| Available to premium subscribers, CMU Trends digs deeper into the inner workings of the music business, explaining how things work and reviewing all the recent trends. | |
 | TOP FIVE STREAMING CHALLENGES It's been a while since we've put the spotlight on challenges in the streaming sector. CMU Insights presented a new speed briefing on that very topic at the Output conference in Belfast this week. Based on that, here is a CMU Trends overview of the top five streaming challenges. [READ MORE] |
 | TOP THREE MUSIC BUSINESS TRENDS IN JANUARY For the super busy music business professional, CMU Trends helps you keep up to speed on the most important developments in the music industry in recent weeks with a concise summary of the top three trends of the last month: mechanical rights in the US; agent of change; YouTube and safe harbour. [READ MORE] |
 | REVIEWING THE SALES V LICENCE DEBATE It's four years now since CMU Trends last looked in on the sales v licence debate. But a new lawsuit filed by Enrique Iglesias against Universal Music is set to pose the question anew, this time very much from a streaming perspective. With that in mind, CMU Trends reviews the debate to date and what might happen next. [READ MORE] |
| TOP STORIES | CISAC responds to publishers' demands over Spanish collecting society READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LEGAL | Nelly sexual assault accusations under investigation by Essex Police Taylor Swift gets song-theft action dismissed READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| DEALS | Sony invests in Cooking Vinyl Australia READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LABELS & PUBLISHERS | Big Deal to administer Cy Coleman's Notable Music READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| EDUCATION & EVENTS | Roxanne de Bastion, ShaoDow and Eckoes to discuss and dissect their artist businesses at Cambridge's City Roots festival READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| RELEASES | Mavis Staples releases new video for Black History Month READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AWARDS | Metallica to be presented with Polar Music Prize READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | Sigur Rós, Tinashe, Benga, more READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | Billy Corgan was "always insufferable", says D'arcy Wretsky in new interview READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| Check out all the latest job opportunities with CMU Jobs. To advertise your job opportunities here email advertising@unlimitedmedia.co.uk or call 020 7099 0906. | |
 | INVOLVED GROUP - ROYALTY & ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT MANAGER (LONDON) Involved Group is looking for an experienced Royalty & Accounts Assistant Manager to join its busy and growing Finance Team. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN - ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER (LONDON) Academy Music Group is recruiting for an Assistant General Manager to assist in all aspects of the Operation of the building in relation to events staged at O2 Forum Kentish Town. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | KOBALT MUSIC RECORDINGS - INTERNATIONAL LABEL & PRODUCT MANAGER (LONDON) Kobalt Music Recordings is looking for a flexible, confident and highly organised International Label & Product Manager, based out of our London office. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING - ROYALTY TRACKING MANAGER (LONDON) Concord Music Publishing's Royalty Tracking Manager role will focus on maximising client royalties through the tracking of missing revenue. A good understanding of UK, and potentially European, music collection societies and royalty processes is essential. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | LISTEN UP - SENIOR PRESS MANAGER (LONDON) Listen Up is currently recruiting for a highly motivated Senior Press Manager with a passion for electronic music and industry relevant experience to join our rapidly growing team. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | HOUSE OF BESTIVAL - NEW BUSINESS PROJECT MANAGER (LONDON) House of Bestival, the brand activation and creative prop house division of the Bestival group, is recruiting a New Business Project Manager. For more information and to apply click here. |
| KOBALT MUSIC GROUP - CLIENT ADMIN ASSISTANT (LONDON) Kobalt Music Recordings (KMR) is looking for a detail-oriented and organised individual to assist with our royalty and accounting responsibilities within our Artist and Label Services department, incorporating the AWAL distribution business. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | THE ORCHARD - INTERNATIONAL ARTIST & LABEL MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) The Orchard is looking for a savvy, seasoned International Artist & Label Marketing Co-ordinator to promote The OrchardÂs artists and labels in Europe and beyond. For more information and to apply click here. |
