On so many occasions I’ve talked with friends about the trials and tribulations of being in a band. Why does it at times seem so hard for a group to stay together?
The idea of being in a band is fascinating to me. From an outsiders perspective it seems as though a band is like a relationship, a love affair, or a marriage...but with more then one person! If that’s the case things are starting to make much more sense being that something like 1 in 3 marriages end in divorce now a days!?
So what’s the magical ingredient? What makes a band successful? What makes a band stay together? I hear countless stories about bands getting together to "jam". (I guess using the word "jam" sounds a lot cooler then simply calling it band practice...especially since the term band practice makes me think of when I used to play flute in high school symphonic band. Nerdy right)? I often wonder what goes on in these "jam sessions"? To me "jamming" sounds like you’re not going to practice at all. It’s basically a get together, a time to show off your pretty instruments, go with the flow, see what happens, allow the creative juices to pour, see if you can channel the Music Gods through your...
Oasis is coming to Winnipeg for the first time ever. They’ll probably never do it again. I’ve been a Brit pop fan for over a decade, and I’m sure not going to miss this concert, even if Liam is the most boring on stage performer ever. I’m still going. And I got floor seats when tickets went on sale yesterday.
Notice how I said “on sale yesterday.” Not “tickets go on sale Saturday.” I have a beef with presales. I’m not even sure you can even call it a presale. I bought them. They went on sale. There’s really nothing “pre” about it. Someone said “let’s have people be able to purchase them today.” Yeah. That’s called on sale. Not presale. I wonder why they even bother telling people that tickets go on sale Saturday. Those poor schmucks that wait till Saturday will be sitting up in the rafters. If you actually follow what the advertisement says you’ll NEVER get a good seat no matter how you try. No wonder concerts sell out in two minutes. Half the place was already sold out three days before you even typed in www.ticketmaster.ca. If everyone is taking advantage of the presale, why do they even have one? It’s like I was saying to Rachel Stone (who patiently listens to me spew...
I recently went on a business trip to Vancouver and of course went by plane. I was up early and packed my bags ever so carefully keeping in mind the strict rules that the airlines and airports have these days in lieu of post 911 fears of terrorist blowing up airplanes or taking out buildings somewhere in the United States. It seems funny to me that these rules were made in the US and then adopted by us in Canada… and even years after… we still have “security” coming out of the ying yang… or do we?
Lets think about this for a moment. Personally since “911” I have traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada. I was actually on a plane two weeks after the Twin Towers went down… a trip to Dallas I recall. Now that was security…soldiers in fatigues carrying machine guns, mission specialist wired into computer systems, dogs, ID Checks, bag checks… the works! I didn’t mind… actually I felt safe.
Fast-forward a few years to present day. I pack my bags taking into consideration that I can only have a tiny bag that fits only the bare essentials for personal hygiene and I mean bare essential… I don’t even take a toothbrush or toothpaste any more… I’ll buy them when I get to...
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences blew it again this year.
The standout performance of the Junos didn’t take place on its nationally
televised Juno show but during its non-televised gala dinner and awards the night
before where 32 of the 39 awards were handed out.
It was there that all of the nominees in the World Music Album category,
singers Alex Cuba, Celso Machado, and Kiran Ahluwalia as well as guitarist Jesse
Cook and world music ensemble Autorickshaw joined together for an electrifying
celebration.
But Canada’s public missed it.
Canadians also missed out on some potentially great performances by such Juno
winners as jazz singer Sophie Milman who won Vocal Jazz Album of the Year;
Ottawa native Belly who won Rap Recording of the Year; Winnipeg’s Nathan who
took home Roots & Traditional Album of the Year; and sultry diva Serena Ryder
who was named New Artist of the Year.
Why weren’t these acts on the televised show?
Many industry figures here continue to question the longstanding CARAS
contention that some music genres do not work on a national TV broadcast and are
therefore not considered for the main event....
The Canadian Country Music Association’s Board of Directors are pleased to announce changes to the Independent Award categories and the creation of the Top Selling Canadian Album award for the 2008 Canadian Country Music Awards.
