Music Biz Buzz

Here's what's buzzing in the music biz this week...

• Yesterday in a campaign called “Save Net Radio,” a group of popular online radio stations observed a day of silence in protest of a Copyright Royalty Board ruling that has ordered web broadcasters to pay back royalties to SoundExchange. [Source: The Tripwire]


• In a related story, eMusic has joined the “Save Net Radio” campaign, helping out with a modest financial contribution and also with free promotion of web radio  stations on their website. [Source: Billboard]

• Fashion and technology are happily married in Oppo’s new digital music player pendant design, UP-9. [Source: Engadget]


• As if the company had not downsized enough, Sanctuary is closing shop on its radio promotions department, beginning June 30. Somebody, please go and buy a Dolores O’Riordan CD! [Source: Billboard]

• In a related story, the decline in music sales has been a depressing topic in the past several years. Call it “The Great Compression.” Two Rolling Stone reporters investigate and report on the looming death of the industry. [Source: Rolling Stone]

• Sprint will release another “musicphone” called Muziq in mid-July. “Muziq holds its own with some interesting features including an integrated FM transmitter that can send tuneage to any FM radio within 10 feet.” Sweet, that’s perfect for road trippin’.  [Source: Engadget]

Songwriter Spotlight: Kai Fish of Mystery Jets

Mystery Jets formed in Eel Pie Island in England when singer Blaine Harrison was only 12. The band, which was sort of a family affair with dad Henry Harrison and friend William Rees, soon blossomed into a five-piece band with Kai Fish and Kapil Trevedi, offering melodic harmonies and catchy hooks from multiple songwriters.

They released their first LP, Making Dens, to darling reviews for songs like their hit single, "You Can't Fool Me Dennis." Recently this year, the charming band released Zoo Time on Dim Mak, which contains remixed songs from Making Dens and two 2006 EPs, You Can't Fool Me Dennis and Diamond in the Dark.

Though Mystery Jets have been running into some Visa problems lately, I was able to catch up with Kai electronically for this week's Songwriter Spotlight. Don't you just love technology? Check out his answers below...

Favorite place to write music: On the sofa in my living room after long night or an argument. I need to pick up the guitar but not think about it, let my fingers place themselves wherever and hopefully surprise myself. But I think you have to put in the hours of not feeling inspired to earn those few seconds that make it all worth it.

Latest inspiration: In terms of a feel, we've been listening a lot to Quincy Jones' production and even more contemporary stuff like Timbaland and Neptunes. They manage to fill out the sound with drums and vocals, and then just colour it in from there. But songwriting-wise it's still as diverse as ever. I've been feeling inspired by Elliott Smith and Bjork recently.

What's the most personal song on your new album?
There's a few, and seeing as there are four songwriters, I'm sure everyone has their most personal. For me, a song called “Man in The Corner” is very close to my heart as it talks about the difficulties someone very close to me has experienced over the last few years.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be?
I'd love to duet with Tom Waits. I can't imagine what it would be like, and I'm not sure even if it would work, but I'm sure the experience of him and his music would be incredible. It would be more of a growling contest.

If you could wake up to any song, what would it be?
Recently I've been waking up to Amy Winehouse's album, Back to Black, and I've found it a good mixture of something not too in your face first thing in the morning, and at the same time, it's got the swing and the edge to get the blood flowing.

** Check out wonderful live footage at the band's official website.

** Listen to more songs on the band's MySpace.

** Vote for Mystery Jets in the Yahoo! Music "Who's Next" Contest.

** Watch the music video for "Diamonds in the Dark" on YouTube below:

Music Biz Buzz

Here's what's buzzing in the music biz this week...

