Apple’s Co-Founder questions the iPod shelf life. “It’s kind of like everyone has got one or two or three. You get to a point when they are on display everywhere, they get real cheap and they are not selling as much.”

New Music: Listen to Don’t Wake Up by Los Angeles act I Am Ghost. Manchester Music says, “I Am Ghost present themselves as a dark rock band, but musically this is in fact a collection of modern metal via accessible assaults of melody and hard driven rock.” The band just released a full length ‘Those We Leave Behind’ via Epitaph.

Gloomy News At Music Conference: The future of artists and the business was the focal point at this years UK’s ‘In The City’ music conference. Warner Music, one of the major labels, has cut back on new signings. But Warner boss Lyor Cohen said that was because greatness is evident from the start, and there is no point taking a punt on anything less.

“There was a time when I signed every possible average artist,” he said. “We were quite arrogant thinking we could make good magnificent. Good sucks – I’d rather be terrible or magnificent.”

I can’t fault Cohen for signing average artists since top execs are pressured to meet revenue targets. Greatness is rare and mediocrity is all to common, especially today. We want to hear greatness – email tips@kingsofar.com.

YouTube will integrate links to iTunes and Amazon for DVDs, CDs, and digital downloads allowing users direct access to buy and download music. The YouTube eCommerce Platform will allow partners across all industries including music, film, TV, and publishing to generate additional revenue.

Depeche Mode Leaves The Building: According to sources Depeche Mode has left Warner Music only to sign a deal with EMI who will release their music worldwide. This move doesn’t come as a surprise as Depeche Mode is managed by Jonathan Kessler who recently teamed up with Coldplay. Depeche Mode followed in the same steps as the Eagles, Madonna, and Nickelback. Depeche Mode is one of the most successful bands emerging from the new wave era having sold over 72 million records. Watch this incredible live performance.

Is The Music Business Immune To a Recession? Music related stocks are suffering despite the bailout. To illustrate, Warner Music Group (WMG) slipped to $6.09 before recovering to $6.61, down 4.21 percent. Apple (AAPL) had its ups and downs, dropping to a 52-week low of $87.54 before landing at $98.14, up 1.1 percent. Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) continued to suffer, ending at just 50-cents, (Digital Music News)

Others remain optimistic. For instance “In a bad economy people retreat to cheaper forms of entertainment,” said Richard Greenfield, a media analyst at Pali Research in New York. “CDs have held up a lot better than I had expected this year.”

We believe touring bands will feel the economic crunch. For instance,
Scars on Broadway has canceled all scheduled appearances although not citing economic reasons. Bigger acts like Metallica will be immune and will do quite well. Consumers will save their money and only spend it for the favorite artists.

Here are some tips for developing bands touring in a harsh economy.

Trash Talking: The Los Angeles Times trashes the new album “Appeal To Reason” by Rise Against. “Such songs are nothing revolutionary. If kids wanted their own politics screamed back at them, they could watch cable news.

Signings: Chicago alt act, A Company of Thieves signs to Wind Up Records. We at KOAR have been saying new bands lack musicianship while enslaving themselves in a narrow box afraid of taking chances. A Company Of Thieves steps forward drawing influences from Edy Brickell. Check out the self produced tracks Oscar Wilde and Pressure.

Las Vegas band Adelitas Way who was released from Interscope Records looks like they could find a new home shortly. During the Interscope days, the band recorded with producer Brian Howes (Daughtry, Hinder, Rev Theory). Expect some of their myspace tracks to be on their forthcoming album. Adelitas Way frequently graced the pages on KOAR.

Virginia pop rock outfit My Favorite Highway who spent years on the scene should generate excitement with their new full length. My Favorite Highway caught the interest of KOAR when they released their first track ‘Murder On The Radio‘. During the course of the years, the band dropped the rock roots and gravitated towards the pop direction ala Jason Mraz and The Fray.

Thursday who is a post-hardcore emo band from New Jersey signs to Epitaph. The band has released albums through Eyeball Records, Victory, and Island. We credit Thursday for the explosive emo.

Apple is threatening to yank iTunes if the US Copyright Royalty Board forces them to pay a higher royalty rate. The publishers association wants rates raised from 9 cents to 15 cents a track according to CNN.

Apple is known to play hardball when negotiating and managed to build a reputation that they could be the next Microsoft. The Vice President of iTunes said Apple might close its download store rather than raise its 99 cents a song price or absorb the higher royalty costs. “Apple has repeatedly made it clear that it is in this business to make money, and most likely would not continue to operate [the iTunes music store] if it were no longer possible to do so profitably.”

David Israelite, president of the National Music Publishers Association said he opposed any attempt by companies like Apple and its record label allies to do away with the fixed royalty rate. “Apple may want to sell songs cheaply to sell iPods,” he said. “We don’t make a penny on the sale of an iPod.”

We understand Apple is in business to make money but artists need to make money to. Apple is known for treating its competitors as enemies and is also known to squeeze out every penny from its allies. Apple is known to take up to 75 percent of the sales price from accessory makers and leaving them with zero profit. As Newsweek says, “Bullish behavior can invite backlash.”

One Second 2 Late could be Canada’s latest answer to Rise Against. Sony BMG/Red Ink surely hopes so and has a potential breakout song with the first single, “Fear of a Nation” which is quickly making its way up the Canadian rock chart.

Hedley may have had their shot stateside a few years back with the single, “On My Own”, but this Canadian chart topping band, who features singer Jacob Hoggard (who made it to the top 3 of Canadian Idol before asking his fans to let him be voted off, so he could maintain his band Hedley) didn’t resonate with American fans and faded away as just another pop/punk band. Are they worth another look after a second album with a few more Canadian multi format hits? Check out the 4th single, “Old School” (currently #3 at Candian HOT AC, & #9 at Canadian Top 40)

The Next MGMT? Funky Hollywood pop duo Iglu and Hartly remind me of one of this year’s biggest indie rock breakout acts, MGMT, with some rap verses added in for flavor. First single “In This City”, debuted this week at #5 on the UK singles chart.

Springfield, Illinois Piano rockers The Graduate seem prime for “the next level” after over a year of buzz about their debut album, “Anhedonia” and relentless touring. Check out the title track, and “Sit and Sink”.

Quick Picks:

Glasvegas – “Geraldine” - Glasgow, Scotland band with their fair share of sold out shows in the next few mont hs, and a supporting gig with Oasis in London.

Nineteen Ninety Four – “Stay Where You Are” - For fans of The Starting Line and Valencia.

Marry a Thief – “Awful Things” – ambient/emo/pop

House of Heroes – “Lose Control” – Heading out on tour with Relient K & Ludo.

Soundcheck is written by Dallas Osborn who currently attends San Francisco State University and works on the Live 105 (KITS) Action Team.