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FRIDAY 9TH APRIL

So, just as I was thinking it might be possible to go home and have some dinner last night, the news of Malcolm McLaren's death broke.

In a week where most of the music community seemed to be mainly preoccupied with the Digital Economy Bill as it stumbled gracelessly towards its inevitable conclusion in parliament, the sudden death of one of modern music's true icons, and someone who genuinely had a real effect on the path it took, came as more of a shock than it might have normally. Not that it wouldn't have been shocking under different circumstances, but yesterday it felt like being run over while staring at another car crash.



 
I wouldn't say I was McLaren's biggest fan, but he's been a cultural icon for my entire life. He's just always been there. If my musical upbringing is a tent, then he's a massive peg holding it down.

He was somewhat guilty of rewriting his own history, of course, and did so on many occasions. And in doing so often presented himself as something of an arrogant, even self-important man. Though it's possible such arrogance was something of a double bluff, to perversely cover up just how instrumental he really was in creating the Sex Pistols brand. He was so adamant it was all down to him, none of us believed it.

Whatever you believe about his role in creating the Pistols, McLaren at the very least guided a great many culturally important things. He certainly didn't invent punk (as many, including him, have often claimed), but he found it, in New York, very early on, and brought some new ideas from it back home to London with him.

And, by bringing together music, fashion and a load of disaffected teenagers, he was instrumental in shaping the British punk scene, a very distinct and different animal from its US counterpart.

And that's why, if nothing else, I will always love him for causing that bit in prog rock documentaries where they get to 1977 and Greg Lake starts ranting about how punk was the death of music. That's a legacy to be proud of.

Andy Malt
Editor, CMU

 


 

  DIGITAL ECONOMY ACT BECOMES LAW
In a flurry of activity, the House Of Lords yesterday voted through the final version of the controversial Digital Economy Bill, accepting the last minute amendments (mainly cuts) that had been made in the Commons the previous day before the Queen tore herself away from The Pirate Bay long enough to rubber stamp it and made the 'Bill' an 'Act'. While getting the Bill put through in the last few days of parliament was quite an achievement for the ministers who spearheaded the legislation, in many ways the difficult work has yet to begin, especially with regards the copyright section of the proposals which are of most interest to the music industry.
     
  MALCOLM MCLAREN DIES
Malcolm McLaren died yesterday in Switzerland aged 64, it has been announced. He had been diagnosed with cancer last October. Born in 1946, McLaren first gained public notoriety as manager of The Sex Pistols. Despite their rocky relationship, the band's frontman John Lydon last night paid tribute to McLaren, saying: "For me Malc was always entertaining and I hope you remember that. Above all else he was an entertainer. I will miss him and so should you". Funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but it is planned that McLaren will be buried at Highgate Cemetery in north London.
     
  BADU CHARGED OVER STRIP VIDEO
Erykah Badu is facing a disorderly conduct charge after stripping off in public for the video for new single, 'Window Seat', and pretending to be shot dead at the spot where JFK was killed in 1963. Badu did not get a permit from the local authorities to record her film, and the video has received thousands of complaints. That said, she was only charged after one of the people who actually witnessed the recording filed a complaint. Badu said this week that the video had been been "grossly misunderstood all over America".

     
  WHITNEY POSTONES START OF EUROPEAN TOUR
Whitney Houston has postponed the start of her European tour after contracting an upper respiratory infection, for which she was hospitalised in Paris on Tuesday. A show that night in Paris and two in Manchester yesterday and tonight were also cancelled. Yesterday the singer said that she is now in "terrific health" and ready to get the tour started in Birmingham next week. During the recent Australian leg of her world tour, some fans and critics said that she looked exhausted and disorientated.
     
  UNDER-INFLATED TYRES CAUSED TRVS-AM PLANE CRASH
Dangerously under-inflated tyres caused the plane carrying Blink 182's Travis Barker and the late Adam 'DJ AM' Goldstein to crash back in 2008. That is the finding of a US federal investigation, the results of which have been revealed by the Associated Press. The report says all four tyres burst as the plane sped down the runway, damaging the hydraulic system and causing the jet's brakes to fail. The plane then burst into flames.
     
