| 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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CMU TRENDS IN FIVE STEPS: SAFE HARBOUR As the European Parliament considers the draft new copyright directive once again, its safe harbour reforms are very much in the spotlight. But what is the safe harbour and why does it need reforming? CMU Trends explains. [READ MORE] |
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CMU TRENDS GUIDE TO MUSIC RIGHTS This three part CMU Trends guide provides a beginner's guide to music copyright and the music rights business. In it, we cover ownership, controls and licensing, and review key trends in streaming, physical, sync and public performance. [READ MORE] |
| TOP STORIES | Artists galore call on SiriusXM to back the Music Modernization Act READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LABELS & PUBLISHERS | Marty Bandier confirms he will depart Sony/ATV READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| BRANDS & MERCH | Warner buys merch firm EMP Merchandising READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| RELEASES | Steve Mason announces new album, About The Light The Struts announce second album, tour dates Sleep Party People to release new album this week READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | BMI, Music+Sport, BASCA, more READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | Beastie Boys had no advanced warning of Eminem artwork homage READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| CMU Insights is our training and consultancy business providing training courses, conference sessions and research reports for music companies. | |
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MAKING MONEY FROM MUSIC COPYRIGHT SEMINARS Three weekly evening seminars from Monday 17 Sep These three seminars provide a concise guide to how music copyright works, the ins and outs of music licensing and current trends in the music rights sector. [READ MORE] |
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DIGITAL DOLLAR SPEED BRIEFINGS CMU's Chris Cooke will be on stage at Reeperbahn this week interviewing Spotify's MD of EMEA Michael Krause, Live Nation's SVP Marketing International Jackie Wilgar and ADA President Eliah Seton. Plus we'll present our digital dollar speed briefing. [READ MORE] |
| Check out all the latest job opportunities with CMU Jobs. To advertise your job opportunities here email [email protected] or call 020 7099 9060. | |
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FABRIC - SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER (LONDON) Fabric is looking for a savvy and experienced marketing person with an expert touch on digital. The successful candidate will work alongside the Booking & Promotions Team and lead the fabric communications requirement. For more information and to apply click here. |
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BIMM - EVENTS & CAREERS ASSISTANT (LONDON) This role provides a unique opportunity to assist the BIMM Artist Development, Events, Guests and Careers teams. The position will involve assisting with day to day administration as well as getting involved with hosting masterclasses and assisting at the external BIMM events. For more information and to apply click here. |
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MANCHESTER ACADEMY - OPERATIONS MANAGER (MANCHESTER) The University of Manchester Students’ Union and Manchester Academy is looking for two enthusiastic Operations Managers. Our Operations Managers make sure all our clients, visitors and customers receive an excellent service experience, whilst ensuring the safe and legal operation of the venues. For more information and to apply click here. |
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KILIMANJARO LIVE - PROMOTER ASSISTANT (LONDON) Kilimanjaro Live have a vacancy for a Promoter Assistant. The role requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail, a great work ethic and good language and spreadsheet skills. It would likely suit someone who is looking for progression from their first or second admin role. For more information and to apply click here. |
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WARP RECORDS - UK PROMOTIONS CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) Warp Records has an exciting opportunity for a UK Promotions Co-ordinator, to be based in their London office. The full-time role is part of the UK team, supporting creative and effective campaigns for the label’s roster of ground-breaking artists. For more information and to apply click here. |
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SECRETLY DISTRIBUTION - DIGITAL MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) Secretly Distribution seeks a full time Digital Marketing Co-ordinator based in our London office. This individual will work closely with our international and digital teams in a wide reaching role that will focus on sales and marketing in multiple territories outside of the US. For more information and to apply click here. |
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PARAMOUNT ARTISTS - JUNIOR BOOKING AGENT ASSISTANT (BRIGHTON) This is an exciting opportunity for a hard-working, enthusiastic individual to join a sociable, dynamic and successful agency as a Junior Booking Agent Assistant to work on the Steve Aoki, Cheat Codes and Martin Jensen team. For more information and to apply click here. |
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DOMINO - DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER (LONDON) Based in our London office, Domino Recording Company is seeking a full time Digital Marketing Manager. The Digital Marketing Manager is our central conduit for all digital marketing and advertising initiatives. For more information and to apply click here. |
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WARP PUBLISHING - ROYALTIES & COPYRIGHT MANAGER (LONDON) Warp Publishing, an independent music publishing company with offices in London and Los Angeles, is looking for a Royalties & Copyright Manager, with a strong focus on data analysis and reporting, to be based in the North London office. For more information and to apply click here. |
