| 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 | Taylor Swift's "players gonna play" lyric theft dispute returns READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| DIGITAL & D2F SERVICES | SoundCloud stats to be added to the chart READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| RELEASES | Robyn confirms new album at bloody last David Lynch's lost Thought Gang album to be released Public Service Broadcasting to release Titanic EP READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| GIGS & FESTIVALS | Bloc Party to record Silent Alarm live album on European tour READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | ERA, SoundExchange, Independent Music Cup, more READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | Oh no, Maroon 5 are rumoured to be playing the Super Bowl half time show 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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CMU INSIGHTS AT REEPERBAHN 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. |
Taylor Swift's "players gonna play" lyric theft dispute returns
The songwriters who reckon Taylor Swift ripped them off when she sang about players playing and haters hating are having another go at suing her.
This time last year Sean Hall and Nathan Butler accused Swift of ripping off a 2001 song they wrote for 3LW called 'Playas Gon Play' on her 2014 hit 'Shake It Off'.
The lawsuit argued that Swift's famous lyric "Cos the players gonna play, play, play, play, play/And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate", was basically a copy of the line "The playas gon play/Them haters gonna hate" from their 2001 track.
Swift's legal team dubbed the song-theft legal claim a "money grab" and asked the judge to dismiss the case. Which he did back in February of this year. Despite the Hall and Butler side insisting that the notion of playas playing and haters hating was super innovative in 2001, judge Michael W Fitzgerald reckoned that the lyrics at the centre of the dispute were simply too generic to enjoy copyright protection in isolation.
Actually, Fitzgerald said they were too "banal". When dismissing the case, he remarked: "American popular culture [is] heavily steeped in the concepts of players, haters, and player haters. The concept of actors acting in accordance with their essential nature is not at all creative; it is banal".
Therefore, he said, "the allegedly infringed lyrics are short phrases that lack the modicum of originality and creativity required for copyright protection".
However, Hall and Butler reckon that the question as to whether or not their lyrics enjoy copyright protection in isolation is more complex than Fitzgerald concluded, and therefore needs proper scrutiny in court.
They have now taken the matter to the Ninth Circuit court of appeal and - according to Law360 - stated: "The question of whether the four-part sequence of song lyrics at issue is sufficiently original to deserve copyright protection requires subjective value judgment that belongs to a jury".
Although Fitzgerald dismissed the two writers' lawsuit at first instance, he subsequently declined to award Swift legal costs, basically saying that Hall and Butler posed a legitimate question about the reach of copyright, even if he ultimately ruled against them.
He said in April, when knocking back Swift's claim for Hall and Butler to cover her attorneys' fees, that: "There are very few recording artists, if any, who have a greater interest than Ms Swift in a robust regime of copyright law. Be careful what you wish for".
In their new legal filing, Hall and Butler argue that comments made by Fitzgerald - including that one - suggest the dismissal of their lawsuit was a "close call", hence the argument that the whole dispute should have some proper court time.
Team Swift are yet to comment on the latest litigation.
SoundCloud stats to be added to the chart
Fans of SoundCloud, streams, numbers, stats, music charts and especially SoundCloud streams being turned into numbers and stats and incorporated into the music charts, are in for a real treat. Because SoundCloud streams are being turned into numbers and stats and incorporated into the UK music charts. What a time to be alive!
Although those of you thinking that, with SoundCloud data now being counted by the Official Charts Company for its official music charts, here's an opportunity for everyone to listen to CMU podcast Setlist on SoundCloud and get it all the way to number one, I'm afraid there's a snag. The devil, as always, is in the detail.
Read carefully: "[SoundCloud] streams of licensed, monetised tracks in the UK will now count toward the UK's Official Charts". Fucking small print. The official statement from SoundCloud goes on to say that the official charts its stats will now contribute to are "the official, trusted, weekly pulse of what's hot in the UK music scene". Yeah, maybe, old friend, maybe. Or not. Who knows? Who cares?
