, before running through some of the big issues and debates around streaming.
Ahead of the session, CMU Insights has published a new blog post running through the top five current music business news stories that are much easier to follow once you have some 'Digital Dollar' knowledge to fall back on.
Truly understanding those five developing stories - which include the Spotify share sale profits, Spotify's rumoured artist deals, the stat fiddling allegations made against Tidal, the Music Modernization Act and article thirteen of the European Copyright Directive - requires understanding some copyright law, the streaming deals and the way digital royalties are processed. Which are all things that will be explained in detail at the 'Dissecting The Digital Dollar' masterclass.
Check the blog post here. The masterclass takes place on Monday 2 Jul at the London HQ of Lewis Silkin. Tickets are just £79 and are available here. MMF members can get in for £50 by using the discount code that the organisation has distributed.
| Approved: Eliza Shaddad Following a series of EP releases, Eliza Shaddad is set to release her debut album, 'Future', later this year. Warming things up, she's released two tracks from the record, both of which point to a slickly written and well-produced long-player. Picking up from where previous single 'White Lines' left off, new track 'My Body' comfortably sinks into a soft groove, setting things up for the sort of subtle but arresting melodic shift Shaddad is highly adept at. The song, she says, is about "being betrayed by your body. Knowing full well that you need to be alone, but doubting it every night". Its accompanying video, adds director John McCrae, is "a reflection of Eliza's restless state. Shooting on different cameras and incorporating layering and animation helped show the transitions in, and out, of consciousness and the blurring of these worlds - lost in thought, until thought becomes dream". Watch the video for 'My Body' here.Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
Dr Dre developing Marvin Gaye biopic
Dr Dre is developing a new Marvin Gaye biopic, which will be the first film about the singer to have the authorisation of his estate.
They should ask Pharrell to write the soundtrack. Except that - according to Variety - while the movie project is still in its early stages, the rights to use Gaye's own music have already been secured. So maybe the film won't need an original soundtrack. If, indeed, a Pharrell soundtrack would count as 'original'.
Anyway, it's not clear what portion of Gaye's life the film will focus on, but it is the latest in a long line of attempts to make a movie about the musician's life. The only other project to receive the approval of the Gaye estate was a TV series led by Jamie Foxx, which was announced in 2016 but is yet to see the light of day.
Foxx said that his project would be "a powerful and definitive telling of Marvin Gaye's life story", so that's the bar Dre needs to aim for.
Dre has worked in film before, of course, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. His most recent project was NWA biopic 'Straight Outta Compton'.
Beyonce and Jay-Z end Tidal exclusive on new album
While they may be stubbornly holding back their most recent solo albums from all streaming services other than Tidal, Beyonce and Jay-Z have already given up on the exclusivity for their new joint album 'Everything Is Love'.
The new record is now available to subscribers on Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited, and on Spotify and Deezer's premium tiers. It will reportedly be available to ad-funded Spotify users in two weeks' time, meaning they are employing the standard two week premium-only window option added into Spotify's most recent label deals.
On one track on the album, 'NICE', Beyonce raps: "Patiently waiting for my demise cause my success can't be quantified, if I gave two fucks about streaming numbers woulda put 'Lemonade' up on Spotify". Good rhyme there, good rhyme.
But while 'Lemonade' is still only available to stream via the family business, Beyonce
is already promoting 'Everything Is Love' - which is listed as being by The Carters - via her Spotify profile. Jay-Z's largely dormant Spotify profile remains largely dormant, though.
The new album was surprised released on Saturday as Jay-Z and Beyonce performed the final show of their UK tour at the London Stadium.
Scottish Album Of The Year longlist to be unveiled at special live show
Organisers of the Scottish Album Of The Year Award have announced their second 'Live At The Longlist' show. Introduced last year, the event at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow will see performances from various former nominees, as well as the unveiling of this year's longlist.
"The announcement of the longlist is without doubt the most exciting part of The SAY Award campaign", says Scottish Music Industry Association GM Robert Kilpatrick, his excitement piquing with quite a lot more festivities to go.
"Much more than just a list of 20 great albums", he goes on, "the longlist is the product of an extraordinary nationwide consultation, where 100 impartial nominators working across the music industry democratically select the 20 most outstanding Scottish records of the last year. I think this process is what makes being longlisted really special and valued, and what makes people really want to listen to these great records".
On the actual event, he continues: "Last year we introduced 'Live At The Longlist' to allow artists, industry and music fans to all come together to celebrate the incredible strength and diversity of our country's recorded output. This year we're delighted to be hosting the event at Glasgow's much loved King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, with a fantastic bill of previously shortlisted and longlisted acts, with Nicola Meighan making the exclusive announcement".
The show, on 1 Aug, will feature a special collaborative performance from Honeyblood's Stina Tweeddale and TeenCanteens' Carla J Easton, as well as a solo performance from The Delgados' Emma Pollock and a DJ set from Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite.
The longlist is currently being whittled down from the even longer list of 253 eligible entries, all of which can be streamed via the SAY Award website.
Example offers to replace fan's car so he can listen to new album
Example has promised to buy a fan a new car so that he can listen to his new album. Yet another example of how the economics of modern music are stacked against the artist.
After Example announced his new LP, 'Bangers & Ballads', on Instagram, one fan, Jordan Niner, asked "Are you bringing this out on CD? Please say yes, I need some new bangers from you while I'm driving".
"Probably not", replied Example. "It's 2018".
"My car is from 2001 and doesn't have an aux", wailed Niner, pre-empting any suggestion that he stream on his car stereo through his phone.
Quick as a flash, Example came up with a solution: "If this album does well, I'll buy you a new car, how about that?" Though he then added that this was not an offer that would be repeated for anyone else unable to stream digital tunes into their vehicles, as is was the "first and last Example New Secondhand Car Lottery".
Niner, understandably, was very excited and quickly set about telling everyone to engage with the album in a way that would assist in assuring its success.
"This lad don't have an aux or Bluetooth in his car. Only CD. And my new album won't be on CD. So I'm gonna buy him a new car so he can enjoy it", Example confirmed on Twitter. "Don't worry bro, I've got you".
I don't want to spoil this party, but my car is from 1999, and when I wanted to stream music in it I simply bought and installed a new stereo. I didn't know that you could just ask pop stars for new cars at the time though.
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