CISAC expels rogue Spanish society SGAE
CISAC, the global grouping of song right collective management organisations, has temporarily expelled from its membership Spanish society SGAE which, in a world full of shit collecting societies, has long been able to boast that it is the shittest of them all. However, despite the temporary expulsion, CISAC says that it is optimistic that SGAE is now finally moving in the right direction.

There have been plenty of controversies at the Spanish song rights organisation, with dramatic police raids, corruption allegations aplenty and a sneaky little scam dubbed 'the wheel' which involved the redirection of TV royalties to certain SGAE members.

Although the problems have been going on for years, the global publishers became much more vocal about it all last year after their Spanish reps were locked out of a SGAE board meeting. Those publishers subsequently started to look for other ways to license their catalogues - especially their Anglo-American catalogues - in the Spanish market, while putting pressure on CISAC to take action against its rogue member.

Responding to those calls, in April last year CISAC made a number of recommendations for reforms that should be made at SGAE. And then, after the Spanish society failed to start making said reforms, in December it announced it was initiating a sanctions procedure that could ultimately lead to SGAE being expelled from the organisation unless the required changes started to occur.

In a statement this morning, CISAC said that: "Today's vote to proceed with the sanction of a one-year expulsion follows an in-depth analysis of recent reforms set in motion by SGAE's new President, Ms Pilar Jurado. While a number of welcome changes have been proposed, they have not yet been approved by the SGAE General Assembly. Further important technical work and changes are needed and expected by CISAC to ensure SGAE's compliance with the Confederation's professional rules for member societies".

Stating again that it welcomed the positive steps taken so far by Jurado, the global body then stressed that "it believes that the right path to a truly lasting solution is to ensure these reforms are completed, fully endorsed by SGAE's assembly and meaningfully implemented by SGAE's governing bodies. This will strengthen the position of SGAE's management and convince Spanish rights holders and the international creative community of SGAE's commitment to reform".

To that end, temporary exclusion has begun. "The CISAC General Assembly has agreed", this morning's statement continued, "that the sanction can be adjusted or lifted at any time, as soon as the CISAC board of directors concludes that enough progress has been made to implement CISAC's requirements".

SGAE is also under pressure from the Spanish government - empowered by newish European law on collective rights management - to get its house in order. It remains to be seen if it does. And also whether moves by SGAE itself, as well as the sanctions being instigated by CISAC, will placate the global music publishers, some of which have already begun investigating other options for licensing in Spain - and elsewhere in Europe - either via newer nimbler collective management organisations or by extending direct licensing, especially of Anglo-American repertoire.

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Adele agent Lucy Dickins moves to WME
Adele and Mumford & Sons agent Lucy Dickins has announced that she is leaving London-based booking agency ITB to become head of WME's UK music division. She will officially make the move next month.

"Lucy is a star player and the perfect addition to our team", says WME's Global Head Of Music, Marc Geiger. "There's no one else who possesses Lucy's combination of pedigree, taste and respect in our industry".

Noting his new recruit's family connection to former employer ITB, which is headed up by her father Barry, Geiger went on: "After being in business with her family for so many years, we feel fortunate that she decided to join WME, and we look forward to bringing her perspective to our clients and colleagues".

Dickins adds: "Growing up in this business, I've been lucky to learn from the best, but now is the time for me to take the next step in my career. The opportunity to join WME was hugely exciting, and I'm confident that this relationship can grow into something special".

As well as Adele and the Mumfords, Dickins represents artists including Laura Marling, James Blake, Mabel, Hot Chip, Bryan Ferry, Jamie T and Jack Peñate, all of whom are expected to join her in the move to WME. As are two other ITB agents, James Simmons and Chris Payne.

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Bleep.com direct-to-fan service Ochre becomes standalone offering
A new music-focused direct-to-consumer retail platform is formally launching today called Ochre. The service has evolved out of Warp's online retail business Bleep.com, which started offering D2C services to other labels a few years ago.

