SoundExchange partners on new music licensing service for podcasters
While the music industry has finally jumped on the podcast bandwagon in terms of promo, actually licensing music for podcast-delivered programmes remains challenging. To that end US collecting society SoundExchange has announced an alliance with LA-based SourceAudio to collaborate of a new service providing music for podcasts.

SourceAudio already provides licensing and production music services to the media sector and, through a new site called podcastmusic.com, plans to do the same for podcasters, in both the US and beyond. It hopes that, through the SoundExchange alliance, it can persuade labels and publishers to make commercially released music available via the new service.

Though SoundExchange won't be forcing any of its members to participate, which means podcastmusic.com probably won't be offering anything like the kind of blanket licences that radio programmes enjoy. And once you start licensing music on a patchwork basis it becomes messy. Meaning this will likely be a more useful service for those looking for music to feature in mainly spoken-word podcasts, rather than podcasters making music-based radio-style shows.

But still, SoundExchange boss Michael Huppe reckons the tie-up with SourceAudio should benefit both music companies and podcasters. He said yesterday: "The podcast industry is rapidly growing, and this collaboration will provide SoundExchange's music creators - both labels and publishers - with an additional way to monetise their work by making their music available on podcastmusic.com if they choose. Our collaboration with SourceAudio will make the process of licensing music simpler through a one-stop licensing marketplace".

Over at SourceAudio, the firm's CEO Geoffrey Grotz added: "Currently there is no simple way for a podcaster to acquire rights for feature music in their podcasts. We are solving that by working with SoundExchange. By connecting with SoundExchange's community of music creators - including labels, artists, publishers and songwriters - and benefitting from their deep expertise, we will be able to deliver a high-quality repertoire of music for podcasters".

The podcast licensing service is currently in beta with plans to properly launch in 2020.

Meanwhile, now you've brought up all things podcasting, here is a podcast where we talk an awful lot about licensing music without having to go to the effort of actually licensing any music. Yes, after a short mini-break, Setlist is back. Here's this week's catch up edition.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Makers of Grease spoof seek confirmation that their show is fair use
A group of comedians behind a 'Grease' spoof last week went to court in New York seeking judicial confirmation that their show is 'fair use', after the publishers of the original musical issued a cease and desist on copyright grounds.

The spoof show is called 'Vape: The Musical' and, its creators say, "uses millennial slang, popular culture, a modern lens, and exaggeration to comment upon the plot, structure, issues and themes of 'Grease' and to criticise its misogynistic and sexist elements".

Since its acquisition of theatre publisher Samuel French last year, Concord now reps the rights in 'Grease' and, according to the lawsuit, it sent the cease and desist letter after learning about a planned short run of 'Vape: The Musical' in New York. The letter also went to the theatre due to host the short run, which seemingly then cancelled the show.

The company behind the spoof, Sketchworks, insists that its musical does not infringe on the copyright in 'Grease' because of the fair use principle. Copyright law always includes certain exceptions where a copyright owner's control over their work does not apply. In some countries there is a specific list of exceptions, while US law provides this much looser concept of fair use. In many jurisdictions, including America, parody is usually covered by these exceptions.

Sketchworks says that it explained all this to Concord's legal reps, but that its arguments were, in the main, rebuffed. For now at least. Keen to still stage the spoof in New York at some point soon, the company requests from the court "a declaratory judgment of fair use so that it may perform and otherwise exploit 'Vape' without further delay".

The lawsuit actually names the creators of 'Grease' – so Jim Jacobs and the estate of the late Warren Casey – as the defendants. Neither they nor Concord have as yet commented.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Enter Shikari sign with So Recordings for next album
Enter Shikari have announced that they will work with label So Recordings on the release of their in-development sixth album. Sony's The Orchard will be the worldwide distribution partner. It sees the band end their alliance with [PIAS].

Their manager Ian Johnsen explains: "It was a tough decision for us all, to choose to leave our friends at [PIAS]. But once we had resolved to make the leap, one name kept coming to the fore from the pack of suitors displaying themselves before us. As a team we spotted in Adam and So a kindred spirit in terms of ethos, drive and sense of humour, and the shared passion to see where Enter Shikari could go next as they begin the next stage of their career".

"Adam", by the way, is So Recordings director Adam Greenup. If you're very good – and, I mean, really really good – I might even have a quote from him in a bit.

But first, I don't know what made you think Johnsen had finished speaking. "So Recordings possesses the 'slightly wayward Camden-based indie label' atmosphere that's been my natural home since before I can remember", he goes on. "But our coupling with The Orchard as worldwide distribution partner gives us the comfort and clout of a top-class global network to further support and grow the band's successful worldwide live career. All of us at Team Enter Shikari are excited to see what the future holds with our new family".

As are we all! Meanwhile, just because you've been very very good, here is the aforementioned Greenup with his quote. "Twelve years ago I heard Enter Shikari's debut album 'Take To The Skies'", says he, "and was immediately enthralled by that wondrous blend of hardcore and electronica. They sounded, and still do, completely unique and I've been an ardent fan ever since. The chance to sign them for So was a bolt from the blue. I'm still breathless that our ever-expanding label will be taking on a band that define indie in its truest sense, authentic, trail-blazing and angry. Welcome to our NW1 tribe".

