Next Big Sound (a/o May 24th):
Because sugar-daddies trim costs, too. Across the Atlantic, UMG parent Vivendi is now facing a serious downgrade threat, with more cuts in store than Barbershop 2. Vivendi shares are lulling in a nine-year nadir, and Fitch Ratings is planning to chop its grade if appropriate 'deleveraging' doesn't happen in time. All of which puts intense pressure on Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge, who had no problem slithering past Senatorial inquiries last week but faces serious financial questions related to EMI. That is, even if the deal isn't approved.
Now this is button-pushing, but how long will the party last? The biggest deal of late belongs to Live Nation, which recently grabbed EDM production company HARD Events. That comes moments after LN's acquisition of Cream Holdings, and comes alongside Robert FX Sillerman's promise to deploy a billion on EDM-related properties. "EDM has turned into a massively marketed cruise ship, and it's sinking fast," deadmau5 blogged, while pointing to 'celebrity DJ' overdoses like Paris Hilton and Pauly D.
Separately, Live Nation has settled its longtime row with Michael Cohl, with terms kept private. The ego-heavy war included a major debate about the Rolling Stones, and whether Cohl was stepping on non-competes by working directly with the group. Let's see if this results in another mega-Stones trek.
The baseball analogy is stretching thin, but is this game ready to begin? A few months ago, an RIAA-organized '6 strikes' anti-piracy plan was announced with a July 1st start, though this 'cooperation' has been dragging for years. "Each ISP has to develop their infrastructure for automating the system," RIAA chief Cary Sherman told C|Net in March, while munching on lobster-and-caviar poppers. "Some are nearing completion and others are a little further from completion."
Which brings us to .music, an upcoming domain name extension with an uncertain future. Most reacted negatively to Far Further's ultra-exclusive, boys-clubby plan for the suffix. But the acronym-heavy consortium, which counts the RIAA among its ranks, may have more problems that we originally thought. Still 'registering' all the details...
Is Spotify the second-largest revenue source for the majors? The fluffy claim from Business Insider is getting spanked by knowledgeable executives, with a half-baked source suspected. But there's other action, including a first wave of Artist Apps from the likes of Quincy Jones, Tiesto, Rancid, and of course, Disturbed. But which celebrated indie band - not necessarily on this list - is rumored to actually be investing in Spotify?
If DIY is dead, self-managed, well-financed teams are living the good life. Which brings us to Amanda Palmer, who just inked a physically-focused distribution deal with Alliance Entertainment. Just-acquired Audiolife is suddenly the 'starting quarterback' on this one, with the upcoming, Kickstarter-financed Theatre of Evil the focus. The album hits September 11th; tactile commodities include CDs, LPs, and some rather complicated packaging variations.
America, the bully. It's a theme that's resonating for MegaUpload's Kim Dotcom - not only in New Zealand, but among Americans as well. Like Steve Wozniak, who is openly questioning some very heavy-handed, process-lacking Yankee tactics. "You don't just shut down the whole street because somebody is speeding," Woz told the AP, while pointing to legitimate MegaUpload uses. Of course, the story isn't quite that simple, though Dotcom's defense remains hamstringed by frozen millions. "It's just kind of ridiculous what they did to his life."
Jeri Mandering Wednesday, June 27, 2012
"It's ridiculous what they did to his life..."
Seriously?
Maybe the goverment did get heavy handed to prove a point, but let's face facts: Mega Upload was one of the biggest enemies of musicians anywhere. They were the first of the storage sites that allowed fans to share full albums, movies and more with no attempts to pay any rightsholders. He seriously gave everyone the middle finger.
It's ironic that some less than knowledgeable musicians signed on to promote his cause later. If they had half a clue they wouldn't have. But they don't.
Now he's on the spin campaign to get himself out of trouble. And he has another business plan in MegaBox that is full of fuckery for artists and fans.
His Mega--- companies just opened the door. A lot of other companies like Rapidshare, Hulkshare, Supload and more followed. This can't continue.
I hope the government stuffs that pig.
MP3Michael Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Jeri,
In the US (under whose laws Kim Dotcom is being charged), the government just doesn't get to decide that you're an "enemy" and confiscate your money, real estate, shut your company, etc.
There's something called Due Process which means that charges have to be proven and the accused has a chance to face the accuser and have legal representation (among other things). Due process is a tenant of liberty in our country and this seems to have been ignored.
It doesn't matter if everyone thinks Kim Dotcom is evil, he is still entitled to those rights. This is what makes America great. When we weaken this and make exceptions because some condemn others before they have a fair legal process it makes us no better than the lawless dictatorships around the country.
Eurotrash Thursday, June 28, 2012
That may have been what MADE America Great, but there are not a lot of souls outside the US who think that this is a prevailing philosophy any more. Dotcom, Wikileaks, Various oil rich arab countries and latin american attepmts at independance all add up to enforce the image of a schoolyard bully.
wallow-T Thursday, June 28, 2012
The reported July 1 start date for "6 Strikes" appears to be severely outdated news.
In a Time story from this week, the start of the program is given as "fall."
(See the @copyrightinfo twitter feed.)
jackass aa Thursday, June 28, 2012
I would like to point out something very offensive with this story. Namely, the joke "more cuts than Barbershop 2". I'm offended by the bad humor. Please hire a Daily Show writer or something with your bottomless bank account you use to fight Grooveshark and fund your website.
Even "more cuts than Edward Scissorhands" or "more cuts than a depressed teenage girl's arm" would have sufficed.
preacherman Thursday, June 28, 2012
Then again, Barbershop 2 does have a lot of cutting in it.
John Friday, June 29, 2012
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