Tags: Lady GaGa, Spotify

…. a measly $167 in royalties!

Spotfy, the new force to be reckoned with within the music industry has not been without it’s critics, most notably people have complained about the massive record companies holding stock in the young start up. Most music fans agree that the record labels take far too much revenue away from the artists which has seen groups like Radiohead go for a ‘pay what you feel’ deal. It might surprise you how much of an influence the record industries have over Spotify, and how cheap it was for them to get it.

According to TorrentFreak…

Sony BMG bought 5.8% of Spotify for 2,935 Euros, Universal Music got 4.8% for 2,446 euros, Warner Music paid 1,957 Euros for 3.8% and EMI pocketed 1.9% for an investment of 980 Euros

That’s nearly a 16% steak of Spotify that is owned by these major record labels. So what about the artists?

In August, Swedish artist and composer Magnus Uggla launched a scathing attack on the owners of Spotify. After discovering that Sony BMG is a shareholder and receiving virtually no cash from his music being played there, he withdrew his tracks from the service and stormed away, declaring controversially: “I’d rather be raped by The Pirate Bay.”

So this brings us nicely back to the title of this news item, how much does the Spotify generate for our beloved artists?

What about really, really big artists with huge international appeal. Say, an artist like Lady Gaga, who has sold more than 4 million albums and shifted in excess of 20 million paid digital downloads?According to a report today, Lady Gaga’s track “Poker Face” was one of the most popular tracks during a five month period on Spotify and was played more than a million times. So how much money does she get paid by STIM (the Swedish Performing Rights Society) for this massive achievement?

SEK 1150 – that’s around $167 or roughly 113 Euros.

Commenting on the story, Douglas Léon, better known as Swedish rapper Dogge Doggelito, said he was dismayed.

“It is totally sick. We musicians have no rights, you may not charge [for music] anymore,” adding that Lady Gaga could’ve earned more driving an illegal taxi-cab.

I am sure that Lady Gaga isn’t too bothered about not earning from Spotify when she rakes in millions from live concerts and merchandise, however some of the smaller bands which we review on this site don’t have that luxury. There is no doubt that Spotify has been a major turning point in our industry and many people now overlook the fantastic Last.fm, but next time you fire up Spotify just remember that it is (as per usual) the big labels who are making the money from their artists.

Multi-platinum hip-hop artist Eminem will release Relapse: Refill on December 21ST, 2009, on Aftermath/Interscope Records. This re-release of Eminem’s chart-topping fifth studio album includes seven bonus tracks, including the single “Forever”, also featuring Drake, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne (previously found on the More Than A Game soundtrack), “Taking My Ball” (also released only with the DJ Hero video game), and five never-before-heard tracks.

“I want to deliver more material for the fans this year like I originally planned” Eminem says. “Hopefully these tracks on The Refill will tide the fans over until we put out Relapse 2 next year”. Eminem has been busy in the studio creating even more new material since Relapse was released. “I got back in with Dre and then a few more producers, including Just Blaze, and went in a completely different direction which made me start from scratch. The new tracks started to sound very different than the tracks I originally intended to be on Relapse 2, but I still want the other stuff to be heard.”

One of the most anticipated albums of the year, the platinum-selling Relapse entered the Billboard Top 200 album chart at No. 1 in May 2009 and sold more than 618,000 domestic copies in the U.S. in its first week. Relapse is also the top selling hip-hop album of 2009. The first song to debut from the album, “Crack a Bottle”, was released in February and set a first-week record for digital sales at the time, while the first official single and video, “We Made You”, debuted in April. The best-selling hip-hop artist of the SoundScan era, Eminem has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide. His previous studio album, Encore, reached No. 1 and dominated the charts in late 2004. The Grammy-nominated disc was certified quadruple-platinum, generated four Top 40 Hot 100 hits, and has sold more than 11 million copies. In October 2008, Eminem published Eminem: The Way I Am, a compilation of thoughts, stories and memorabilia that entered the New York Times bestseller list at No. 11.