• What's the difference between licensing photos and licensing music? Not much, according to Getty Images. The company is set to acquire independent music licensor Pump Audio for $42 million.  "There isn't a major corporation, ad agency or broadcast who is not already a customer of ours," Getty co-founder and CEO Jonathan Klein said. "Our ambition moving into music is part of an overall thrust to be a digital media company." [Source: Billboard]

• In an odd turn of events, contemporary and still-alive musicians are nominating albums of deceased artists for "most overrated album." Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips talks about Nirvana's Nevermind and producer/DJ Mark Ronson talks about Tupac Shakur's All Eyez On Me. Um.... Let's let them rest in peace, dudes. Hopefully, one day people won't be talking about The Soft Bulletin that way. [Source: The Guardian]

• Microsoft's Zune to partner with MTV, VH1 and CMT? It was only a matter of time. [Source: Engadget]

• Soon you'll be YouTubing on Apple TV and iPhone, which makes the uploading video site that much more powerful and widespread. [Source: Engadget]

• Downtown Records has partnered with fellow forward-thinking Engadget founder Peter Rojas to form RCRD LBL, a blog-based digital record label that will give its music away for free, and instead make money on blog advertising. Could this be RCRD LBL, the next generation? [Source: Mashable]

• A memorial fund will be set up for John Pike, the drummer from indie darling band Ra Ra Riot who passed away after a recent show in Massachusetts. Any donations can be sent to "John Pike Memorial Fund" at Citizen Bank on 37 Enon St, Beverly MA 01915 or through PayPal to johnrpikememorialfund@gmail.com. The band will continue on with their scheduled tour with Tokyo Police Club. [Source: CMJ]

• In an age where radio play seems to matter less and less, radio promotion and PR company Team Clermont step it up a notch and are showcasing their roster via a summer "prom" festival in July, featuring Deerhunter, Calvin Johnson, Bobby Conn, Starlight Mints, Ladybug Transistor and Castanets. It will be the 10th year of the festival. [Source: CMJ]

• Ryan Adams is still alive. [Source: New York Times]

Songwriter Spotlight: David Best of Fujiya & Miyagi

Though their band name carries references to Karate Kid and their beats make me think of French cafes, Fujiya and Miyagi are actually a trio from Brighton, England. Their music inspires soft, pleasant visions of cruising the night sky on top of clouds or dancing close in dark disco clubs.

F&M's album, Transparent Things, out now on Deaf Dumb and Blind Recordings, has been getting the indie kids dancing in the U.S., and that is making it fun to go to rock shows again. These futuristic electronic music makers recently toured with fellow international rockers Peter Bjorn and John and are now heading to play more this summer on a headlining tour.

I asked singer and guitarist David Best a few questions on his songwriting inspirations...

Favorite place to write music: In my bedroom because that's where all my stuff is.

Latest inspiration: Fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel are coming in quite handy at the moment. They've got good plots.

What's the most personal song on your new album?
"Collarbone" because I broke it twice.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why?
Serge Gainsbourg. He was the best, and I think our whispering would sit nicely together.

If you could write a song for any season, which season would it be?
Autumn because my birthday is in autumn, and I could write a song telling people what presents I want.

Here are their upcoming summer tour dates...
Fri, July 6 - Seaport Music Festival (New York, NY) w/ Ulrich Schnauss
Sat, July 7 - Johnny Brendas (Philadelphia, PA)
Mon, July 9 - Middle East Downstairs (Cambridge, MA)
Tue, July 10 - Lambi (Montreal, QUE)
Wed, July 11 - Legendary Horseshoe Tavern (Toronto, ONT)
Thu, July 12 - Grog Shop (Cleveland Heights, OH)
Sat, July 14 - Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL)

** Check out the band's official website.

** Listen to songs on MySpace.

** Watch the video for "Collarbone" on YouTube below:

Tony Wilson Presents In the City of New York Festival This Week

In an effort to bring a taste of the UK to the Big Apple, music legend Tony Wilson is presenting, in conjunction with AEG Live, the In the City of New York music festival to discuss the state of the music industry and present buzz bands from across the pond. The festival will be held on June 13-14 at the W Hotel in Union Square.

As the narrating voice behind the film, 24 Hour Party People, which was about his work at Factory Records with bands like Joy Division and the Happy Mondays (the band who spawned that hit movie title), Wilson had a huge influence over the Manchester punk movement and has been a long-time speaker and commenter on the future of the industry.

