| CMU Daily - on the inside 10 Apr 2003 |
|
In today's CMU Daily:
• Easyjet boss pays up
• Clear Channel drops independent music promoters
• Eavis steps up tout combat
• Eminem expected back in court
• Alternative rocker launches ultimate fan club
• Review: I Am A Kloot – Untitled #1
• Charlie Dark plays at Edinburgh night
• IFPI confirm another global sales slide
• Macca's voice back
• Jacko cancels Austrian gig
• Prince fans bothered at house demolition
• Good news for White Stripes, bad news for EMI and Robbie
• Review: Venus Hum - Montana
• Radio Academy launch Hall of Fame
• Sterophonics announce arena dates
• Zomba announce new global VP
• Bukem returns to ministry
• Warners boss has backers to start
------------------------------------------------
CMU POP QUIZ
Win a free 12 month subscription to Xfm's new monthly music magazine X-Ray, keep the answers to our one hit wonder questions each day this week and find out how to enter on Friday.
Q4: What was Norman Greenbaum's one hit, back in 1970?
------------------------------------------------
EASYJET BOSS PAYS UP
Easyjet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou has agreed a settlement with the record labels after the courts found the Easy Group guilty of facilitating the illegal downloading of music earlier this year. As previously reported, the legal action related to a CD burning service the Easy Group offered in its internet shops prior to 2001. This allowed customers to burn files to CD at their stores for £5.
The record labels argued this provided people with a high street facility where they could download illegal MP3s and burn them to CD. By allowing this activity to happen the labels argued Easy was responsible for copyright violation and the BPI hoped to secure a £1 million compensation payment. Easy initially went for a Napster-style plea – arguing they merely provided a technology service and couldn't be held responsible if customers used that service for illegal purposes. They then argued that the CD burning service was covered by copyright legislation which allows people who own a CD or video to make copies for their own use (eg tape a CD so it can be played in the car).
Easy argued they had no way of knowing if customers were in fact burning copies of MP3s they had legitimately bought. But the courts weren't convinced by either argument. Despite saying he would appeal the court's decision Stelios seems to have backed down and paid up to end the ongoing legal wranglings. That said early reports suggest he will pay the labels £80,000 in damages and £210,000 in costs.
If we remember rightly the Easy Group offered the labels a £80,000 token gesture compensation payment before official legal proceedings began – so it seems only the lawyers have benefited from going the court route. Either way, the BPI were pleased with the announcement by the Easy Group. Chairman Peter Jamieson told CMU: "I am glad Stelios has seen sense and agreed to settle this case."
------------------------------------------------
CLEAR CHANNEL DROPS INDEPENDENT MUSIC PROMOTERS
US radio giant Clear Channel has said it will no longer deal with independent music promoters – that is to say US based radio pluggers – instead liasing directly with record labels plugging teams. The Group says they are making the move to remove any suspicion of taking bribes to playlist records.
In the US it is common for independent pluggers to buy playlisting data from radio groups so that, for example, they can easily tell the record labels they are working for which of Clear Channel's 1200 stations have been playing a track. But some in the industry have suggested radio stations tend to give playlisting priority to the acts being represented by promotions companies who buy the most data – essentially saying acts with enough money and the right pluggers can buy airtime.
Although Clear Channel claim none of their stations prioritise music because they are being plugged by pluggers who spend lots of money buying data, they are keen to be particularly transparent with regards how they playlist because of legislation being proposed by US senators John McCain and Russ Feingold. The senators are trying to push through legislation to increase government control on radio ownership and to stop radio stations selling slots on their playlists. The major radio groups hope that if they voluntarily deal with the latter legislation on the former won't make it through Senate.
Similar moves are unlikely to made in the UK, even if Clear Channel take over one of the major UK radio groups once the upcoming Broadcasting Bill allows foreign owernship of British radio stations, because over here radio stations supply data to pluggers and labels free of charge anyway, and with much fewer stations it is easier for pluggers and labels to deal with every station direct. So no money exchanges hands meaning no accusations of 'airtime for sale'.