The Top New Talent Awards, including Top New Female Talent of the Year, Top New Male Talent of the Year and Top New Talent - Group or Duo of the Year, will now replace the Independent Award categories. This new addition to the Canadian Country Music Awards comes from the Board’s desire to evolve the Independent Awards into an equally, if not more, significant recognition of newcomers to the Canadian country music scene.
The addition of the Top New Talent Awards brings exciting modifications to the Rising Star Award. Nominees in this category are now made up of the winners from the three Top New Talent Award categories. The act with the most votes from these three categories will be declared the winner of the Rising Star Award. The Rising Star Award will be presented during the 2008 Canadian Country Music Awards broadcast, taking place on Monday, September 8th, 2008.
“I am thrilled with the CCMA Board of Directors’ decision to implement the Top...
The Board of Directors of the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) announced today that Executive Director, Carmen Celestini, has left the organization to pursue new opportunities, effective immediately.
“The Board of Directors wishes Carmen well in her new endeavors,” said Heather Ostertag, Chair of Board of Directors of the CCMA.
To see the association through this transition, Lynne Foster, Secretary Treasurer of the CCMA Board of Directors has stepped in temporarily to assume the role of acting Executive Director. “I look forward to working with the CCMA in the role of Executive Director until a suitable replacement can be found,” said Foster. The search for a permanent Executive Director will begin immediately.
About the Canadian Country Music Association
Since 1976 the Canadian Country Music Association has been a pivotal member of the entertainment industry in Canada as a federally charted, non-profit trade organization. For more than 30 years the CCMA has worked to protect the heritage of; advocate the development of; and enact laws favourable to the Canadian country music industry domestically and internationally. Through the use of education,...
The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR) announced today that it has hired a new General Manager... Erin Kinghorn.
Kinghorn is perhaps best known for her years working as Director of Sales and Marketing at Nettwerk (home to Manitoba's newest Juno winner, Nathan). Kinghorn will take over day to day administrative and operational aspect for FACTOR after relocating from Vancouver to Toronto.
A press release from FACTOR said...
"I think she's going to fit in instantly," says Heather Ostertag, President & CEO of FACTOR. "She has many valuable assets that will compliment the already existing team within this organization."
Itchy, itchy, scratchy, scratch, that open acts so freakin’ wak! (That’s a good thing in my books). Tandem opened for MEN Saturday night at Desire. Rumor has it that this local act formed a few months ago after riding a tandem bicycle inspired a tandem bike-rap!? The rest is history...That’s the word on the Winnipeg street anyway!? If you’re looking for a new band that’s... "a little different"...I highly suggest this one! How do I describe this duo? I don’t know where to start really? Think Dolly Parton meets, The Trailer Park Boys! That sounds like an exaggeration but it’s not.. picture a female drummer with a fake mustache wearing a brunette curly haired mullet wig (business in the front party in the back). Nice! Her shrunken tank and tight cut off gene shorts deliberately showed off her belly button! Hilarious! This gal knows the trailer trash look and was rockin’ it hard on the drums. (I’m totally calling Bubbles tonight to try and get her a gig on TTPB)! The other half of this two piece band was up in front with the lead vocals. She wore a two foot tall blond beehive wig with a purple sequenced headdress and that’s not even the best part of her ensemble!? This brave soul...
Last summer, I inherited a fifth-hand green iPod mini from my visiting brother. I was excited to finally join the rest of the humans in this century and spent countless hours walking around the city while listening to Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A.'s "Bird Flu" on repeat, oblivious to honking cars and friends yelling "hello" from across the street.
My joy was short-lived... because my battery was short-lived. Within a month of getting the little music robot, the elderly battery came to last just long enough for me to get excited about the song I was going to hear (about five seconds). In disappointment, I retired the iPod into my junk drawer. It has languished there for months, next to several old cell phones and a surprisingly large number of random screws and nails.
Over the months, I have felt an increasing need to iPod myself. Every two weeks, I walk into a store and stare longingly at the pretty little machines only to walk out because I can't justify dropping $200 on anything.