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MANCHESTER ACADEMY - ASSISTANT TECHNICAL MANAGER (MANCHESTER) The University of Manchester Students’ Union and Manchester Academy is looking for two Assistant Technical Managers to help make our events shine. You'll need a keen eye for details and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver first class events. For more information and to apply click here. |
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DOMINO - PRODUCT MANAGER (LONDON) Domino seeks a Product Manager to join its London team. Product Managers at Domino are in charge of running artist campaigns inside the company. For more information and to apply click here. |
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MPA GROUP OF COMPANIES - CHIEF EXECUTIVE (LONDON) The Music Publishers Association Group of Companies is recruiting a Chief Executive Officer to run its three companies – the MPA, the MCPS and PMLL. This is one of the most important positions in the UK music industry and comes at a time of great opportunity and significant change. For more information and to apply click here. |
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KOBALT MUSIC GROUP - SENIOR DIRECTOR, AWAL LABEL MANAGEMENT (LONDON) Kobalt is looking for someone to be responsible for the day to day management of the UK AWAL Label Management team. You’ll be looking after a small roster of the higher profile clients while also managing the label managers. For more information and to apply click here. |
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KOBALT MUSIC GROUP - INCOME TRACKING ANALYST (LONDON) Kobalt is looking for an Income Tracking Analyst. This is a completely new role where you would be responsible for implementing and maintaining efficient royalty tracking and analysis processes for income receipts from Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) around the world. For more information and to apply click here. |
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BNDR MUSIC - PRODUCT MANAGER (LONDON) BNDR Music is seeking a Product Manager. Duties include, compiling and implementing artist marketing campaigns, plugging artists at radio, liaising with online and national PRs, and working closely with A&Rs and the Label Manager to schedule release roll outs. For more information and to apply click here. |
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SJM CONCERTS - MARKETING COORDINATOR (MANCHESTER) We are looking for a Marketing Coordinator to implement marketing campaigns to generate sales for new tours and events via various platforms including press, radio, TV, digital and print. For more information and to apply click here. |
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ELITE MUSIC MANAGEMENT – ADMIN ASSISTANT/ASSISTANT BOOKING AGENT (BRIGHTON) We are looking for a dynamic, talented individual to work as part of a hard-working team. You will be required to assist the agents and directors with admin tasks for the acts we represent. For more information and to apply click here. |
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THE O2 – PROGRAMMING ASSISTANT (LONDON) We are looking for a Programming Assistant to join the programming team at The O2 and provide them with business support information paying particular attention to the analysis of key sales information, the reporting of ticket figures and the production of venue hire contracts. For more information and to apply click here. |
Artists galore call on SiriusXM to back the Music Modernization Act
A stack of artists have put their name to an open letter requesting that the board of SiriusXM owner Liberty Media end the company's public calls for further amendments to the Music Modernization Act, and instead back the current draft of the copyright reforming legislation.
The letter includes a threat by its signatories that they might boycott the satellite radio company if it continues to oppose the current version of the MMA.
Many of the music industry people and organisations which have led on the drafting and promotion of the MMA have expressed concern in recent weeks that a last minute intervention from Sirius could cause the whole proposed legislation to fall at the final hurdle.
The MMA deals with a number of pressing issues with US copyright law. This includes fixing the mess around how mechanical royalties are paid Stateside. It would also end the infamous pre-1972 quirk with regards online radio and reform the way the US Copyright Royalty Board and rate courts consider what are fair royalties for compulsory and BMI/ASCAP licences.
A long time in the making, the MMA is backed by a plethora of organisations representing artists, songwriters, labels, publishers and digital music platforms, and has enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress. It was passed in a very speedy fashion by the House Of Representatives. And its industry backers are now hoping the act might get approved by Senate via a fast-track system called hotlining, where it goes through in the absence of any senator objections.
However, last minute lobbying by Sirius could as yet stop that from happening. With that in mind, an open letter signed by artists including Paul McCartney, Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Carole King, Carly Simon and Katy Perry reads: "We are all aware of your company's objections and trepidation but let me say that this is an opportunity for SiriusXM to take a leadership position".
The letter goes on: "As you are aware, 415 representatives and 76 senators have already co-sponsored the MMA along with industry consensus. It's SiriusXM vs all of us. We can either fight to the bitter end or celebrate this victory together. Rather than watch bad press and ill will pile up against SiriusXM, why not come out supporting the most consequential music legislation in 109 years?"