As it goes properly live as Ochre, the new direct-to-fan set-up offers artists and labels technology, operations, warehousing and fulfilment capabilities.

"It's a very exciting time for all involved at Ochre", says its Managing Director Dan Minchom. "This global launch is the culmination of years of development of technology and builds upon the experience and understanding of music retail and customer experience that our teams have perfected over many years".

He continues: "At a time when direct-to-fan retail is evolving quickly we are helping our clients by running stores for them, or by allowing them to pick from a flexible suite of services ranging from technology solutions to warehousing and logistics".

Clients at launch include [PIAS], Warp, Because Music, Ninja Tune, !K7, LuckyMe and Partisan Records.

Find out more about Ochre at with-ochre.com.

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Debbie Harry to publish autobiography
Blondie's Debbie Harry has announced that she will publish an autobiography later this year titled 'Face It'. Written with music journalist Sylvie Simmons, the book delves into Harry's music career, as well as other work in art and film.

"I didn't want to, but I did", says Harry of writing the book, before hinting that she's now got the urge to carry on. "There are many more stories for me to tell; some funny, some scary, some warm, some chill to the bone and if 'Face It' appeals to people then I will get to telling more of the anecdotal bits of the story of".

"This book is biographical and covers a lot of years", she goes on. "I know there will be questions asked because in putting this together, I realised I have led a very full life and couldn't possibly cover everything in just one volume. I'm prepared for the best and the worst comments, much like when I have released an album or done a big show. I don't have a thick skin, but I do have a pretty good sense of humour".

Ed Faulkner of publisher HarperCollins adds: "It is the most immense privilege to be publishing Debbie Harry's extraordinary memoir at HarperNonFiction. Hers is the voice of a generation, with resonance as powerful now as it was 40 years ago, and 'Face It' is the honest, powerful story of a true icon".

The book is set for publication on 1 Oct.

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The Cure to screen 40th anniversary live film in cinemas
The Cure have announced that they will be slapping a live concert film of their 2018 40th anniversary show in London's Hyde Park up on cinema screens in July.

Directed by Tim Pope and with the snappy title of 'The Cure - Anniversary 1978-2018 Live In Hyde Park London', it captures the band's career-spanning set in 4K video and 5.1 surround sound.

"This really was the perfect way to celebrate 40 years of the band", says Robert Smith of that show. "It was a fabulous day none of us will ever forget".

Adds Pope of the film itself: "Working alongside Robert for these 37 years of the band's 40-year history - and also having previously filmed the band for the 35mm 'In Orange' 1986 concert film - I wanted cinema-goers to feel like they were in the thick of the action, in the heart of the music. Our film really captures the true power and passion of The Cure's music for a global audience".

The film will be screened in cinemas around the world on 11 Jul, with tickets set to go on sale on 6 Jun. Find your nearest screening here.

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Sufjan Stevens marks Pride Month with two new songs
Sufjan Stevens has released two new songs in celebration of Pride Month, titled 'Love Yourself' and 'With My Whole Heart'.

'Love Yourself' is the finished version of a song Stevens first demoed an original idea for back in 1996 and that original demo is also included in the release. 'With My Whole Heart', meanwhile, is an attempt to "write an upbeat and sincere love song without conflict, anxiety or self-deprecation", the musician says.

Proceeds from the sale of both songs will be donated to US charities the Ali Forney Center in New York and the Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit, which provide support to homeless LGBTQ youths.

Listen to and buy the new release here.

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DEALS

Jack White's Third Man label has signed a new distribution deal with Sony's The Orchard. "We feel this is an important step for Third Man, now in our tenth year, to expand our global digital and physical presence", says co-founder Ben Swank. The label previously shifted its music through Warner's ADA.

The Hipgnosis Songs Fund has acquired yet another catalogue, this time that of Booker T And The MG's Al Jackson Jr. "This music is part of the foundation on which the entire world spins", says Hipgnosis founder Merck Mercuriadis, his hyperbole now in overdrive as he has to write statements like this on a near daily basis.

