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TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2012
APPROVED: ALUNAGEORGE - YOUR DRUMS, YOUR LOVE
Almost a year since they first released the best single of 2011, aka 'You Know You Like It' (which was re-released in June by Tri Angle), AlunaGeorge have let another track creep out of their studio, 'Your Drums, Your Love'. A stand out of their live shows, the track will be released by Universal/Island on 7 Oct. Currently in the studio, AlunaGeorge's debut album is due out early next year more>>
TOP STORIES
- Universal's EMI takeover gets green light in Canada
IN THE POP COURTS
- Madonna sued in Russia for gay rights protest
OBITUARIES
- Scott McKenzie 1939 - 2012
ARTIST DEALS
- Flaming Lips sign publishing deal with BMG Chrysalis
IN THE STUDIO
- Example "proud" of Coxon collaboration
RELEASE NEWS
- Wu-Tang and D-Block detail Wu-Block debut
- Azealia Banks sets back LP release
- Karen O premieres Tim Burton film soundtrack
- Swans stream LP
BOOKS NEWS
- Peter Hook to talk about book
- Kele Okereke to publish collection of short stories
GIGS & TOURS NEWS
- Green Day making 'intimate' stop at Shepherds Bush Empire
- Happy Mondays playing in London, twice
- Meursault to perform with string section
- Ceremony set free London date
FESTIVAL NEWS
- Festival line-up additions
THE MUSIC BUSINESS
- Sony/ATV to administrate Jackson's other songs catalogue
- Canal+ boss to review Vivendi's content businesses
THE DIGITAL BUSINESS
- Bandcamp launches mobile site
AND FINALLY...
- Pro Green, Example defend Cher Lloyd after V wee sortie
HMV FORUM, BOX OFFICE MANAGER & STREET TEAM COORDINATOR
The successful applicant will have experience of working within a box office environment and delivering a high level of customer care ideally within the live music industry. We are seeking an individual with a positive attitude and a passion for delivering excellent customer service, who has experience of managing both paid staff and volunteers and can demonstrate this. It would be beneficial if you have experience of running a large street team but it is not essential.

For more information including a full job description and how to apply click here.
   
TECHNIQUE, MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT
A UK based Artist Management company are looking for a full time assistant. Working closely with the Artist Managers, you will support the team by organising diaries, arranging meetings, managing telephone calls, proof reading/testing/checking, arranging couriers, booking transport and accommodation, obtaining supplier quotes, managing databases, ordering equipment, creating download links, updating expense reports, liaising with trade organisations and collection societies and generally helping out.

For more information including a full job description and how to apply click here.
   
ADELPHOI MUSIC, NEW BUSINESS PRODUCER
Music production company Adelphoi Music is an experienced team of composers and producers who take great pride in creating exceptional music and sound design from their central London base. The emphasis is on new business and we're looking for a candidate with fantastic contacts within the advertising, production and music world.

For more information including a full job description and how to apply click here.
   
AIR MTM, MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT/PA TO DIRECTOR
To provide an efficient and responsive administrative, organisational, and logistical service to the Director, helping him to manage and prioritise his time as well as taking care of artists diaries on the Air MTM roster. The candidate must be continually networking and building contacts and have a good knowledge of the ever changing music industry.

For more information including a full job description and how to apply click here.
   
EVENTIM, CLIENT ACCOUNT MANAGER
Eventim UK, part of CTS Eventim AG, the leading ticketing company in Europe, is looking for a Client Account Manager to join its London team. We need someone with experience of event ticketing and ticketing systems, who can build relationships with existing clients to grow Eventim's UK business.

For more information including a full job description and how to apply click here.

UNIVERSAL'S EMI TAKEOVER GETS GREEN LIGHT IN CANADA
While Universal Music continues to negotiate with competition regulators in Europe and the US to gain approval for its bid to buy the EMI record company, another competition regulator elsewhere in the world has give the takeover the all clear, Canada. The Canadian Competition Bureau follows its counterparts in Japan and New Zealand in green-lighting the major label merger. No concessions were required.

Universal said in a statement: "We are pleased that the Canadian Competition Bureau has cleared Universal Music's proposed acquisition of EMI with no objections. This follows similar clearances in Japan and New Zealand. Our investment in EMI will create more opportunities for new and established artists, expand music output and consumer choice, and support new digital services. We welcome the Bureau's decision and will continue to work closely with regulators in other jurisdictions to obtain further clearances".