Source: http://www.eminem.com/blog/default.aspx?nid=23741

This is awesome, thats all i need to say…

I came across an interesting YouTube video this morning. Basically Kasabian got a load of skilled Freestyle Footballers together and rigged up a huge Guitar Hero like platform to have the guys kick the balls instead of strumming the frets. It takes them a few takes to get good at it, but once they get going they do a great job.

It’s pretty well done, and certainly worth a watch

ATP Concerts is very excited to present a London headline show from the legendary Pavement at Brixton Academy on Tuesday 11th May 2010.

After years of speculation, arguably the most important American band of the Nineties is returning to the stage with the line-up of Mark Ibold, Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg, Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West reuniting for dates around the world in 2010 including curating and performing the recently announced and now sold out ATP Festival Weekend 2 on May 14th – 16th.

Described in their own Wikipedia entry as having experienced “moderate commercial success,” Pavement’s catalogue for the Matador, Domino, Drag City and Treble Kicker imprints has come to define in the eyes of many the blueprint for independent rock over the past generation and we are thrilled to be able to bring the to the UK.

Tickets for the London show are priced at £25 + booking fee. Support is to be confirmed. For more information on this show check out our website at http://www.atpfestival.com.

Tickets go on sale from 9am this Friday from www.ticketweb.co.uk, www.seetickets.com, www.gigantic.com, www.stargreen.com and www.lastminute.com.

A pre-sale for O2 customers starts at 9am on Wednesday.
A pre-sale for Academy venue customers starts at 9am on Thursday.

GAYMERS CAMDEN CRAWL LAUNCHES INTO 2010 WITH WAR CHILD

2 DAYS /  40 VENUES / 200 CUTTING EDGE LIVE ACTS & SPECIAL GUESTS

PLUS… DAYTIME PROGRAMME INCLUDING OPEN AIR STAGES / COMEDY / SPOKEN WORD VISUAL ARTS / FREESTYLE SPORTS / BBQ’S/ MAGIC / THEATRE / KARAOKE / POP QUIZZES BINGO / LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES / DJS & OTHER FUN & GAMES

ONE ALL ACCESS TICKET /  CAMDEN TOWN

TICKETS ON SALE:  From 9am on THURSDAY 29th OCTOBER

Due to popular demand and to broaden the accessibility of its daytime programme of arts & activities, the ever evolving Gaymers Camden Crawl moves to May Bank Holiday weekend next Spring. The UK’s original inner-city and first festival of the year will set up camp across Camden Town’s two mile stretch of high street for the 6th consecutive year (9th since its 1995 inauguration) on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd May 2010.

The 2009 event witnessed stellar performances from the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kasabian, The Maccabees and Little Boots at The Roundhouse alongside an equally amazing line up of legends which included Echo & The Bunnymen, The Fall, Wire, 808 State and Billy Bragg. As was and will always be tradition, Camden Town was bursting with fresh and exciting new talent over its forty official venues for one very long weekend. The 2010 Gaymers Camden Crawl is sure to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors featuring the hottest new acts converging in one location to launch the festival season.

Discounted early bird tickets for the Gaymers Camden Crawl 2010 will go on sale at 9:00 am on Thursday 29th October. In conjunction with the launch, the festival is pleased to announce it’s partnership for 2010 with Camden based International charity, War Child. In support of and to celebrate the new affiliation, the first 1,000 persons to purchase tickets, will receive a limited edition War Child and Gaymers Camden Crawl Christmas card featuring a FREE compilation album, titled ‘Camden Heroes’, featuring tracks from Camden rooted artists who have performed at the Crawls over the years. For each of these tickets purchased, the Crawl will donate £2.00 to War Child (registered charity no: 1071659).

