Next Big Sound (a/o May 16th):
They raised nearly $200,000 on Kickstarter, and now, Murder by Death is putting their product on the open market. The release, Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon, is now released and being complemented by a kick-off show in the band's hometown of Bloomington, IN. An in-depth interview with the group, specifically related to their Kickstarter project, is here.
One tenacious Kim Dotcom continues to tease Megabox, the abruptly-interrupted Megaupload musical companion. So far, this looks like a cloud-based concept that ties into Megakey and pays artists a reasonable royalty, though details on exactly how this all fits together remain foggy. "This is what they don't want you to have," Dotcom promised. "Unchaining artists and fans."
Separately, the tide continues to shift around Dotcom and the Megaupload case, especially in New Zealand. After an investigation revealed illegal monitoring of Dotcom by New Zealand authorities, the country is now issuing an apology. "Of course, I apologize to Mr. Dotcom, and I apologize to New Zealanders," prime minister John Martin expressed.
Uh, didn't he just launch something like this? Startup-happy Michael Robertson is now pumping his latest project, UberTalk, a radio-focused service that combines a cable-like guide with time-shifting and recording capabilities. This is an HTML5-based interface; an early peek at ubertalk.com looks a little rough.
Once upon a time, artists were politically-oriented and informed. "Y'all better vote for f-ing Obama, OK?" Madonna blasted a crowd in Washington this week, according to some grainy YouTube footage. "For better or for worse, we have a black Muslim in the White House. That's some amazing s--t. It means there is hope in this country." In subsequent interviews, Madonna claims she was being 'ironic' with the Muslim claim (or something like that).
P!nk topped the latest album rankings with sales north of 280,000 on Truth About Love. The Killers, Dave Matthews Band, and the Cruel Summer compilation from GOOD Music were close behind.
SoundExchange has just inked a reciprocal licensing and collection structure with Canada, one of 20 different global arrangements.
And, remembrances continue for Andy Williams, who passed away Tuesday night at 84. The crooner's legacy probably goes down as the 'star for squares,' especially those less dialed into counterculture excess. "Moon River" and "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" stand out as the biggest classics.
Me Thursday, September 27, 2012
I'll never forget the episode of The Simpsons where Nelson makes Bart, Milhouse, and Martin stop to watch Andy Williams in Branson, and then cries at the end of Moon River. Classic. R.I.P.
Paul Kennedy Friday, September 28, 2012
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is John Key... not John Martin.
No doubt you are getting him confused with John H. Martin who once had a small role on The Love Boat.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_H._Martin
John Key is indeed a bit player on the global scene,and New Zealand society is indeed much like one giant epidsode of The Love Boat. But you might still want to correct this.
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