I just read about an amazing program on Macsimum News called Audio Fabric. According to the developer it is

a service that enables musicians to play together live over the Internet using any type of instrument-acoustic, electric, MIDI, or voice. Musicians in different locations can play together as if they are in the same room using their ordinary broadband Internet connections.

Now I am a strong proponent of playing together in the same room or on the same stage but the possibilities that this program presents to musicians is pretty mindblowing. It doesn’t have to replace human contact, just compliment it. Pretty cool.

Later.

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I just read about an amazing program on Macsimum News called Audio Fabric. According to the developer it is

a service that enables musicians to play together live over the Internet using any type of instrument-acoustic, electric, MIDI, or voice. Musicians in different locations can play together as if they are in the same room using their ordinary broadband Internet connections.

Now I am a strong proponent of playing together in the same room or on the same stage but the possibilities that this program presents to musicians is pretty mindblowing. It doesn’t have to replace human contact, just compliment it. Pretty cool.

Later.

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Universal Sues MySpace Yet Again?

Majors Wants To Have Their MySpace And Eat It Too

by Moses Avalon,

MusicDish Network Sponsor

Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the music biz, Universal Music reminds us that it’s never too late to alienate allies. MySpace was bought by News Corp for $580 million, and now UMD wants to take just about all of it. They claimed MySpace as “a vast virtual warehouse for pirated copies of music videos and songs,” and is suing for close to $1 Billion.

Last month UMD made a deal with MySpace to play it cool with them in exchange for their promise to do whatever they can to prevent infringement through use of their service. Apparently they are not doing enough. Now UMD is suing and asking for the max: $150,000 per infringement. At this rate, with the tens of thousands of sites that use unauthorized content, MySpace will be forced into a dot com retirement home.

The UMD suit comes almost to the day that MySpace claims the release of a tool that will alert copyright holders that they are being jacked. MySpace would then remove any of the infringing content. This is in concert with the already in place Gracenote fingerprinting technology that supposedly prevents the posting of unauthorized music. “Clearly it doesn’t,” says UNI, “The foundation of MySpace is its so-called ‘user-generated content.’ However, much of that content is not ‘user-generated’ at all. Rather, it is ‘user-stolen.’” The suit cites major stars like U2, 50 Cent, and Prince as acts whose recordings have allegedly been posted without permission on the site.

Now we know that UMD is just looking out for their artists. Yeah we know that. And we know that they are legally in the right. But jees. MySpace is the best thing to come along for artists to promote themselves without a major label. Oh wait!!! Could that be a motivation for UMD to sue?

MySpace claims, “We are in full compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and have no doubt we will prevail in court.” They are referring to the DMCA’s so-called “safe-harbor provision” which says that a dot com host is not responsible for what gets posted on its server; a defense that has thus far not impressed Courts. Can you say, Napster, Nutella, Kazaa and Grokster.

Representing the UMG plaintiffs are Steven Marenberg, Elliot Brown and Gregory Fayer of Los Angeles’ Irell & Manella.

The case is UMG Recordings Inc. v. MySpace Inc., 06cv07361.

Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2007 - Republished with Permission

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So says Bob Ezrin as reported on the KNAC website where he claims:

"The old things are gone. In the next couple of weeks, maybe months, there will be a bloodbath at the major record companies. We’re not at the tipping point, we’re on the other side."

While you can’t deny that things are changing and dramatically so, I think the majors will still eventually evolve to embrace a lot of the technology that they are so afraid of right now. The problem I have with the majors is their lack of vision, not their failure to embrace technology.

Later.

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If you ever were curious as to what happens at a rock and roll fantasy camp (hey Paul Stanley, Brian Wilson and Bret Michaels will be rocking out together!) check out Jim Dalrymple’s podcast on MacNotables as he reports back on his adventures rocking out with Dickie Betts and friends. I suppose its better than kareoke or Ultimate Guitar Hero 2.