But today at Best Buy, as I moved past the shiny little blue Nano I've been coveting, I noticed an altogether more exciting package: an iPod replacement battery. It was a mere $30 and came...
Roots quartet Nathan has added yet another accolade to its resume. On April 5, the band picked up the Juno for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year at the private Juno Gala Dinner and Awards in Calgary for its latest release on Nettwerk, Key Principles.
This is the third time in four years that a Manitoba act has brought the roots award home; The Wailin' Jennys won in 2005 and The Duhks won in 2006.
The Juno adds to an otherwise stellar year for the act, which was nominated for the roots Juno in 2005. Band member Keri Latimer, who writes many of Nathan's songs, worked on the score and contributed two songs to The Frozen River, a movie that picked up the top prize for drama at this year's Sundance Film Festival. As well, Latimer is currently a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition for "Bad Ideas" and the band was nominated for the prestigious ECHO Songwriting Prize for its song "Scarecrow."
Two Nathan members, vocalist/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Shelley Marshall and drummer Damon Mitchell, were on hand in Calgary to accept the award. Nathan's other two members, Keri and Devin Latimer, stayed in Winnipeg with their second child, who was born...
I love reading press releases for bands and getting to the obligatory part about who they've "shared the stage with." It's usually the best part of the document.
Let's make it clear right off the bat:
Mick Jagger shared the stage with Tina Turner at Live Aid.
Angus Young shared the stage with the Rolling Stones in Toronto in 2003.
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake shared the stage at Super Bowl XXXVIII -- you remember the boob, right?
But if a band opened for another band, no stage sharing was involved.
But I love reading lines like this nonetheless:
"Rainbows Kill has shared the stage with many rock superstars, from Nickelback to Default."
For one thing, hitching your horse to those bands isn't going to impress anyone with any taste. For another thing, playing the first opening set at The Zoo for a 2002 Nickelback show does not mean you shared the stage.
What it means is that Rainbows Kill was heckled mercilessly by a bunch of drunks who staggered into The Zoo early and got mad because they thought it was Amateur Stripper Night. Rainbows Kill then spent the next 20 minutes dodging beer bottles while some mulleted dude in a jean jacket repeatedly...
I went to Mr. Workman’s concert last weekend at the Burty (aka The Burton Cummings Theatre) and I was by no means disappointed! The night started out very "old school" in the sense that there was a purposful stearing clear of the use of lights and mics in honor of Earth Hour. The stage was elegantly lit by candle and Hawskley’s voice seemed to be in good shape even though the stop here in Winnipeg was his last night of touring for, Between the Beautifuls. No sign of vocal strain here! Hawskley’s band played a very folksy set and I’ve never seen/heard a Winnipeg audience so quietly attentive. I felt a new appreciation for the old theatre and it’s amazing acoustics! I found myself fascinated with the fact that this was how it was done in the old days. The grass roots type of set ended when the lights turned on and the electric guitars were plugged in. Workman’s ability to shift gears from album to album and from set to set is a wonder! I truly believe he is a musical chameleon.
Before his performance on Saturday night Hawskley apparently made a trip to one of Winnipeg’s famous stores, Toad Hall... Holla! A couple of purchases made at the toy store played an important role...
When Canada's biggest music celebration rolls into Calgary this weekend, the Manitobans will be ready. The Junos are here.
Three hometown acts will be taking to the stage at this year's JunoFest, a two-night festival of music, including acoustic pop duo Keith and Renee, singer/songwriters Cara Luft and Little Hawk. Little Hawk is up for Aboriginal Recording of the Year for Home and Native Land while Keith and Renee's Keith Macpherson contributed the title track to the Juno-nominated children's album This Is Daniel Cook! Here We Are. Luft herself is no stranger to the Junos, having being part of 2005 Juno-winning trio The Wailin' Jennys (Roots & Traditional Album of the Year - Group).