------------------------------------------------
EAVIS STEPS UP TOUT COMBAT
Glastonbury man Michael Eavis has been talking to the NME about his attempts to stop tickets for this year's festival selling for grossly inflated prices. As previously reported, after all tickets for Glastonbury sold in a record 24 hours touts started selling tickets on eBay for four times the £105 ticket price. Eavis has confirmed he is running campaign to stop touts, basing his strategy on tactics used by Radiohead.
Basically the festival won't send out actual tickets until the last minute, and meanwhile they will monitor eBay and not send tickets out to anyone seen trying to sell their Glastonbury ticket for more than £105. "We've already written to the people on ebay and told them they won't get their tickets. We've sent them emails. They know now they won't get tickets. We do have the list as it comes up on the website. We send them an email and say we've seen you on the website, you won't get your ticket. End of story. I've got someone working on this full time. We've got to find a way of stopping it so we can get those tickets back and sell them to more deserving people. We're making a list. We clawed 500 back yesterday alone."
Eavis is now putting together a reserve list of fans who they will sell clawed back tickets to. People wanting to go on the list should call the Glastonbury Tourist And Information Office. Talking about the sell-out Eavis says he is considering trying to increase the capacity of the festival in future years: "The licensing people might let us increase the capacity a little bit, but I don't want to go through the ceiling. Saturation point is probably 200,000, but I can't really see the authorities agreeing with that sort of figure. We have plenty of land, though. Loads of redundant farmers everywhere at the moment."
------------------------------------------------
EMINEM EXPECTED BACK IN COURT
Eminem is expected to appear in a US court next month to defend himself against a defamation lawsuit which has been filed against him by a childhood acquaintance. One DeAngelo Bailey claims Slim Shady defamed him on the track 'Brain Damage' (which appears on the 1999 'Slim Shady' album) when he rapped that Bailey beat him to the point where he bled in a school bathroom. But Eminem is disputing the $1 million lawsuit claiming that "everything in the song is true".
---------------------------------------------
ALTERNATIVE ROCKER LAUNCHES ULTIMATE FAN CLUB
Longtime alternative rocker Pat DiNizio is showing real dedication to his fans with a new project called Patrons & Artists Together in which he will record a series of very limited-edition CDs and stage intimate living-room shows. "To pioneer a new concept, you have to give a lot," DiNizio told reporters. "I'm purposely giving much more than anyone has done before, but it's necessary to prove that the idea works."
In the project 100 fans will be able to join a special subscription group for $1200. As a member they will receive copies of a series of exclusive albums which will never go on sale elsewhere – each member will get 50 copies of each release to do with as they wish. Members will also get two tickets and back stage passes to any one gig by DiNizio's band, the Smithereens, and a limited edition t-shirt. And, as if that wasn't enough, DiNizio will play a 'living-room' show for each member – that is to say he will play a set at each members house, providing a CD recording for everyone present and then perform a set at a local venue in aid of a the member's chosen charity.
Word is 11 members are already signed up. If successful the project will be of interest to other labels and management companies who are looking for new ways to gain income from fans – though few pop acts are likely to go to such lengths to please fans.
----------------------------------------------
REVIEW: I am a Kloot – Untitled #1 (Echo)
So, here are Mancunian's I am a Kloot choosing to re-introduce themselves via a limited edition 7" only teaser for their second album. The track itself (untitled #1) is a very fine effort indeed with them lazily finding their way around a summer-pop tune courtesy of The Wedding Present and Badly Drawn Boy. But tell me this, if it's a wacky attempt to be crazy and subversive (limited edition, no artwork, 7" only) then why have a radio edit? It's less than a minute shorter for god sake, it's not like the Chris Tarrant's of this world are going to care anyway. DH
Release date: 24 Mar
Press contact: Ian Cheek [CP, RP] Echo IH [NP, CR, RR, NR]
-----------------------------------------------
CHARLIE DARK PLAYS AT EDINBURGH NIGHT
CMU favourite Charlie Dark (he of Attica Blues & Blacktronica) will be playing a guest set at the Compost Sessions at Edinburgh's Cabaret Voltaire on 19 Apr. He will join resident Joseph Malik and guest Mr Todd – while in a second room DJs Dom Flanagan, Erik Da Viking and Jez Hill will be on the decks. More info at http://www.net-together.co.uk
-----------------------------------------------
IFPI CONFIRM ANOTHER GLOBAL SALES SLIDE
More doom and gloom for the music industry – this time from the 2002 sales figures released by the IFPI, the music industry's global industry association. Headline figures show sales dropped 7.2 percent value-wise and 8.4 percent unit-wise last year. In cash terms this amounts of a total global revenue slump of $32.2 billion. Piracy, recession, competition from other entertainment genres and, erm, more piracy were blamed for the continuing slump. That said the IFPI said the situation wasn't quite as bad as headline figures suggest. Chairman Jay Berman told Reuters: "The industry is not as bad as the headline figure suggests. CD sales are the core business and the fall there was less severe."