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APPOINTMENTS

Beggars Group in the US has hired Brandon Becker as Head Of Streaming and Jonathan Gold as Director Of Human Resources. Becker was previously at Domino, while Gold joins from Kobalt.

AEG Presents has hired Dennis Dennehy to fill the newly created role of Chief Communications Officer. He joins from Interscope and says of his new position: "I'm looking forward to getting in there and helping with the narrative of the company". Can't wait. Who doesn't love a good corporate narrative?

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ARTIST NEWS

Miley Cyrus is the latest artist to attempt to incorporate ASMR into a release promo and... oh god, please make it stop.

Iggy Pop will publish a book of lyrics, photographs and other writing, titled 'Til Wrong Feels Right', on 26 Sep. Here's more information.

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RELEASES

Ryuichi Sakamoto has announced that he will release his soundtrack for new 'Black Mirror' episode 'Smithereens' on 7 Jun. Here's a track from it, 'This Is My Last Day 2'.

Sheryl Crow has released new track 'Live Wire', featuring Mavis Staples and Bonnie Raitt. "Mavis Staples means so much more to me than any words I could write about her", says Crow. "I feel like, in many ways, she is the godmother to Bonnie Raitt. To say that having both of these soulful women on 'Live Wire' is a treat would be a huge understatement".

Jess Glynn has released new Jax Jones collaboration 'One Touch'.

Africa Express have released new track 'Become The Tiger', featuring Sibot, Damon Albarn and Mr Jukes. Their new album, 'Egoli', is out on 12 Jul.

Bhad Bhabie has released two new tracks: 'Lotta Dem' and 'Spaz', the latter featuring YBN Nahmir.

Metronomy are back with new single 'Lately'.

Swim Deep have announced that they will release their third album, 'Emerald Classics', on 4 Oct. Here's new single 'To Feel Good', featuring Margate's Social Singing Choir.

Why? have released new EP 'I: I May Come Out A Broken Yolk, I May Come Out On Saddle'. It featured three new songs which are contained in this video.

Fionn Regan will release new album, 'Cala', on 9 Aug. Here's a snippet of first single 'Collar Of Fur'.

75 Dollar Bill have released new track 'Every Last Coffee Or Tea', taken from their upcoming album 'I Was Real'.

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GIGS & TOURS

Hot Chip have announced UK tour dates in October, which will wind up at Alexandra Palace in London on 26 Oct. They've also released new track 'Melody Of Love'.

Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.

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Hey Sheeran, go Sheeran, soul Sheeran, no Sheeran
Edward 'Ed' Sheeran recently announced plans to release an album of collaborations titled 'No 6 Collaborations Project'. The title relates to an EP he released many years ago – 'No 5 Collaborations Project' – and fulfils a long held dream to do something similar again. But there's more to it than that. The origins of the project are far, far darker.

"This project actually started with one idea I had which was – you remember 'Lady Marmalade', right?" Sheeran chirps to Charlamagne Tha God in a new interview. "This is such a silly idea. I had an idea of doing that. Like, you could get Bruno [Mars], [Justin] Bieber and me on a record. How fun would that be?"

Wait a second, let me just tot this up in my head. Just a sec. OK. Right. Yep, I've just done all the calculations and I can confirm that it would by 98.7% not fun. And that figure was worked out on the assumption that they would faithfully recreate the video for the 2001 Christina Aguilera-led version.

Thankfully, this idea is now cast into the gutter with all the other failed attempts to record another new version of that classic track. A sad, sorry pile of discarded ideas that contains, well, at the very least Rita Ora's from a few years ago.

Of course, while I did all the maths for you up there, you can easily get an idea of how bad Sheeran's version of 'Lady Marmalade' would have been by listening to his actual collaboration with Justin Bieber. That's half the line-up together in one song there, so you can presume the 'Lady Marmalade' venture would be double as bad as that. It doesn't bear thinking about.

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