| THE ORCHARD - LABEL MANAGER (LONDON) The Orchard has an immediate opening for a label manager in our London office. Managing key relationships you will be the first point of contact for a number of labels, artists and managers. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | FIRE RECORDS - PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION ADMINISTRATOR (LONDON) Fire Records is seeking a Production And Distribution Administrator, experienced in all areas of record production and manufacturing. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | SHOGUN AUDIO GROUP - PRODUCT AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER (BRIGHTON) Shogun Audio Group is looking to hire an experienced, highly motivated, passionate Product and Distribution Manager to join our growing team. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | ACADEMY EVENTS - TOUR MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) Academy Events is seeking a Tour Marketing Co-ordinator to co-ordinate the sales and marketing function for tours, liaising with promoters, agencies, marketing depts and PR, seeking creative marketing opportunities, maximising ticket sales and other such revenues by developing and managing key marketing campaigns. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | WILDLIFE ENTERTAINMENT - FINANCE MANAGER (MATERNITY COVER) (LONDON) Finance Manager for a successful artist management company based in Parsons Green. Accounting for artists, in particular touring for multiple active acts. This is a part time role, three days a week, for a nine month maternity cover contract commencing April 2018. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | THE MUSIC ROYALTY COMPANY - ROYALTIES ASSISTANT (LONDON) The Music Royalty Company provides financial and administrative services to many record labels, distributors, publishers and recording artists. We require a dedicated Royalties Assistant eager to progress their career alongside other talented people. For more information and to apply click here. |
| CMU Insights provides training and consultancy to music companies and companies working with music. Find out about our seminars, masterclasses and primers here... | |
 | CMU SEMINARS: MAKING MONEY FROM MUSIC COPYRIGHT Mondays 19 Feb 2018 at 6.30pm in London The final of our copyright focused seminars puts the focus on the music rights sector, providing a concise overview of the digital market, including key streaming services, plus physical, sync and public performance income. Places at the seminar are just £49.99. CLICK HERE FOR INFO. |
 | CMU SEMINARS: BUILDING A FANBASE AND FAN BUSINESS Mondays 26 Feb, 5, 12 Mar 2018 at 6.30pm in London These three CMU Insights seminars together provide an overview of how to build a fanbase for new artists and new music. They also look at how artists can use these channels to build a direct-fo-fan business. You can book into each individual session at £49.99 per seminar or you can book a place on all three at the special price of £125. CLICK HERE FOR INFO. |
 | CMU PRIMER: KEY MUSIC BUSINESS TRENDS 2018 These are courses we can run in-house at your company As we head into 2018, CMU Insights is now offering music companies a special two-hour primer session reviewing five key areas of the music business, summarising important developments from the last twelve months and looking at the challenges that lie ahead in the next year. Including: the streaming business, piracy, safe harbour, ticketing and data. CLICK HERE FOR INFO. |
CISAC responds to publishers' demands over Spanish collecting society
CISAC, the global group for song right collecting societies around the world, has responded to a call by the International Confederation Of Music Publishers that it suspend the membership of Spanish performing rights organisation SGAE.
In an unusually bold statement for the global trade organisation for music publishers, the ICMP said on Monday that it had filed "a formal complaint with CISAC calling on it to suspend SGAE from its membership".
There have been various controversies surrounding the Spanish collecting society over the years. Most recently the society's offices were raided by police investigating an alleged scam involving certain SGAE members and some Spanish TV executives. Dubbed 'the wheel', the scam involved TV stations playing specific music overnight so that certain SGAE members could claim extra royalties.
ICMP specifically hit out at SGAE last month after representatives from three of its members were barred from attending one of the society's board meetings. In a letter to the boss of SGAE it added that "we have learned that SGAE is attempting to replace these three democratically elected music publishers with other publishers who were never previously elected by SGAE's voting members and who might have relationships with the anomalous night music distribution".