ADDITIONALLY… all Crawl ticket holders will be given the opportunity to attend a very special fundraising launch gig on Wednesday 4th November at The Blues Kitchen in Camden Town. The show will feature a selection of the Camden artists appearing on the compilation and secret surprise guests. The gig will be free before 7:00 pm on a first come first serve basis for any event ticket holders.  Any non-ticket holders will be required to pay an entrance fee on the door of £8.00 which will be donated in full by the Crawl to War Child.

The line up of the launch gig will be announced through the media, festival ticket holders and fan databases from Monday 26th October.  Secret guests will not be announced until day of the event via the Crawl’s Twitter feed www.twitter.com/thecamdencrawl.

The ‘Camden Heroes’ compilation will feature tracks generously donated from the following artists:

Amy Winehouse / Beans On Toast / Bleech / Emmy The Great / Graham Coxon Trio / The Holloways
Kate Nash The King Blues / Kitty, Daisy & Lewis / Madness / Man Like Me / New Rhodes / Ou Est Le Swimming Pool.

The May 2010 Gaymers Camden Crawl programme kicks off from midday on Saturday the 1st until the wee hours of the following May Bank Holiday Monday. Upon arrival each ticket holder will be presented with an all-access wristband, programme guide, timetable and free download album to help plot his/her day’s adventure. ‘Crawlers’ are granted unlimited access to all official festival venues featuring more than 200 live artists, extensive daytime activities & arts programme and after show parties capacity permitting. In keeping with Crawl tradition and the spirit of discovery, the full line-ups and stage times remain a closely guarded secret until each day and surprise guests may appear at any time and at any venue.

The evening line-ups are selected by a committee of music industry tastemakers, including radio DJs, club promoters, journalists and record labels. The most hotly tipped acts will appear on the bill both days, alternating venues on Friday and Saturday to allow die-hard Crawlers two opportunities to see their most coveted artists. All other artists will perform on one day or evening of the event only.

Weekend tickets for the Gaymers Camden Crawl 2010 go on sale 9:00 am Thursday 29th October. Initial line-ups will be announced January 2010.

2010 PARTNERS

GAYMERS CIDER
Gaymers cider is into live music in a big way and will once again be headline sponsor of the Gaymers Camden Crawl. “2009 was a fantastic year and our support will make sure the Gaymers Camden Crawl 2010 continues to showcase up and coming talent and break some of the hottest acts of next summer. As well as being headline sponsor, Gaymers cider will be hosting performances at a legendary Camden venue. We look forward to seeing you there to experience the music and enjoy an ice-cold Gaymers original or Gaymers pear cider”. Peter Spencer, MD, Gaymer Cider Company.

MTV
MTV UK is the official television broadcast partner for the 2010 Camden Crawl, and will host the historic, 3,000 capacity Roundhouse, exclusively filming a series of extra special guests set to perform at the venue during the festival. MTV UK will air exclusive content across its network of music channels, as well as unique content on www.mtv.co.uk. “We are excited to once again partner the Gaymers Camden Crawl,” says Eric Allen, Head of Events MTV UK. “MTV took up residence in Camden over 20 years ago because it was a colourful pocket of London where great artists gathered and that hasn’t changed. The 2010 Camden Crawl lineup looks to be bigger and better than ever before and MTV is proud to wave the banner for our local community as well as showcasing some of the brightest talent around, across MTV channels, throughout the UK”.

WAR CHILD
War Child works to protect children living in the world’s most dangerous war zones including Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It also has a long and proud history working with the music industry and has produced an award-winning catalogue of albums and live music events with some of the best emerging and established music talent in support of children who live with the brutal effects of war. As both a geographical neighbour and supporter of their ongoing objectives, the Camden Crawl hopes to maximise awareness and fundraising opportunities for their good work throughout the 2010 event campaign.

