| CMU Daily - on the inside 18 Jul 2003 |
|
In today's CMU Daily:
• Prison for downloaders
• RIAA set to sue
• Hong Kong corruption
• A DJ Saved My Life exhibition
• Limp Bizkit give nothing away
• Review: Ty – Groovement/Ha Ha
• Sylvester Stallone in Biggie movie
• Suede to sue thief accountant
• Buckley wants the job
• Antenna
• Emmy nominations
• Nelly's Apple Bum
• Floetry to scoop awards
• New Groove Armada single
• Quo's Scottish gig
• Samit: not homeless for long
• Bush singer in footie film
• Holiday station for Brits abroad
• Review: Mo Horizons
- Gonna Be
• Canada's own online music service hooks indies
• Spiritualised homage to new bands
• Emap digital radio
• Shazam gets Universal back catalogue
• Will Beyonce still be at the top?
• Rogue Metallica story
------------------------------------------------
PRISON FOR DOWNLOADERS
The anti download war was stepped up on Wednesday when two Democratic members of the House of Representatives in the US - Michigan Rep John Conyers and California Rep Howard Berman – put forward a bill that would enable the law to put people who illegally download music in jail. This would be achieved by making the assumption that each copyrighted work made available through a computer network was copied enough times so that the retail value of the 'stolen goods' would be over $2,500. That would bump the activity from a misdemeanor to a felony, which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.
------------------------------------------------
RIAA SET TO SUE
The Recording Industry Association of America has set in motion a summer of lawsuits by sending subpoenas to various US internet service providers in order to find out the contact details of web users they believe are serious downloaders. It follows the RIAA's announcement last month that it would now be pursuing individuals following a court ruling making it easier to track down copyright violators. Word is several hundred lawsuits are planned for this summer - sharply escalating the industry's battle against online piracy.
David Blumenthal from Earthlink – one of the ISPs who have been asked for consumer contact information – has said they will assist the RIAA where they are legally obliged to do so, but that they disapprove of its tactics. "We disagree with the method that is being used here and while we support the right of them to enforce copyrights, we think this is the wrong method for doing so. We're urging the RIAA and other copyright holders to find a less intrusive method for protecting their intellectual property."
------------------------------------------------
HONG KONG CORRUPTION
Twenty two of Hong Kong's biggest music stars and industry figures, including Albert Yeung, chair of artist agency Emperor Group and 19-year-old pop star Juno Mak, were arrested on Wednesday by investigators from Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) as part of an investigation into corruption in the music industry.
The ICAC said it had arrested two senior executives and another employee from television station TVB and the president, vice-president and several singers from a record label, after allegations that chart positions and music awards had been rigged.
Word is that bribes have been offered to broadcasters to ensure higher placings in TV station managed charts. Meanwhile there are reports bribes were also offered in exchange for various music awards.
Hong Kong stars reportedly interviewed by police included Eason Chan Yik-shun, Yumiko, Taiwanese entertainer Dave Wang Chieh and CMU's favourite HK bad boy Nicholas Tse.
------------------------------------------------
A DJ SAVED MY LIFE EXHIBITION
Amnesty International have revealed that The Dreem Teem, Jo Whiley and Radio 1 new boy Zane Lowe will be amongst the DJs participating in the DJ Saved My Life exhibition at London's ICA.
Running from 14 – 18 Oct each DJ will curate their own installation at the five-day exhibition, filling their allocated space for one night with the cultural influences that best suit his or her taste.
Whiley said: "Amnesty does tremendously important work. That's a fact. When they asked me to be involved with this campaign I jumped at the chance. Anything to bring attention to the damage done and lives wrecked by the unregulated arms trade. The bonus of course is that I get to put together a fantasy night out with some of my favourite bands, a great film and a brilliant up and coming artist."
The event aims to recruit new members to Amnesty International and raise funds and raise awareness of the major arms industry issues that the charity has been highlighting via its International Arms Campaign with Oxfam and the International Action Network on Small Arms.
------------------------------------------------
LIMP BIZKIT GIVE NOTHING AWAY
No real glimpses of the new album at a recent Limp Bizkit gig. They only played one new track from up coming album 'Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water' – the track was called 'Hot Dog'. Much of the rest of the set ran like a best of. That said we hear good things about their live cover of the Who's 'Behind Blue Eyes', which Durst says may well also appear on the new album.