It went on: "We find it preposterous that SGAE would even contemplate replacing democratically elected publishers with those who are now under judicial investigation for their links to the 'wheel' practice".
On Monday, ICMP said in its statement that it "firmly believes that the only way CISAC can comply with its mission of ensuring that its member societies operate according to industry best practices is to suspend SGAE, until the Spanish society complies with basic rules of non-discrimination between creators and publishers and treats national and international authors equally".
Responding, CISAC this morning said that once it receives ICMP's formal complaint it will review the matter, noting that the organisation recently beefed up its complaints procedure.
It stated: "Good governance in collective management of authors' rights is a key priority for CISAC. CISAC is aware of ICMP's intention to file a complaint against SGAE, takes it very seriously and, when the complaint is formally lodged, will evaluate it under our rigorous governance and best practices rules".
Noting past concerns raised against SGAE, the global group added: "CISAC has been aware of the concerns voiced over SGAE's situation in the past and has offered its support in an effort to assist the society's management in addressing it. Membership of CISAC is, and must always be, a hallmark of trust and legitimacy for all member societies. It is for this reason that CISAC maintains and regularly updates its governance rules for members, and conducts reviews to ensure compliance".
On its new procedures for dealing with complaints, it concluded: "CISAC also recently established a significantly improved complaints process, which was asked for and approved last year by our members worldwide. This new process helps CISAC promote and maintain the highest standards of professional conduct among authors societies globally".
Nelly sexual assault accusations under investigation by Essex Police
Nelly is now under investigation over an alleged sexual assault in Essex last year. Reports of the incident, following a show at Southend's Cliffs Pavilion, first emerged in a US defamation lawsuit against the rapper last month.
Essex Police said in a statement: "We are investigating after a woman reported to us that she was sexually assaulted at an address in Westcliff on 5 Dec 2017".
The allegations made by an unnamed woman were included, along with details of another alleged attack at a show in London, in an updated defamation lawsuit brought against the rapper by Monique Greene.
The rapper was arrested in the US last October after Greene accused him of raping her on his tour bus. The investigation was later dropped, after she refused to testify, her attorney saying that she felt "the system was going to fail her".
After the criminal case was dropped, Nelly launched legal action against Greene, to which she launched a countersuit. Her lawsuit states that she decided not to participate in the criminal investigation after police broke her anonymity, despite promises not to, which led to a wave of attacks online.
Commenting on the new police investigation in the UK, Nelly's attorney, Scott Rosenblum, told TMZ: "These allegations arose after Ms Greene amended her suit for money to include a reference to these claims. The fact that the police are investigating these claims is not new information and Nelly welcomes a thorough investigation. Nelly is confident that once investigated, these claims will be determined to be disingenuous".
He added: "Nelly was accompanied by his girlfriend during this tour and she was at his side throughout. It is important that police investigate every allegation of this nature".
Another accusation against Nelly detailed in Greene's updated lawsuit is alleged to have taken place at Koko in London.
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Taylor Swift gets song-theft action dismissed
A US judge has dismissed a song-theft lawsuit pursued against Taylor Swift, although the plaintiffs have been given a chance to file amended litigation.
This is the legal battle in which songwriters Sean Hall and Nathan Butler accused Swift of ripping off a 2001 song they wrote for 3LW called 'Playas Gon Play' on her 2014 hit 'Shake It Off'. In the lawsuit Hall and Butler claimed that Swift's lyric "Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play/And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate", was a rip off of their line "The playas gon play/Them haters gonna hate".
Swift's team dubbed the song-theft legal claim a "money grab" and sought to have the lawsuit dismissed. Yesterday judge Michael Fitzgerald did just that, declaring that the lyrics shared by 'Shake It Off' and 'Playas Gon Play' are "banal". Sensible judge. Though he meant too banal to enjoy copyright protection.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fitzgerald stated: "The lynchpin of this entire case is ... whether or not the lyrics 'Playas, they gonna play/And haters, they gonna hate' are eligible for protection under the Copyright Act". He then mused that by 2001, "American popular culture was heavily steeped in the concepts of players, haters, and player haters".