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INDIE NEWS BEAT
February 15, 2006 Edition
* Bathtubmusic.com Reflects On Steve Jobs’ DRM Reversal
* Amy Speace Nominated As ‘Emerging Artist Of The Year’ For The 2007 Folk Alliance Awards
* Polarity/1 Signs Up To MusicDish Network Development Program
* Kobo Town Brings Independence To Canadian Music Week
* Music is the Weapon
* MusicDish Founder Eric de Fontenay To Speak At Canadian Music Week
* Majestic Twelve Singer Kenyata Sullivan Gets Book Deal

Bathtubmusic.com Reflects On Steve Jobs’ DRM Reversal

As the President and CEO of Bathtubmusic.com, I have always been an advocate of DRM FREE music and have put that position into practice at Bathtubmusic.com. Our position has always been that DRM FREE music will in fact make the pie considerably bigger for all those involved in the music industry, from consumers and manufacturers of electronic devices to record labels and artists.

Apparently, Steve Jobs has come full circle. Apple has benefited substantially from its unique business relationship with the BIG 4 (Universal, Sony BMG, Warner, EMI). I was therefore encouraged to read that Apple is embracing the virtues of a DRM FREE world. Looking at it objectively, it quickly becomes obvious that the majority of music today is sold on a medium that is DRM FREE, primarily CDs. The medium of choice today for music delivery is still the compact disc - ten times more CDs are sold in dollars than downloadable music. My point is aligned with Steve Jobs’ new conclusions: CDs are not copy-protected, because most consumers do not play them on DRM managed devices. So why are we trying to fit a round peg in a square hole?

As I look at the state of the BIG 4, (our industry’s version of the "AXIS OF EVIL"), they currently control 70% of the music sold on a worldwide basis. They need to embrace the paradigm shift that the new world order will be DRM FREE music! Music will be controlled by the people, and not by the majors. I believe that the independent musician, in particular, stands to gain from DRM FREE music.

Imagine a world where music can be played on any device, any medium at the control of the users. The world of silos will need to be torn down. Downloadable music that can only be played on proprietary devices - Microsoft on Zune, or iTunes songs on iPods, or Sony’s downloable music on Sony music players - will be replaced with music that can be played on any device in a cross-platform, DRM free environment. We need to continue the fight to put music back in the control of the artists that create it and the fans that buy it - and I commit to Bathtubmusic.com doing its part.

Great job, Steve, on finally being open to seeing how music will one day ubiquitously be available.. DRM FREE!

Sincerely,

Moses de los Santos
CEO
Bathtubmusic.com
"Where the MUSIC makes a splash!"

Bathtubmusic.com is a musician friendly independent CD/Music store that sells music sent to us directly from musicians all over the world.

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Amy Speace Nominated As ‘Emerging Artist Of The Year’ For The 2007 Folk Alliance Awards

This year’s International Folk Alliance Conference is sure to be a special one for New York-based singer/songwriter Amy Speace. In addition to playing eleven showcases at the conference, including official Wildflower Records and CD Baby showcases, Amy has been nominated "Emerging Artist of the Year" for the 2007 Folk Alliance Awards being held on Wednesday, February 21.

Amy’s album "Songs For Bright Street" has been attracting attention, having been selected in Indie-Music.com’s Top 25 Indie Release of 2006 while grabbing a "Best New Country Song 2006" nomination from Independent Music Awards for "The Real Thing." Over the last year, Amy has been asked to open for Little Feat, Heartland, Phil Vassar, John Corbett Roger McGuinn, John Gorka, Peter Mulvey, Tracy Grammer, Sloan Wainright, and Steve Forbert.

Amy Speace & The Tearjerks Folk Alliance 2007 Showcases
Marriott Hotel and Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis

Wednesday 2/21
10:30pm Sacred Yard, TBA
1:00am Focus Music Presents, Rm #1828

Thursday 2/22
11pm Rumbling & Tumbling, TBA
* 12am Wildflower Records Presents, Performance Alley, Jackson Room
1:30am Grassy Hill Ent., Rm #1812

Friday 2/23
3:00pm Vic’s Kick Ass Women, Rm #1812
* 10:30pm CD Baby Presents, Performance Alley, Jackson Room
11:30pm Wildflower Records, TBA
12:30am Kyser Capos, Rm #1705

Saturday 2/24
12:30am Wildflower Records, TBA
1:30am Fox Run, Rm #1910
(*) Official showcases

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Polarity/1 Signs Up To MusicDish Network Development Program

MusicDish, LLC, an Internet music magazine publisher and artist marketing/development firm, announced the addition of NY-based composer and recording artist Polarity/1 to its MusicDish Network roster. MusicDish will provide full online management support, including brand development and marketing, as well as seeking licensing and business opportunities for his extensive CD catalog, including "Speechless," "Heavy Meadow" and "Prettier Than You".