As much previously reported, Universal execs are still negotiating with competition officials in Europe, where the regulator is thought to be pushing for a commitment to sell-off the global rights to some key EMI artist catalogues, in addition to offloading the various European EMI units and catalogues Universal has already pledged to sell if the acquisition goes ahead.

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MADONNA SUED IN RUSSIAN FOR GAY RIGHTS PROTEST
Having already come under fire from some quarters in Russia for showing support for Pussy Riot at her recent show in Moscow, Madonna has ruffled more Russian feathers in relation to a show in St Petersburg earlier this month.

According RIA Novosti, the singer, the promoter of her show and the venue she performed at are all being sued by nine parties who say they were offended after the singer spoke out in support of improving gay rights in Russia. They also claim that she stamped on the Russian Orthodox cross during the show.

The accusers, only some of whom actually attended the concert, are seeking damages of 333 million rubles (£6.6 million). It has also been suggested that Madonna may have broken a controversial local law in St Petersburg, which came into affect in March, making it illegal to promote homosexuality to minors.

Before submitting the lawsuit, Daria Dedova, representing three groups behind the action - The Union Of Russian Citizens, The People's Assembly and The New Great Russia Party - told RIA Novosti: "We demand that she pay for moral damage suffered by St Petersburg residents as a result of her actions during the show on 9 Aug. We must defend our right to normal cultural life without propaganda of values and views that contradict the Russian culture".

Dedova added: "Lawyers believe that we have a chance of winning... especially given that our cause is right".

Watch the offending speech here.

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SCOTT MCKENZIE 1939 - 2012
Singer-songwriter Scott McKenzie, best known for his 1967 hit 'San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)', died on Saturday at his home in Los Angeles, aged 73. He had been suffering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disorder which causes the immune system to attack the nervous system.

McKenzie was born Philip Wallach Blondheim in Jacksonville, Florida in 1939. He moved to New York in 1960 with one of his early bands, doowop group The Smoothies, who recorded two singles for Decca. In was in New York that McKenzie took his stage name after people struggled to pronounce his real surname.

He then formed folk band The Journeymen with fellow Smoothie John Phillips and banjo player Dick Weissman, with whom he recorded three albums before the group split in 1964.

After the split, McKenzie declined an invitation from Phillips to join his new band, The Mamas And The Papas, instead choosing to go solo. However, the two remained close friends, and Phillips produced McKenzie's 'San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)', which was released in 1967 - a song inspired by the Monterey Pop Festival, which Phillips co-organised.

The song went to number four in the Billboard Hot 100, as well as number one in the UK and various other countries, selling a total of seven million copies worldwide. It became an iconic song of the 'flower power' movement, as well as the unofficial anthem of the 1968 'Prague Spring' Czechoslovakian uprising. McKenzie dedicated every performance of the song in the US to veterans of the Vietnam War, and performed the song at the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in 2002.

Although he released two solo albums, 'San Francisco' was McKenzie's only significant hit as a solo artist. In the 80s, he replaced Denny Doherty in The Mamas And The Papas for a number of years. He also wrote songs for other artists, including The Beach Boys.

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FLAMING LIPS SIGN PUBLISHING DEAL WITH BMG CHRYSALIS
The Flaming Lips have signed a new worldwide publishing deal with BMG Chrysalis, the company announced yesterday.

The band's manager, Scott Booker told CMU: "I'm very excited to be working with the long time Flaming Lips fans at BMG Chrysalis. The passion for the band and the new material we've been working on over the last couple of years has been expressed to me by Kate Hyman, Jason Hradil, and the UK office for quite a while".

The there mentioned Kate Hyman, Senior SVP Creative of BMG Chrysalis US, added: "I'm looking forward to working with such a creative group of writers and helping the band to increase the value of their songs. The coolest job in the world is where you get to work with The Flaming Lips".

The band are currently working on their next studio album, which is scheduled for release early next year.

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EXAMPLE "PROUD" OF COXON COLLABORATION
For whatever reason, Blur's own Graham Coxon has collaborated with Example on a track set to feature on the pop-rapper's new solo LP, 'The Evolution Of Man'.