As a result, he concluded: "The concept of actors acting in accordance with their essential nature is not at all creative; it is banal". Therefore, "the allegedly infringed lyrics are short phrases that lack the modicum of originality and creativity required for copyright protection".
If Hall and Butler can make a case for 'Shake It Off' nabbing more from 'Playas Gon Play' that merely some players and some haters, they are welcome to submit new legal papers, Fitzgerald added. Though "the court is extremely skeptical that Plaintiffs will - in a manner consistent with Rule 11 - be able to rehabilitate their copyright infringement claim in an amended complaint". But they can try, he said.
Sony invests in Cooking Vinyl Australia
Sony Music Australia has invested in Cooking Vinyl Australia, the two companies have announced. As well as investing money into the indie label, the major will now exclusively distribute its recordings through its Orchard label services company.
Sony Music's CEO for Australia & New Zealand Denis Handlin says: "Cooking Vinyl Australia is an incredibly talented team and we are delighted to be starting 2018 with this dynamic partnership. This venture will further expand Sony Music's diverse roster of local and international artists and releases and we are looking forward to an exciting future".
Leigh Gruppetta, co-MD of Cooking Vinyl Australia, adds: "We are THRILLED about what the future holds as we enter this next phase of the business. The opportunity to further grow and develop the careers of our artists and partner labels has just received a massive shot in the arm. The faith shown in us by Denis and his team is humbling".
Cooking Vinyl Australia was launched in 2013, with the aim of signing local and international acts, as well as representing the existing Cooking Vinyl roster in the Australian market. It launched its own publishing division in 2016.
This is not the first deal between Sony and the Cooking Vinyl Group. In 2016, Sony Music acquired Cooking Vinyl's label services business Essential Music And Marketing. It was merged with Sony's existing distribution firm to create Red Essential, which then merged with The Orchard.
Big Deal to administer Cy Coleman's Notable Music
Music publisher Big Deal has signed up Notable Music to a new worldwide administration agreement. Notable was founded in 1962 by songwriter Cy Coleman, who wrote songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'Big Spender'.
"Anchored by Cy Coleman's enduring compositions, Notable Music is a wellspring of incredible writers and their songs", says Big Deal president Kenny MacPherson. "I'm THRILLED to welcome this amazing catalogue into the Big Deal family".
Notable president Shelby Coleman, Cy Coleman's widow, adds: "Notable's association with Kenny and his team goes back many years to when we worked together at Chrysalis. We are THRILLED to be back in such a creative environment and look forward to continuing to create new opportunities for the influential and hugely popular songs that Cy and the rest of the Notable writers have brought into the world".
The Notable company also represents composers such as Bobby Hebb, Rosanne Cash, Sam Phillips and Tift Merritt.
Roxanne de Bastion, ShaoDow and Eckoes to discuss and dissect their artist businesses at Cambridge's City Roots festival
The Featured Artists Coalition and CMU:DIY will next month present the first ever Artist:Entrepreneur Day, as part of the City Roots festival in Cambridge on Thursday 1 Mar.
This new event aimed at aspiring artists and future industry talent will see three artist entrepreneurs open up their respective artist businesses and discuss their decisions and experiences to date. The artist entrepreneurs leading this first edition are Roxanne de Bastion, ShaoDow and Eckoes.
Each artist entrepreneur will discuss how they manage and monetise their music rights, their experiences gigging and touring, how they developed their brand and identity, and which channels are most effective for engaging fans. They will also discuss how they chose the business partners they currently work with, and what role each partner plays.
Joining the artist entrepreneurs will be ten music industry experts who will offer practical advice on the business side of music, and explain how they support the artists they work with. Alongside that, CMU:DIY will present five new A:E Guides helping attendees understand music revenues, music rights and the music business.