‘War Child are very much looking forward to being part of The Camden Crawl next year.  It’s a fantastic opportunity to work locally with musicians, music lovers and local businesses. The Camden Crawl has a great reputation for putting on some of the best live acts and War Child are proud to be part of it.’
Mark Waddington, War Child CEO

Last FM
Last.fm is the leader in the digital music space providing music experiences across the web, mobile and in-home entertainment devices. We offer a global music service where people discover, listen and share music.  Powered by a community of over 35MM active music fans who develop the site’s rich music information, Last.fm connects you to the music you love.

With Last.fm, listen to all the music you want and get personalized recommendation for music, videos, and events tailored to your music taste.

“We’ve been aware of Gaymers Camden Crawl now for many years and were delighted when we were approached to become part of next year’s festival. We look forward to giving artists appearing on the Last.fm Hype Chart the opportunity to perform to one of London’s most up for it crowds”

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

SATURDAY 1ST & SUNDAY 2ND MAY 2010 (May Bank Holiday Weekend) 12PM – 4AM Both Days

2 DAY PASSES £54.00** ON SALE FROM 29TH OCTOBER 2009
Early bird discount available for first 1000 2 day passes sold. ** An additional £2 charity donation to War Child will be added to each weekend ticket sold

Tickets available from the following outlets:
24 Hr CC Hotline 0871 2200 260 / See Tickets 020 7403 3331 OR buy online: www.thecamdencrawl.com

Tickets are to be exchanged for wristbands which allow free entry to each of the participating venues as individual capacities permit with the exception of The Roundhouse. Supplements guaranteeing entry to The Roundhouse will be available to ticket holders via a secure site in January in tandem with the line up announcement prior to going on general sale. Wristbands and programmes announcing the full line ups and timings for the event are obtainable from 11:00 am onward each day at the Camden Crawl ticket exchange point located at:  THE ROUNDHOUSE (Chalk Farm Road, NW1).  Please note that 2-day pass holders will need to return to ticket exchange to collect Sunday’s timetable. Festival goers are advised to arrive early as there will be a full daytime programme on both days from 12:00 pm. Doors open for evening schedule at 5:30 pm most venues. There will be late night after show parties featuring live bands and DJs until 4:00 am both days.

MAIN CAMDEN CRAWL EVENING VENUES:
Koko i Electric Ballroom /  Dingwalls / Underworld / Cuban Bar /  Jazz Café / Barfly /  Dublin Castle  / The Monarch /  Earl of Camden / The Blues Kitchen / Purple Turtle / The Flower Pot / The Black Cap / The Enterprise

FIONN REGAN returns in early 2010 with his outstanding second album – “THE SHADOW OF AN EMPIRE” – on HEAVENLY RECORDINGS…

It’s been an interesting couple of years for Fionn Regan… Never one to take the easy route, Fionn could easily have made a safe and predictable follow-up to “The End Of History”, his 2007 Mercury-nominated and critically lauded debut… He could have simply recorded another collection of beguiling acoustic beauties… He could have made The End Of History part Two… But that would have been too easy… Instead Fionn has returned with a very different second album bursting with ideas and a set of dazzling new tunes which are sure to reaffirm his reputation as both maverick genius and one of the most talented contemporary singer-songwriters around… If The End of History was the sound of the countryside and woodland lanes The Shadow Of An Empire is the sound of towns and dimly lit streets; heartfelt and with a ragged edge. Regan has ploughed himself a new furrow.

It was during a period of great global upheaval, whilst touring his debut album for two years worldwide, and in particular across the US, as Fionn puts it – “seeing the world, the bone structure, the pulp” – that he began work on its follow up. It seems natural that his response was to become more outward looking and in The Shadow of an Empire this manifests itself in a collection of songs that are peopled with characters and conversational dialogue. The often witty vignettes are used to facilitate more complex soul-searching.