Polarity/1 was recently included in the "MusicDish CD Sampler" which was pitched to labels, publishers, distributors from across the globe at MIDEM 2007, and will also be represented at Canadian Music Week, being held at the Fairmount Royal York Hotel in Toronto from March 7-10.

The music of Polarity/1 is exactly what the name suggests: conjoined opposites - a mash-up of new: cutting edge electronica/hip hop/nu-jazz and old: roots music of America (blues, funk, country, early jazz), Brazil (samba, pagode, etc.) and West African groove science. "Polar succeeds in his mission of forcing you to pay attention and not lull into the sounds you ‘expect’ to hear," noted StarPolish.com

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Kobo Town Brings Independence To Canadian Music Week

Toronto-based roots-calypso act, Kobo Town will headline the official Canadian Music Week (CMW) ‘10th Anniversary’ MusicDish Showcase hosted at The Trane Studio in Toronto on March 8th. The Trane Studio is located at 964 Bathurst Street. Kobo Town takes the stage at 10:30 PM. Other performers include Caroline Glass, Melissa Laveaux, Grüvoria and the Souljazz Orchestra. The showcase is free for all CMW badge holders and $10 for the general public. For more information, please visit www.musicdish.net/cmw/ or www.tranestudio.com

Kobo Town produced and self-released their debut album Independence in November 2006. It was named by Blogcritics as the best International album of the last year. CBC Radio One’s "Fresh Air" and "Big City Small World" radio shows also chose the record among their Top 10 lists for 2006. Finally, The Live Music Report had this to say about the record after placing it on their Top 10 list of outstanding 2006 discoveries:

"It is daunting to attempt to describe a CD created by a poet with the eloquence of Trinidadian-born Drew Gonsalves. His "St. James" would fit nicely in an anthology of Caribbean and Caribbean-born poets that would also include the works of Linton Kwesi Johnson. Some heavy material, but there is levity too ‹ and rhythm! Lots of sounds to savour."

"Intoxicating calypso rhythms held straight with a reggae backbone is the best way to describe this Toronto based group’s sound… "Independence" shows how music can be the voice of the people and that the message always rises from ashes. One of the most beautifully intelligent releases…ever!" ­ IndependentsOnly

Source:

Music is the Weapon

Saturday, March 10 ­ Barrymore’s Music Hall ­ 8:30 pm

The people of Ottawa’s Roots-Reggae-Funk scene will take over the legendary Barrymore’s Music Hall on Saturday, March 10, as the pervasive sounds that are sweeping across the country cry out in support of two of Ottawa’s integral NGO’s ­ Canadian Friends of Sudan and Canadian Friends of Burma - in the fight for awareness of the injustice and insecurity plaguing their homelands and the international community’s failure to intervene.

The continued humanitarian disasters endured by the peoples of Burma and Darfur have risen and fallen from the eye of the international media. In response to this the Souljazz Orchestra, Kobotown and Jokko are presenting this special event in unity with the organizations and its members acting locally, nationally and internationally on behalf of the people of Sudan and Burma . The evening will bring recognition to the Canadian Friends of Burma and the Canadian Friends of Sudan, commemorating their important work and fuelling social justice activism with the revolutionary sounds of Afrobeat, Reggae and Calypso music.