Throwing in a quick threat, the letter adds: "We do not want to fight and boycott your company but we will as we have other opponents. Stand with us! Be brave and take credit for being the heroes who helped the MMA become historic law! Momentum is building against SiriusXM and you still have an opportunity to come out on the right side of history. We look forward to your endorsement but the fire is burning and only you can put this out".
As the letter went live, music lawyer Dina LaPolt - one of the people behind the MMA - told Variety: "As we continue to move from a product-based business to a service-based business, bringing the antiquated copyright act into the digital realm, SiriusXM's unwillingness to support songwriters and artists is complete travesty given that every other group in the music industry has endorsed the bill. This shows their disgusting corporate greed at the expense of America's greatest treasures... our legacy artists".
That latter remark hones in on the fact that Sirius mainly objects to the pre-1972 element of the MMA, which will confirm that online and satellite radio services - including Sirius - must pay royalties to artists and labels when they play recordings released before 1972. Copyright law complexities have meant many radio services have previously argued no such royalties are due on golden oldies under the current system. Although, following legal action, Sirius has been paying royalties when it plays older recordings in more recent years.
Responding to the open letter, a spokesperson for Sirius told Variety: "Over the past several weeks, we have been the subject of some stinging attacks from the music community and artists regarding our views on the Music Modernization Act. Contrary to new reports and letters, this is really not about a SiriusXM victory, but implementing some simple, reasonable and straightforward amendments to MMA".
Insisting that "there is nothing in our 'asks' that guts the MMA or kills the act", the spokesperson added: "We truly do not understand the objections or why these concepts have incited such a holy war". The spokesperson then once again ran through the amendments SiriusXM is seeking, stating the case for each proposed alteration. The arguments provided to Variety yesterday pretty much repeated the op-ed piece Sirius previously wrote for Billboard.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if the MMA is indeed hotlined by the Senate. It was thought that could happen yesterday, but there was an issue with the paperwork emailed out to senators. That has now been redistributed and we should know in the next 24-48 hours whether Senate will pass the legislation via the fast-track approval system.
Marty Bandier confirms he will depart Sony/ATV
The boss of the world's biggest music publisher, Sony/ATV, has confirmed he will depart the company next year when his current mega-bucks contract expires. The departure of Marty Bandier leaves the top job at the Sony publisher open for one of his former colleagues, Jon Platt, who last week announced he was leaving the CEO role at Warner/Chappell, and who is now widely tipped to take over at Sony/ATV next year.
In a memo to staff, Bandier wrote: "I want to let you know that I am planning to leave Sony/ATV at the end of my contract in March of next year, after what will have been twelve incredible years with the company. I can say without hesitation that my time here has been the absolute highlight of my career, and I am extremely proud of everything that we have achieved together".
He went on: "On this journey, we have grown from being ranked the world's fourth biggest music publisher to becoming the clear number one. As I have always said, being and staying number one is not a beauty contest, and we have grown into this position by being the best across the board - creatively, administratively and financially. This was underpinned by our most recent financial year, which was our best ever".
Despite Bandier's brags there, Sony mainly became number one through acquisition. And in particular the firm's purchase of Bandier's previous employer, EMI Music Publishing. Although Sony/ATV has administered the EMI songs catalogue since 2012, it actually co-owns those works with a number of other investors. However, regulator approval permitting, by the time Bandier departs next year, Sony could own the EMI catalogue outright, consolidating its position as the biggest songs company in the world.
Another big change on Bandier's watch was Sony buying out its former business partner in the Sony/ATV business, that being the Michael Jackson estate. Assuming the current EMI deals go through, that will give Sony Corp complete control of its mega music publishing empire. That complete control might also allow the publishing side of Sony's music operations to become more closely allied with the Sony Music record company, Sony Corp's two global music firms having generally operated pretty autonomously from each other to date.
Following the brags with a little name-dropping, Bandier went on: "During my time here, I have had the pleasure to get to know and work with so many talented songwriters, including Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Pharrell, Pink, Sting, Carole King, Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy and Sara Bareilles. The list could go on and on, but there are simply too many phenomenal writers to mention everyone by name. I am nonetheless proud to have advocated for all of them".
Thanking the corporates as well as the creatives, he then said: "I would also like to thank Sony for giving me the opportunity to lead this company through the music industry's complex and ever-changing landscape, and at a time when representing the rights of songwriters has never been more important and necessary. It has been incredibly satisfying to grow the company to be the leading music publisher in the world, and I am confident that Sony/ATV and its writers are set for even more successes in the future".