Speaking to The Sun, Ex describes the moment he proposed the duet: "It was funny, I think Graham only realised who I was because his son asked for a picture. If you don't ask you don't get, so I said I'd love to work with him".

He adds: "He said he was game and invited me over to his house. The track we've produced is something to be proud of".

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WU-TANG AND D-BLOCK DETAIL WU-BLOCK DEBUT
Hip hop affiliates Wu-Tang Clan and D-Block - aka Wu-Block - have made a joint LP specifically designed "for the street", and its name is, unsurprisingly, 'Wu-Block'.

It's set for release in 8 Oct, and will feature rappers from both factions, not least Sheek Louch, Raekwon, Method Man, Jadakiss, GZA, Styles P and Masta Killah.

Says Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah, who's also part of the project: "This is a unique street album combination like carnation milk with oatmeal and a dash of cinnamon. We got killing on lock. It's like assassination day - nothing but darts being thrown. It's like Batman and Robin shit. It's real street shit for the fans. They've been thirstin for this".

"This shit is for the street", he clarifies.

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AZEALIA BANKS SETS BACK LP RELEASE
Azealia Banks has pushed the release date of her debut LP, 'Broke With Expensive Taste', to the "first quarter of 2013". Or more precisely, 12 Feb.

It was initially meant to be out in the autumn, but Banks assures fans there's a good reason for such a sizeable setback. She tweets: "I have A LOT of REALLY exciting [shit] happening in between! It will ALL make sense as these things start to unravel".

For now, why not while away three minutes and 35 seconds of time with Azealia's new 'Van Vogue' video.

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KAREN O PREMIERES TIM BURTON FILM SOUNDTRACK
'Strange Love', the "unconventional unconditional love song" Karen O composed for Tim Burton's new animated film 'Frankenweenie Unleashed', is now available to preview online. The track will play over the end credits of the movie, which premieres on 17 Oct, just in time for Halloween. Its original soundtrack, which also features Passion Pit, Grouplove, Robert Smith, 'Frankenweenie' voiceover artiste Winona Ryder and a duet by Grace Potter and The Flaming Lips, is released on 25 Sep.

Interviewed by Rolling Stone about her part in it, O said: "There's a magic and nostalgia in this film that reminded me of being raised on Tim Burton's catalogue. I was thinking: 'Oh yeah, this man shaped my artistic sensibility over the past 20 years alongside thousands of other impressionable offbeat youths'. Tim wanted an unconventional unconditional love song".

She added: "My music inspiration came out of the same era of B-movie fright film references sprinkled throughout the film. I went in the direction of exotica and calypso stylistically because it's quirky, good vibes music of that era, and when you throw in a Theremin solo, it's a marriage made in heaven. I remember 'Beetlejuice' introducing me to the genius of Harry Belafonte's calypso record, so I wanted to give a nod to that, too".

Hear all that in 'Strange Love' here.

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SWANS STREAM LP
Swans have made all two hours' worth of their new LP, 'The Seer', available for free streaming, so that's nice.

Set for release on 27 Aug, it features Karen O, Low's Mimi Parker, Ben Frost, Jarboe and Alan Sparhawk amongst its many guest collaborators.

Listen to it now via NPR.

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PETER HOOK TO TALK ABOUT BOOK
Peter Hook will discuss 'Unknown Pleasures - Inside Joy Division', his "indelibly personal" memoir about that band he was in once, at a number of signing events taking place throughout October.

Muses Hooky of the book(y)'s real life inspiration: "It's very strange. Over the years Joy Division has become a huge part of music culture. A lot of people think they know what happened. But they don't. Anyone who's ever written a book or made a film about Joy Division, unless they were sat in that van or car with us, they don't know anything about it. Me, Barney, Steve, Ian, Rob, Twinny, Terry and Dave. Only us lot know what really happened..."

Though, presumably, we too will know what really happened come 1 Oct, without having ever shared either a van or a car with the band, by reading Hook's book. Well, I'm sure that's what the blurb will say.

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KELE OKEREKE TO PUBLISH COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES
Bloc Party's Kele Okereke has written a collection of short stories entitled 'Midnight On A Bicycle'. Speaking to Australia's Triple J, he said that it would probably be published "at some point next year".