----------------------------------------------
MACCA'S VOICE BACK
Paul McCartney's got his voice back and took to the stage at the Manchester Evening News Arena last night for the latest date in his UK tour. As previously reported McCartney had to cancel his second Sheffield date because of a heavy cold.
-----------------------------------------------
JACKO CANCELS AUSTRIAN GIG
Talking of cancelled gigs, Michael Jackson has cancelled plans to appear in Austria next weekend because of concerns about security due to current "world political events". Jacko was due to perform and introduce a charity project for children in the western Austrian ski resort of Ischgl this Sunday.
-----------------------------------------------
PRINCE FANS BOTHERED AT HOUSE DEMOLITION
Prince fans have been complaining in fan chat rooms after the star demolished the family home where he was brought up – and which inspired the famous 1984 album and film 'Purple Rain'. The house, aside Lake Riley in Minneapolis, had become something of a pilgrimage for Prince fans. But not any more – it was knocked down two weeks ago.
Among the complaints posted at http://www.prince.org are comments like: "There was such history in that house - a lot of '1999', 'Purple Rain' was recorded in the basement studio,” and “it’s a shame, historically speaking you know. It could have been made into a museum perhaps one day. A Minnesota historical site." There has been some speculation that the demolition may be related to a dispute between Prince and his sister Lorna Nelson over their late father's will, though Nelson's attorney has told reporters the demolition had nothing to do with her. The NME reckons Prince's partner Manuela Testolini might be pregnant and that he may be planning to build a bigger house on the site, or he might be selling up and moving to his Canadian home.
-----------------------------------------------
GOOD NEWS FOR WHITE STRIPES, BAD NEWS FOR EMI AND ROBBIE
A good week for the White Stripes in the US, though not as good as last week here in the UK. That is to say that while their new album 'Elephant' has sold many more copies in its first week of sale in the US than any previous White Stripes albums, they only enter the US album chart at 6, someway off Linkin Park who maintain the top spot there for a second week.
Elsewhere in the US charts Robbie (and certainly EMI) won't be happy with a new entry at 43 and only 21,000 units shifted for 'Escapology' which has just hit stores over there. Despite some successes and a lot of amibition Robbie continues to struggle to break America – which is a problem because both artist and label were looking for stateside success out of his recent £80 million recording contract.
Whether the poor US performance of what was last year's best selling album in the UK will lead to any snap decisions by EMI or Robbie's management remains to be seen, but either way EMI's share price tumbled by 10 pence on the London Stock Exchange last night after the chart was released. Shareholders will be getting edgy because, despite the global success of Norah Jones and likely worldwide sales for the up coming Radiohead album, for them breaking Robbie internationally was the main way to make up for the big losses made after that Mariah Carey debacle a few years back.
-----------------------------------------------
BLUR TO PLAY SECRET DATE IN MADRID
According to the NME Blur will play an intimate 'secret' show at the 400 capacity Real Fábrica de Tapices in Madrid on Friday as the last date in a short European tour to promote upcoming album 'Think Tank'. Tickets for the gig are being given away by the local radio station who will also be broadcasting the gig.