Fionn again produced the album himself but the journey to this end wasn’t as straightforward this time around… Fionn parted company with Lost Highway last year when it became apparent that they had different ideas for the album… So Fionn bought himself a trident desk and a tape machine, set up in a small, disused factory space in Co. Wicklow, Ireland and set about making the album without interference. Never short of champions, Jeff Barrett was bowled over by the results and quickly signed him up for what will be Heavenly Recordings first release of 2010…

The good news is we’ll have a chance to sample “The Shadow Of An Empire” way ahead of release as Fionn will be playing a number of intimate live shows for the fans in November… Dates/info below… The Luminaire show sold-out within a few hours of going on sale, though a further London date should be announced soon…

Monday 9 November – GLASGOW – Captain’s Rest (£7)

Tuesday 10 November – MANCHESTER – Deaf Institute (£7)

Wednesday 11 November – LONDON – Luminaire **(SOLD-OUT!)**

Thursday 12 November – CARDIFF – Iforbach (£7)

Friday 13 November – BRIGHTON – Jamm (£8)

It has been announced that Micachu & the Shapes will support Patrick Wolf at his London Palladium show on November 15th.

As previously reported, Patrick will perform songs from his latest album, The Bachelor, and songs from his catalogue as they were originally intended to be heard with a live string section, and gospel choir.  Marc Almond and Alec Empire have been confirmed as special guests on the night.

Patrick Wolf has announced very special guests Marc Almond and Alec Empire will join him on stage at London Palladium on November 15th where he will perform the songs from his latest album, The Bachelor, and songs from his catalogue as they were originally intended to be heard with a live string section, and gospel choir.

With great excitement, Patrick released the following comments on the announcement:

“It is a total honour that I am able to duet with the legendary singer-songwriter, Marc Almond. To me, he is one of the most genius brave and passionate renaissance artists of the last three decades, a total inspiration. He has explored music from Russian folk to Gypsy to being a complete original electronic pop star in his work with Soft Cell.  I met Marc totally randomly last summer whilst finishing off “The Bachelor”, he was moving into the house next door to mine and we bumped into each other on the street, me coming home with my groceries and him moving his furniture in. We hit it off immediately and he has since been a big support and encouragement to me over the last year. With Marc’s amazing new album “Orpheus in Exile” just released and me closing “The Bachelor” album tour in the U.K at the Palladium, it seems perfect for our paths to cross now on-stage. We will be doing two songs together.. but time will tell what they may be. Hopefully one from each of our own songbooks.

The other fantastic guest will be Alec Empire, flying in from Berlin, we are still preparing our collaboration on the night but it will definitely be a live continuation of the work we have done together over the last two years, representing our co-writes and production on “The Bachelor” and perhaps one of the forthcoming songs from my next album “The Conqueror” . To me, Alec is one of the seminal revolutionary beat makers and noise makers around and as always it blows my mind to think we are working together now, when I think back to sneaking in with a fake ID to the London Astoria to see Atari Teenage Riot play, aged 14.”

In what is sure to be an exceptional evening, The Palladium date will act as the perfect celebration for Patrick and the fans that have helped support the campaign.

Tickets can be purchased from:

www.livenation.co.uk  0844 576 5483
www.seetickets.co.uk  0844 412 4657

WOLFMOTHER ANNOUNCE WINTER 2010 EUROPEAN TOUR

Fresh from a sold-out European club tour and an explosive performance on Later with Jools Holland on BBC2, Wolfmother announced today a month-long European tour kicking off in January 2010.  Their forthcoming – and already critically acclaimed – second album Cosmic Egg is available throughout Europe the last week of October.

Cosmic Egg is the follow up to their internationally lauded debut, the self-titled Wolfmother, which has sold over 1.4 million copies worldwide and earned the band multiple ARIA awards and a US Grammy for “Best Hard Rock Performance.”

The seeds for Cosmic Egg were sown when the touring cycle for the debut record came to a close and frontman and guitarist Andrew Stockdale sat down to start from scratch at his home studio in Brisbane. Stockdale and his bandmates – bassist/keyboardist Ian Peres, drummer Dave Atkins and rhythm guitarist Aidan Nemeth – rode ashore in picturesque Byron Bay, Australia to begin pre-production with acclaimed producer Alan Moulder.