In addition to the acts showcasing at JunoFest, Shelley Marshall and Damon Mitchell of nominated act Nathan will be on hand for the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards on April 5, where many of this year's awards will be handed out. The roots quartet, whose album Key Principles is up for Roots & Traditional Album of The Year - Group, was nominated for the same award in 2005 for its last album, Jimson Weed. The two other Manitoba acts nominated this year are Christian singer/songwriter Amanda Falk...
The Western Canadian Music Awards will be accepting submission for the 2008 Awards and Festival until May 1, 2008.
Applications for Artistic Awards and Festival Showcases are submitted exclusively through Sonicbids. WCMA and Sonicbids have teamed up to offer a completely online submission process. The WCMAs feel this offers their members maximum exposure and opportunity at minimum cost.
Mailed applications will not be accepted.
Click here for Artist Awards Guidlines
Click here for Festival Guidelines
Click her for Industry Awards Guidelines
Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA) is the primary event hosted by the Western Canadian Music Alliance. Each year the event is held in a different province, on a rotating basis. The 2008 WCMA's will be held in Edmonton, AB, October 16 to October 19, 2008.
The Festival is a multi genre experience. More than 70 of the best acts form the west will perform at the many live venues in Edmonton over three nights.
The Conference offers hands on music and recording workshops as well as innovative seminars and intimate discussions with top music industry professionals.
Remember when you were a kid and your favourite band was playing at the Winnipeg Arena, and everyone in the crowd stood up as soon as the music started? Feverish fans would jump up and start screaming and clapping in the anticipation. Well, I was one of those feverish fans. I didn’t go to a concert if I didn’t really like the band. I waited outside all night long for a New Kids on the Block ticket when I was 13. That was a really big deal. And I remember the night was absolutely freezing. It was all worth it when thousands of teeny boppers like myself jumped up and screamed and danced and clapped throughout the entire show.
Now, I sometimes go to a concert because my company gets free tickets. Going to the Foo Fighters concert on Tuesday really made me excited that the fans would be as feverish and excited as they used to in the good old days. I thought, if any fans would jump out of their seats in mad (and drunken) rock n roll glory, it would be for Dave Grohl.
So, when did everyone get to be really boring and old? Seriously. When did everyone just sit down through an entire concert without the need or even the desire to dance, or cheer wildly from a totally erect...
You may have recently heard from Saskatchewan's Ultimate Power Duo, or the Sask local of the AFM, about the band being turned away at the American border when attempting to travel down for SXSW. According to the band:
"US Homeland Security denied Ultimate Power Duo access to the United States. It is a frustrating story at the very least. Many hours at the border. We are pretty disappointed, SXSW is amazing! But, we will be back next year.......maybe.....yes!"
The band states that although they didn't have a working visa for the US, they followed the AFM's advice and brought with them to the border proof that they were invited to play the conference, that they weren't being paid, and a letter from the AFM backing them up. They still got turned back.
For the musicians, the complicated and pricing process of gaining entry to the US market has long been a source of frustration - for some, to the point that they just won't bother. The AFM continues to press the US congress to lighten the restrictions, even John Kerry is reported to have taken up the case, but they are fighting again post-9-11 increases in security and protectionism that are contrary to the notion of...
The Canadian Country Music Association is thrilled to announce the appointment of acclaimed country trio Doc Walker as Honourary Chairs for Country Music Week 2008, taking place in Winnipeg from September 5-8, 2008.
During today’s announcement, Doc Walker, the popular Manitoba group who were the recipient of the Album of the Year at the 2007 Canadian Country Music Awards made their home town proud with a stellar performance in anticipation of this year’s Country Music Week.
The Honourable Andrew Swan, Minister responsible for Manitoba Lotteries, was also on hand at today’s announcement to present Carmen Celestini, Executive Director of the Canadian Country Music Association and Kevin Walters, Co-Chair of the Winnipeg Host Committee with a cheque in support of the 2008 Country Music Week.
Manitoba Lotteries Corporation and the Casinos of Winnipeg have come on board as a major partner of Country Music Week 2008. The Casinos of Winnipeg have been a great venue for touring Canadian country musicians over the years and will continue to support the industry for years to come.