------------------------------------------------
REVIEW: Ty – Groovement/Ha Ha (Big Dada)
The A-Side of this blinding 12" sees Big Dada move into the broken beat arena with a sublime slice of slow broken rhythm driven future afro soul: the extended mix of 'Groovement' will no doubt be ripping up floors from Brixton to the ICA to East London, especially with Bembe Sugue on 'xtra vocals' duty. Although 'Ha Ha' doesn't compare to the flip, it's a solid head nod number and allows Ty to flex upon the mic a little more (includes inst and Acapella). Wicked wicked 12" and will no doubt bring Ty's voice to a new audience. JG
Release date: 1 Sep
Press Contact: Zzonked [all]
------------------------------------------------
SYLVESTER STALLONE IN BIGGIE MOVIE
Sylvester Stallone says he'll direct and star in the film about the deaths of Biggie and Tupac, and the LA Police Department corruption scandal that is rumoured lies beneath the subsequent investigation into their murders.
With the working title 'Thugz Lives', the story will centre on the theory that Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur were killed as part of a gang-police-rap power triangle.
Sly says most of the cast will be new faces from the hip-hop community and he realises the soundtrack's going to be crucial to the film:
Stallone said: "The hip-hop soundtrack would push the story along also. It's gonna conjure up memories, because we have to use Tupac, Biggie, you have to use music from that era, and then kind of segue into new stuff, but it's got to have the feel of stuff from '97, so it's more old skool."
------------------------------------------------
SUEDE TO SUE THIEF ACCOUNTANT
Suede's former accountant, Frank Dixon, is set to stand trial for allegedly stealing more than £500,000 from the band, as well as charges related to another half million of stolen funds from the accounts of other former clients Primal Scream and Echobelly. Dixon will face a total of 34 charges when he appears in court next year: 25 of false accounting and nine of theft.
The money is alleged to have been taken from the band's accounts between May 1997 and May 2000. Dixon was arrested just over three years ago after an Inland Revenue probe into Suede's finances alerted the band's manager to alleged irregularities. Dixon's lawyers are expected to argue for the case to be thrown out due to an abuse of process.
-----------------------------------------------
BUCKLEY WANTS THE JOB
The head spokesman for AOL Time Warner's AOL division, John Buckley, is a leading contender to become head of the RIAA. An insider told the the New York Post that Buckley is already a finalist for the key lobbying job, and the RIAA could make an announcement within the next couple of weeks.
Buckley has strong ties to the Republican Party, a credential that the RIAA has been seeking in candidates. He served as communications director on Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign and has held flacking jobs for the National Republican Congressional Committee and Ronald Reagan's 1984 campaign.
He does have some music credentials though. He started his career as a rock critic for Rolling Stone, Village Voice and the New York Rocker. Oh, how things change.
-----------------------------------------------
ANTENNA
The bi-monthly independent music video showcasing series, Antenna, is back at the National Film Theatre on 24 Jul. As you may recall, Antenna exists to showcase fresh, funny, creative music videos from the industry's hottest directors which otherwise too often slip by unseen The event also includes an industry panel who field questions and discuss the work.
Antenna 5 is set to feature a line up of the highlights of the first four shows, plus the best new work since the last one. Work this time comes from Shynola (Lambchop), Lynn Fox (FC Kahuna), Garth Jennings (Beck) and Edgar Wright (Mint Royale), as well as unknowns Ruben Fleischer (DJ Format), Ed Holdsworth (Four Tet) and Happy (Adam Freeland).
Watch out for Antenna's first birthday at the NFT during September. More at http://www.antennapromo.co.uk
------------------------------------------------
EMMY NOMINATIONS
No surprises in the Emmy nominations this year as 'Six Feet Under' (16), 'The West Wing' (15), 'The Sopranos' (13) and 'Sex and the City' (13) are all up there again.
As well as porn dressed as social comment, and gratuitous violence dressed as satire, a number of music specials made there way in to the nominations with concerts from Cher, the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen, and the reality smash 'American Idol' also getting props.
Cher's primetime special 'Cher - The Farewell Tour' led with six Emmy nominations. 'American Idol' was close behind with five nominations, including the big one, Outstanding Reality / Competition Programme. Both Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones had strong showings as well, with the Stones' special 'Rolling Stones - Licks World Tour, Live From Madison Square Garden' earning four nominations and Springsteen's 'Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band' NBC special taking three.
