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| WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL 2012 | |
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Q&A: SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS School Of Seven Bells released their debut album, 'Alpinisms', in 2008 to much acclaim, followed by 'Disconnect From Desire' in 2010. In October 2010, vocalist Claudi Deheza left the band, but her twin Alejandra and guitarist Benjamin Curtis resolved to continue as a duo. Third album, 'Ghostory', was released via Full Time Hobby in February. We caught up with Alejandra to find out more more>> |
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APPROVED: CHOIR OF YOUNG BELIEVERS Choir Of Young Believers are a Danish indie group who garnered much praise in their homeland and beyond for their bold debut album 'This Is For The White In Your Eyes'. 'Rhine Gold', its follow up, should continue this upwards trajectory. Singer and songwriter Jannis Noya Makrigiannis has a beautifully crystalline voice, but the backdrop to his icy purr is equally beguiling more>> |
| TOP STORIES |
| - US band sues Syco over One Direction name |
| IN THE POP COURTS |
| - Footage of the Mega raid has disappeared - Britney's fiancé applies to be her legal guardian, say reports |
| REUNIONS & SPLITS |
| - Jack White still in the dark about White Stripes split - Mystery Jets lose bassist, announce new members - Ugly Kid Joe reform |
| ARTIST DEALS |
| - BMG signs Mando Diao |
| IN THE STUDIO |
| - Lily Allen back in the studio |
| RELEASE NEWS |
| - Trojan Records marks 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence with new releases - Venetian Snares goes to Sleep |
| GIGS & TOURS NEWS |
| - Morrissey announces Manchester arena show - Orbital announce UK tour |
| FESTIVAL NEWS |
| - Festival line-up update |
| TALKS, DEBATES & CONVENTIONS |
| - Wide Days and IMS events this week |
| THE MUSIC BUSINESS |
| - SuperVision managers launch new agency - New Sylvia Rhone imprint at Sony takes shape |
| AND FINALLY... |
| - Kanye gives 106 & Park the silent treatment - This just-in: Bieber greetings cards now available |
OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE IN SHOREDITCH
The Shoreditch Arch is a beautifully renovated railway arch situated behind Cargo night club on Rivington Street EC2A. It was unused until 2003 when it was transformed into stunning open plan office space and became home to the friendliest creatives in the whole of Shoreditch.
| ANORAK, PRESS OFFICER POSITION UK's leading music and events PR agency Anorak London is looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic and talented press officer to straddle festival, events and artist PR. The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate experience working on artist campaigns and similarly events, and will have strong print contacts across the board. The successful candidate must have great people skills, a strong passion for music and culture, enthusiasm, energy, and be exceptionally organised and efficient. This is a great opportunity for the right person. CVs and covering letter to be sent to [email protected] |
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| COOKING VINYL, PRODUCT AND MARKETING MANAGER Cooking Vinyl is expanding its team and is looking for a passionate music lover with at least three years previous experience of planning and managing high profile artist campaigns. You must be up to date with the current digital landscape and have a sound and current knowledge of media, marketing and retail. Cooking Vinyl is an innovative and artist friendly independent label representing The Prodigy, The Enemy, Marilyn Manson, Underworld, The View and many other international artists. Please apply by sending your CV and a covering letter with your current salary to [email protected] Deadline 20 Apr 2012 |
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| BELIEVE DIGITAL, KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER (LONDON OFFICE) Following sustained growth over the past twelve months, Believe Digital is looking for a key account manager to join its team of label and artist acquisition staff in the UK. A deep knowledge of the independent music industry and key labels, as well as the experience and knowledge to manage content is essential as Believe continues to drive its label acquisition strategy in the UK. The representative will be responsible for managing relationships with a selection of Believe’s key UK labels whilst being able to identify potential new label partners and relevant business development opportunities worldwide. The role would suit a self-motivated and entrepreneurial individual with a wealth of experience in the independent music sector and will come from a distribution background with a clear understanding of the digital music industry. For more information including a full job description and how to apply click here Please also check the Believe Blog for various other roles in our rapidly expanding UK office. |