“Manitoba Lotteries and the Casinos of Winnipeg are extremely excited to participate as the...
Apple Inc. is reportedly negotiating with record labels over a deal that would offer free access to unlimited music for iPod and iPhoners, according to The Financial Times (via CNN, actually -- thanks to Natasha Kaminsky for the heads up.).
What the CNN article says is:
Apple Inc. is negotiating with record labels over a deal to give iPhone and iPod customers free access to the entire iTunes music library if they pay extra for the devices.
To me, if you pay a fee, it does not equal "free." But whatever. CNN is reporting that The Financial Times is reporting that "unnamed music industry sources" are reporting that no one's sure what Apple would pay the labels for unlimited access to their massive vaults. Any deal would, naturally, hinge on that figure.
No one's reporting which record labels. (Personally, I would be thrilled with negotiations between Apple and Northside Records, North America's premier source for Scandinavian music.)
As well, there's no indication of the fee might get passed along to consumers. I'm also not certain what this means for people who already own iPods and iPhones. Thankfully, no one's iPod will last long enough for it to matter....
A friend of mine passed this along to me. It is a commentary from well known music contrarian Bob Lefsetz. Being someone who just got back from SXSW , I found it not only interesting but very telling as to the future and state of the music business.
Read on and give some thoughts on Bob's comments!
Can an unsigned band get noticed? And, do we even bother to use that
term anymore, "unsigned". Do you want to get signed?
I mean what are the chances that the cognoscenti are going to care about
your band when R.E.M. and even Van Morrison are shilling for attention.
Oh, it makes you feel good, to rent a U-Haul, sleep four to a room and
perform a set no one cares about. The same way it makes you feel good
to send a CD to me! It's amazing what people will do to make themselves
feel good, make them believe they're making progress.
The new music business isn't at SXSW. Why should it be?
Think about it. If Yahoo and Google sprung up out of nowhere, what
makes you think the powers-that-be in the music industry are going to
rule in the future?
So you're gonna make a deal with a major, a 360 deal, because that's all
they want. You're gonna put...
Right now, I have a ticket to the upcoming Celine Dion concert on reserve at Ticketmaster... but only for the next two minutes and 15 seconds.
Don't worry -- I'm not going to buy the thing. It's all yours, dude.
I just wanted to see what it would cost me to watch the Vegas diva howl her way through a bunch of songs inspired by sunken ships, because I personally turn to Gordon Lightfoot, 3 Inches of Blood or The Tragically Hip when I'm feeling a little nautical.
Shipwrecks aside, it turns out I can see Dion for no less than $195, plus $14 convenience fee (which is a misnomer if I've ever seen one).
I'm sure the Baby Boomers will be out in full force on Oct. 27 and 28, and I'm sure they're only too willing to swipe their Visa Platinum cards in hopes of seeing the diva's lower lip quiver like that of a sleeping horse as she really nails the high notes.
For my part, I draw the line at $100 -- and there are a paltry few bands for whom I would drop that much coin.
I love live music as much as the next person, but a bill is just a foolish amount of money to pay for a concert unless Jesus Christ himself is playing lead guitar for Slayer. I'd drop a hun to see that go...
Austin is hot. SXSW is insane. Someone sent me a text yesterday saying, "Sara get over here, you're missing some great bands!" No kidding. That's the thing, you're always missing great bands whether you are or aren't at SXSW.
After an evening involving REM (my favourite band EVER!), I left my hotel room Thursday morning at around 10am so I could catch the keynote talk with Lou Reed. It was more like a fly on the wall observation of a conversation he was having with his producer, Hal Willner. It was fantastic to be thrust into his world. He wasn't entirely lucid and certainly wasn't performing for us. He was just chatting with his buddy about such things as the making of Berlin in 1972, what it was like to sit for Andy Warhol's "Screen Tests" and being an artist from deep in the city playing rock and roll without the proficiency of a southern bluesman. He cited some current favourite artists like Holy Fuck and Dr. Dog. It was neat to catch a glimpse of his genius mind, and it was funny as he really didn't give a shit about any of us, he was just chatting randomly.