Having then thanked all his lovely staff, the out-going Sony/ATV chief concluded: "I look forward to sharing what's ahead for me with you soon, and I'll be following all of your successes long after I have left".
Warner buys merch firm EMP Merchandising
Warner Music is boosting its credentials in the merchandise space by acquiring German merch firm EMP Merchandising. The mini-major is buying the company off New York-based private equity outfit Sycamore Partners. It will become part of Warner's services division WEA, though will continue to be led by its CEO Ernst Trapp and CFO Jan Fischer.
Confirming the buy, Warner's CEO of International & Global Commercial Services Recorded Music, Stu Bergen, said: "EMP has built a powerful lifestyle destination that will be a perfect complement to our global artist development and marketing strategies. Their music-led expertise will give us great insight into what audiences love and what they want, and at the same time open up exciting new opportunities for our artists. We look forward to bringing Ernst, Jan, and everyone at EMP into WMG's growing family of brands".
EMP boss Trapp added: "It's always been our goal to create the most authentic, exclusive products. Our team is made up of devoted fans who are curating the music, themes, and lifestyle brands that they know fellow fans will embrace. By joining WMG, we will be able to expand our international reach, explore new genres, reach new audiences, and take fan experience to a whole new level".
Among the artists EMP works with are the likes of Twenty One Pilots, Panic! At The Disco, Metallica, Motörhead, Guns n Roses, Nirvana, Pink Floyd and AC/DC. They also work with various other entertainment, sporting and fashion brands.
| Approved: Masayoshi Fujita Composer and vibraphonist Masayoshi Fujita released his latest album, 'Book Of Life', earlier this year. The record sees him continue with his ambition to bring the often overlooked instrument to wider attention and experiment with its possibilities. The techniques he has used include preparing the instrument's bars with foil or beads, playing it with a cello bow, or simply turning his mallets around and playing with the 'wrong' end. When composing the album's title track, he began by running the end of a mallet over the bars as if literally writing. "'Book Of Life' is very different to my other songs", he explains. "It was about humans, whereas the other songs are all about animals and nature. And it was improvised initially, whereas normally my songs are composed and planned". He goes on: "This one was free. I scratched the vibraphone bar as if I was writing something. An image connected in my mind: these two people meeting and sharing their lives. This image was the book of life". Ahead of a performance at the Southbank Centre in London's Purcell Room on 23 Sep, Fujita has released the video for 'Book Of Life'. Watch it here.Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
Steve Mason announces new album, About The Light
Steve Mason has announced that he will release a new album, 'About The Light', at the beginning of next year. First single, 'Stars Around My Heart', is out now.
His fourth solo album under his own name, the former Beta Band frontman worked with producer Stephen Street. He also enlisted his live band to join him in the studio for the first time.
"I decided with this album that I wanted to get my live band involved at every stage", says Mason. "I wanted to capture the energy that we produce when we play live shows, so this time the band and myself worked on a collection of songs over the course of last year".
"When I listen to this album it feels and sounds like the first 'legitimate' record that I have ever made", he continues. "It's hard to explain but it sounds like a 'real' album. I think that is partly the production, the playing and the work that I did with the band for all those months in our rehearsal room on the South Coast".
He concludes: "It's a beautiful, confident, positive, angry, loving and gentle album which once again moves what I do forward".
The album is out on 18 Jan, and you can watch the video for 'Stars Around My Heart' here.
There are also tour dates scheduled to coincide with the release. Here they are:
30 Jan: Newcastle, Riverside
31 Jan: Glasgow, SWG3
1 Feb: Leeds, Belgrave Music Hall
2 Feb: Manchester, Academy 2
7 Feb: London, Hackney Arts Centre
8 Feb: Bristol, The Fleece
9 Feb: Brighton, St Bartholomew's Church
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The Struts announce second album, tour dates
Fresh from their recent collaboration with Kesha, The Struts have announced that they will release their second album, 'Young & Dangerous', next month.
"Finally we can reveal our second album, 'Young & Dangerous'", says frontman Luke Spiller. "We have poured our blood, sweat and tears into this album and I know you are all going to love it. This is dedicated to all of our amazing fans who have waited so long for this record. I hope these songs provide the perfect soundtrack to this crazy thing called life".
It's been four years since the band's debut album, 'Everybody Wants'. During that time they've done a lot of touring, including supporting the likes of Guns N Roses, The Rolling Stones, The Who and Foo Fighters.
The album is out on 26 Oct, and new single 'Bulletproof Baby' is out now. Listen here.