  POLICE CONFISCATE N-DUBZ'S PAINT GUNS
Police in Newcastle reportedly confiscated paint guns from N-Dubz boys Dappy and Fazer after they pelted a group of fans outside the city's O2 Academy with green paint. The two N-Dubbers were initially firing the paint pellets at each other, but then seemingly turned on a crowd of fans. The police said in a statement: "No complaint of injury has been made. No arrests were made. Advice was given to the parties involved".
     

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Yoni Wolf, Why?
Originally the moniker of former cLOUDDEAD member Yoni Wolf, CMU favourites Why? became a fully fledged band before the release of their 2005 album 'Elephant Eyelash', which mixed indie rock, folk and hip hop, and scored an internet hit with the track, 'Rubber Traits'.

With the current line-up also featuring bassist Doug McDiarmid, Yoni's older brother Josiah on drums and, on occasion, Fog's Andrew Broder and Mark Erickson, Why? released latest album 'Eskimo Snow', culled from the same sessions as previous album 'Alopecia', last year via Anticon and Tomlab.

With their music such a collision of styles and influences melded into one complete sound, it's not always particularly easy to pick out which other artists might have had an effect on them. To try to get more of an idea, we asked Yoni to put together ten of his favourite tracks for a Powers Of Ten playlist. The results are something pretty special - here's what he came up with...



 
YONI WOLF'S TEN
01 Mount Eerie Lost Wisdom
  This is the opening track of probably my favourite Mt Eerie album of the same name. It's haunting.
02 The Smiths Half A Person
  My friend Anna, who I've been in love with for something like fifteen years, chose this song when I told her I wanted her to sing a cover for a covers record I'm working on. I had never heard it but once she played it for me I knew it was perfect. I feel like Morrissey somehow peered into my sad ass brain to write this one.
03 Johnny Cash Any Old Wind That Blows
  Another one that I can relate to so directly. Why is it that the only one you want won't be had? Life is fucked up. "She'll go sailing off on any old wind that blows". That's right, Johnny. You know she will.
04 Billie Holiday All The Way
  Pretty much all I was listening to when I was in California this February was Billie. Every time I hear her voice I get chills. This song isn't necessary her pinnacle but it's really good. Not sure who wrote this one. My dad would know. Johnny Mercer?
05 Beck Asshole
  This is off my favourite Beck record, 'One Foot In The Grave'. I love how stripped down it is. It's got a great melody. I'm doing a cover of this one too.
06 The Band I Shall Be Released
  I actually prefer the demo of this sung by Bob Dylan and Richard Manuel (I think). Maybe it was Dylan and Danko, though. Anyway, The Band's version, which is arranged brilliantly, is also killer.
07 Cat Power (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
  This is her cover of the Rolling Stones classic. This and her version of Oasis' 'Wonderwall' are a couple of the greatest examples of rethinking huge hits tastefully. She brings out an essence of both songs that was lost by the original artist in their hugeness. Check it out, she doesn't even sing the chorus!
08 Dolly Parton Jolene
  A perfect pop song! Not much more to be said.
09 Juana Molina Quien
  My sister hipped me to Juana about a year ago. I know Spanish to an extent but I only understand maybe half of what she says, but it doesn't matter. I just like how it sounds.
10 Otis Redding I've Been Loving You Too Long
  This man just had the grittiest, wildest yet completely in control voices in the history of rock and roll. I love the build up to where he sings: "You were tired..." So good!
 
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Pharrell Williams said finding NERD's new sound was hard, but ladies will love it: "We scrapped 27 records because they weren't good enough, they sounded great but what were they saying? So we went back and just focused on feeling. The music has been especially tuned in frequencies to speak to women. Women will literally feel this. It's the sexiest thing that I could ever give to a woman"
     
 
Paramore's Hayley Williams discusses unknowingly collaborating with Eminem: "I was given the track [by rapper BoB] a while ago while we were on tour. The guys and I all loved it. They told me I was crazy if I passed it up. I only found out about Eminem getting on the track, like, a month ago. As if the song couldn't get any better. He just slays me, he's such a genius"
     
 
Bloc Party's Kele Okereke explains the creative process for his forthcoming solo album: "I plugged in synths that I had no idea what they would do. I began programming drum beats, which I had never done before. It was completely back to the drawing board. It was exciting and terrifying. This was as exciting to me as the first time I picked up a guitar"
     
