INDIE NEWS BEAT Week of January 30, 2004
* "Since I Can't Have Your Baby, I'll Settle For Your iPod"
* Warrior Girl Music & Shotland One Records Announce Alliance
* Chocolate Fireguard Music Embarks On Online Tour
* "Music Is A Loss Leader!"
* Clear Channel Fines $755,000 For Indecency
* SXSW 2004 Announces Keynote Speaker
* Online Promotional Service For New CDs
* Lyor Cohen To Head Warner Music Group
* Controversial Music Industry Book Released
* Senator Coleman Criticizes RIAA Crackdown
"Since I Can't Have Your Baby, I'll Settle For Your iPod"
Following San Francisco's KLLC-FM, Radio Alice @ 97.3's Fall 2003 giveaway of a 20gb IPOD loaded with Miggs music, the popular San Francisco pop/rock band today announced another IPOD giveaway. This time it's the lead singer, Don Miggs' personal 10gb IPOD. All you have to do is surf to the Miggs web site at www.miggsband.com and in the Forum, post your "Top Five" reasons in the IPOD giveaway Forum as to why you should be the proud new owner of Miggs' IPOD. The competition is already heating up. The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2004 and will be delivered with a box of chocolates.
Fueled by a passion to entertain, and a desire to influence and the ability to do both, Miggs is part of a re-emerging breed: a classic pop/rock band that truly delivers melodic and intoxicating heart-on-the-sleeve songs that are timely, timeless and undeniable. Miggs is currently working on the release of its second album, with acclaimed producer Gavin MacKillop (Toad the Wet Sprocket, BareNaked Ladies, SugarCult, Goo Goo Dolls). Miggs has opened for established major label acts, and has performed at over 125 shows, including venues of all sizes. In addition to its other accomplishments, Miggs has also surpassed the CD sales of 85% of signed acts, by selling over 8,000 copies of its debut album "Anyway" and the story is still growing. In October, 2003 Miggs was a featured local emerging artist by Radio Alice, KLLC FM 97.3., San Francisco, California.
To learn more about MIGGS upcoming shows, including January 30th at the Red Devil Lounge in SF, Ca., visit www.miggsband.com.
Warrior Girl Music And Shotland One Records Announce Exclusive Label Alliance
Warrior Girl Music (WGM), run by high flyer Aussie artist gilli moon, and Californian company Shotland One Records today announced that they have entered into an exclusive Label alliance for the United States, distributed by Morada Music Distribution. This agreement will provide several new independent recordings an outlet to the U.S Market and will be releasing the first album off the ranks, on March 1, 2004, "just my alibi" by Deborah Bishop.
This opportunity for the alliance allows an exciting new infrastructure where artists are able to "drive the boat" so to speak, with their CD releases, a hallmark for the future of the music business: an artist-driven and artist-controlled music industry. While approaching the March Bricks-and-Mortar Retail Release date through Morada Music Distribution, the Warrior Girl Music/Shotland One Records alliance is currently making e-waves with a specially designed "artist controlled" internet distribution and a strong marketing campaign through live events and touring. Deborah will begin her national tour of the United States in the Spring of 2004. "just my alibi", soon to be released through retail, is now available through www.warriorgirlmusic.com/store and select online e-tailers.
Chocolate Fireguard Music To Embark On Online Tour
Independent UK label Chocolate Fireguard Music will be giving its latest online releases "Maui" by Kava Kava and "Brave" from The Bluefoot Project a worldwide virtual tour through the MusicDish Network. Gathering some 200 entertainment-related sites from three continents, the MusicDish Network offers a unique platform for emerging independent music to receive the saturated exposure necessary to be heard above the noise.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing some of the results from the campaigns in the very near future," said Pat Fulgoni of Chocolate Fireguard Music. "I have been receiving the Mi2N's B2N, Business Net News for a few weeks now and it has already proven to be a great source of music industry information."