DJ’S BRIDGING SETS:
Mz Revolution (reggae-dancehall, raga breaks)
Zattar (afrobeat, reggae, latin, funk)

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MusicDish Founder Eric de Fontenay To Speak At Canadian Music Week

MusicDish Founder and President Eric de Fontenay has been invited to speak on the "The New Gold Rush: How To Make Money In The Digital Age" panel at this year’s Canadian Music Week. The panel, being held on Friday March 9th at 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM in Salon A of The Fairmont Royal York, will assess how digital revenue streams work now (or don’t) and how they might in the future.

Eric recently returned from MIDEM music conference in Cannes, France, where he gave a seminar entitled ‘Are You Ready To Innovate in the Digital Marketplace?’ "The music industry is moving faster than it ever has before," Eric was quoted in MIDEM ‘The News’ magazine. "You know need to innovate on a continuous basis, and not all music industry professionals are wired to do that. Music has been at the forefront of being challenged by technological change. It’s like a game of chess: you always need to be two steps ahead."

MusicDish will also be hosting it’s "10th Anniversary" official CMW showcase on March 8th at the Trane Studio, (964 Bathurst street - 2 blocks North of Bloor St. - Toronto). The line-up includes an impressive array of Canadian acts, including Kobo Town, Souljazz Orchestra, Rich Brown & rinsethealgorithm, Melissa Laveaux and Caroline Glass. Information and online tracks will be available shortly at http://www.musicdish.net/cmw/

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Majestic Twelve Singer Kenyata Sullivan Gets Book Deal

In addition to writing and recording songs for the third Majestic Twelve album due this fall, lead singer Kenyata Sullivan is developing a book about his experiences in the underground music scene to be released around the same time.

Specific details about the publication and release date will be announced later this year through City Desk Productions.

Peppered with previously untold stories about the famous and the infamous, the as yet untitled book takes readers on a journey through the indie rock scenes of the past few decades, ranging from the 1980’s underground cassette and zine cultures up to today.

Whether talking about watching Nirvana on Saturday Night Live with Joey Ramone, or poking fun at both the indie rock culture of "hipness" and the mainstream music machine, Sullivan’s book promises to be an engaging and eye opening read for anyone interested in a genuine and humorous "from the trenches" view of the indie rock revolution.

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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2007 - Republished with Permission

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There has been a lot of speculation after the agreement between the Beatles’ Apple Corp and Apple Inc. as to whether this clears the way for Apple to start distributing iPods pre-loaded with songs. Could this be a new means for bands to get their music out without a label? That is the question that Apple, Inc. – Record Label? over at Apple Recon addresses. I don’t know if the iPod is the opportune method of distributing music but it certainly sounds plausible enough I suppose. I must be the only person out there that actually enjoys listening to CDs! Go figure. Anyways, have a read and let me know what you think.

Later.

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INDIE NEWS BEAT
February 5, 2007 Edition
* Latham’s New CD "Sophomore" Breaking Ground In Post-Retro
* New Album: "Floatovations - The Realm Of Levitation" Out Now
* Indie Label Debuts With Star-filled Double-Album
* The Vernon Neilly Signature Guitar Giveaway Presented By Tagima Guitars And Seymour Duncan
* Kobo Town Makes Ranks Among The Best Of 2006
* Tiger Tiger Celebrates The Native American Rock Movement
* Down With Disease Through Download For The Cure
* InterMixx.com To Sponsor Millennium Music Conference In February 2007

Latham’s New CD "Sophomore" Breaking Ground In Post-Retro

The new Latham CD, "Sophomore" is off to a bang with an impressive review from Music Connection Magazine that dubs the songs both "vintage Aerosmith" and "vintage Bruce Springsteen." Latham also pulled in "Rock Artist of the Year" honors from the Los Angeles Music Awards, along with a nomination for "Best Rock Record" and an honorable mention for singer/guitarist/songwriter Mark Latham as "Best Rock Vocalist."

Two years in the making, "Sophomore" is a collection of 11 tracks that pioneer the art of post-retro rock and roll. Selected from a menu of 50, the disc is an eclectic mix of rock, pop, ballads and jam that explores relationships with women, god, death, the working masses, adolescence and the city of angels.

"Sophomore delivers songs you’ve never heard before but you’ve known for your whole lives. Strong lyrics, massive hooks and beats to move those feets. High energy rock and roll with a punch. Now that’s a tasty beverage.