The daytime is filled with panels featuring the likes of Paul Tollett from Goldenvoice, who signed on to provide his insight on the Festival panel; Napster's Senior VP and Chief Technology Officer, William E. Pence, who will provide his thoughts on one of the most important issues in music today - digital rights management;  Mercury Records President David Massey, who will stand and deliver a keynote speech to discuss the state of selling music; and Ultra Records Founder and CEO Patrick Moxey, who will contribute to the Howl Seminar, a debate on the future of the music business.

The nights are filled with performances at the Knitting Factory and the Highline from some of the UK's hottest bands, including The Rakes and The Pigeon Detectives. And unfortunately for us, it is a sad day for the Happy Mondays, who were forced to cancel their festival performance due to ever-present Visa problems. (Maybe they should discuss that at the festival, too...)

Register for the festival here.

Songwriter Spotlight: Danny Barria of The Big Sleep

I remember patiently waiting for Brooklyn-based band The Big Sleep to finish mixing their album, Son of the Tiger, for almost a year -- but the wait was well worth it in the end.

The album, out on French Kiss Records, powers up with a mix of mostly instrumental tracks, sprinkled with songs with minimal, yet evocative vocals by both guitarist and noisemaker Danny Barria and his wife and bassist Sonya. Gabe Rhodes rounds out the pair with his seemingly unstoppable drumming skills.

All together, the music of The Big Sleep is as seductive as it is aggressive. The duality keeps the music and the record interesting as each note veers into different directions, keeping you on your toes as a listener. I recently caught up with Barria (pictured far right) to ask him about his music inspirations...

Favorite place to write music: It's a tie between the living room because it's cozy and the TV is there and our basement practice space because no one is ever there, it being such a dank place.

Latest inspiration: I'm just getting out of a heavy-duty Def Leppard phase. I have been watching a lot of Suede videos on YouTube and, corny as it sounds, re-reading my Raymond Chandler books. There's also a Sinatra song called "The Saddest Thing of All" that I'm obsessed with at the moment.

What's the most personal song on your new album?
We're kind of "between" albums, so I'll give a twofer: "SKB" on Son of the Tiger, and on the next one (which we're recording this summer) "Little Sister" because it's about my little sister.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be?
I'm not much of a singer, but I'd love to have Bill Callahan or Morrissey sing over one of our songs.

If you could re-do the soundtrack to any film, what would it be?
I want to say Dead Man, not that I think Neil Young's soundtrack could be topped, but I really like the challenge of soundtracking a film with just a guitar and still making it moving.

** Check out The Big Sleep's official website.

** Listen to songs on MySpace.

** Check out the music video for their song, "Murder," on YouTube:

From the Editor's Desk - La Grange

Also known for their bikes and beards, ZZ Top is ultimately one of the most well-known rock and roll bands in American classic rock history.  Playing together for over 35 years (and still on tour) Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank beard have recorded such hits as "Sharp Dressed Man", "Legs" and "Tush".  "La Grange" is from their 1973 album, Tres Hombres and is based on two songs from blues legends John Lee Hooker and Slim Harpo.  Famously the Gillette company offered Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill $1 million each to shave their chest length beards. They declined.

Luther Dickinson, of the North Mississippi All Stars, breaks the song down into easily-learnable parts in this lesson.  And then rocks it out for you as a whole with help from Dixie Dan, from the band Dixie Hustler. 

Check out more lessons taught by Luther on Lifeskool and www.lifeskooltv.com.

Concert Review: Interpol - 05/05/07 @ Bowery Ballroom (New York, NY)

I went to see Interpol play a smaller than normal venue last night in New York City at Bowery Ballroom. The stage was set with sparkly, multi-colored lights with a purple hued background. The band took the stage as fans and industry stood in excited anticipation. I have never been that thrilled with Interpol lyrics, but have always been fond of their music so I was glad to finally see them live (and at an intimate-sized venue).