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| MUSIC CONCIERGE, PLAYLIST DESIGNER Do you know your Oscar Peterson from your Chilly Gonzales? Award-winning music consultancy, Music Concierge, is looking for a Playlist Designer. Music Concierge, the award-winning music consultancy for boutique hotels and luxury brands, is looking for a music playlist designer to join our small but expanding creative team. The playlist designer will develop a sound understanding of our clients' needs, and then source, program and timetable appropriate tracks in line with the client brief. (Please note this relates to designing music playlists NOT composing original material.) You will have an encyclopedic music knowledge across a multitude of genres, including jazz, classical, pop, world music, and all forms of electronic music. You will also bring with you a bulging industry contacts book and knowledge of how to uncover hidden gems from the furthest corners of the music world. Alongside your creative talent, your professional and motivated approach to work means that you relish pressure and eat deadlines for breakfast. For full details, and how to apply, visit www.theCMUwebsite.com/jobs |
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| AMAZON, ONLINE CONTENT MANAGER: MUSIC (Attractive base + benefits) Online Content Managers - ready to burst onto our scene? If you think you could be the next big thing in the Amazon Music Team, we'd like to hear from you. We have an immediate opening in the UK Music Team for an Online Content Manager. Working on a key account with a major label, you will be centre stage for some of the biggest releases of 2012, delivering a first-rate customer experience through best-in-class merchandising. At Amazon we work hard, have fun and make history. You will have strong attention to detail; excellent written English and strong communication skills; an analytical approach to measuring / optimising performance; and a demonstrable ability to think on your feet and make smart decisions. You'll be highly tech-literate, with the ability to learn new systems quickly, and have experience in a related role using content management and web analytics systems. You'll be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities, and have a passion for customer experience and the digital channel. Due to the pace and scope of this role, we are looking for someone special to join our team. In return, you'll get an attractive salary with healthcare and pension contributions, and an Amazon Employee discount. Motivated by more than money? Then how about a casual dress code, season ticket scheme, childcare voucher scheme and cycle to work scheme. Oh, and there's an Xbox in our subsidised onsite cafe. Ready to take this to the next level? We hope so. To find out more and apply, click here. |
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US BAND SUES SYCO OVER ONE DIRECTION NAME
Ah, an 'X-Factor' created band embroiled in a name dispute, that seems faintly familiar, doesn't it? But this time the dispute is in America, where another band called One Direction are suing Sony Music and its Syco division over the use of the moniker by the 'X' created boy band sensations who, as previously reported, are doing rather well Stateside.
One Direction USA say they formed in 2009, before Simon Cowell first put together his One Direction boyband on the UK version of 'X-Factor' in 2010. Certainly they started selling their album 'The Light' on iTunes in February 2011 which, while after the UK group had been created, preceded the release of their debut album 'Up All Night', in Britain, never mind the US.
The US band, led by Sean O'Leary, say they were also first to file an application for ownership of the name with the US trademark authorities, and that Syco knew this, because the label was told so by the US Trademark Office when it tried to register the mark for itself (the matter is currently with the trademark appeals panel).
The legal rep for One Direction USA says that, despite being aware of the name clash before launching One Direction UK in the US market, Syco did nothing to ensure the two bands were not confused. Says their lawyer: "Rather than change their name or do anything to [avoid] confusion or avoid damage to our good will, they chose to press ahead and come on their tour".
While the US band are much more low key than their UK namesakes, confusion has already occurred, the American band says, noting that one of their tracks was recently mistakenly used by NBC's 'Today Show' to soundtrack a feature about the British boyband. Of course YouTube views and iTunes sales of that track, called '2012', are now doing pretty well, very possibly as a result of fans of the 'X' band getting confused, so you could argue the American outfit are benefiting rather than suffering as a result of the confusion. Still, you can see why they might be a bit annoyed. Hence the million dollar lawsuit.
