INDIE NEWS BEAT November 29th 2004 Edition
* How Do 3 Million Independent Artists Reach 80 Million Music Lovers?
* Major Labels Dive Into P2P
* "Kicking Cans" A Great New Album
* Hungry Lucy Side Line Interview, Remixes And Vocal Things
* Steady Download Growth Defies P2P
* Vernon Neilly Appears On Hit UPN Sitcom "One On One"
* Sign My Band Contest Finalists Announced!
* Chemistry  The Fourth Installment In The A|X Music Compilation Series
* Gilli Moon MPWR Workshop - Sunday December 19, 2004
* G-Man's 'Platinum' Album Dances To Trance Victory
* Fixion To Reach 1.5 Million Plus Hard Music Fans
* Copyright Royalty and Distribution Act of 2004
* UMe Digital Set For Debut
How Do 3 Million Independent Artists Reach 80 Million Music Lovers? Through Their Fans
MusicDish Network artist Yohany uses P2P Street Team file sharing software to capture free publicity and CD sales
RazorPop launched its P2P (Peer to Peer) Street Team program today with Musicdish Network artist Yohany. The program features customizable TrustyFiles file sharing software that makes it easy for artists to promote and sell their music and other digital files through their fans. More information is at http://www.P2PStreetTeam.com.
Yohany's co-branded MusicDish Network P2P software will link users to her website (http://www.yohany.com) in one click, providing branding on her fans' desktop and making it easy for fans to try her music and buy her CD. The application will encourage users to download and share the just released music video for her club pounding single "At The Bar," as well as feature contests for a chance to win her album "All That I Want." Yohany's P2P software can be downloaded at http://www.musicdish.net/P2P/.
Yohany represents the first of many planned p2p initiatives for MusicDish Network artists as well as partners. Eric de Fontenay added "Artist-industry partnerships such as this one are what's required if independent artists are to have any hope of gaining any traction in establishing their brand. By leveraging the MusicDish Network's combined resources with our partnership with RazorPop, we will be able to open an entirely new channel for independent artists to market and sell their music."
Marc Freedman, RazorPop founder and CEO, said "The P2P Street Team ushers in the next generation of artist promotions. There has been a lot of press lately about the file sharing networks being used by top record labels like SonyBMG and Universal Music and major artists like Heart, Steve Winwood, and Sananda Maitreya.
"But a key sector has been left out - the independent artist. By some estimates there are three million musicians, a huge market. The P2P Street Team delivers what the indies need - a simple Do-It-Yourself program that builds on the street teams many artists have already developed. If an artist doesn't have a street team yet, he can just as easily offer the P2P software on his web site to his fans and Internet visitors."
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Wurld Media, a leading developer of proprietary e-commerce and file transport technologies, today announced it had signed agreements with three major record labels. SONY BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have agreed to provide access to their vast catalogs of music to be made available on Peer Impact (www.peerimpact.com), Wurld Media's new peer-to- peer (P2P) digital file-sharing network. Peer Impact is currently concluding internal beta testing and is scheduled to launch publicly in the first quarter of 2005.
Peer Impact's proprietary business model is designed to provide a clear, legal alternative for consumers to buy and share music, video and an assorted variety of digital content. At the same time, the service ensures that artists and rights holders receive their due compensation for each file shared on the network. Peer Impact is a revolutionary platform that harnesses peer-to- peer technology to create a low-cost infrastructure for distributing licensed content. Because Peer Impact will distribute only licensed and public domain content, it leverages the efficiencies of peer-to-peer distribution while respecting the work of artists and copyright holders.
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"Kicking Cans" A Great New Album
"Tony your new recording kicks more than cans bro, it kicks ass! If there was any justice in the world 'If Your Love Was A River' would be on the charts. (wicked song Tony!)"
This comment from radio show host Paul Martin is typical of the feedback being generated by "Kicking Cans" the recently released rock CD by Tony Koretz. If you are a fan of melodic rock, progressive rock, guitar rock or blues check this album out because it manages to roll all of these into it's 12 tracks, and hear for yourself why people are making such complimentary statements.