After only a few minutes, I had to admit that these boys from New York really know how to put on a warm and fuzzy show. I always imagined that it would be too affected or too gimmicky with their suits and ties, but it actually didn't come off like that at all. In fact, it was so packed in there that you could barely see the band from where I was standing, so I was actually forced to just listen to the performance... and the music just swam around and hugged me in a very comforting way.

The band played some new material, which received a good reaction from the crowd. However, every time they started playing the first notes of one of their hits, the audience would start hooting and clapping like they had been starved for days and just saw a bucket of chicken. I really liked what I heard from the show, which I felt flowed really well from song to song, like a movie from scene to scene. The guitars shimmered, the drumming was particularly powerful, the bass was on point, the keys added sweetness and the vocals were so seductively delivered that I forgot about the less-than-favorable lyrics. Let's just say I was pretty happy to have seen them live finally after being in denial for so long.

Interpol release their next LP, Our Love To Admire, on Capitol Records on July 10, 2007. Check out their single, "The Heinrich Maneuver," on MySpace or at the band's official site.

Also, see them playing the single live on YouTube below:

From the Editor's Desk - Veal & Peppers

While we just passed the unofficial start of summer (Memorial Day), the actual June 21 start of summer is just a few weeks away.  What better way to prepare for the beach season than eating meals that are good for you and delicious?

Marco Canora, co-owner and chef of Hearth Restaurant in NYC, has developed this Veal dish that is low in carbs (22gms, to be exact) and high in flavor.  Marco has been honing his talents for many years in many cities, including Boulder, CO and San Fransisco before settling at his own restaurant in New York.  Marco has also appeared on The Today Show and taught a cooking class at Macy's for the De Gustibus culinary series.

Marco's recipe is below.

Veal & Peppers
Servings:  6   Calories:  465   Carbs:  22gm

Ingredients:
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbsps all-purpose flour
2 lbs veal stew meat, cut into 1/2" cubes
4 cups yellow onion, large, diced
2 cups ea red and green bell peppers, large diced
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 quarts low sodium chicken broth
5 rosemary sprigs
3 cloves garlic, sliced

Recipe
Heat the olive oil in an 8-quart stock pot.  Season the meat with salt and pepper, and then dredge the flour.  Add the meat to the pan and cook over high heat until well-browned.  Drain on paper towels and set aside.  Return the pan to the heat, and cook the onions and peppers until onions are translucent.  Add the garlic and continue cooking until just fragrant.  Add the meat back into the pan, pour in the wine and cook until the wine has nearly evaporated.  Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.  Pour in the stock and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to a simmer, add the bouquet of rosemary and cook until the meat is fork-tender (approximately 3 hours).

From the Editor's Desk - Gamer Dojo 01

Since 1999 the Tony Hawk franchise has been in our video-gaming lives.  The Tony Hawk games have varied quite a bit, but in a way, never really changed. From the first installment of rail-grinding, skateboarding action, to the story-driven (kinda) Tony Hawk Underground and now to the next-gen Tony Hawk Project 8, skating has always been the main focus.  And while each game advances in terms of graphics and features, the heart of the franchise is always going to be the same.

In this episode of Gamer Dojo, Jonathan Drubner breaks down the basics of the game, bringing you from character creation to competition to the new, Nail-The-Trick system.  This game is probably the deepest of the franchise, so a little help can never hurt.  He talks to Jessica Chobot for a few insider tips and really breaks the game open with Yale Miller, a pro-gamer that works for Activision, the company that publishes the game.

Gamer Dojo on Lifeskool and Lifeskooltv.com.

Songwriter Spotlight: Jason Friedman of The Boggs

When I first saw The Boggs back in 2003, I was totally enamored with the natural talent emanating from frontman Jason Friedman. His ideas were fresh and modern, yet still seemed to include an homage to great music of the past. Back then they were  a trio with steel guitar, booming drums and the distinctive, semi-folky vocals. The magic is that they could create a sound so huge with so little. After the release of their last album, Stitches, Friedman traveled to Germany to work on the next album. The result of that sojourn is his new album, Forts, currently released on Gigantic Records. The new sound is more everything -- bombastic, complex, fervant... I recently asked Friedman a little bit about his current inspirations and how the album took shape in Germany.