Neither Sony nor Simon Cowell's Syco have as yet commented on the litigation. The matter will almost certainly be settled out of court though. At least this time the Syco machine isn't screwing over a children's charity in its bid to take ownership of someone else's name.
FOOTAGE OF THE MEGA RAID HAS DISAPPEARED
In a new twist in the ongoing MegaUpload saga, security camera footage of the raid on the home of the rogue file-transfer site's founder might have been lost, which is convenient for the New Zealand police, because Kim 'Dotcom' Schmitz is planning on filing a complaint to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
As previously reported, New Zealand officers swooped on Schmitz's property back in January as the US authorities moved to shut down the Mega operation, which is accused in the US of copyright infringement, money laundering and racketeering. Schmitz claims that the raid on his home "was excessive and heavy handed" and wants to make a complaint to the IPCA.
But CCTV footage of the raid was removed from the property when police seized the server on which security camera recordings were stored. Schmitz's lawyers asked for access to that footage in a bid to gather evidence for their IPCA complaint. An IT rep for the Mega chief was seemingly told he could have access to the server on which CCTV footage was stored but, according to reports, when he got to the police HQ where the hardware was stored, he found the server had been disassembled, and officers said they could not reassemble it, or give him any of the data that had been previously stored on it.
When asked by New Zealand's 3 News about the raid footage, a police spokesman said: "Police would happily release the footage in question but currently have no authority to do so. The footage is contained on a hard drive lawfully seized on a warrant obtained by police at the direction of Crown Law following a properly formulated mutual legal assistance request from the United States".
It remains to be seen if Mega takes any more steps to try and secure the CCTV footage before filing a complaint with the IPCA. As previously reported, New Zealand police have already been embarrassed once over their high profile raid on Schmitz's property when it emerged that they applied for the wrong kind of warrant before swooping on the Mega chief's home. Lawyers for Schmitz argue that that made the raid and the seizing of any of their client's property illegal.
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BRITNEY'S FIANCÉ APPLIES TO BE HER LEGAL GUARDIAN, SAY REPORTS
According to People magazine, Britney Spears' fiancé Jason Trawick has applied to become her legal guardian. Aw, that's cute/creepy. And I suppose it makes that whole "love, honour and obey" thing easier to enforce if your partner is already legally bound to do what you say. Marriage, eh?
I think some context is probably required here. As previously reported, after a brief period in a psychiatric hospital in 2008, Britney Spears' father Jamie was granted 'temporary conservatorship' - similar to 'power of attorney' - of his daughter's assets and affairs. She attempted to have the ruling overturned, but it was ruled later the same year that Spears senior should retain legal control over Britney's life indefinitely and, indeed, he continues to do so today. And the singer seemingly warmed to the idea over time.
Britney and her then agent Trawick got engaged in December 2011, having been a couple since mid 2009. If his application to be joint conservator with Jamie Spears is successful, it may offer Britney more freedom than she has enjoyed in recent years. Or it may complicate matters even more. It possibly also hints that a wedding, which cannot go ahead without court approval, is being planned sooner rather than later.
Suggesting that Trawick's application could be part of the couple's wedding plans, Jeffrey S Cohen, an unconnected lawyer approached by People to comment, said: "This is probably a compromise between Britney, her father and Trawick to get the marriage off on the right foot. Obviously, her future husband needs to have a say in her wellbeing".
JACK WHITE STILL IN THE DARK ABOUT WHITE STRIPES SPLIT
Jack White has said he still has no idea why The White Stripes split last year, because his former bandmate Meg White remains tight-lipped about her decision to cease performing in 2007.