Online fans stretching from Australia to Continental Europe will be introduced to Kava Kava's "Maui" through any one of over 40 music sites where they can read an in-depth profile, including an interview with band, as well as listen to selected tracks from the CD. The album will also be added to the playlist of a number of webradio stations in the US & Europe. The MusicDish Network will also be supporting The Bluefoot Project's release with a multi-site PR and banner campaign.
MusicDish/Mi2N Founder Tells The Mill "Music Is A Loss Leader"
In a recent article "Music In The 00s" published by The Mill Magazine, music consultant and music magazine founder/editor Eric de Fontenay reflected on the changing business fundamentals of music as it makes the transition to a digital networked environment.
Commenting on the 99-per-song price that has characterized most online offerings, Mr. de Fontenay noted that while royalties already account for over 80% of cost and likely to increase over time, he still thinks we could see prices come down: "The question is, to what extent are companies willing to price below cost. And that's I think where you might see a lot of innovation," Eric told The Mill Magazine's David Fine. "File-sharing has demonstrated already that music is a loss leader. But it is able to generate a lot of ancillary [consumption]. People are going to buy an iTunes song ... and maybe an iPod, or a Mac."
"The concept of a 'loss leader' is where a company is willing to sell a product at a loss in order to generate even greater sales from related complementary products - it's the old razor and blade model: you practically give away the razor for the ongoing revenue from blades sold over the razor's life. Music is increasingly the razor to sell today's blades: MP3 players, PCs and mobile phones."
"The trend has already been prevalent in the brick-&-mortar world where mega-retailers like WalMart or Best Buy price music at a loss in order to attract new customers and boost sales of higher margin goods. Apple and others are just following suit online. This unfortunately leaves online retailers trying to make money primarily off music in the same bind that Musicland and Tower face."
"This is not to say that music in any way has lost any value, well to the contrary. It's value will increae over time as more businesses turn to music to help sell their core, high-margin products, whether its electronics, games or even cars - remember the BMW web movie clips. The commercial demand for music will increase and therefore its value. Whether there will still be pure online music retailers though is questionable."
Mr. de Fontenay though noted in the article that what might be bad for independent online music retailers may turn into a blessing for musicians. "It's going to be interesting to see how the entrance of consumer electronics manufacturers Apple and Sony will influence the development of new music. For example, computer and tech companies might say they want a lot more diversity and go after all types of little niches now considered unprofitable, in an attempt to expand their customer base for gadgets."
The Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture against several subsidiaries of Clear Channel Communications for apparently airing indecent material over several broadcast stations during several days. The material at issue was aired in connection with the "Bubba the Love Sponge" program. The Commission proposed the statutory maximum forfeiture of $27,500 for each of 26 apparent indecency violations. This forfeiture is the highest ever proposed against a broadcast licensee.
The Commission found 26 apparent indecency violations that involved graphic and explicit sexual and/or excretory material, and were designed to pander to, titillate and shock listeners. The Commission proposed the statutory maximum forfeiture amount because of Clear Channel's history of transgressions relating to the broadcast of indecent material over stations licensed to its subsidiaries.
The proposed forfeiture also includes $40,000 for Clear Channel's apparent failure to maintain certain required documents in the public inspection files of these stations.
South By Southwest Music And Media Conference 2004 Announces Keynote Speaker
The South By Southwest Music and Media Conference and Festival is proud to announce our keynote speaker and headline performer, the architect, the originator, the one true creator of rock and roll, Little Richard.
The SXSW audience will welcome Little Richard as he delivers the traditional opening speech of the conference on Thursday, March 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Austin Convention Center. This speech marks the beginning of four days of panels, workshops and meetings that draw musicians and music professionals from around the world to the renowned music conference.
Little Richard and his band will perform on Thursday March 18 as headliners at the BMI showcase at the Austin Music Hall. The 2004 South By Southwest Music Festival boasts an incredible array of talent, with over 1000 performances on over 50 stages over five days.
