INDIE NEWS BEAT October 12, 2004 Edition
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* Morpheus Comments On RIAA And MPAA Writ Of Cert
* CatDesigners Has 2nd Song In ILR Top 10 Charts
* Tom Petty Responds To Lawsuit
* Indies Feeling Upbeat About Download Services!
* Jefferson Airplane Lands On DVD
* Smoking Caterpillar Music / Have Another Hit Launches
* !K7 Records Launches "No Copy Protection" Logo
* 150K Songs Downloaded In Less Than One Week At Purdue U.
* Music Gorilla Hooks Up Musicians And The Music Industry
* Radio Gets Wild Announces 6th Live Marathon
* Girlie Gig.Com Making A Scene
* Industry Steps Up Action Against Illegal File-Sharing
* A Taste Of Democracy
Hollywood is attempting to take its war against information technology and innovation to the United States Supreme Court. Its petition for certiorari, filed with the Supreme Court today, is a doomed effort to have the High Court review and overturn the affirmative Federal Court of Appeals ruling after the three judge panel devoted a considerable amount of time and attention to reviewing the law and the evidence and concluded with a unanimous decision in favor of StreamCast.
"It is our belief that there is no need for the Supreme Court to review the matter. We believe that Judge Wilson's ruling, as well as that of the Judges in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirming the ruling, was based on a thorough examination of the factual evidence and legal arguments presented in the case," stated Michael Weiss, CEO of StreamCast Networks, developer of the Morpheus peer-to-peer software. "The plaintiff's petition today is an indictment against the Supreme Court's 1984 Betamax decision itself. The law is clear and has already been decided.
No matter how many more hired gun attorneys they bring in to the case, the rhetoric of the RIAA and the MPAA, calling anyone who disagrees with them a Å’bad actor,' rings hollow. Companies such as StreamCast are the innovators in the science of peer-to-peer search and file sharing and are responsible for advancing the technology forward, as demonstrated by StreamCast's release this week of Morpheus with NEOnet."
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CatDesigners Has 2nd Song In ILR Top 10 Charts
CatDesigners are an indie band from Bethnal Green in London, UK. Their song, "Strange Gods", is the second song from their album, "Strange Little Creature", to enter the Top 10 in the ILR (Is On Live Radio) World Independent chart and is currently at Number 5. "Vain As I Am" was previously in the Top 10 for four weeks, peaking at Number 2.
CatDesigner is also scheduled to be interviewed live on the The Indie Limelight Radio Show currently syndicated to over 100 radio networks including Internet, AM and FM Broadcasters on October 25th.
So far CatDesigners have released two albums on their own label, Googlie Mooglie Records. While their debut album, "Chemical Jazz" was critically acclaimed (one reviewer calling it "one hell of a calling card"), their second album, "Strange Little Creature", has been even more positively received. Reviewers are calling it "CatDesigners' second consistently fine album" and "a better follow-up album than it has any right to be".
CatDesigners are especially pleased with their current chart position as it is based entirely on votes cast by ILR listeners. "We are seriously going to have to consider releasing "Strange Gods" and "Vain As I Am" as singles if this is the response they get".
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Tom Petty responded to the recent suit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court against him and KLOS-FM disc jockey Jim Ladd over Petty's composition, "The Last DJ," by vigorously denying the accusations in the suit.
Tony Dimitriades, Petty's longtime manager, says, "The lawsuit, which does not even allege that the songs have the same or similar words or music, will be strongly defended. The allegation that Tom Petty and Jim Ladd somehow conspired to rob the plaintiff of a business opportunity is both ludicrous and insulting."
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Indies Feeling Upbeat About Download Services!
Centron Music recently obtained licenses Agreements from EMusic, Wippit, TouchTunes, Emepe3.com, MusicStream, iPlay Music Services. Coming soon: Starbucks, Big Pond, T-Online, Beatport, Puretracks, Soundbuzz
Microsoft recently announced the soft launch of its MSN Music store, a preview release of the store slated for a big launch in mid-October. The store looks promising though there is currently very little content available, especially from the independent community.
We're delivering our music to them this month and have been guaranteed by MSN that our full catalog will be available in the store for the official launch.
Microsoft is well-positioned to be a strong challenger to Apple's dominance in the market.