 
Cult singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston has said the award-winning documentary about his life, 'The Devil And Daniel Johnston', was unfair to him, as it mainly concentrated on his struggle with bi-polar disorder: "It wasn't really fair because it really talked about the worst experiences of my life. I wish they had included more music instead of making it one of those Stranger Than Fiction shows"
     
 
Jack White thinks the rusty old internet is just one big irritant, at least it is when it comes to music: "In my head I'm still living and working as if there is no internet, and treat it as a nuisance. The internet is a beautiful tool for many, many things, but it is in direct opposition to the art of music being treated with respect. After reading about three words of someone's comment at the bottom of an article I turn off"
     
 
Michael Eavis renames Glastonbury's Jazz World the West Holts stage for some reason: "We're going back to the real roots of Worthy Farm. West Holts was a 'halt' originally; one of the two places where we had to open the level crossing gates across the old railway line to get the cattle through for milking. It was a fair walk up to the farm, just as it is now, and those cows took some driving!"
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  Belle & Sebastian announce Bowlie 2. B&S curated the first Bowlie Weekender in 1999, before it morphed into the All Tomorrow's Parties festivals. But, as part of ATP's tenth anniversary celebrations, Bowlie will be back this December, and Belle & Sebastian will be back in charge, too. It'll take place exactly where it started, at the Minehead Butlins Resort - www.atpfestival.com/newsview/1003290738.php
     
  Andrew WK's teenage crush song. There's nothing quite like unrequited teenage love. Whatever realms of stupidity that your teenage brain may have led you into in this area, you'd have to do a lot to top Andrew WK. He's revealed that he once wrote a song for a girl he had a crush on at school. The lyrics were a bit stalker-y. And the organ didn't really help. As a result, he ended up with a restraining order - bit.ly/AWKMyDestiny
     
  The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio. The National have to date released four critically acclaimed albums. The fifth, 'High Violet', is due for release on 10 May via 4AD and looks likely to send their fanbase to previously uncharted levels. And not without good reason. Hard graft for over a decade is one thing, but releasing a song as good as the new album's first single, 'Bloodbuzz Ohio', is quite another - www.highviolet.com
     
  Fallulah. Denmark seems to be full of really good and slightly odd singers who, despite signing major record deals in their home country, have never had any of their music properly released anywhere else. One such artist who particularly stands out is Fallulah. Just check out her most recent single, 'Bridges', the chorus of which will lodge itself in your head for somewhere close to the rest of time - www.myspace.com/mymusicbank
     
  Active Child. Having first come to our attention late last year through his track 'I'm In Your Church At Night', Active Child, aka LA-based musician Pat Grossi's sound encompasses ghostly analogue electronica, vocals influenced by a childhood spent singing in classical choirs, and slow-plucked harp. It's a distinct style amongst the current crop of indie electronica, such as Washed Out and Memory Tapes - www.myspace.com/activechild
     
  Vuk. Finnish-American, Helsinki-based solo artist Vuk's music is a pretty special find. Seemingly the kind of annoying person who can play any instrument she finds, her songs are filled with layer upon layer of rich and varied sounds, the centrepiece being her stunning voice. Live, she's joined by a band who gather around her pump organ and play what she describes as "bare bones chamber music" - www.myspace.com/vukmusic
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  Q1 How did you start out making music?
DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN: "I started playing when I was twelve, and I think my main motivation was primarily that of a music lover more than a music maker. I initially wanted to create the sound, the record etc that I couldn't find. I realised I couldn't, or didn't want to do it by myself, so I joined bands with other people who wanted to create the same thing, give or take. I felt like my motivation evolved into a responsibility, I had to create this sound as much for myself as for others. Ultimately, it never ends up being exactly what I was listening for, it's always a compromise between everyone involved, it's a constant collaboration, but the results with this band have always been challenging, exciting, refreshing and fulfilling for me"


Read more of Dillinger Escape Plan's answers
   
  Q2 What inspired your latest EP?
CASXIO: "Heartbreak, loneliness, youth, girls that just wanna be friends, love notes, love, making love, sex, torches, LA, secrets, Gate 32 at LAX, the Hollywood Bowl, and a spoonful of sugar"