Moulder brought a giant hessian sack of worldly producer experience to the table having previously worked with the likes of My Bloody Valentine, The Smashing Pumpkins, Ride and Nine Inch Nails.  The recording process moved to Los Angeles – a location that added another dimension of rich experience to the recording process and the perfect place to make magic from one’s own mind.

Kerrang heralds “On Cosmic Egg, Wolfmother have exceeded expectation, proving themselves modern masters of riff-centered, bass-heavy bong rock alchemy.  Almost every track contains something fresh and off kilter while remaining immediate and throat-grabbing at the same time.”

All tour dates are listed below.  Pre-sale tickets are available October 21st at 10am and include the option to pre-order Cosmic Egg at a discounted price.  General on-sale begins October 23rd at 9am.

NEW ALBUM COSMIC EGG – HATCHES LAST WEEK OF OCTOBER

‘Wolfmother are back. And how’  8/10 Classic Rock

‘Best heard loud’ Q 3/5

‘No need to change a winning formula’  Uncut  3/5

‘Monster rock’  Time Out  3/5

‘Rip open your shirt, shotgun a tinnie and screeeeeeam’  4/5  Observer Music Monthly

‘We think he’s the new Axl Rose’  NME

For all things Wolfmother, including tour dates and on-sale info, please visit: www.wolfmother.com.

TOUR DATES
Jan 13th            Dublin, Olympia

Jan 14th            Glasgow, Academy

Jan 15th            Newcastle, Academy

Jan 17th            Manchester, Academy

Jan 18th            Leeds, Academy

Jan 19th            Birmingham, Academy

Jan 21st            London, Brixton Academy

Jan 24th            Belgium, Brussels Cirque Royal

Jan 25th            France, Paris, Bataclan

Jan 26th            Holland, Tilbourg O13

Jan 28th            Switzerland, Zurich, Volkhaus

Jan 29th            Germany, Munich, Backstage Werk

Jan 30th            Germany, Cologne, Live Music Hall

Feb 1st               Sweden, Stockholm, Berns

Feb 2nd             Denmark, Copenhagen, Vega

Feb 3rd             Germany, Hamburg, Grosse Freiheit

Cosmic Egg set for UK release October 26th

Tags: Alberta Cross, Augmented Reality, Petter Ericson Stakee

Last Monday Alberta Cross released their incredible debut LP, ‘Broken Side of Time’ and, with it, were the first band ever to use ‘Augmented Reality’ technology within their album artwork.

Augmented Reality (AR) is a new medium which mixes real-world and computer-generated images (virtual reality), making it look like virtual objects exist in the real world. Made famous earlier this year when Simian Mobile Disco created a “human synthesizer” at their album launch, Alberta Cross have worked with TANKindustries to take it one step further so that everyone who buys ‘Broken Side of Time’ can experience it in their own home.

“When I first saw this I was gob smacked… It felt like I was seeing a glimpse of the future” says Alberta Cross vocalist and guitarist Petter Ericson Stakee.

Included within the album’s artwork are a series of placeholders which can be used to unlock secret video content at www.brokensideoftime.com.  On visiting the site and selecting one of the markers, the user will see what appears to be just their reflection. However, when they hold the corresponding page in the artwork up to their webcam, it will launch an exclusive video made by Brantley Gutierrez, who has directed videos for Bjork and REM.

The content of each marker/code will be changed regularly and Alberta Cross will be uploading special videos, competitions and other content throughout the year, which will only be available to those who own the album artwork.

The band will also be touring the UK in November, headlining the following dates:

NOVEMBER

11 Bristol The Cooler

12 Leeds Cockpit

13 Glasgow Captains Rest

15 Manchester Ruby Lounge

16 Birmingham Birmingham Bar Academy

17 London Bush Hall

For more information on Augmented Reality visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality

www.albertacross.net | www.myspace.com/albertacross