Music Investment Tops $600 Million In 2012 according to Digital Music News.

“Anyone who thinks investment in music is ‘drying up’ clearly hasn’t looked at the numbers.  Because with less than two weeks left in 2012, investment in music-related startups and companies has reached $619.3 million, a near-34 percent gain over 2011.

Spotify wasn’t the biggest catch, either.  Deezer claimed a monstrous $130 million round, while Sonos received a handsome $135 million in financing.  Those rounds, coupled with Spotify’s $100 million, accounted for roughly half the total pot.

Here’s the rundown of every financing round that we reported in 2012, typically confirmed by the participants (company, investors, or both), or filed publicly.  Other times, figures were reaffirmed by publications like the Wall Street Journal.  If we couldn’t solidly confirm the round, it wasn’t included.” Check out the chart here

Buzz Track: You Feel Amazing

Radical Something is an L.A.-based trio that formed in the Summer of 2011. The band’s sound embodies a feel-good California attitude through elements of hip-hop, reggae, R&B, Rock and Pop. The group’s first paid project No Sweat reached #6 on the iTunes overall album charts and #33 on the Billboard Independent Album charts. Songs have been produced by DJ Big Red, Goodwill & MGI (Akon, Pitbull). They have performed with SOJA, Sammy Adams, and Asher Roth. The band is planning a 2013 release.
Contact: amh@radicalsomething.com

The life of a celebrity can be quite alarming. In fact, cops have closed in on a real life  ‘Justin Bieber’ kidnapping case.

“Investigators say two would-be hit men from Albuquerque may have had their sights set on the teen mega star; Justin Bieber. They had it planned down to the ties they were going to use to strangle to the pop star and three other people. A warning, the details are pretty graphic. Justin Bieber played for a sold out house just a few weeks at Madison Square Garden in New York City.That’s where investigators say Mark Staake and his nephew Tanner Ruane planned to take down the teen sensation.Turns out their Bieber fever started long ago, at the state prison near Las Cruces.” Read more here

Buzz Track: Lifeline

The Ells, a Seattle based alternative rock/ indie band, first came together in the spring of 2010. The quartet began solely as a studio project, not fully evolving into “band” form until early 2011 when they released their debut EP, “Kodak Summer”. The Ells’ combination of catchy hooks, swirling guitars, and a 4 on the floor “heartbeat” kick makes them a band to watch.
Contact: danielrfriedman@aol.com

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger irked some fans with an attempt at humor during Wednesday night’s 12-12-12 Concert For Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden. During his set with The Stones, Jagger told the crowd that there should be a benefit show the next time it rains in London.

“This has got to be the largest collection of old English musicians ever assembled in Madison Square Garden,” Jagger said. “But I’ve got to say, if it rains in London, you’ve got to come and help us, OK?”

Many fans quickly took to Twitter after hearing the remark to express some shock as victims of Hurricane Sandy in the tri-state were still reeling from the $70 billion in damages caused by the storm.

“Anyone else think Jagger’s ‘If it rains in London, you guys have to help us’ line was a bit out-of-bounds?” wrote Twitter user. Read more here