He also said: "I'm editing it at the moment. I've finished it and all the stories are in order. In a few months it will be completely done".

He has a novel in the offing too, and commented thus on it: "It's going to take me quite a long time. I can see this already. Aspects of it draw on my personal experiences, but it's not all autobiographical. It's set somewhere else. That's all I'm going to say".

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GREEN DAY MAKING 'INTIMATE' STOP AT SHEPERDS BUSH EMPIRE
Green Day have made the last-minute revelation that they'll be playing an 'intimate' (ie not Wembley Stadium) date at London's not-very-intimate Shepherds Bush Empire, a 2000 capacity venue. Pre-sale access to tickets for the show, which is happening this Thursday 23 Aug, is available to subscribers of the band's Idiot Club fanbase.

As previously reported, the first part of Billie Joe and co's typist's dream of a triple LP '¡Uno!', '¡Dos!' and '¡Tré!' is out now, with the second and third volumes set for release on 12 Nov and 14 Jan respectively.

This is what they have to say about the album: "We are at the most prolific and creative time in our lives. This is the best music we've ever written, and the songs just keep coming. Instead of making one album, we are making a three album trilogy. Every song has the power and energy that represents Green Day on all emotional levels. We just can't help ourselves... We are going epic as fuck!"

In other Green Day news, the band have been turned into green pigs for a spin-off edition of the 'Angry Birds' computer game. Over ten levels, you can now throw birds (angry ones) at the band's snout-adorned faces, while listening to some of their music too.

Says frontman Billie Joe Armstrong: "We're all fans of 'Angry Birds'. It's such an addictive game that when we first started playing it we couldn't stop. Go Team Green!"

Here's video evidence, should you still be unconvinced that this game exists.

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HAPPY MONDAYS PLAYING IN LONDON, TWICE
Having reunited back in January to record their first LP since 1992's 'Yes Please!', The Happy Mondays will now play a two-night residency at London's Roundhouse on 19 and 20 Dec. Shaun, Shaun's new teeth and the original Madchester posse - though possibly not Bez - will all be present on both occasions, playing hits from across their back catalogue. And maybe several new ones. And that, since I can't think of anything else to add, is it.

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MEURSAULT TO PERFORM WITH STRING SECTION
Song, By Toad-signed septet Meursault have announced a one-off concert during which they'll be accompanied by a live string section.

The band, whose third LP 'Something For The Weakened' had its sold-out Edinburgh launch last week, will share the stage at London's Islington Assembly Hall with ten-piece mini-orchestra The Pumpkin Seeds. Taking place on 6 Nov, the evening's proceedings will also feature Rob St John and Withered Hand.

Tickets available here.

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CEREMONY SET FREE LONDON DATE
Having all-but deafened paying crowds at last Sunday's pretty self-explanatorily named Radfest, US hardcore types Ceremony have added an extra Brit date to their live itinerary. They'll now promote new LP 'Zoo' by means of a free show at London's Old Blue Last on 23 Aug, this following a similar scenario at Brighton's Green Door Store last night. Oh, and they're also playing this weekend's Reading and Leeds festivals.

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FESTIVAL LINE-UP ADDITIONS

THE BIG FEASTIVAL, Chipping Norton, 1-2 Sep: John Osho, Karima Francis, The Chevin, The TG Collective, Lucy Rose, Sweet Lights. www.jamieoliver.com/thebigfeastival

HAMMERFEST, Hafan y Môr Holiday Park, Gwynedd, Wales, 14-17 Mar: Candlemass, Napalm Death, Enslaves, Empress, StukaSquadron, Winterfylleth, Triaxis, Senser, 4Arm, Mpire Of Evil. www.hammerfest.co.uk

UNSOUND, various venues, Krakow, Poland, 14-21 Oct: Interplanetary Prophets, Vessel, Teengirl Fantasy, Heatsick, NHK'Koyxen, Bass Clef, Helm, Ben Vida, Emptyset, Container, Bee Mask, Andy Votel, Ducktails, Holly Herndon, Shed, Oneman, Fatima Al Qadiri. www.unsound.pl

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SONY/ATV TO ADMINISTRATE JACKSON'S OTHER SONGS CATALOGUE
The worldwide administration of Michael Jackson's Mijac Music catalogue will now be handled by Sony/ATV, a three decade partnership with Warner/Chappell having ended in late 2010.