The MSN Music Service will be compatible with over seventy portable devices and will aim to take advantage of Microsofts's incredible user reach through the Windows desktop and the MSN website and internet service.
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Jefferson Airplane Lands On DVD
Jefferson Airplane were a band synonymous with the 60's & psychedelia and Eagle Rock Entertainment has captured the band at their peak with Fly Jefferson Airplane in 5.1 Stereo Surround Sound, out September 21, 2004.
Focusing on Jefferson Airplane's 1965-1973 era, Fly Jefferson Airplane incorporates vintage performances with brand new interviews from band members Grace Slick, Marty Balin, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Paul Kantner and Spencer Dryden as well as Airplane manager Bill Thompson and others who were along for the ride.
Jefferson Airplane, along with their fellow Bay Area brethren The Grateful Dead and Santana, were known for their live performances, and nearly a dozen are showcased on Fly Jefferson Airplane in their entirety. Airplane staples like "White Rabbit," "Volunteers" and "Somebody To Love" showcase a band performing at the top of their game in the live setting.
Fly Jefferson Airplane Features complete performances of: White Rabbit from Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Crown of Creation from Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Lather from Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour High Flying Bird from Monterey Pop Somebody to Love from Monterey Pop House at Pooneil Corners Volunteers from Go Ride The Music Plastic Fantastic Lovers from Go Ride The Music Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil from Night At The Family Dog It's No Secret from Bell Telephone Hour Martha from Perry Como Special Embryonic Journey from The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
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Smoking Caterpillar Music / Have Another Hit Launches
Smoking Caterpillar Music, LLP, a music publishing boutique, has opened its doors and signed its first clients. The company, located at 355 Lexington Avenue in New York, was founded by three partners, including music veteran Marcy Drexler, who was in A&R in the early years of Arista and spent 14 years at ASCAP as Senior Director of Member Services.
The other partners are public relations/marketing executive David Reich and Steven I. Rosenfeld, whose career has included management, A&R, producing, arranging and publishing. Rosenfeld has worked with Melanie, Fairport Convention, Danny Kortchmar, Scarlett Rivera, Harvey Brooks and Aztec Two-Step, among others. His company, WorldWide Management, founded in 1969, is now affiliated with Smoking Caterpillar Music.
The company announced signing its first clients  gold record singer-songwriter Edwin McCain, whose latest CD "Scream & Whisper" was released in June on DRT Records, and Vaneese Thomas, whose "A Woman's Love" is out on Segue Records. Thomas, who has a strong R&B following here and abroad, is the daughter of the late Memphis R&B legend Rufus Thomas. Smoking Caterpillar will also be handling publishing for other Segue artists, and it expects to announce additional signings shortly.
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!K7 Records Launches "No Copy Protection" Logo
You can do all sorts of things with music. You can listen to it once, twice, or as many times as you like. You can do it by yourself or with friends. You can give your favorite music as a present. Perhaps you'll be given music as a present yourself. Music you've never heard of and wouldn't otherwise have come across. You can talk about music during the day in the record shop and at home or at clubs in the evenings. Music is culture. And culture is life.
That's why, from now on, !K7 releases will carry a new logo: "NO copy protection - respect the music". This makes it clear that you've bought a CD and you can use it however you want. It's also clear, therefore, that good music has a prerogative - it has a right to be treated with respect.
"NO copy protection" is an indication that there is a reciprocal loyalty between the buyer and the label. The old song about mutual give and take has been given a new verse: Copy protection kills customer relationships. "NO copy protection" adds a new chorus. For only those to whom respect is given show respect themselves. Music is valuable. Those who love it, treat it accordingly: Trust is good. Nothing is better.
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Cdigix Reports 150,000 Songs Downloaded In Less Than One Week At Purdue University
With the fall school term just underway at most colleges, Cdigix and its music service Ctrax are finding early usage success at several schools including Purdue University. Roughly 150,000 songs were downloaded in the first week that the Ctrax service was launched with more than 2,000 subscription sign ups thus far. This translates into nearly 20,000 songs per day from Purdue students. Due to this success, Cdigix is being approached by a steady flow of new schools seeking to offer legal digital media alternatives. It is anticipated that Ctrax will be available at 20 schools in the Spring 2005 term and many more in the Fall 2005 term.
"The popularity of our service and usage numbers from Purdue in such a short window is very encouraging to us," said Brett Goldberg, president, Cdigix. "It is clear that there is a rising demand for access to legitimate music on college campuses and the Cdigix service is on the forefront."