The new Koretzmusic website features the music and music business related pages of the Koretz brothers of New Zealand. Music by artist Tony Koretz, bands 8-Forty-8 and Apollo, as well as Rocksure Soundz recording studio, and guitar teacher Simon Koretz's online guitar lessons.
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Hungry Lucy Side Line Interview, Remixes And Vocal Things
Hungry Lucy has just completed contributions to a couple of our European label mates. Christa contributed some lovely Eastern styled vocals to a track for Belgian electro act Implant's upcoming release and War-N & Christa just completed a down-tempo remix of Polish darkwave duo Agonised By Love's track, "Frozen In Me" for a forthcoming release. Hungry Lucy's version is very Air/Zero 7 with nice & warm backing vocals by Christa.
Check out Hungry Lucy's featured interview on side-line.com. The full interview will also be featured in issue #49 of the print magazine.
Steady Download Growth Defies P2P
The value of global music sales via the internet is set to top $6 billion in 2010, according to a new report by Informa Media Group. The report, Music on the Internet (5th edition), estimates that the share of music sales online will rise from 4.6% in 2004 to 15.2% in 2010. The dominance of hard format sales through the internet will finally be broken, although the steady rise of download and subscription revenues will not impact on retail as quickly as some have suggested. Global digital revenues are forecast to exceed $3.1 billion in 2010, equivalent to 7.7% of total music sales.
Successful launches in most major territories have generated great interest, in particular the ongoing success of the global download leader Apple and its iTunes Music Store. While the continued proliferation of P2P makes the prospect of legal downloading reaching its true potential unlikely, the successes of 2004 are even more impressive given that every music release is available for free somewhere on the internet.
Author of the report Simon Dyson said: "This year has been important for the whole of the digital music sector and the momentum created in 2003 has certainly continued all through 2004. Converting the P2P file sharers is still central to the long-term success of the industry. Many millions of music fans still prefer to download for free even though the legal services offer such good value."
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Award Winning Guitarist Vernon Neilly Appears On Hit UPN Sitcom "One On One"
Vernon Neilly is to appear in an upcoming episode of the highly popular UPN sitcom "One On One", which stars Flex Alexander (The Sixth Man, New York Undercover), and the sensational young actress Kyla Pratt (Doctor Doolittle 1&2, Love and Basketball, The Hughley's). The recently shot episode put Vernon on stage for a great performance with Inc Records hot new r&b heartthrob, singing sensation Lloyd, who has been taking the nation by storm with his latest hit single, and video "Hey Young Girl".
Vernon who also appears in Universals "Along Came Polly", and Warner Bros smash hit comedy "Starsky and Hutch" currently has is own hit album "G-Fire II" out playing globally on jazz/smooth jazz radio stations. It recently broke into the Top 50 smooth jazz charts, and sales of the project have been sizzling both on the internet, and in Tower Record stores nation wide.
Shooting the episode of "One On One" says Vernon "was lots of fun and a great opportunity to meet new friends, and work with some really talented new stars in the entertainment world. It was truly refreshing, and inspiring to see the commitment, and work ethic of young stars like Kyla, and Lloyd, they are both so very talented. They are both going to be huge stars in the future!"
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Sign My Band Contest Finalists Announced!
Takeover Records launched their Sign My Band contest during Warped Tour 2004, searching for the best unsigned bands. The contest resulted in the submission of over 7,000 demos. The top ten finalists have been announced and the public will be able to vote for them at PureVolume.com beginning November 15th. Finalists will compete in a tournament to determine the ultimate winner, which will be announced in mid-December.
The unsigned artists participating in the contest are competing for a prize package that includes a release from Takeover Records, an opening date on Yellowcard's 2005 tour and radio promotion from JMA. Merchandise from Anomaly Ink, Hurley and Establishment clothing, as well as promotion via PureVolume.com and AbsolutePunk.net will also be included.