Other music-related nominations include an editing notice for 'Paul McCartney's Back in the US' special and a choreography nod for Celine Dion's Vegas extravaganza, 'Celine in Las Vegas: Opening Night Live'. 'The Osbournes' was also recognised in the Outstanding Nonfiction Program (Alternative) section.
The 55th annual Emmy Awards will take place at the Shrine Auditorium in LA on 21 Sep.
------------------------------------------------
NELLY'S APPLE BUM
Nelly is about to launch is line of female clothing, Apple Bottoms, in addition to his already available male line, Vokal.
And as previously reported Nelly is on the road to find the Apple Bottom Girl. The search will begin in New York on 25 Jul with the talent spotters heading to Miami, St Louis, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles before ending up in Las Vegas. Nelly, Apple Bottoms president Leslie Unger and members of his posse St Lunatics and will then judge the girl with the finest arse. Classy, like.
------------------------------------------------
FLOETRY SCOOP AWARDS
The UK's very own Floetry have been nominated for four gongs at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. The now-soul hiphop duo – signed to Dreamworks - will hear the outcome on 23 Aug when the event goes out live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
Motown's Erykah Badu, RCA's Heather Headley and Columbia's Vivian Green followed with three nominations apiece. 'Friends' star Aisha Tyler, Arsenio Hall, Headley and J Records' Tyrese will co-host the ceremonies.
------------------------------------------------
NEW GROOVE ARMADA SINGLE
Groove Armada are all set to release the third single from their 'Lovebox' album, on 25 Aug. 'But I Feel Good' is a rocking carnival cut featuring MC MAD and sees remixes from the Audio Bullys and Murk.
As previously reported, Tom and Andy have planned a pre-Carnival bash at their 93 Feet East residency on 23 Aug. The Lovebox All Stars, Stereo MC, Rob Birch and Tiefschwarz will be all be there from 4pm.
------------------------------------------------
QUO'S SCOTTISH GIG
Status Quo will play their first ever outdoor gig in Scotland, at the Knockhill racing circuit in Fife on 23 Aug. It will be the first time a music concert has been held at the venue, which can hold up to 10,000 fans.
Guitarist Rick Parfitt said: "Me and [lead singer] Francis [Rossi] and the rest of the band are looking forward to playing in front of a feisty Scottish crowd. This is the first time we have played outdoors in Scotland in the summer and, weather permitting, it should be a great gig. Generally, Scottish audiences have always been a very feisty lot and Quo over the years have become very popular up here. Hopefully people will like this venue and we can put it on the map so that more people will come here in the future."
The band has had 58 British hit singles, and will celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2005.
------------------------------------------------
SAMIT: NOT HOMELESS FOR LONG
Jay Samit only left EMI as President Of Digital Distribution And Development last week but he's already confirmed a new position – he will join Sony as Senior Vice President Of Strategy. Samit's new role, based in both New York and Los Angeles, will see him work on the development of new business models for the company, with a particular focus on digital media initiatives.
Robert M. Bowlin, Sony's Corporate Executive Vice President, to whom Samit reports said: "As one of the entertainment industry's most outspoken proponents for digital distribution he has played a key role in leading our industry into a new era, and I look forward to working closely with Jay, as we develop and implement new initiatives that will expand the possibilities for the digital distribution of entertainment content."
------------------------------------------------
BUSH SINGER IN FOOTIE FILM
Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale is set to play an English footballer in 'The Game Of Their Lives', a film about America beating England at football. The film focuses on the famous match between the two countries during the 1950 World Cup when the amateur American team beat the English side.
------------------------------------------------
HOLIDAY STATION FOR BRITS ABROAD
Capital FM has joined forces with Holiday FM to bring British holidaymakers a radio station they can listen to whilst abroad.
Recent test transmissions of the FM station have proved popular in such destinations such as Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the Costa del Sol.
Capital FM will be broadcasting the content from their London headquarters at Leicester Square, and will include a mix of popular hits, news and entertainment.
Holiday FM have already aligned strategic affiliations with many UK-based travel companies such as First Choice, GB Airways and ABTA.
