Industry News

Kazaa relaunches as a legit music download service

Kazaa, once a peer-to-peer file sharing site at the centre of many copyright lawsuits, has officially been re-launched as a legal subscription music service. The new online payments model, being run by new owner Brilliant Digital Entertainment (BDE), allows registered users to download unlimited music mp3 files for US$19.98 per month.

However, the new subscription package is only for PCs, meaning the files won’t play on an iPod or any other portable music device and once a subscription is terminated, access to the downloaded music ends.

The new service marks a significant change for Kazza, whose turbulent past includes a $100 million legal battle against four major record labels for copyright infringement over its former file sharing network.

In 2006, Kazaa agreed to settle with Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, EMI Group and Warner Music Group, all of which claimed Kazaa's former owner, Sharman Networks, allowed its users to breach copyright laws by sharing and swapping songs.
Read article here.

Warner and YouTube still in talks over deal

Warner Music Group is still in talks with video sharing site YouTube to license its artists' music videos, as negotiations over payment reached an impasse. Videos from Warner artists like Madonna and Green Day were removed from YouTube last December after both sides were unable to agree on financial terms for the licensing rights. While talks are still ongoing no imminent announcements are expected. "We are working actively to find a resolution with YouTube that would enable the return of our artists' content to the site," Warner said in a statement.

Warner Music, the world's third largest music company, was among the first major music companies to sign a deal with YouTube. As chief executive, Warner Music's Edgar Bronfman is keen to improve terms of his previous deal with YouTube. Warner still makes videos available to MTV, MySpace Music and other sites.

The video sharing site is regarded by music industry insiders as one of the most important music discovery tools for fans. It has more than 100 million visitors every month in the United States alone and is just as popular in many other countries.
Read article here.

Issue under the microscope: Digital download vs. CD

Throughout the decades, the way we consume music has evolved. From the vinyl record to the cassette tape, to the CD, to the digital download and even more recently the USB - new formats are created with the hope of enhancing the music listening experience in terms of quality, durability, accessibility and convenience. We leave the old one behind, sometimes with much hesitation, and embrace the new one.

Worldwide, legal downloading has steadily increased, while the physical CD has begun to suffer (although this suffering can be attributed more greatly to illegal downloading as opposed to legal downloading). It raises the question - is the CD becoming a threatened format? Are downloads the way of the future? Digital formats made up 20 percent of recorded music sales globally in 2008 according to IFPI figures, growing from 15 percent a year earlier.

A recent study in the UK however has found that consumers still turn to the CD as their preferred choice. The annual Speakerbox survey found that overall, 73 percent of music buyers prefer CDs. Even with the 14-18 year olds who are thought to be more download-friendly, 66 percent preferred the CD. Why do we remain loyal to the CD? Both formats have their pluses and minuses.

JOY music team administrator and on-air presenter Chris Jameson joined us this week to discuss the issue. He drew on his own personal experiences as a music lover and IT specialist. Here is a brief outline of the points discussed.


PROS OF THE SWITCH FROM CD TO DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

- Artists can more readily put music online because it doesn’t have to go through the long and costly manufacturing process. Especially great for indie/unsigned musicians.
- Download stores allow consumers more freedom to choose the songs they want. They are not forced to buy an entire album.
- Download stores allow consumers to sample (usually 30 seconds) before they buy.
- Physical music formats can break/scratch.
- Digital stores never run out of stock!
- Accessibility and convenience – you can buy music where you want it, when you want it. No need to travel to the record store.
- These days, most people listen to their music through computers – they rip all their CDs onto iTunes and rarely ever use them again.
- Environmentally friendly – no plastic or paper required.
- Effect on the charts. The inclusion of downloads means old songs can re-enter the charts. A song does not have to be formally released as a single to be able to chart. For example, Lily Allen's "Fuck You" was so popular on iTunes and begun charting around the world, the record label decided to turn it into a single. Inclusion of downloads means the charts are a greater reflection of what’s popular or events that are happening at the time. For example, the death of Michael Jackson saw his songs chart all over the world.


