Wednesday, October 25, 2006

UNSIGNED BANDS - new online submissions systems

From Yahoo! music news
[http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/36665882]

EMI seeks online demos of aspiring stars

10/24/2006 6:50 AM, AP


A major pop recording label is opening an online portal for aspiring singers and groups, EMI announced Tuesday.

The group's Parlophone label, whose artists include Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue, Radiohead and Norah Jones, is now accepting music files online, as well as in mailbags.

Since the rise of the Internet and the MP3 file, recording employees' e-mail inboxes have been clogged with Web site links and music attachments, in addition to demo tapes and CDs arriving vie regular mail, according EMI said.

New software designed by a former musician allows aspiring artists to upload their music files and publicity photos directly to Parlophone.

"One of our top priorities is to keep our talent spotting process as efficient and up to date as possible," Nigel Coxon, head of Parlophone's artist and repertoire team, said in a statement.

"This new system allows us to do just that, while at the same time helping us stay committed to giving anyone the opportunity to be heard."

Parlophone tested the new software over the summer, EMI spokesman Dylan Jones said. A few independent labels have previously adopted such a system.

The software tracks which recordings Parlophone workers have listened to, and allows them to rate tracks and artists. The system also alerts musicians when their tracks have been reviewed.

In the coming months, Parlophone hopes to phase all demo tapes to online submissions, Jones said.

EMI's other major labels include EMI Records and Virgin Records. No decisions have been made regarding switching any other labels to accept demo tapes online, Jones said.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Chili Peppers and Gnarls Barkley to Tour Together

It was just announced that RHCP will be touring the U.S. with Gnarls Barkley in early 2007! Cities and dates ahev not yet been released, but keep checking back - we'll tell you as soon as we know.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

PaxilBack, anyone?

JT's got nothin' on these guys:



[The Gray Kid feat. Daniel Stessen]

Monday, October 09, 2006

Yoko Celebrates John's Birthday in Iceland

YOKO ONO WILL HOLD TWO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS PROMOTING WORLD PEACE ON JOHN LENNON'S BIRTHDAY, OCTOBER 9

NEW YORK, September 9, 2006 – Legendary artist, musician and peace advocate, Yoko Ono, announced today she will be holding two events in Iceland on October 9th to promote peace throughout the world. On this highly anticipated date, which is the birthday of her late husband John Lennon, she will award the LennonOno Grant for Peace and will initiate the ceremony for the dedicated site of the IMAGINE PEACE Tower.



The LennonOno Grant For Peace, will be awarded during a private ceremony at the historic Höfdi House, in the city of Reykjavik. The two $50,000 grants will be given to the international medical humanitarian organization, Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the non-profit legal and educational organization, Center for Constitutional Rights for their global commitment to peace, truth and human rights.

In recognition of this year's grant recipients Ms Ono states: These two groups look beyond today's conflicts and destruction and envision a positive future for our society, while working selflessly and tirelessly towards establishing a more peaceful environment for our planet. They are strong representatives of the many groups who are working in the same direction, today. They need and deserve all of our support and respect.

The IMAGINE PEACE Tower, which was envisioned by Ms Ono over 40 years ago, has plans to be constructed in Reykjavik. Through the collective efforts of the Reykjavik Art Museum and the City of Reykjavik the dedication of the site for this tower will be held on the picturesque Icelandic island of Videy. The base of the IMAGINE PEACE Tower will be filled with prayers and wishes from people of all nations and will serve as a beacon of light for all people who dream of world peace.

"Each one of us was born at this time, not by chance, but to fulfill a mission. Our work is not yet done. I know that John's spirit will be joining us on that day, October 9th, in Reykjavik and I look forward to seeing you there to celebrate this exciting day. WAR IS OVER, if you want it. I love you." - Yoko Ono


LennonOno Grant For Peace Background


Four years ago, the LennonOno Grant For Peace was created as a way to promote peace, truth and humanity in the world, and to help people who promote these values to continue their work. This year, Ms Ono has changed the ceremony's venue from the United Nations Headquarters in New York City to Reykjavik, after discovering the very unique beauty of this Nordic country. Past Grant For Peace recipients have been, Israeli artist Zvi Goldstein, Palestinian artist Khalil Rabah, Israeli nuclear inspector Mordechai Vanunu and renowned investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. While future grants may be given to peace activists, artists or other deserving individuals, Ms. Ono specified, that the LennonOno Grant For Peace will always focus on issues of healing, humanity and support for a more peaceful world.

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Detour

This year marked the first for L.A.'s latest addition to the festival circuit: L.A. Weekly's Detour Festival. While surprisingly underattended, it was a great start. Headliners were Beck and Queens of the Stone Age (yay! on both counts); other acts included the extremely fun and colorful Of Montreal, local boys (and girl) The Blood Arm, Basement Jaxx for the raver crowd, The Like, Blackalicious, and a handful of others with whom I'm not even remotely familiar - even after spending the day downtown.

Of Montreal



Bassement Jaxx



Beck



QOTSA

Thursday, October 05, 2006

New Beck kept off the U.K. charts

It's official: Beck's latest - The Information - hit stores this week. The innovative release proved to be too much for U.K. charts. Here's the story from Beck's people themselves:

BECK
THE INFORMATION
RELEASED MONDAY, OCTOBER 2 IN THE UK
DENIED ENTRY ON UK CHARTS

Beck's The Information was released Monday, October 2 in the UK (and was released yesterday in the U.S.).

Come next week, no matter how high its first week sales, The Information will not be charting in the UK due to a bizarre ruling by the UK's Official Chart Company.

According to the OCC, The Information's packaging innovations--which have drawn early raves such as "Bonus points for the accompanying DVD and stickers that let CD buyers create their own customized covers" (WIRED)--render the record ineligible to chart in the UK.

Ironically, the DVD of homemade videos for every song on The Information and the four random sticker sets designed by artists handpicked by Beck have been construed by the OCC as an "unfair advantage"--rather than what they actually are: unique and forward-thinking additional facets that expand the album experience beyond the purchase of a plastic disc.

Beck is currently on tour in the U.S. through late October.