White told WENN: "There came a point where I said: 'If we're not doing this, we need to put an end to it right now'. And that's what she wanted to do. I don't know what her reasons are. Having a conversation with Meg, you don't really get any answers. I'm lucky that girl ever got on stage, so I'll take what I can get. Meg completely controlled the White Stripes. She's the most stubborn person I've ever met, and you don't even get to know the reasons".
He added: "I'd make a White Stripes record right now. I'd be in the White Stripes for the rest of my life. That band is the most challenging, important, fulfilling thing to ever to happen to me. I wish it was still here. It's something I really, really miss".
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MYSTERY JETS LOSE BASSIST, ANNOUNCE NEW MEMBERS
The Mystery Jets announced last week that bassist Kai Fish has left the band. He will be replaced by Pete Cochrane, who is also joined by new pedal steel player Matt Parks.
Commenting on Fish's departure, guitarist Willima Rees wrote on the band's website: "Since the beginning of the year Kai has decided to go separate ways from the band, focusing his time and energy on raising his beautiful baby girl Odessa and writing music for solo and collaborative projects. The departure has been an emotional one for all of us involved but also a very amicable one, Brother Fish will always be a best of friend and a Mystery Jet".
The band are currently part way through a UK tour and will release new album 'Radlands' on 30 Apr.
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UGLY KID JOE REFORM
It is possible that between the ages of twelve and sixteen I was a fan of the band Ugly Kid Joe. It's even possible that I insisted to school friends that their third and final album, 'Motel California', was brilliant. Who can say if any of this actually happened, it was such a long time ago. Thankfully, even back then, I made no excuses for their second album, 'Menace To Sobriety'.
Anyway, Ugly Kid Joe have reformed, which isn't the best news ever. Particularly as I've just listened to the first song to emerge from a new six track EP due for release possibly as soon as later this month. A European tour is coming this way in June too, and the band will perform at this year's Download festival.
Speaking to NY Rock Music Examiner, drummer Shannon Larkin said: "We are really stoked at how it [the EP] came out - pure Ugly Kid Joe, dude! We have no label, agent, or management, and did the record by ourselves without a real plan other than getting together in a room again after all these years and jamming out!"
See if you're "stoked about how it came out" by listening to this low quality rip of 'Love Ain't True' here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbNzIa3qwoI
BMG SIGNS MANDO DIAO
BMG Germany has announced an exclusive publishing deal with Swedish rockers Mando Diao
Confirming the deal, BMG's Fred Casimir told CMU: "Mando Diao have scored the rare achievement of consistently increasing their fan base while maintaining their musical credibility. We look forward to working with them to further grow their success internationally".
In a statement, the band themselves said: "We are glad to cooperate with BMG who have a lot of confidence in our different projects. The future is exciting and it will be great to see what we can do together".
LILY ALLEN BACK IN THE STUDIO
Lily Allen is currently in the studio working on new material. So says Perez Hilton, anyway. And why would he lie?
A source told the gossip-monger: "Lily has been in the studio trying different sounds and writing new tracks...When Lily retired she honestly thought she'd never record again. Her life has changed so much since her last album and she now has a different perspective. Lily wants a more mature sound and is penning tracks about [daughter] Ethel and [husband] Sam".
As previously reported, Allen is also working on a Bridget Jones musical. It's entirely possible she's actually in the studio for recordings relating to that, but whatever.
TROJAN RECORDS MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF JAMAICAN INDEPENDENCE WITH NEW RELEASES
Trojan Records has announced a series of releases in the run up to the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence on 6 Aug. Each of the monthly releases will focus on a different label or artist, and it kicked off with three Lee 'Scratch' Perry-themed records last month. A look back through the archives of the Treasure Island label will follow this month, with classic Island Records artists showcased in May.
Johnny Hudson, Head of Marketing at Trojan Records told CMU: "The themed monthly releases are just one of a number of exciting initiatives we are rolling out to mark the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence this year. Trojan Records and its artists have played a significant part in the history and cultural influence of Jamaican music, and so we're incredibly excited to be associated with this landmark event. We're also looking forward to announcing several other exciting partnerships for this year soon too".