The Artist:Entrepreneur Day is a new educational initiative - piloted by FAC and CMU:DIY last year - with a unique artist-to-artist approach. After the launch at City Roots in Cambridge, it will tour to other UK towns and cities in partnership with other festivals and venues around the country.
FAC's Lucie Caswell says: "The FAC recognises that artists are the primary value creators in the music business, and that a community of artist businesses sits at the heart of the music industry. Each artist business is a multi-faceted enterprise, and a key role of the FAC is to help the artist entrepreneurs that make up our membership develop and grow their individual businesses".
She goes on: "We believe that a crucial part of that is encouraging existing artist entrepreneurs to share their experiences, and to talk through the approaches they have taken and the business partners they have worked with. That's what the Artist:Entrepreneur Day is all about, backed up by our colleagues and collaborators from across the music industry, and our co-hosts CMU:DIY".
More details about the Artist:Entrepreneur Day are available here. Tickets are available here.
| Approved: Syrra Syrra - aka vocalist Aneta Wrzos and producer Sinah Blohberger - released their debut single 'I Can Be Mean' at the tail end of last summer. A slow-paced track, put together with a light touch that resulted in a lush-sounding piece of music, it was a strong starting point. Thankfully, it wasn't a one-off, as they've now returned with the follow-up, 'Sick'. Taking a similar lyrical view to 'I Can Be Mean', looking the effect of mental health on a relationship (albeit from a different angle), it creates an impressive companion piece. Blohberger washes swelling synths slowly over the top of the track, while other instruments dance around Wrzos's vocals. The duo have two live shows coming up. First at The Waiting Room in Stoke Newington tomorrow, then at The Slaughtered Lamb in Clerkenwell on 20 Feb. Watch the video for 'Sick' here. Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
Mavis Staples releases new video for Black History Month
Legendary soul singer Mavis Staples has released a video for the title track of her 2017 album 'If All I Was Was Black', to mark Black History Month.
The video's director Zac Manuel says: "In 2017 I watched as all the Confederate monuments came down in New Orleans, but the conversation never arose as to what would replace them".
"This video imagines a reality where we venerate people who are truly deserving of being immortalised in public spaces", he continues. "A reality in which black people can be proud to see themselves on pedestals in the air, cast in iron and stone. The intent of this video is to highlight black excellence, and to provoke and encourage a larger public appreciation of the labour - physical and emotional - the people of colour often are expected to bear".
Staples is set to play two nights at London Union Chapel on 9-10 Jul. Watch the video for 'If All I Was Was Black' here.
Metallica to be presented with Polar Music Prize
Metallica have been announced as one of the two winners of this year's Polar Music Prize. They will receive the award in June, alongside the Afghanistan National Institute Of Music.
"Receiving the Polar Music Prize is an incredible thing", says Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. "It puts us in very distinguished company. It's a great validation of everything that Metallica has done over the last 35 years. At the same time, we feel like we're in our prime with a lot of good years ahead of us".
ANIM founder Ahmad Sarmast adds: "I'm very excited, honoured and privileged to be a recipient of the 2018 Polar Music Prize alongside The Afghanistan National Institute of Music".
The Afghanistan National Institute Of Music was founded in 2010, in response to the loss of traditional music in Afghanistan due to the political situation in the country. Between 1996 and 2001, music had been completely banned there.
Presented by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, each Polar Music Prize winner receives one million Swedish kronor (approximately £90,000).
Commenting on this year's recipients, Marie Ledin, MD of the Polar Music Prize, says: "We believe that our two recipients, although from very contrasting worlds, exemplify the mission of the Polar Music Prize, and that is to honour musicians and music organisations whose work has made a difference to people's lives".
She goes on: "Metallica are loved and admired by millions of hard rock fans across the globe. They have led where other bands have followed and their 2017 world tour broke all records. Dr Ahmad Sarmast founded the Afghanistan National Institute Of Music to restore the joy and power of music to children's lives. ANIM's work with young people and disadvantaged children is truly inspirational".