CONS OF THE SWITCH FROM CD TO DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

- Lack of physicality – what if your hard drive crashes and you lose all your music?
- Collectability – fans like to collect CDs by their favorite artists.
- No more artwork and linear notes.
- Killing the concept of the album? People now have the choice of only downloading the songs they want, as opposed to the entire album. From a business perspective, less money is being made for the labels. From an artistic perspective, are people missing the musical journey a full album takes you on?
- Quality of mp3s not as high as CD.
- CDs are available to all sections of society – you don’t need a credit cards/vouchers to purchase them. Older generations/ people who are not internet savvy loose access to music.
- Effect on the charts. The rise in legal downloads means the cd single is on its last leg and many retailers no longer stock them.

Further reading:
1. Monsters of rock sound upbeat at last
2. Music lovers still prefer CDs over digital downloads
3. Michael Jackson album sales highlight physical, digital merits
4. Vinyl record sales spinning upward

Queer Spotlight: John Barrowman

This week we put John Barrowman, the multi-talented Scottish entertainer, under the Queer Spotlight.

Barrowman is best known on British television for his acting and presenting work for the BBC. His most prominent television role has been as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and its spin-off series Torchwood. He has featured in such light entertainment shows as Live & Kicking, Any Dream Will Do, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, and I'd Do Anything as well as appearing on the celebrity ice skating show Dancing on Ice.

John has dual citizenship in the UK and US. As a result of his family's move to Illinois when he was eight years old, he speaks with an American accent on screen, but reverts to a Scottish accent when with family or in Scotland.

John has been with his partner, Scott Gill, since 1993, from when they met during a production of Rope at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Despite this long-standing relationship, John told Scotland's The Herald newspaper that he had no plans to marry, saying, "Why would I want a 'marriage' from a belief system that hates me?" However, he and Gill did become civil partners on 27 December 2006. As John explained when the couple were interviewed by Attitude magazine, the couple do not want to call this a marriage: "We're just going to sign the civil register. We're not going to have any ceremony because I'm not a supporter of the word marriage for a gay partnership."

Interestingly, he was turned down for the role of Will in the US series Will and Grace as the producers felt he was "too straight". The role went to Eric McCormack who is heterosexual in real-life. Of the decision, John said "The sad thing is it's run by gay men and women," said Barrowman in a January 2006 article. He later expressed contempt for the idea that all gay men act the same way.

He was voted the 2006 Stonewall "Entertainer of the Year" and was third in Broadcast magazine's "Hottest Commodity" poll in November 2006. He was named by Out Magazine as "One of the 100 Men and Women to make 2008 a year to remember".

In 2008, he released an album of mostly covers titled Music Music Music. We played the first single "What About Us", an original song penned by Gary Barlow and Chris Braide. Watch the video here.

Releases & Touring

Main source: auspOp

Releases in stores this week
Singles
Da Hool – Meet Her At The Love Parade
Short Stack – Sway, Sway Baby
Jordin Sparks – Battlefield
Albums
Patrizio Buanne – Best Of
Dananananaykroyd – Hey Everyone
Diesel – Project Blues
DJ Sirvere – Major Flavours 4
Florence & The Machine – Lungs
Jordin Sparks – Battlefield
Sundance Kids – Fall Into Place
Compilations
Various – Ministry Of Sound Presents : Underground 2009

Playing this week
Thurs 23rd July
BRISBANE – Pink (Entertainment Centre)
BUSSELTON – Downsyde (Esplanade Hotel)
PERTH – Hilltop Hoods (Capitol Theatre)
SYDNEY – Kisschasy (Oxford Arts Factory)
Fri 24th July
BRISBANE – Hilltop Hoods (Hifi Bar)
PERTH – Friendly Fires (Amplifier Bar)
WOLLONGONG – Something With Numbers (Waves Nightclub)
Sat 25th July
BRISBANE – Pink (Entertainment Centre)
BYRON BAY – Splendour In The Grass
MELBOURNE – Evermore (Hifi Bar) UNDER 18s
NEWCASTLE – Something With Numbers (Panthers)
SYDNEY – Ja Rule (Luna Park)
Sun 26th July
BRISBANE – Pink (Entertainment Centre)
BYRON BAY – Splendour In The Grass

Tickets on sale this week
Went on sale Monday
Jimmy Barnes (Queensland)
Beyonce (Sydney)
Black Eyed Peas (Nationally)
Go on sale Thursday
Nickelback (Nationally)
Tame Impala (Nationally)

In touring news...
Pink was forced to postpone her Monday 20th gig in Brisbane because she has laryngitis. The show has been moved back a week until next Monday July 27. Tickets for the postponed date will be valid for the show next week. However, anyone who cannot make the show next week will be given a full refund if they contact Ticketek before 5pm this Friday, July 24.