Jackson, of course, owned half of the Sony/ATV music publishing company, having bought the firm outright in 1985, before selling 50% to Sony Corp ten years later. However, the Mijac Music company, which preceded Jackson's acquisition of ATV, was never made part of the bigger publishing venture, even when Sony became a partner in the ATV company in 1995.

However, Sony/ATV - recently expanded, of course, by gaining control of the EMI Music Publishing business - will now also administrate the Mijac catalogue, which includes Jackson's own songs plus music by the likes of Sly And The Family Stone, Leon Huff and Kenneth Gamble, and songs that became famous after being recorded by Ray Charles, Elvis Presley or Aretha Franklin.

Confirming the new deal with Mijac, Sony/ATV boss Martin Bandier told reporters: "Everyone at Sony/ATV looks forward to finding innovative ways to use these songs while protecting their legacy".

Meanwhile John Branca and John McClain, the executors of the Michael Jackson Estate, which still owns 50% of Sony/ATV, said: "We are excited that the company Michael helped found, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, and in which his Estate remains a 50% partner, will represent these amazing songs along with a rich collection of other music recorded by some of our greatest popular artists".

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CANAL+ BOSS TO REVIEW VIVENDI'S CONTENT BUSINESSES
Universal Music owner Vivendi has announced that the Chairman of its French TV business Canal+ will lead a strategic review of the firms media and content businesses, which includes a sizable stake in gaming giant Activision, as well as Universal and Canal+ itself.

There has been much speculation that Vivendi might sell off one or more of its assets, or split itself into two companies, separating the firm's flagging tel co from its entertainment businesses.

And while few firm decisions have been made so far (except to sell some of the Activision shares), it is known that bosses at the French conglom have been considering a number of restructuring options, with former CEO Jean-Bernard Levy seemingly leaving the firm abruptly in June in a disagreement over which options to give serious consideration to.

Vivendi said in a statement yesterday that Bertrand Meheut had been asked to undertake "a strategic study regarding the development of media and content, a field in which Vivendi is today one of the worldwide leaders".

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BANDCAMP LAUNCHES MOBILE SITE
While Bandcamp is great and all, a big downside to the direct-to-fan music selling website has always been how hard it is to use on a smartphone. But no more, as the company yesterday launched a mobile site design optimised for your touchscreen device.

Testing it out just now, it all works very smoothly. The only mild downside is the fact that it's not possible to immediately download the music you buy on iPhones - instead you're emailed a link to a zip file, which you can only access via a computer. This is due to Apple's restrictions, of course, but an option to add the individual files to other services, such as Dropbox, would be nice.

But, hey, let's not end this on a down note. The move is an important one for Bandcamp, and makes it even easier for artists to sell music via the service.

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PRO GREEN, EXAMPLE DEFEND CHER LLOYD AFTER V WEE SORTIE
Quite unlike VICE's Sherree Millington, certain people aren't in favour of the fact that 'X-Factor' pop 'brat' Cher Lloyd was pelted with bottles of human urine at this past weekend's V Festival, causing her to walk off-stage.

Though, apparently it wasn't the wee (or the barrage of boos) that provoked Lloyd's untimely exit in the end, but the fact a glass bottle was used. Though the piss inside the bottle probably didn't make things any more pleasant.

Anyway, here's a no-quality video of all that happening, in case anyone would like to see (and sympathise).

First to voice his views against 'V wee-gate' was the ever-so-vocal MC Professor Green, who said this via Twitter: "Someone needs to have a word with themselves... how fucking disgusting can people be? Chin up @cherlloyd xx".

Example had similar (albeit slightly less nice) things to say on the matter, tweeting: "Whilst I'm not a fan of Cher Lloyd I don't think anyone deserves bottles of piss thrown at them. Stick to plain old booing in future, people".

Indeed, booing, while annoying for anyone in the audience trying to enjoy a performance, doesn't put them at continuous risk of being soaked in urine themselves, as missiles fail to hit their target. But that's not the only such risk you face at festival. Here's a compilation of anecdotes about people, piss and festivals. Thanks, Popjustice.

And here's another memory from V this year, captured as it was being made.

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