More information at www.trojanrecords.com
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VENETIAN SNARES GOES TO SLEEP
How often have you heard people say "I could have made that in my sleep" in relation to a piece of music? At least seven, right? Well now Aaron Funk, the producer best known for his Venetian Snares moniker, has announced a new project which will test that theory. Going by the name of Sleep, his first album under the new moniker, 'Last Sleep', will be released through Planet Mu on 7 May, featuring nine tracks all created while fighting to stay conscious.
Funk told Dazed: "For a while, when I was really tired and ready to go to bed, instead of going to sleep I would make a tune. Get some stuff going on my sequencers, drum machines, patch up my modular and just jam it. I would fall asleep a lot listening to the sequences, a few seconds of sleep or a few minutes, [and then] wake up in it. This is what I sound like in my sleep".
The tracklist is thus:
Xyrem
Somno
Microsleeps
My Off Days
Obispo
Lazy Acid 3
Avocado
Cimicdae
Rohypno
MORRISSEY ANNOUNCES MANCHESTER ARENA SHOW
Morrissey has announced that he will play a one-off show at Manchester Arena on 28 Jul. Tickets are due to go on sale on Friday at 9am.
Of course the real hot Morrissey ticket this year is his libel case against the NME. The Manchester Arena tickets will probably be easier to shift on eBay though.
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ORBITAL ANNOUNCE UK TOUR
Orbital will tour the UK this December, following the release of their new album 'Wonky' earlier this month. Tickets for the shows go on sale on 13 Apr at 9am.
Tour dates
3 Dec: Bristol, Academy
4 Dec: Leicester, Academy
5 Dec: Newcastle, Academy
7 Dec: Preston, 53 Degrees
8 Dec: Sheffield, Academy
9 Dec: Birmingham, Academy
11 Dec: Brighton, Dome
12 Dec: Bournemouth, Academy
13 Dec: Oxford, Academy
14 Dec: London, Brixton Academy
FESTIVAL LINE-UP UPDATE
CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL, various venues, Cheltenham, 2-7 May: The Cheltenham Jazz Festival has announced a free stage hosted by Verve Records, which will called The Verve Lounge. The stage will showcase nine up-and-coming new acts: Jodie Marie, Grace, Natalie Duncan, Sam Johnson, Alexander Stewart, Natalie Duncan, Laura Mvula, Louise And The Pins and Martyna. www.cheltenhamfestivals.com
ECHO, Makarska, Croatia, 22-24 Jun: This lovely-sounding electronic festival situated on a beach in a Croatian bay has just announced its first wave of acts, including Koreless, Midland, Pariah, Deadboy, Inxec, Droog, SPY, SpectraSoul and Lenzman. www.echofestival.com
GOTTWOOD FESTIVAL, Anglesey, Wales, 21-24 Jun: Mixing electronic music and other cultural offerings, Gottwood returns this year with a line-up that includes Tiger & Woods, Dinky, Mosca, Move D, Applebim, 2 Bit Thugs, Optimus, Josh T, Picture House, Riz MC, and more. www.gottwood.co.uk
WIDE DAYS AND IMS EVENTS THIS WEEK
The Wide Days music business conference kicks off in Edinburgh today, with panels planned on the connection between the live and sports industries, and discussions on how to stand out on download stores and how to build and analyse your audience. The two day event continues tomorrow, including a tech-focused session chaired by CMU Business Editor Chris Cooke. More details at www.widedays.com
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, tomorrow evening the team behind the International Music Summit in Ibiza, including Pete Tong, will host an invite-only symposium in Palm Springs, California ahead of this weekend's Coachella festival which aims to enable "today's electronic music leaders to meet and share ideas with those who can help drive their future businesses". Bringing together key tech and branding people with the great and the good of electronic music, reps from YouTube, Twitter, Smirnoff, Burberry, EA, William Morris and CAA will be among those taking part.