The ten finalists in alphabetical are as follows:
Big City Dreams - www.bigcitydreams.com
Crooked Edge - www.crookededge.com
Daphne Loves Derby - www.daphnelovesderby.com
Dorado Gold - www.doradogold.com
Drake Equation - www.drakeequation.com
Limitpoint - www.limitpoint.net
Silhouette - www.silhouettemusic.net
Strike.Fire.Fall - www.strikefirefall.com
The Commercials - www.thecommercials.org
Underscore - www.underscorerock.com
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Chemistry  The Fourth Installment In The A|X Music Compilation Series
Armani Exchange, the fashion voice of urban youth, will release the fourth installment from A|X music - "CHEMISTRY" CD. Chemistry captures the energy and heat of two of today's hottest DJs to create this double CD set compilation. Compiled and mixed by PALASH & DJ RAP, two of the hottest young internationally renowned DJ/Producers in the world this CD includes: Armand Van Helden "Hear My Name", Junior Jack "Stupidisco", Donna Summer "I Feel Love", Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler "Keep on Movin".
PALASH has been an integral part of the underground house movement for over a decade. His style in the DJ booth and production studio has evolved from the accumulated wisdom of watching and manipulating the effects of sound on crowds around the world. He wields an ever-evolving modern primitive blend of the dark drums of tribal, tech-house punctuated by evocative vocals and melodic tracers. Palash has catapulted to the forefront of the genre with his remixes of Kylie Minogue, iiO, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Steve Lawler. His tribal touch has made him one of the most sought after remixers today.
DJ RAP has for the last eight years been the undisputed queen of drum'n'bass. Label owner, producer, recording artist and world-renowned DJ. The East Londoner stands alongside the likes of DJs Hype, Grooverider and LTJ Bukem as one of the few, and only female, pioneers of drum and bass. 'Learning Curve', her self-penned and produced debut for Sony, was released to widespread critical acclaim in 1998, fusing pop sensibilities with an underground production ethic. This year she celebrates the first ten years of her career, by going back to the beginning and feeling out her house music roots.
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Gilli Moon MPWR Workshop - Sunday December 19, 2004
An empowering workshop focusing on hit songwriting, artist development, performance, touring, marketing and distribution strategies
Join indie-icon, recording and touring singer-songwriter & artist, record company owner, and Songsalive! president GILLI MOON for an intensive 1-day camp focusing on artist empowerment, hit song writing & structure, critique and listening session, artist development (image, story, career goals),motivation, plus intensive alternative touring, marketing and distribution strategies.
This workshop is a must for music artists including performing singer/songwriters, composers (non performers), music entertainers, managers and producers of artists. The day will also include special appearances by guest speakers. The evening will be capped off by a special dinner with participants and showcase opportunity where the public is invited to attend.
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G-Man's 'Platinum' Album Dances To Trance Victory
Sometimes you have to wait for the awards show envelope to be opened before you hear the words, "And the winner is. . ." but Scott G (The G-Man) received word of his victory three weeks before the Los Angeles Music Awards show (November 18 in Hollywood). The G-Man's "The Platinum Age of the Remix" was announced as a unanimous choice winner for "Trance Album of the Year."
"This award is due to the tremendous talents of the five remixers I worked with on this album," G stated. "They took my songs and reshaped them into tracks that are filling dance floors all across the world. Matt, Troy, Insane, RD and Morosi are the true power of this album."
"The Platinum Age of the Remix," released on Delvian Records and on iTunes, contains dance-trance versions of a dozen songs from three G-Man albums: Grin Groove (2002); Electro Bop (2003); Sonic Tonic (due in 2005).
The remixers on "Platinum Age" are: Matt Forger (recording engineer on 7 Michael Jackson albums); DJ Insane (who took a remix of a G-Man song to #5 in Europe); RD (who took a remix of G-Man song to #1 in Russia); F. Troy (member of Mortal Loom and co-creator of the "Blade" remixes with Mark Isham); and William Morosi (classically-trained jazz pianist with an album out in Japan).