So there you go. Now listen to the band's new track 'Stop The Clocks'.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Sentric launches support programme for new talent
The Sentric Music Group has launched a Songwriter Accelerator Programme which it describes as a "proactive initiative designed to empower and support the next generation of music makers". And who doesn't want to see the next generation of music makers empowered and supported? Only miserable fuckers, that's who. And fuck them.

"Today, Sentric is a publisher for artists at every level", says the company's James Cherry, "but our new Songwriter Accelerator Programme is specifically designed as a platform for the emerging writers that our company was initially built for – and that we continue to serve alongside some of the world's greatest music makers".

Which means that it's writers utilising Sentric's royalty and rights management platform for grass-roots talent who will be selected for the new scheme. Those selected will take part in masterclasses and guidance sessions and receive ongoing mentoring. The programme will run four times a year, each time involving five writers. The first five are Roman Lewis, Kris Platt, Charlotte Carpenter, Jennifer Keller and Jake Houslby.

Cherry adds: "Sentric has always been about empowering songwriters. This is another way for us to do just that". And isn't that nice? If the miserable fuckers are still feeling miserable now, well, fuck them double.

--------------------------------------------------

Big Machine appoints new GM for label
Newly acquired by Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings, Big Machine Label Group has appointed a new General Manager for its Big Machine Records division. Former US radio exec Clay Hunnicutt joins the country music focused label in the GM role, having most recently worked as President of another Nashville-based indie with 'big' in its name, Big Loud Records.

In his new job he'll be charged with the task of pissing off Taylor Swift in anyway he can at every possible opportunity. Sorry, I mean, he'll oversee Big Machine's current roster of artists which includes Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Midland, Carly Pearce, The Cadillac Three, Noah Schnacky, Payton Smith, Lauren Jenkins and Dan Smalley.

He takes over from Jim Weatherson, who will continue to consult for the Big Machine label. The music firm's overall chief Scott Borchetta says: "I have worked with Clay Hunnicutt throughout my career on the radio side and record side. He is a consummate professional with a tireless work ethic and boundless creativity. He is the perfect complement to our executive team and I'm sure he will turn great results".

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

BBC to pull radio stations from TuneIn app in the UK
The BBC is pulling some of its services from the radio and podcast aggregator app TuneIn. Which means the Beeb's radio stations will not be available via TuneIn in the UK on various smart speaker and smartphone devices from later this month.

Seemingly the BBC has reached the decision because TuneIn won't provide it with sufficient data about its listeners, the Corporation's own online radio services now requiring a login.

The BBC's Kieran Clifton told Radio Today: "When we make our programmes available via third parties, we ask that those platforms either allow you to sign into your BBC account, or provide us with meaningful data directly. Unfortunately, TuneIn doesn't do either of these, so we couldn't reach a data sharing agreement with them".

Adding that the Beeb wants all that data to inform how it develops its programmes and services, he also clarified that "our live radio streams are only coming off TuneIn on platforms where an alternative way of listening is easily available".

The decision won't affect TuneIn on all smart devices, though it will impact many. Podcasts will also remain within the TuneIn app, as will the radio stations outside the UK.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Edinburgh Fringe named best UK travel experience
Lonely Planet has picked the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as the best UK travel experience. Which isn't really music news, but is a good opportunity to remind you that our sister publication ThreeWeeks is covering the world's biggest cultural festival right now. And, you know, with the world's biggest music service now a podcast service, maybe it's time you considered a career shift into comedy.

"Quite simply, the Fringe floods the [the Scottish capital] with art and nowhere beats it for spectacle or scale", write the travel geeks at Lonely Planet. "Strangeness, too. Come August in Edinburgh, everything seems brighter, barmier and more colourful".

The boss of the organisation which supports the community of creative types that make the Fringe - Shona McCarthy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society – adds: "We are enormously proud to be named the UK's top experience in Lonely Planet's inaugural Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist. To receive this accolade against such brilliant events and tourist attractions is a true testament to the creativity, energy and imagination that Fringe artists and audiences, from near and far, bring to Edinburgh each year".

You can check out all the ThreeWeeks coverage of this year's Edinburgh Fringe here. And look, it's not just comedy. There's theatre. And dance. And musicals. And, fuck me, even some music. So call off the career change, the UK's best travel experience is really a music festival with a comedy tent that just got way out of control.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Ed Sheeran teams up with Heinz again, though for charity this time
Ed Sheeran's alliance with Heinz and its Ketchup continues. Though this time in aid of charity, so we'll have to begrudgingly play along.

Having made a telly ad with the pop star and then printed up some labels promoting Tomato Edchup, now Heinz has designed a special Sheeran-themed bottle. That design is based on Sheeran's tattoos which, of course, include an inking of the Heinz Ketchup logo on his arm.

150 of the special bottles have been made, which will be mainly auctioned and raffled off for charity, with both the musician and the sauce maker picking organisations to benefit: East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Rise Against Hunger respectively.

Elaine John, Head Of Major Supporters at the former, said she was "THRILLED" that Sheeran was again raising money for the charity. She told the East Anglian Daily Times: "I'm sure the new ketchup bottles will be a hit with Ed's fans and we look forward to seeing what happens at the auction on Thursday".

"Money we receive will help us continue providing a vital service for hundreds of children and young people with life-threatening conditions, and their families, across the region", she added, confirming our gut instinct that this is a pop-star/brand tie-up that were not meant to mock.

So, well done everybody!

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN