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A few years ago new artists generally got started by exposing their music on local radio stations and performing local shows. Program Directors at radio stations and promoters at local clubs were involved in discovering artists that had the goods and helped them along the way by promoting their music and the live show hoping it would connect to a larger audience. Unfortunately, new artists working for exposure were left fending for themselves when radio became too corporate.
For years we along with others have been claiming that the internet will be the new platform for exposure and now its happening. Its no longer an idea, its a reality. A recent column entitled ‘Internet Swingers‘ appeared in the NY Post that discusses new talent rising from the internet.
Both Colbie Caillat (Republic) and Sara Bareilles (Epic) have top 10 songs on the Billboard singles charts and both built their buzz on the internet, not local radio. They exposed their music on Myspace, Youtube and other mediums on the web that led them to the top of the pop music charts.
Colbie Caillat spent four months as Myspace’s most played unsigned artist before signing a major deal with Republic Records. Now, she is sitting pretty with 1.1 million albums sold and 2 million paid downloads with her song ‘Bubbly’.
Sara Bareilles shares a similar story. Her record ‘Little Voice’ sold 233k since its July release and topped the iTunes albums chart in her first week long before physical sales and airplay kicked in. Her single ‘Love Song’ which has sold 800k in downloads got its momentum from Myspace, YouTube, and a limited time iTunes giveaway.
Tom from Myspace just earned 5 Stars in music discovery!
Avril Reaches Settlement for Copyright Infringement: Avril Lavigne has reached a settlement in a lawsuit that accused her of plagiarizing her summer hit single, “Girlfriend.” A confidential settlement has been reached outside of court.
New Music: The Friday Night Boys who grace the pages on KOAR from time to time has a new song on myspace called “That’s What She Said“. The band plans to release an EP titled The Sketch Press in early February.
Signings: Papa Roach picked up Allen Kovac’s Tenth Street Entertainment for management who also houses Motley Crue, SIXX: A.M., and Buckkcherry and Drowning Pool.
Republic Records: The brothers who founded Republic Records, Avery and Monte Lipman are now sharing the title of president. Avery Lipman has been named co-president of the label, upped from senior VP. He will be in charge of the management and creative operations of the label. Both Monte and Avery show the music biz they have the ability to sniff out the hits. In fact, they brought last years most polarizing artist Amy Winehouse to the masses in the U.S., and lets not forget Colbie Caillet with her massive hit Bubbly. Also, Universal Republic is in need for A&R interns for the spring semester in New York City. If you are interested email Ben Adelson.
iTunes Changes Its Tune: Apple has announced that it will cut the price it charges for music downloads in the UK from its iTunes music store within the next six months. Apple currently charges 79 pence per download in the UK, compared with 99 euro cents (74p) in the rest of Europe.
The European Union Pushes for Single Market in Web Media: Brussels says it will “encourage” the content industry, telecom companies and Internet service providers to work closely together to provide consumers with better access to music, TV, films and games via mobile phones or the internet.
‘We have to make a choice in Europe: Do we want to have a strong music, film and games industry? Then we should give industry legal certainty, content creators a fair remuneration and consumers broad access to a rich diversity of content online,” said media commissioner Viviane Reding.’
Changes: EMI has tendered a conditional resignation from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry – the global trade lobbying group for the music business. The working group of major-label executives is discussing the consolidation of music industry trade groups—particularly the merging of the IFPI and the RIAA. (Billboard)
Debt Jam: According to sources Def Jam records may be in serious money trouble. Sources says the founding Hip Hop label is almost 100 million in the hole and needs serious selling records. Idolator points out to the low budget feel for the new Janet Jackson video.
How low are the record companies willing to go on prices? The major labels have a deal with Amazon that allows them to fluctuate the price for MP3’s rather than being held hostage to iTunes where each and every song is priced the same. Most songs on Amazon sell for 89cents. There has long been a school of thought in the industry that lowering prices substantially devalues music, and that’s been anathema to music executives who see so much of their music downloaded and swapped for free. (Business Week)
XM Ends Marketing Pact With Starbucks: Both XM and Starbucks have ended a marketing pact that included music promotions in the coffee chain’s stores and CD’s sold with both companies’ logos. Starbucks said the channel, which used to be Starbucks Entertainment Channel on XM channel 75, has been renamed Starbucks XM Cafe and is on XM channel 45.
Signings: Nashville alternative act AutoVaugh has signed with Epic Records. Listen to ‘Rock Your Body’.
Downloading To Own is Losing Out: After years in which paid downloads saw little traction, Hollywood is focused on ad-supported streaming in ’08. “People online want to watch for free, because they can get content for free via piracy,” said Fox digital media prexy Dan Fawcett. “Downloading to own and keep on a PC seems to be losing out. People like to watch on an impulse.” (Variety)
Coldplay To Leave EMI? Some sources claim Coldplay could pack their bags and walk out the same door as Radiohead. According to tabloid reports, the band could make forthcoming album Prospekt their last new material for EMI by fulfilling their five-album deal with a Best Of collection next year. Although KOAR cannot confirm the report its certainly likely that Coldplay may have riff with EMI whose gone under new leadership. (Guardian UK)
Its Finished: Sony BMG would become the last of the top four music labels to sell songs without the copyright protection software that has restricted the use of music downloaded from the Internet.
Dumb and Dumber: The World’s Dumbest File Sharer, Jammie Thomas, who became the first person to go to court in a P2P case was dumped by her lawyer who foolishly advised her to make a principled fight of the matter in court – thereby turning what would have been a $2,000 tax into a candidate for bankruptcy. Her Lawyer is cutting his losses and will no longer represent Jammie. P2P site TorrentSpy notes that Toder was a maritime law specialist and describes his performance as “a frankly lacklustre non-existent defense”.
The Register says…
“Can there ever have been a more empty and worthless cause than fighting for the right for artists not to be paid? I suspect that one reason for the lack of popular support for Thomas may be that when it comes to getting stuff for free – we’ve never had it so good. With so much cultural material available for nowt over the internet, only a sentimentalist or the chronically impatient net user ever has to pay for anything again. And the price for this is merely an ever-falling broadband fee.
Christmas Download Surge in UK: Sales of single track downloads increased from 52.5 million in 2006 to 77.6 million, according to the British Phonographic Industry. CDs still dominate with 95 per cent of all album sales on physical formats. Nearly three million tracks were bought in a record week, one million up on the equivalent period in 2006.
Idol Champ Dropped: Some break and some don’t. American Idol champ Taylor Hicks has been dropped by J Records. Clay Aiken will most likely be released as well in the following year.
Label Market Share – courtesy of Digital Music News..
Universal – 31.9%
Sony BMG -Â 24.9%
Warner – 20.28%
EMI – 9.37
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