------------------------------------------------
REVIEW: Mo Horizons – Gonna Be (Stereo Deluxe)
'Gonna Be' is the latest single from Mo Horizon's second album 'Remember Tomorrow' and is a further showcase for their summery house grooves with those sweet soul vocals in a Robert Owens style. The 12" also comes with a mid-tempo De La Soul-esque breakbeat mix from Corduroy co-founder Ben Human (Ben Addison). The Sonoluce mix is a another midtempo slice of Balearic beat and bass, with a hint of the electronic present that has been creeping towards everyone's favourite Mediterranean isle. A summery groove for afternoon floors.
Release date: 15 Sep
Press Contact: Zzonked [all]
------------------------------------------------
CANADA'S OWN ONLINE MUSIC SERVICE HOOKS INDIES
Toronto-based Moontaxi Media Inc, one of Canada's leading online music providers, has signed agreements with a number of independent labels to provide content for its new Puretracks service. Native labels Aquarius Records, Tacca Musique, Justin Time, MapleMusic Recordings, Nettwerk, and True North Records will all provide music for the company's à la carte download music service when it launches later this year.
Moontaxi co-founder Derek van der Plaat told reporters: "Puretracks is all about giving Canadian music fans simple, easy, and hassle-free access to a wide range of single tracks in a pure, high-fidelity format. We're a Canadian company, so these first-ever deals with some of Canada's leading indie labels are extremely important to us."
Canada's independent record labels represent talent such as Sarah McLachlan, Bruce Cockburn, Kevin Parent, Kathleen Edwards, The Dears, Oliver Jones, GOB, The Be Good Tanyas, Delerium, Gord Downie, Susie Arioli, Swollen Members, and SUM 41.
In addition to artists' recordings with independent labels, Puretracks will also offer a full selection from the major record labels including international artists.
------------------------------------------------
SPIRITUALISED HOMAGE TO NEW BANDS
Spiritualized frontman Jason Pierce has admitted that the "energy" of bands like the White Stripes have inspired him to record the best album of his career.
2001's 'Let It Come Down' was a massive and densely orchestrated album, but the new LP, 'Amazing Grace', will be a more gritty garage driven sound. The album is due on 8 Sep on Sanctuary.
Pierce said: "I was excited about people putting guitars around their neck and making noise again, rather than showing fantastic ability or showing the kind of intellectualism that sometimes comes into music. The thing that excited me when I started was the energy of music, what you could call the rock 'n' roll in it."
------------------------------------------------
EMAP DIGITAL RADIO
EMAP, who currently broadcasts its Kiss, Kerrang, Hits, Magic and Q digital radio services via Freeviews, has begun test transmissions of Kiss and Smash Hits Radio via Sky Digital. The major hopes to extend the reach of its digital services as actual digital radio sets are still to take off big time.
------------------------------------------------
SHAZAM GETS UNIVERSAL BACK CATALOGUE
The mobile music company Shazam Entertainment has secured a deal with Universal Music that will give them access to the Universal Music's catalogue (which includes music from Polydor, Island, Mercury and Interscope). The deal will allow Shazam to sell 30-second audio clips as part of their Songmail service.
Shazam are best known, of course, for their song recognition service. When you want to know what a track is, you just dial 2580 from your mobile, point it towards the music and 'Shazam' text you the name of the track and the artist (and for a guy who likes highly pretentious obscure rock-breaks and prog-jazz I was amazed at what this little puppy can recognise – great for break/sample spotters).
------------------------------------------------
WILL BEYONCE STILL BE AT THE TOP?
The all-seeing midweek chart suggests Beyonce Knowles will maintain her grip on the charts this Sunday, with 'Crazy In Love' holding in for a third week singles wise, and her 'Dangerously In Love' LP looking unlikely to shift from the top of the album chart.
Benny Benassi's 'Satisfaction' is set to go in at number two, and The Coral are looking like they'll make the top five with 'Pass It On'.
------------------------------------------------
ROGUE METALLICA STORY
Metallica's UK press office have issued the following statement: "There have been stories on certain websites claiming Metallica suing another band for using the chords E and F. This is of course absolute twaddle of the highest order."
The CMU Daily are proud to have not run this story. We have a long history of avoiding embarrassing falsehoods like this. By the way, this just in, Angus Young is not dead.