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Fixion Media announces four new signings to its growing advertising network of leading hard music properties. Renowned hard rock & heavy metal sites HardRadio.com, ElectricBasement.com, Zrock.com, and RockDetector.com join flagship partners Blabbermouth.net and Blistering.com in the Fixion Media lineup, pushing the Network's reach to over 1.5 million unique users per month.
"Being competitive is a superficial ideal. At the end of the day this ad network brings the best hard music sites to the same stage by providing advertisers with a uniform and results-driven solution," says Robert Cotter, President of Fixion Media. "Hesitance towards online advertising is becoming uncommon and we continue to ease that hesitance by representing some of the hottest real estate on the web. We offer premium and cost-effective ways for companies who are looking to speak to this highly-active purchasing market."
Brian Coles, Founder and Editor of ElectricBasement.com, weighs in on the signing: "I think Fixion Media is exactly what the heavy rock and metal communities need as far as a legitimate outlet representing our ad space. With the robust and dedicated target market that we share, I am very optimistic about the prospects."
"RockDetector.com is proud to be associated with the Fixion Media Network to cater to our advertising needs  and needs they are," continues Garry Sharpe-Young, owner of RockDetector.com and publisher of several metal books & guides. "Set to surpass two million page views per month, the rapid escalation in fans and musicians poring over the site has resulted in no less than three server shifts this year alone just to keep pace."
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The NMPA and HFA Applaud Passage of the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Act of 2004
On behalf of the U.S. music publishing industry, The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) and The Harry Fox Agency, Inc. (HFA) applaud the unanimous passage of the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Act of 2004 by Congress, and the anticipated signature into law by President Bush.
"We are gratified with the passage of this Act, which among its important reforms, will replace the current Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels (CARPs), which can be expensive and cumbersome, with experienced and knowledgeable judges to streamline the rate setting process," said Irwin Z. Robinson, Chairman of the NMPA and HFA. "We have been working with the RIAA and DiMA on the creation and passage of this bill for several years. This Act creates a better environment for all concerned for the negotiation and setting of rates that fairly compensate copyright owners for the use their works for products and services in the marketplace."
Music publishers control the copyrights for the underlying compositions of songs on behalf of the songwriters they represent. The NMPA is the leading trade association in the United States for music publishers, and advocates for their interests and that of their songwriter partners to protect, uphold, and advance their valuable copyrights. HFA, a subsidiary of the NMPA, is the premier U.S. mechanical rights organization.
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UMe Digital Set For Debut
World's First All-Digital Download Label From A Major Music Company
The evolution of digital downloads marks another milestone on November 23, 2004, with the debut of UMe Digital, the world's first all-digital download label from a major music company. UMe Digital product -- individual songs, EPs, and full-length albums -- will be distributed exclusively online.
The releases on UMe Digital will be consistent with UMe's philosophy of marketing established acts and acts who already have an established fan base. Available on November 23 via all online music services will be recordings from pop visionary Parthenon Huxley, renowned guitarist Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney, Stewart Copeland), alternative rock pioneer Ken Stringfellow (Posies, currently guitarist touring with R.E.M.), guitar giant John Jorgenson (Elton John, Desert Rose Band, Hellecasters), critically acclaimed Tennessee rock band The Shazam, modern rock innovator Dan Reed (Dan Reed Network), legendary hard rockers Black 'N Blue, and singer/songwriter Will Owsley (Shania Twain and Amy Grant guitarist).
Said Bruce Resnikoff, President, UMe: "UMe Digital is another significant development in the expansion of our business and our efforts to reach more consumers in more creative ways. Last year the music industry sold fewer than 5,000,0000 downloads; this year the industry will exceed 100,000,000. I think every label will have a download-only imprint at some point; UMe wants to be sure that it continues to be an industry leader and innovator."
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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © Tag It 2004 - Republished with Permission