The band will tour the UK in February. Here are the dates:
16 Feb: Leeds, Stylus
17 Feb: Nottingham, Rock City
18 Feb: Newcastle University
19 Feb: Glasgow, Garage
22 Feb: Bristol, SWX
23 Feb: Manchester, Academy 2
24 Feb: Birmingham, Institute
26 Feb: London, Shepherds Bush Empire
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Sleep Party People to release new album this week
Sleep Party People will release new album 'Lingering Part II' later this month. The fifth studio album for musician Brian Batz under this alias, it is the follow-up to last year's 'Lingering'.
"To me the two albums have a similar sonic universe and revolve around the same lyrical themes, but are still each their own albums", says Batz. "After the release of 'Lingering', I went back to work on 'Lingering Part II'', where I modified the structures and sounds a bit, giving them makeovers with new mixes and mastering. To make the album more coherent I added a few new songs".
"The lyrical content of the album is characterised by being written in a certain period of my life", he continues. "I reflect a lot on the present and not so much on the past. The album is mostly about personal matters and things that are close to my heart".
The album will be released this Friday. Listen to new single, 'Outcast Gatherings', here.
BMI, Music+Sport, BASCA, more
Other notable announcements and developments today...
• Karen Buse has left collecting society PRS For Music in to order to take up the role of Managing Director, European Society Relations at American performing rights organisation BMI. "We are THRILLED to have her join our team", says BMI exec Ann Sweeney.
• P-C Rae has joined Music+Sport, which puts on live music in sporting venues, as Artist Booker. Rae has previously worked on a range of festivals and conferences. "Bringing someone with the experience and expertise of P-C Rae on board to oversee our artist booking is a fantastic coup for Music+Sport and puts us in a really strong position as we start thinking about our 2019 programme", says the company's CEO Andrew Wilkinson.
• The Association Of Independent Music has announced that its members have had 500 million links to piracy sites taken down from the internet since the trade body launched its partnership with content protection company MUSO. "AIM's partnership with MUSO began in May this year, and to see five million takedowns achieved already reflects the speed and efficiency with which MUSO has covered the catalogues across the independent music community", says AIM's Gee Davy.
• Florence And The Machine have released a live video of themselves performing 'South London Forever' at the Joiners Arms in Camberwell. UK tour dates are coming in November.
• Girli has released new single 'Young'. "'Young' is about growing up and feeling like they taught you life wrong in school", she says. "It's about feeling lost and directionless and confused but soldiering on and trying to live life to the fullest through all of the madness".
• 65daysofstatic have released new track 'Z1'. "We've been busy trying to write music that isn't also a song at the same time", say the band. "So, here is some brand new music from us. It is a live take of some machines we made to make music like we make, except in ways we might not have thought of ourselves". There will be UK tour dates in November.
• She Makes War has released new single, 'Undone'. UK tour dates and new album 'Brace For Impact' are upcoming next month.
• BASCA has announced details of this year's Gold Badge Awards winners. Who are they? Well, Reservoir's Annette Barrett, the ENO's Martyn Brabbins, manager Jackie Davidson, Squeeze's Chris Difford, BASCA and PRS chair Guy Fletcher, Elbow's Guy Garvey, jazz singer Claire Martin, composer Sarah Rodgers, composer Matthew Scott, conductor Scott Stroman, and engineer Nick Wollage.
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
Beastie Boys had no advanced warning of Eminem artwork homage
On his latest album 'Kamikaze', Eminem doesn't have much nice to say about anyone. However, its cover art appears to pay homage to Beastie Boys' debut album, 'Licensed To Ill'.
"He likes us, I think", confirms Beastie Boy Mike D when discussing the 'Kamikaze' artwork in a new interview with George Stroumboulopoulos.
Note the slight lack of certainty there. This is due to the fact that neither Eminem nor anyone else involved with the record contacted Mike D or Ad-Rock about their plans for the artwork. In fact, they seem to have found out about it all after pretty much everyone else.
"I got maybe ten text messages, 20 text messages", says Mike. "And I'm like, why do I all of a sudden have like 50 text messages? I'd better see what's going on. Everybody's forwarding me the album cover from, like, the Twitter feed, or whatever. So, that's how we found out about it".
The pair's interactions with Eminem overall are limited. "I met him once in a bathroom", says Ad-Rock. "In Rome. It's not a big deal. We didn't embrace".
"Eminem's not a warm embrace type", confirms Mike D.
Watch the full interview here, it's fun.
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