Due to a large demand from students who are seeking access to a legal digital music service but are not affiliated with a Cdigix partner school, the Company is preparing to launch the Ctrax service for all college and university students nationwide. Starting this month, the Ctrax music service will be available to any college student with a ".edu" email address.
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Music Gorilla Provides The Outlet For Musicians And The Music Industry To Hook Up
Music Gorilla continues the Music Marathon after CMJ with Live Label Showcase(s) in NYC at Crash Mansion www.crashmansionnyc.com 199 Bowery (at Spring Street). A percentage of the door will be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation.
Showcases:
Sunday, October 17th
8pm - Christin Cook
9pm - Crossing Ellum
10pm - Vs. The Earth
11pm - Balistica
12am - Nimat
Wednesday, October 20th
8pm - Jo Potter
9pm - Lisa Bouchelle
10pm - The Point
11pm - Backstreet Law
12am - Eyelash
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Radio Gets Wild Announces 6th Live Marathon Tuesday November 2, 2004
Radio Gets Wild is pleased and excited to announce their 6th live non-stop marathon broadcast!! Over 40 of RGW's air personalities from around the world will be playing a wide assortment of music during this event. According to Tim Daymond, RGW's General Manager and Founder this will be the biggest and best marathon.
With prizes for listeners that will include signed artwork as well as CD's. Special shows dedicated to unsigned and up and coming talent will be scheduled. As this is a major part of RGW's focus to sponsor a DJ or get their ad on the web site.
According to Phil St George, RGW Media Relations "We had about 3 million hits on the site and we anticipate continued growth of station." RGW's mega website has over 40 services for both the listening audience as well as promoting independent and up and coming artists at no charge with out the added hassles of a contract or commitment.
The Marathon begins on Tuesday November 2, 2004 at 6PM and continues for six days and possibly longer.
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Girlie Gig is a new website devoted to the service and promotion of female singer songwriters on the web. Started by singer, songwriter Liz Zorn, girlie gig is a hands on operation and is member based. After the trial and error of learning to navigate the online music scene, Zorn felt that to truly have everything that she deemed important to the online artist, it would be easier to just build it herself. So that is just what this former graphic artist did.
Combining the networking philosophy of larger entities, the heart of girlie gig will be in its ability to link a huge network of like minded folks (the female singer songwriter) through its indexing, web rings and site to site linking.
Already in place are a few of the services offered with membership, including the artist index, cd stores, and front page advertising on girliegig.com. Unlike other sites that start out with a bang and then depend on the membership to keep it afloat, witout management putting anymore into themselves. ==
The music industry today announced a major escalation of its campaign against illegal file-sharing, unveiling 459 legal actions against music "uploaders" and for the first time targeting Europe's two largest music markets, the UK and France.
Announcing the actions on behalf of the recording industry worldwide, IFPI warned that the rolling campaign will be further stepped up and extended into new countries in the coming months. It called on music fans to buy their music online legitimately, rather than risk the legal consequences of illegal file-sharing. There are now over 100 legal online music sites in Europe offering a total of over one million music tracks.
Today's action is the largest single wave of lawsuits to be announced outside the USA since the industry in Europe started bringing litigation against illegal file-sharing in March 2004. It brings the total number of cases so far launched in Europe to more than 650 in six countries.
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A Taste Of Democracy Brings New York Restaurants And Recording Artists To Presidential Campaign
New York's finest restaurants and recording artists are joining a grassroots effort by New Yorkers to get out the vote in the battleground states, by joining in a Taste of Democracy on October 14th. The restaurants will provide one of their favorite menu items to New Yorkers who are signing up to join Get Out the Vote efforts in the states that will decide who wins the election on November 2nd.
At the Taste of Democracy, New Yorkers can sign up to Get Out the Vote in the battleground states, while listening to prominent recording artists. Artemis recording artist Jeffrey Gaines will be the headliner, joined by the band of singer, songwriter Taylor Barton and GE Smith, who led the Saturday Night Live band for ten years and Gridley records artist Erin Hill. "This will be great food, great music and a great opportunity for New Yorkers to volunteer to get out the vote in the swing states," said Michele Maglione, Director of Citizen Action of New York City.
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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © Tag It 2004 - Republished with Permission
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