"SoundCloud is the foundational music platform for creators", reckons the digital firm's Director Of Content Partnerships Raoul Chatterjee. "We are committed to empowering them with the best tools and services to grow their careers. Charts are a great measure of success for creators, and we're excited their SoundCloud streams will now count toward the UK and Ireland's Official Charts".
Oh yes, SoundCloud stats will be counted in the Irish charts compiled by the Official Charts Company too. What a time to be alive!
| Approved: Kailee Morgue Since last year, Kailee Morgue has been releasing a steady stream of increasingly good singles. And that upwards trajectory continues on new track 'Siren'. "The Greek mythology reference picks up where my first single 'Medusa' left off", she says of the new song. "But this one has a much more sinister tone. The balance between lofty vocal and the sexy, unsettling instrumental mirrors the temptation to do something forbidden or ill-advised". Of the newly released video for 'Siren', she goes on: "This is the first music video that I completely thought up the concept for and directed myself. I modernised the story of the siren, but still wanted to keep the underwater feel. While the video as a whole is dark and sexy, I also wanted to include scenes where the colours are lighter to give you a sense of innocence and sympathy for this siren". Watch the 'Siren' video here.Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
Robyn confirms new album at bloody last
All anyone has talked about in recent years is where the hell Robyn's new album is. I think someone once briefly talked to me about something else, but then they quickly returned to the topic of Robyn and that missing new album.
Thinking about it, I suspect the main reason the Brexit negotiations are going so badly is because all the key negotiators just talk about Robyn the whole time. Well now, finally, perhaps a solution to the Irish border question can be found, because Robyn has confirmed that she will release a new album, called 'Honey', next flipping month.
The record is set to feature various collaborators, including Metronomy's Joseph Mount, Kindness's Adam Bainbridge and Zhala. Robyn herself describes the new LP as "this sweet place, like a very soft ecstasy".
She goes on: "I danced a lot when I was making it. I found a sensuality and a softness that I don't think I was able to use in the same way before. Everything just became softer".
Perhaps if she hadn't danced so much we would have got the record sooner and this whole Brexit debacle could have been avoided. Anyway, 'Honey' will be released on 26 Oct. Here's a video of her announcing it. Try not to get distracted by her massive hand.
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David Lynch's lost Thought Gang album to be released
David Lynch and his frequent musical collaborator Angelo Badalamenti have announced the release of their previously unreleased 90s free jazz project Thought Gang.
Recorded in 1992 and 1993, music from the Thought Gang recording sessions has appeared in a number of Lynch's film projects. However, it has never been made available for commercial release.
Speaking about those sessions, Lynch says: "I would tell [the musicians] a bunch of stuff and then they would play that. It was them catching the thing and painting a picture with their instruments and talent".
The album is set for release on 2 Nov. Listen to a track from it, 'Woodcutters From Fiery Ships', here.
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Public Service Broadcasting to release Titanic EP
Public Service Broadcasting have announced that they will release a new EP, 'White Star Liner', on 26 Oct. It will feature the Titantic-themed music that the band debuted in Belfast for the BBC's Biggest Ever Weekend earlier this year.
As well as documenting the ship's ultimate end, the EP also tells the story of its construction in Northern Ireland's capital. "I thought it was an interesting challenge to tell the story of the ship's construction as part of Belfast's proud industrial history", says the band's J Willgoose.
That means, he adds, "the spirit of optimism of the pre-war age that she represented, and then an abstract and - I hope - respectful depiction of both the sinking of the ship - represented by the repeated morse code distress call C - Q - D - and the discovery of the wreck in 1985".
The title track of the EP is available to listen to now.
Bloc Party to record Silent Alarm live album on European tour
Bloc Party have announced that they will release a new live album featuring them performing their debut LP, 'Silent Alarm', in full. The new record will be unleashed on 22 Feb next year. Thing is, they still need to record it. That's something they'll do on their upcoming European tour.
The band will be playing six shows around Europe, where they will be performing the album from start to finish. Also, just announced is a warm-up show at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds on 13 Oct. Your only other chance to see them in the UK will be at Alexandra Palace on 24 Oct, which is, like, way bigger. Also, it's sold out.
