In Case You Missed It: Reading Recap
The Best Things in Life Aren't Free?
Not to be left out of the growing media preoccupation with new music services from industry giants like Google and Apple, not to mention the handful of new players who have emerged ahead of the curve like mspot, MOG, Spotify and Rdio, MySpace Music is back in the mix with renewed reports this week of a looming subscription service. The company is said to be in talks with labels about moving away from their current free streaming model to a paid service… Simultaneously MySpace parent News Corp. was quick to deny rumors that the company is in talks to sell the once supreme social network that has been facing a tough transition and revolving door of executives over the last year… An article in the WSJ today examines the increasingly tough road for the live music business – and for those keeping score, Rihanna’s “Last Girl on Earth” tour appears to be the latest summer outing to announce cancellations… Elsewhere, Wilco is planning to start their own label and will be leaving Warner Music after a 15-year relationship, having released albums on both Reprise and then Nonesuch… And CAA + “The Decision” x Kanye West = LeBron to The Heat…
07.8.10Know Your Rights…
Who's Next?
Over the last year BMG Rights Management, the publishing entity backed by German media giant Bertelsmann (who recently celebrated its 175th anniversary) along with investor KKR, has been busy buying catalogs and publishing companies in Europe and increasingly in the U.S.. So far acquisitions in the U.S. include Crosstown Songs America, Adage IV and Cherry Lane Music Publishing – the latter being their largest acquisition to date. Speculation of the company’s interest in EMI Music Publishing has continued to varying degrees for nearly as long as the new entity has existed, but with Terra Firma’s recent inflow of investor cash, some are questioning whether action will be taken any time soon. Regardless of a move on EMI, insiders share that BMG RM will continue its aggressive acquisitions, with a particular eye on prominent independent publishers… Elsewhere KKR has had its own spotlight recently, with multiple reports of their interest in talent powerhouse CAA and a new listing on the New York Stock Exchange beginning next week, analysts perceive eagerness among U.S. investors for the firm’s arrival. Stay Tuned…
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Out and About: Week in Review
Heavy Young Heathens @ El Cid Tuesday Night
The theme for this week was firsts… Monday night at Silverlake Lounge saw a smattering of industry and early-adopters out for the Pittsburgh band 1, 2, 3 who will see their second single released this month via Chess Club in the UK. The band’s debut single came out on Ooh La La Records earlier this year. Monday was the group’s first show ever. Warner Bros.’s Matt Marshall and Lindsey Cook, who has recently taken up West Coast A&R reins for RCA Records, were on-hand for the indie-inaugural. Across town KCRW’s School Night had another full house for Angela McCluskey – among fans in attendance was Joaquin Phoenix, thankfully he didn’t rap… Tapas and rock were on the menu for Tuesday night at El Cid, where we caught an early performance from locals Heavy Young Heathens, check out recent love for the band on MTV’s Buzzworthy Blog. And speaking of buzz, a lot of folks were out to catch new band Group Love who took the tiny flamenco-stage after HYH that night for their first show ever. Mingling on the East Side restaurant’s patio that night was CAA uber-agent Jenna Adler (who just picked up Surfer Blood), Interscope A&R hitter Louie Bandak and Atlantic Record’s Mollie Moore. We also caught up with Flogging Molly manager and merch-master Gary Schwindt who promised to teach us everything he knows about hoodies and tees… Ian Rogers was not out at the Viper Room on Wednesday night for Get Busy Committee’s first official L.A. show, but plenty of others were there to catch GBC’s unique high-energy performance. The Topspin Media founder was however on-site for the previous day’s parking-lot party on the West Side, which featured a performance from GBC and a visit from the Kogi BBQ truck… Yum.
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Take Notice: Saint Motel
L.A.'s Saint Motel
With sold-out shows at The Roxy, long lines for their Spaceland residency and a packed room for their recent KROQ/Filter show at the Echoplex, Tinseltown music fans and industry folks alike have definitely taken notice of L.A. locals Saint Motel. Now, having completed a successful Northwest/Canada tour with UK buzz act Band of Skulls, expect a lot more folks to be packing their shows. And rightfully so, considering powerhouse talent agency CAA have picked them up for representation.
From the beginning, the group took added measures to stand out from other local acts by putting together themed “events” rather than just shows, like their annual Zombie Prom or the Black and White show. They also used creative methods of promoting, such as creating videos to virally promote their events. When they released their six-song ForPlay EP last September, it also came with a free video for each song. What may seem like small extra touches, have gone a long way to building a solid fan base, and has caught the attention of local tastemakers like KROQ’s Kat Corbett and Nic Harcourt, who have championed the band. Catch them on July 1st at the Hammer Museum where they headline the opening show of KCRW’s concert series, Also I like to Rock…
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If Ya Don’t Know, Now Ya Know: Violence to Vegas
Violence to Vegas @ Viper Room tomorrow night (10/13)
Violence to Vegas is the band to get on your bill going through the mid-west, at least that’s true if your name is Avenged Sevenfold, Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Slipknot or Shinedown, to name a few. Spitting their brand of infectious rock venom to a rabid fan-base, the Tulsa, OK natives have supported numerous heavy-hitters. The single “In the Eyes,” off their past release, went to # 59 on the modern rock chart completely independently, and new track “Beautiful Mistake” is getting spins on KATT after winning the station’s specialty band vs. band call-in show, beating out the likes of Metallica, Creed and Green Day. CAA is already on-board for booking. The band plays the Viper Room tomorrow night Tuesday, October 13th @ 8:30PM. Check it: www.myspace.com/violencetovegas
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