Latest inspiration: At the moment, there is a stable line-up in The Boggs for the first time in a long time. Peter Hale and Leif Huckman who used to play drums and bass in Trick and the Heartstrings have joined up. As have Ellie Everdell and Alex Luther. Ellie sings and plays keyboards while Alex plays the second drum kit and guitar. We've been in pretty intense rehearsals trying to get everything ready for the upcoming tours and though it's been exhausting it's really exciting to see it come together, and I am really looking forward to seeing how far we can go together.

What's the most personal song on your new album and why?
It's hard to say really. Just about every song has very personal aspects to them. Sometimes these details are double exposed with other completely different personal aspects or with totally fictitious narratives. But, maybe "One Year On." It's about three relationships, each about a year apart. The sentimentality is all in the details: "Cool-up" was a phrase written on her cheap, Chinese, one-Euro shoes; We were actually "locked in the zoo," spent the night there jumping in the cages together. We touched a zebra and a rhinoceros. It was all very... personal.

You spent a bit of time in Germany before recording the album. How would you say your stay in Germany influenced your record?
Actually, about 98% of the record was recorded in Berlin. I was there for a year and a half and working pretty relentlessly on the album.  It's impossible for me to not the think of Berlin without thinking about that creative process, so I would say it's pretty deeply influenced. Most of the songs deal with my adventures there. A number of the people I knew there are mentioned in songs. "Remember The Orphans" for example is about my look group of ex-pat friends. "Cracked-head Alice" really did fall off a ladder and split her head open. "Paul and Fitz" put on rock and roll shows in a space called West Germany. Fitz used to run Mighty Robot here in Brooklyn. It's a strange place, Berlin. It's very dark most of the year, and then for two months the city explodes in near 24-hour light. There are the remnants of the wars: bullet holes still litter buildings, parks are made from bombcraters, the foundations of Stalinist ill-planning still dominates certain areas. There's a sense of abandonment and rebuilding. Bars don't close. Nobody has a job. It's sort of like a lazy Mad Max without the mutants to chase you.

Check out The Boggs on tour in a city near you...

June 01 - Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool
w/ Cheeseburger & High Places
FREE SHOW

June 07 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas
w/ Sound Team

June 09 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge

June 12 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
w/ Hot Chip

June 13 - Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theatre
w/ Hot Chip

June 15 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
w/ The Long Blondes

June 16 - Visalia, CA @ Howie & Sons Pizza

June 18 - Portland, OR @ Someday Lounge

June 19 - Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey

June 22 - Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge

June 23 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

June 24 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
w/ Melt Banana

June 26 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
w/ Greg Ashley (Gris Gris)

June 27 - Toronto, ON @ Sneaky Dee's

June 30 - Washington, D.C. @ Black Cat
w/ DJ's JDH, Dave P, Eastman

From the Editor's Desk - Cars You Want 03

While it may be a fun fantasy to think about cruising the Pacific Coast Highway in a brand-new Porsche 911, or to pull up to work in a 2008 Ferrari F430 just to see the looks on the faces of your co-workers, but it’s not the most realistic scenario.  The truth is, the average amount spent on a new car is around $28,000, which is a little below what they charge for the two cars above.  Sorry.

Ezra Dyer, host of Lifeskool’s new series The Cars You Want, doesn’t want you to get too down about not being able to afford the car of your dreams, though.  As he’ll show you in The Cars You Want 03, there are plenty of upcoming models to ensure that you’re still the envy of all of your friends, while not putting you into serious debt.

Ezra checks out the 2007 Chicago Auto Show where among the concept cars and new luxury sedans there are a number of more adequately priced, consumer models that the average person can easily afford.  From the re-invented 2008 Honda Civic, to the always reliable Toyota Camry, Ezra gives you 8 of his favorite 2008 models.

Check out The Cars You Want on Lifeskool and lifeskooltv.com.