-----------------------------------------------
REVIEW: Venus Hum - Montana (BMG)
This female-fronted US synth-pop trio have hurriedly departed Electroclash, briefly stopped off at Tranceville for directions, and are now heading towards Chart Central, where Venus Hum believe 'Montana' is to be found. The song's Corrs-esque chorus talks of "dancing on the radio", a sensible tactical move given the possible increased daytime airplay possibilities, although it still doesn't make much sense, unless you've got floorboards made out of a radio, or something. Although not nearly as memorable or evocative as it thinks it is (and also slightly clean and wholesome, making you long for a bit of Fischerspooner / The Faint style dark deviance), 'Montana' is, nonetheless, a decent slice of pristine synthetic pop. MS
Release date: 21 Apr
Press contact: Wild [CP, CR] BMG IH [RP, NP] BMG IH [RR] Absolute [NR]
-----------------------------------------------
RADIO ACADEMY LAUNCH HALL OF FAME
The Radio Academy has launched its UK radio Hall of Fame by honouring Tony Blackburn, Alan Freeman, Alistair Cooke, Noel Edmonds and John Humphrys – and making twenty posthumous inductees including Tony Hancock, Richard Dimbleby, Kenny Everett, the Goons, Brian Redhead and Arthur Askey. The new programme to honour lifetime achievement in UK radio was launched last night at London's Shaw Theatre – further additions will be made at a similar event each year.
The event followed a Radio Academy conference where the key address came from BBC Radio 2 programming chief Lesley Douglas who warned the new media regulator OfCom to not come down too hard on BBC radio. Some in commercial radio are unhappy that under the existing system BBC radio is governed by different guidelines (ie not the Radio Authority), meaning they can get away with more 'risqué content'. They hope that if BBC is regulated by the same organisation as them (ie OfCom) there will be more equality. But Douglas wants to ensure that this doesn't mean the BBC is prevented from broadcasting ground breaking programming. She said she hoped OfCom would "support rather than penalise daring" radio warning that overly-harsh regulation of edgy talent could lead to the "stagnation" of UK radio. She said she wanted a radio industry that supported the Kenny Everetts and Jonathan Rosses of the future.
-----------------------------------------------
STEROPHONICS ANNOUNCE ARENA DATES
Stereophonics are to play an UK arena tour in November, concluding with two massive Christmas shows. Those dates in full:
8 Nov - Newcastle Arena
9 Nov - Sheffield Arena
10 Nov - Hull Arena
12 Nov - Exeter Westpoint Arena
13 Nov - Plymouth Pavilions
15 Nov - Nottingham Arena
16 Nov - Birmingham NEC
19 Nov - Manchester Evening News Arena
22 Nov - Glasgow SECC
24 Nov - Aberdeen AECC
16 Dec - London Earls Court
20 Dec - Cardiff Millennium Stadium
-----------------------------------------------
ZOMBA ANNOUNCE NEW GLOBAL VP
Post-BMG merger Zomba have announced that Laura Bartlett, who currently heads up Zomba in Canada, will become VP International for the label. This means she will oversee marketing and promotional activities for Jive and Zomba's artists on an international level, working closely with Jive/Zomba's UK office and BMG marketing teams elsewhere.
-----------------------------------------------
BUKEM RETURNS TO MINISTRY
LTJ Bukem's Logical Progression night will be back at the Ministry of Sound on 24 May with a line up of drum & bass finest, including DJ Hype, Andy C, Grooverider and Roni Size. The Progression nights began at Ministry of Sound in 1995 aiming to re-create the atmosphere of Bukem's intimate mid-week Speed nights at Mars on a far larger scale. The sessions spawned the GLO compilation albums, numerous world tours and the popular student tour. More info about the Ministry gigs at http://www.glo.uk.com
----------------------------------------------
WARNERS BOSS HAS BACKERS TO START DISTRIBUTION ACQUISITION ATTEMPT
Warners boss Jim Caparro who, as previously reported, is trying to buy Warner's CD/DVD manufacturing business off AOL Time Warner, is reported to have secured financing through investment firms Thomas Lee and Apollo. He will now have to compete with other manufacturing firms Cinram, Infodisc and Technicolor who are rumoured to be considering making an offer for the company. Capurro will presumably be hoping his links at Warners will give him an advantage in acquisition stakes.
---------------------------------------------
S CLUB SPLIT RUMOURS RESURFACE
That 'S Club to split' rumour is back again. This time rumour has it their next single, currently billed as 'Say', will actually be called 'Say Goodbye' and will precede a finale greatest hits album. But the band have strongly denied other 'looming split' rumours saying the new S Club movie, out for the Easter school holidays, is the start of the next stage of their careers and that an arena tour will follow later this year.