As will be the Leeds show very soon, so to be in with a chance of getting tickets you'd better get yourself on the band's mailing list sharpish.
'Silent Alarm' was original released in February 2005, meaning the new live album will come out just as it hits its fourteenth anniversary. You know, the anniversary everyone traditionally celebrates. Just think, it'll be old enough to legally drink alcohol in restaurants in Nicaragua!
ERA, SoundExchange, Independent Music Cup, more
Other notable announcements and developments today...
• The Entertainment Retailers Association has published a new manifesto document called Entertainment 5.0, following one from a previous manifesto it published back in 2015. It talks about the five key challenges for the next phase in the evolution of entertainment retail. You can find out what they are in the document here.
• US collecting society SoundExchange has announced the appointment of Richard Conlon as Chief Corporate Development Officer. "Richard's leadership in the music industry makes him the ideal person to help drive our strategy to grow SoundExchange into a diversified portfolio of companies and services for the entire industry", says CEO Michael Huppe.
• A new short documentary has been released about this year's Independent Music Cup charity five-a-side football tournament. This year's chosen charity was the Young Urban Arts Foundation, whose CEO Kerry O'Brien says: "The day was full of fun, great team spirit and to know that everyone was there to support our cause and the Skip To The Beat mental health programme was heart-warming".
• Jon Hopkins has released what he says is "the single most epic video I've ever had made". It's for his track 'Singularity', and here it is.
• Actor Sheridan Smith has announced that she will release her second album, 'A Northern Soul', on 2 Nov. "I've loved getting back into the music", she says. "It feels great to be able to sing a song while telling a story in three minutes". Here's first single, 'Priceless'.
• Marie Davidson has released 'Work It', the second single from her brilliant new album 'Working Class Woman'. The album is out on 5 Oct, and she'll play Electrowerkz in London the night before. Go.
• Tālā is back with new track 'On Top'. "I wanted to capture the feeling when you're carefree and having the best night of your life", she says of the song. "You've met someone and completely indulging in the moment with no worries".
• Daniel Brandt has released another track from his upcoming new solo album, 'Channels'. Here's 'Sailboats III'.
• Praa has released her third single, 'Y', continuing her unbroken run of being excellent. "I needed to write something about this uneasiness of our generation", she says. "We tend to lose true relationships over virtual ones. I feel like we're losing each other and it's terrifying me".
• Laura Marling and Mike Lindsay, aka Lump, will play a one-off show at The Garage in London on 21 Nov. Don't say I didn't tell you. Because I quite obviously just did.
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
Oh no, Maroon 5 are rumoured to be playing the Super Bowl half time show
Hey, it's that time of year again. Time to start speculating about who's going to play this year's Super Bowl half time show. Will it be Drake? Will it be Rihanna? Will it be Taylor Swift? Ariana Grande, perhaps? No, all of your guesses are wrong, wrong, wrong. The word on the street is that it's going to be... Maroon 5.
NFL bosses have refused to confirm whether or not they've booked the worst band in all existence to be their mid-sports game entertainment. Both Billboard and Variety have reported that it is so though.
In a statement, someone from the NFL says: "It's a Super Bowl tradition to speculate about the performers for the Pepsi Halftime Show. We are continuing to work with Pepsi on our plans but do not have any announcements to make on what will be another epic show".
Damn it, they managed to get two mentions for the show's sponsor into that short statement. Bastards. Drink Coke. Drink Coke. Drink Coke.
Anyway, Billboard also reckons that Travis Scott and Cardi B will be brought on stage in an attempt to reduce the trauma of Maroon 5 being on TV for fifteen minutes. Cardi B features on a remix of Maroon 5's 'Girls Like You' that's currently at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 US singles chart.
Adding Travis Scott would mean that both of Nicki Minaj's current nemeses would be on stage. Do Maroon 5 have beef with Minaj now? Well, while we're speculating about things, we might as well throw that into the ring too.
The Super Bowl will take place in Atlanta on 3 Feb. It's only September now of course, so you can expect a lot more talking about this to come.
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