SUPERVISION MANAGERS LAUNCH NEW AGENCY
Following the news last week that some key execs were departing the MAMA Group as its owner HMV goes through the motions of selling the company, it's emerged that some of the people behind the MAMA management agency SuperVision have already launched a new venture called Trust Management.
The official SuperVision Twitter feed last week pointed followers in the direction of a new page on the micro-blogging platform for Trust Management, which lists in its profile a roster including some former SuperVision-managed artists, such as Ash, Howler and Out Like A Lion.
As previously reported, rumour has it some key execs at the live music and management firm are unhappy at the speed with which the cash-strapped HMV put the company up for sale, and have become increasingly frustrated as the bidding process has gone on. Some are also likely concerned about having their business swallowed up by a major music conglom like AEG Live or Sony Music, both of which have been tipped as hot bidders for the company.
Online chatter has focused on resignations in the MAMA sponsorship division Music & Media Solutions and management agency Supervision, both of which could effect the future operations of those functions. The Trust Management launch would at least seem to confirm departures on the management side of the MAMA business.
As previously reported, for some bidders the MAMA venue network, and especially the Hammersmith Apollo, will be of most interest, but for those looking to capitalise on the various strands of HMV's live and management division, the loss of key directors in sponsorship and artists management may be a concern. Second round bids are expected to be made for the MAMA Group later this month.
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NEW SYLVIA RHONE IMPRINT AT SONY TAKES SHAPE
Former Universal Music US exec Sylvia Rhone is launching a new label over at Sony, linked to the LA Reid headed Epic Records, and possibly to be called Audacious Music.
As previously reported, Rhone stood down as boss of the Universal Motown label last May after former Sony man Barry Weiss was inserted in a new executive position above the Motown division. It was initially thought Rhone would launch a new venture elsewhere within the Universal empire, but then she was recruited by the mega-major's former top man Doug Morris to join him at his new employer, Sony Music.
When it was confirmed Rhone would launch a new venture alongside Reid's Epic back in February it was thought the major's Portrait Records brand may be resurrected, but it's now believed the new Audacious Music name will be used instead. According to Billboard, Margeaux Rawson, previously Rhone's media relations chief at Motown, will join the new venture as SVP Operations.
KANYE GIVES 106 & PARK THE SILENT TREATMENT
Rapper 2 Chainz appeared on US TV show '106 & Park' last week to discuss his new Kanye West-produced single 'Mercy'. But part way through the interview the rapper stopped to invite West himself out to give more insight, because he was "tired of explaining" the track. Though if he was looking for some help, it didn't really work, because Yeezy refused to say a word.
Actually, it was clearly pre-agreed that West wouldn't speak, as between being welcomed onto the show and being thanked for appearing 2 Chainz and the show's presenters carried on as if he wasn't there. It does make for a weird few minutes of telly though.
Watch here: www.bet.com/content/betcom/video/106andpark/106guestrewind/2-chainz-106-and-park-916.html
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THIS JUST-IN: BIEBER GREETINGS CARDS NOW AVAILABLE
Well it took them long enough. Hallmark has just announced a range of Justin Bieber greetings cards - 48 of them, to be precise - which are available in Wal-mart stores now and will go on sale throughout the US next month.
Hallmark Licensing Director Jenny Hofeditz said of the new range: "We are thrilled to finally share this special line of Hallmark cards with Justin's loyal and passionate fans today, giving them a fun new way to connect while celebrating their love of him and his music. Hallmark Justin Bieber cards come in bright colours, include photos of Justin and express a variety of playful sentiments, such as 'Hope your big day rocks like never before', and 'You must be one of my biggest fans cos you blow me away, girl!'"
Yeah, they're not really designed for any specific occasions, despite there being so many of them. Although I assume there is some sort of 'Sorry you walked into that door' card: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhOaJmoLXks
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