The UK is taking an aggressive step to curtail illegal downloading. Britian’s organized crime police shut down the popular file sharing site RnBxclusive.com that received 70,000 hits a day and 250,000 Facebook subscribers.
Recently, the British Government signed a bill titled ACTA that allows them to prosecute illegal downloaders that comes with a 10 year jail sentence.
“The Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA) in Britain normally tackles crimes “that affect the UK and its citizens.” Now simply downloading illegal content from a file-sharing website has been put on a par with “Class A drugs, people smuggling and human trafficking, major gun crime, fraud and money laundering.”
Although this type of sentence seems extreme, it’s welcomed by the music industry that’s been hijacked by theft.
Update/News: The band won an award for Best Indie Rock Band at the Artists Indie Music Awards in Los Angeles. The band interviewed with Screamer Magazine which can be viewed here.
Buzz Track: Neurogenesis
This indie band has been gigging heavily for the last 2 years and have played at some of the most respected venues in Sydney including the The Metro and Factory Theatres. They were also nominated for 2 awards – Best Rock and Best Indie Rock Band at the All Indie Music Awards in Los Angeles – Feb10, 2012.
Contact: monksofmellonwah@live.com
Update/News: Ducky performed on NBC’s “The Voice” last week and has garnered a good amount of press. Click here for the performance. He is taping a segment for “Last Call with Carson Daly” which will air later this month. He also had mentions last week on Rollingstone.com, MTV.com, and Entertainment Weekly’s site, among others.
Buzz Track: Days Of The Walking Dead
Ryan who goes under the moniker Ducky and The Vintage is fairly new to the Harrisburg scene. “My music is basically a rock ‘n roll, bluesy country, soulful vibe with some pop infused,” explains frontman/songwriter Matt ‘Ducky Duke’ Ryan. Has shared the stage with Goo Goo Dolls and other national acts.
Contact: todd@moremusicgroup.com
Buzz Track: Small Town In the USA!
F. Stokes will release an EP ‘Love, Always’ in March that will feature his single Small Town In the USA. He just appeared on the (EMI/Virgin, UK) band Bastille’s new mixtape ‘Other People’s Heartache’ and typically performs in the NYC area including The Bowery Ballroom, the Gramercy Theatre, and Mercury Lounge. He also opened for the East Coast Leg of the Doomtree “No Kings” Tour. His upcoming tour dates can be found viewed on his website.
Contact: Liza@inherentartists.com
Buzz Track: Dance Into The Unknown
Alternative band The Animation just released their debut album “Dancing Into The Unknown” in Scandinavia landing in the top 10 on the itunes chart and #1 on the itunes rock chart. The Animation released two albums, the latest was released by Scandinavian independent label Cosmo Music Group (Royal Republic, Molotov Jive)
Contact: magnus@catapult-music.com