The Black Eyed Peas have announced two more dates for their Australian visit. Tickets for the two new shows (one each in Sydney and Melbourne) went on sale yesterday. The concerts in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are already selling quickly. The new shows take place:
October 03 : Sydney (Acer Arena)
October 07 : Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena)

Something For Kate frontman Paul Dempsey has announced a national tour. His new album 'Everything Is True' hits the stores on August 14. Tickets for all dates go on sale on Monday July 27. For Melbourne, he plays the Corner Hotel on September 12.

September 10 : Belgrave (Ruby's Lounge)
September 11 : Hepburn Springs (The Palais)
September 12 : Melbourne (Corner Hotel)
September 16 : Kincumber (Lizotte's)
September 17 : Wollongong (Wollongong University)
September 18 : Newcastle (Brewery NSW)
September 19 : Sydney (Manning Bar)
September 25 : Gold Coast (Sound Lounge)
September 26 : Brisbane (The Zoo)
October 01 : Adelaide (Governor Hindmarsh)
October 02 : Perth (Rosemount Hotel)
October 03 : Fremantle (Fly By Night)
October 09 : Ballarat (Karova Lounge)
October 10 : San Remo (Westernport Hotel)

The first Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian is playing some shows early next year in support of his upcoming album “Like It Like That”. You can check out the new video for the first single here. Tickets are now on sale.

February 12 : Perth (Convention Centre)
February 13 : Adelaide (Convention Centre)
February 14 : Sydney (State Theatre)
February 19 : Brisbane (QPAC)
February 20 : Melbourne (Hamer Hall)

Little Birdy have announced a new national tour on the back of the release of their new album 'Confetti', with dates in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, ACT and South Australia before it wraps up in Perth in early October.

Singer Katy Steele will also perform a solo show at Brisbane's Spiegeltent in late September. Tickets for the dates go on sale on Friday July 31.

September 10 : Adelaide (HQ Bar)
September 11 : Melbourne (Forum Theatre)
September 12 : South Morang (Commercial Hotel)
September 13 : Canberra (Hellenic Club)
September 16 : Wollongong (Waves Nightclub)
September 18 : Sydney (Enmore Theatre)
September 19 : Newcastle (Civic Theatre)
September 25 : Yamba (Bowling Club)
September 26 : Brisbane (Sounds Of Spring Festival)
September 27 : Brisbane (Spiegeltent - Katy Steele solo show)
September 29 : Gladstone (Entertainment Centre)
September 30 : Mackay (Convention Centre)
October 02 : Townsville (Bombay Rock)
October 03 : Cairns (Brothers Leagues)
October 09 : Perth (Astor Theatre)

Episode 2: 21.07.09 Playlist

1. Kelly Clarkson – I Do Not Hook Up (Ashanti Boys Remix)
All I Ever Wanted, 2009
2. Mariah Carey – Obsessed
Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel, 2009
3. U2 – I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
No Line On The Horizon, 2009
4. Bananarama – Love Comes
Viva, 2009
5. Jordin Sparks – Let It Rain
Battlefield, 2009
6. Kate Miller-Heidke – The Last Day On Earth
Curiouser, 2008
7. John Barrowman – What About Us
Music Music Music, 2008
8. Pet Shop Boys – Can You Forgive Her (Swing Remix)
Very, 1993
9. Little Birdy – Hairdo
Confetti, 2009
10. Bellatrax ft. Tina Cousins – Can't Hold Back
Can't Hold Back (single), 2009
11. Madonna ft. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland - 4 Minutes (PWL Remix)
Hard Candy, 2008
12. Savage Garden – I Bet He Was Cool
Truly Madly Deeply (UK single), 1997
13. Divinyls – Pleasure & Pain
What A Life, 1985