Read more of Casxio's answers
   
  Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS: "It all starts with the song. And that all starts with the hook. Whether that's a great lyric or a melodic or rhythmic hook. You need ten great hooks to create a strong song. These hooks come like magic whenever I play an instrument or sit down to write. Putting all these hooks together and building the song is the hard part. Sometimes it can take years"

Read more of Scouting For Girls' answers
   
  Q4 Which artists influence your work?
DUM DUM GIRLS: "All sorts, both stylistically and lyrically. I favour groups whose songs are pop songs at the core, however they may dress them up. This includes everyone from The Velvet Underground to girl groups (whose songwriters were professionals at this) to Spacemen 3 to Bob Dylan to Iggy Pop. Words have always been important to me as well. They don't need to be obtuse to be good, either - even the simplest statement can cut you. Patti Smith and Nick Cave are two of my go-tos when I need a burst of inspiration"

Read more of Dum Dum Girls' answers
   
  Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK: "'I apologise for what you are about to hear'. Then I would say: 'Just kidding'. Then I would pause for a brief moment and add: 'But not really'"

Read more of Motion City Soundtrack's answers
   
  Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
CAPPO: "My ambitions are to bring the real music back and to bring a product to the table that has been sorely missed for too long. I hope that certain people will hear my album and know that there is still real hip hop thriving throughout the earth. I made this LP to the best of my ability, so expect to hear lyricism and soundscapes that haven't been done before. I just want to rhyme while the DJ cuts up the break. Solidified hip hop with no compromise"

Read more of Cappo's answers
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#13: Amanda Palmer vs Roadrunner Records
This week's beef was actually quite a polite affair, but with everyone seemingly still a bit chilled out after a long weekend, few pop stars seemed to very angry (Liam Gallagher's epic Shortlist interview being the exception).

Rihanna made a general comment about product placement in music videos during an interview with the NME, which some spun into a bitter attack on Lady Gaga, but I wouldn't do such a cynical and lazy thing to you, dear readers. Not when I thought you'd notice, anyway.

So, yeah, this week Amanda Palmer announced that she and her band The Dresden Dolls have been dropped by Warner Music's Roadrunner Records, something she's apparently been trying to get them to do since 2008.
 
Amanda told fans, via her blog: "As many of you know, I've been fighting very, very hard to get off the label for the better part of two years. For the past seven years, anything I have written and recorded (solo or with my band, The Dresden Dolls) has technically been owned and under the ultimate control of the label, but no longer. After endless legal bullshit, it's over, I've been DROPPED, RELEASED, LET GO, whatever you wanna call it. In other words: I am FREE AT LAST!!!!!! RAAHH!!"

I think it's safe to say she was a little pleased about the news. As to why, she explained thus: "I've been a very vocal advocate of artists being fearless in asking their audience and supporters for direct financial help. I come from a background of grassroots theatre and street performance, and I think that artists should feel no shame while passing the hat around once they've entertained a crowd of people. It's been a huge and obvious irony that I have been legally unable to ask for money for my music, since it's been verboten by my contract with Roadrunner. Now that I'm unshackled, I plan on doing a lot of really awesome and creative things with my songs and how people can pay for them - or, better yet, donate - now that I have control over my stuff".

In an open letter to her former label, Palmer thanked many of the people who had worked with The Dresden Dolls at the company (that's the politeness I was talking about), saying: "I will never regret signing with you and I will never take for granted what you did to help my life". She also admitted: "When we signed with you in 2004, I was a wreck of a human being because I was working too hard to juggle business-ing and musician-ing. ... and no other label in America would sign us". But added: "You stopped helping us when our second record came out in 2006. That made us really sad".

To celebrate her new freedom, Amanda did something she's until now been unable to do (not without label approval, anyway) by giving away a song for free. Entitled 'Do You Swear To Tell The Truth The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth So Help Your Black Ass', you can download it here: www.amandapalmer.net/thetruth/

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Andy Malt
Editor
Chris Cooke
Business Editor &
Co-Publisher
Caro Moses
Co-Publisher
           
Georgina Stone
Editorial Assistant
Owen Smith
Approval Officer
Paul Vig
Club Tipper

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