Online Promotional Service For New CDs
The All New Releases (ANR) Lounge is an innovative online service created to help promote new CDs to radio programmers at no charge. Recording artists and their representatives can create a virtual promotional kit for a new CD, including bios, sound clips and images. Once uploaded and accepted, the ANR Lounge will automatically post the new release. The ANR Lounge was created by each regional music-industry association, led by the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA) and the Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Record (FACTOR), and is the first of its kind in the world. To register, click on the ANR Lounge logo found at http://www.cirpa.ca.
Lyor Cohen Will Join Warner Music Group As Chairman And CEO Of U.S. Recorded Music
Warner Music Group (WMG) today announced that Lyor Cohen will join the Company as Chairman and CEO of U.S. Recorded Music after the purchase of WMG by the investor group led by Thomas H. Lee Partners, Edgar Bronfman, Jr.'s Lexa Partners, Bain Capital and Providence Equity Partners closes. Cohen has been Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Music Group. In his new position he will be responsible for all aspects of WMG's recorded music operations in the United States. He will be based in New York City.
Edgar Bronfman, Jr., said: "Lyor Cohen's role in revolutionizing, transforming and challenging the music industry over the past two decades cannot be overestimated, and I am very pleased that he will be joining Roger and me at Warner Music Group to lead the Company's recorded music operations in the U.S. As one of the most respected executives in the business, Lyor's in-depth experience and proven track record will play an invaluable role in WMG's efforts to become the world's greatest independent music company, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for all of us with this great team.
Controversial Music Industry Book Released
The Ultimate Survival Guide to the New Music Industry: Handbook for Hell "The Times They Are a Changin'" accurately describes the evolution of the music industry and where it is today, from how artists are signed and marketed to how the companies that sign them function. No matter what your music industry role is or what style of music you play, you need current, inside information to succeed in what many perceive as the most complex, and ominous, of industries.
Using his sense of humor and unbelievable industry anecdotes ranging from Jewel and Celine Dion to Jeff Buckley, author Justin Goldberg delivers the truth about today's deeply tangled music business and tells musicians, songwriters and anyone interested in music about the way it really works "behind the music."
The book features dozens of exclusive, insider interviews with today's top label and music publishing company presidents, a&r executives, attorneys, publicists, managers, agents, music supervisors, composers and legendary artists and songwriters such as Diane Warren, Willie Nelson, Bob Weir and Martin Sexton. The interviews each target key issues for discussion and instruction, providing the reader with a step-by-step guide to creating a successful career in the industry. "
Justin Goldberg is a 15-year veteran of the music industry and has held executive positions with Sony Music, Tonos, Riffage, Laundry Room Records, and even Donald Trump's Trump Organization. A well-known advocate for independent artists, he has worked with such artists as Dee Dee Ramone, Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, and Rage Against The Machine. He is currently the CEO of indie911.com and Label Services Network, a leading music resource center for indie labels and artists.
Coleman Criticizes RIAA's Renewed Efforts To Crackdown On P2P Users Through The Courts
Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) today criticized renewed efforts by the RIAA Wednesday to continue to use the courts to sue individuals that the industry group believes are illegally sharing files on the Internet.
"I don't believe lawsuits are the answer to the RIAA's problems," Senator Coleman said. "While the industry has every right to protect its intellectual property, lawsuits should not be the primary means by which they do so.
The recording industry sued 532 computer users Wednesday ‹ the largest number sued at one time since the RIAA first launched its legal battle against illegal file sharing last summer. The defendants were identified only by their numeric Internet protocol addresses, since a federal appeals court last month ruled that the recording industry can't use the subpoenas to force Internet providers to identify music downloaders without filing a lawsuit. RIAA spokesmen said they will identify the defendants, who if convicted face civil penalties or costly settlements, through the legal process.
"The decision by the RIAA to rely primarily on the fear of the courts and litigation to pummel P2P users is unfortunate and misdirected," Senator Coleman said. "Although the John Doe lawsuits now utilized by the RIAA may afford the consumer some additional protection than the previous litigation governed by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), I still believe litigation alone is not the answer."
Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright Tag It 2004 - Republished with Permission