The ceremony will take place at Stockholm's Grand Hôtel on 14 Jun. Previous winners include Paul McCartney, Elton John, Björk, and Evelyn Glennie.
Sigur Rós, Tinashe, Benga, more
Other notable announcements and developments today...
 Music written by Sigur Rós and Alex Somers for 'Black Mirror' episode 'Hang The DJ' is set to be released on vinyl in April.
 Tinashe has released another new single, 'Faded Love', featuring Future.
 Rina Sawayama has released a new track for Valentine's Day, which I'm told is today. Here's 'Valentine (What It's Gonna Be)'.
 Benga has released new track 'Psychosis'. "It was all part of the process leading to acceptance and moving forward", he told DJ Mag. "I had just finished writing about everything that happened leading up to my sectioning. So when I wrote 'Psychosis', this is what came out, it was organic and it captured everything I was about".
 Melvins will return with a new album, 'A Walk With Love And Death', on 20 Apr. From it, this is 'Christ Hammer'.
 Lone has released new track, 'Hyper Seconds', taken from his upcoming 'Ambivert Tools Volume Three' EP.
 Worriedaboutsatan have returned with a new release, 'Shift'.
 Indoor Pets have released a video for their new single, 'So Soon'. They kick off a UK tour tomorrow.
 The Crazy Frog's version of 'Axel F' now has more than a billion plays on YouTube, you idiots.
 Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
Billy Corgan was "always insufferable", says D'arcy Wretsky in new interview
We're still a day away from the official announcement that the Smashing Pumpkins are reuniting and it's already drifted ever further into farce. Former bassist D'arcy Wretsky has now given her first full-on proper interview in 20 years to dispute claims made earlier this week in a statement from the band.
As her former bandmates Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlain prepare to announce new music and tour dates, Wretsky initially issued a statement via text message to the BlastEcho website. She claimed that she had been blocked from re-joining the band, going so far as to say that she'd been offered a contract by Corgan that was then retracted.
The band responded with a statement saying that they "haven't played a show with D'arcy Wretzky for over eighteen years. But it's not for a lack of trying".
They went on: "Despite reports, Ms Wretzky has repeatedly been invited out to play with the group, participate in demo sessions, or at the very least, meet face-to-face, and in each and every instance she always deferred".
This, says Wretsky, is nonsense. "[Billy] has been telling people, 'Well [The Smashing Pumpkins] haven't played with [D'arcy] at all in eighteen years'. Right dumbass, because then it wouldn't be a reunion", she tells Alternative Nation. "He says that he's invited me to come out and play for all of these things, which is a complete lie. He's never invited me to anything".
She adds that after Iha appeared on stage with Corgan in 2016, and then contributed to his latest solo album 'Ogilala', she approached Corgan about performing together during the tour for that record.
"He did the solo album tour, and he didn't tell me when it started", she says. "I was texting him saying, 'Where the fuck are you dumbass?' He's like, 'Oh, I'm in New York. The tour started'. Then I'm like, 'Where are you?' 'Oh, the tour ended, you missed it'. He thinks it's a privilege for anyone to be in his presence, so therefore he shouldn't have to tell me, and I shouldn't have to be invited".
When it comes to the upcoming reunion, she says that the deal she was offered was to be a guest at certain shows, rather than joining for a full tour. "That was apparently the plan all along", she says.
As for her personal opinion of Corgan, she says: "Everyone said he changed since he had a kid, and he can be very charming, and fun. He's fun to talk to; I enjoy mental sparring with him. I just was so out of that world for the longest time, I wasn't aware of a lot of the crazy stuff, like he supports Trump. What? The shapeshifting thing? I honestly think he may have a brain tumour. He's always been insufferable".
While you may think all that might not bode well for any rekindling of their friendship, she notes that she and Corgan "were never friends". You can read the full and fairly confusing interview here.
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