Next was out to the SOCAN/ASCAP Boat, where we sailed down Town Lake for an hour on board with Canadians. A...
There are many reasons why I absolutely love living here. This town is fascinating. But I also say that with just a hint of sarcasm, because we all know that living in Winnipeg can also be the most frustrating of experiences -- particularly for those who have travelled and seen how other cities function. We come back home and look around and shake our heads. Its incredible what isolation will do for a city, making it oblivious to the many great ideas and movements in city-building over the past 25 years.
Did you know that Henry Wilson, the same man who designed Toronto's subway system, was hired to plan out a subway for Winnipeg in 1959? His thorough report identified the growing trends in automobile use throughout North American cities and forsaw the problems created by auto-dependant sprawl: inner city decay, increased crime, vacant downtown streets, people choosing to live where they must drive instead of walk or bike, decrease in central property values and the prolifieration of downtown surface parking. Time has proven all of these correct, as well as several others: pollution, and a culture of individualistic isolationism -- documented each day by highways...
Six Manitoba acts are heading south and making Texas home for a few days in March during the prestigious South By Southwest (SXSW). In 2008, Manitoba will enjoy one of its strongest showings at the premier event, sending some of its best acts to showcase in front of some of the most influential industry professionals in the business.
Now in its 20th year, SXSW - which runs March 12-16 in Austin – is one of the world’s biggest music festivals and conferences, featuring over 1300 acts from across the globe performing in every imaginable genre.
This year’s list of local showcasing acts includes rock acts The Weakerthans and The Details, hip-hop act Grand Analog, avante-folk act Christine Fellows, blues rockers The Perpetrators, and singer/songwriter Lindsay Jane. Manitoba acts will have the opportunity perform for some of the industry's top names as well as rabid audiences in several Austin venues.
For the tenth year, MARIA and MANITOBA FILM & SOUND joins forces with North By Northeast in presenting the hottest party at SXSW at the Caswell House - a gorgeous mansion in Austin, where industry and artists gather to eat barbecue, play music, and schmooze.
The RCMP have shut down an alleged music piracy ring, perhaps the biggest in Canadian history, in Winnipeg today following a year-long investigation by the
Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA). Police have filed criminal charges against four people from Audiomaxxx.com Ltd. and seized more than 200,000 music CDs and DVDs.
A breaking story can be found on CRIA's website:
Audiomaxxx's alleged piracy affects not just famous artists, but also new
and independent artists - largely in the reggae, soca and hip-hop community -
who are struggling to build careers. For example, Vancouver's Utopia Records,
one of the many independent labels to voice concerns, has seen new artist
albums appear on the Audiomaxxx website on the day an album is released in
stores or even before the legitimate launch date.
"The harm done by music piracy is especially troubling when it undermines
a promising artist's burgeoning career," Henderson said. "We will continue to
work with police and lawmakers to give these artists, and the organizations
behind them, the opportunity to succeed."
Read more...
UPDATE: CRIA has retracted its previous news release and...
The population of Toronto increases this week when Canadian Music Week, one of Canada's biggest music festivals and conferences, takes over. CMW runs March 5-8 and features over 500 showcasing bands over four nights at 44 live music venues.
This year, Manitoba is sending five bands to showcase for A&R reps, industry folks, and audiences. Hitting the stages are indie pop/rockers The Details, rock outfit The Nods, hip-hop act Grand Analog, rock trio Inward Eye, and roots act Andrew Neville & The Poor Choices.
In addition to the music fest, CMW features a variety of awards shows including the 8th annual Independent Music Awards, The Indies, which five hometown acts are up for. This year's nominees include punk poets The Weakerthans, country rock trio Doc Walker, hardcore heroes Comeback Kid, Grand Analog, and world music duo Compadres (featuring Winnipeg-based singer/songwriter James Keelaghan). The awards will be handed out on Saturday, March 8. Also up for a trophy is rock act Live On Arrival with a nod from the Canadian Radio Music Awards. Paquin Entertertainment got one and Dauphin radio man Bruce Leperre of CKDM got two nods from the Canadian Music Industry Awards,...
The extent to which commercial radio stations in Canada expose the music of emerging Canadian artists has been a hot topic of discussion for over a decade, most extensively during the two most recent reviews of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Commercial Radio policy.
In 2006, as a result of its commercial radio policy review, the federal regulator announced that radio licensees would now be asked to make specific commitments to provide airplay for and to promote emerging Canadian artists.
However, the Commission declined to define “an emerging Canadian artist.” As well, no timeline was set for the introduction of the category.
However, the CRTC had concluded that Canada’s commercial radio broadcasters should make commitments to broadcast selections by emerging Canadian artists and to promote such artists in their applications for new licenses, license renewals and transfers of ownership or control of radio stations. The Commission might then decide to impose these as conditions of license following the public process.
In their 2007 report on overhauling the regulatory framework for Canadian broadcasting services, Laurence...
A new weekly series of music films that aims to enlighten as much as entertain, BIG SMASH! MUSIC SCENE traverses broad musical terrain: baroque pop, country, metal, punk, soul & funk, folk and outsider music – all for a discounted admission of $5. Although in some cases premieres of popular films may hold over for longer runs, the series will focus on niche artists and the work of independent directors, with one-night-only screenings. Series curated by Kier-La Janisse with promotional assistance from MARIA, CKUW 95.9FM and Into The Music.
13 Mar 2008, 9:30 PM - JOE STRUMMER: THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN
Filmmaker Julien Temple (THE GREAT ROCK N’ ROLL SWINDLE) chronicles the transformation of a self-described "mouthy little git" into an anti-establishment icon known to the world as Joe Strummer. In his latest documentary, Temple uncovers the myth behind the frontman of the seminal punk band the Clash. Through previously unearthed interviews with Strummer himself and recollections of those who knew him best, Temple reveals a complex man who used his music as a bullhorn for his conscience--as well as a means to educate others about the injustices of the world. The film includes...
Norwegian hacker DVD Jon has broken the link between iTunes and the iPod. His new software will allow users to copy music and videos purchased in iTunes to other devices like mobile phones, reports the Times Online.
"In doing so, the software breaks the copy protection - known as 'digital rights management' or DRM - that is built into all music that is bought from iTunes. Music bought from iTunes can be played only on the iPod."
DJD Jon -- a.k.a. 22-year-old Jon Lech Johansen -- and his company, DoubleTwist, has previously released software enabling iPod owners to play music bought from sources other than iTunes.
DoubleTwist maintains that its software is legal "because it only allowed a user who has already purchased music to copy it." The company's ceo and co-founder, Monique Farantzos, claims that they're simply helping friends sending things to each other. Apple disagrees and lawyers are already involved, indicating possible copyright infringement.
In other news, my third-hand iPod's battery works for approximately 10 seconds.
Researchers believe that music distribution via mobile devices is the way of the future. Back in Janurary, CISAC released a study stating that by 2010, mobile will exceed internet for content delivery.
A new study by Jupiter Research finds that demand for mobile subscription-based services will surge in the next few years, outstripping pay by track services by 2012. According to the author: Music rental services such as those offered by Omnifone are incredibly 'sticky,' in that once consumers have taken the time and effort to build up an extensive playlist, they will be increasingly reluctant to unsubscribe from that service and from the operator, thereby providing a significant boost to ARPU levels.
No Depression published it's first issues in 1995, the same year that Emmy Lou Harris released her Daniel Lanois produced popular reinvention album Wrecking Ball, and Wilco released their first record AM. The name came from the first Uncle Tupelo record and the magazine was the un-official home of contemporary alt-country music, a term that they begrudgingly embraced.
As of this year's summer issue, the magazine will be no more. This was truly an artist friendly and independent publication, and it will be sad to see it go.
There is an interesting letter on their website about the current struggles of niche print publications, and specifically the struggles of music publications, related to the troubles in the music distribution business and shrinking advertising budgets of record labels.