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New Album: "Floatovations - The Realm Of Levitation" Out Now

Auckland, New Zealand, February 3rd, 2007 - Perhaps the perfection of a relaxation/meditation CD is one that leaves you with very little to say at all; one that stills the mind so completely and smoothes over every rough spot in your psyche so thoroughly that you are cast into the role of receiver alone.

JO BLANKENBURG’s album, FLOATOVATIONS, is the aural equivalent of drifting on the open ocean (a Caribbean one for certain) with only the lulling sounds of nature to fill your head, replacing the hum and buzz of the outside world. With a watery, liquid theme, this album easily surpasses most relaxation CDs in focusing in on lush and full atmospheres, somewhat akin to a film soundtrack but using simple textures and structures with natural ebb and flow.

As a whole, the album narrows in on the quality of levitation and buoyancy, and much like the title, floats the soul along on a sound journey of soft keyboards, strings, ocean waves and birds, joined by guitar, pan flutes, didgeridoo and several other colors along the way.

For those seeking deep rest, meditation, general relaxation or just a way to decompress on the way home from work, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more appropriate selection of compositions.

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Indie Label Debuts With Star-filled Double-Album

The newly founded Soul Renaissance Records releases their debut CD ­ "A Soulful Tale of Two Cities." This first project is an unprecedented showcase for the R&B sound and talent made famous in the 1960s and 70s by musicians in Detroit and Philadelphia. "A Soulful Tale of Two Cities" is available online at cdbaby.com, amazon.com and at other select retailers worldwide. Distribution is being handled through Super D, an independent distributor.

The first singles, "Love Train" and "Got To Give It Up" have been available for purchase and download on soulfultale.com. The new single, "When The World Is At Peace", was released on January 15th, to coincide with Martin Luther King Day in the U.S. exclusively on My Space: myspace.com/soulfultale.

"A Soulful Tale of Two Cities" brings together artists and musicians from Detroit and Philadelphia, two of America’s most legendary and prolific music Meccas, and features the two distinctive sounds of Motown and Philly Soul.

Motown’s Funk Brothers and surviving members of their Philadelphia counterpart, MFSB, lead the all-star ine-up. Headlining artists featured on the album include such legends as George Clinton, Kathy Sledge, Major Harris, Freda Payne, Lamont Dozier, Bobby Taylor, Barbara Mason, Bunny Sigler, Jean Carne, Jimmy Ellis, Kim Weston and Ali "Ollie" Woodson.

"A Soulful Tale of Two Cities" is the brainchild of executive producer Phil Hurtt, who is also president and CEO of Philadelphia-based Soul Renaissance Records. Hurtt, an award-winning songwriter, producer, and arranger, began his career in the 1950s as a performer and soon became one of the most sought-after vocalists in the industry. Hurtt was also an integral part of a group of highly regarded writers, producers, musicians and singers whose work is currently acknowledged by many in the music industry as "The Sound of Philadelphia." In addition to releasing two albums of his own, Hurtt wrote and produced for some of the time’s top artists including The O’Jays, Sister Sledge, and many more. In recent years his music and voice have been sampled by hip-hop and R&B artists including Jay-Z, LL Cool J, and DMX.

With the combination of Hurtt’s experience and leadership, an extraordinary team of producers, arrangers, and writers, and an impressive assortment of legendary musicians, "A Soulful Tale of Two Cities" promises to be a truly remarkable album. In Hurtt’s words, "these artists are masters; they already have a fan base, they already have a following, they already have the knowledge, the know how, the experience, to do whatever they need to do musically… these are the people that can do it, and have done it, these are the ones you hear every day and don’t always remember who they are. But you can’t forget the way they sound."

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The Vernon Neilly Signature Guitar Giveaway Presented By Tagima Guitars And Seymour Duncan

Independent label CEO and recording artist Vernon Neilly is proud to announce the Vernon Neilly Signature Guitar Giveaway, presented by Tagima Guitars and Seymour Duncan. Launched in late 2006, the giveaway will offer the opportunity for entrants to win a Tagima Signature VN1 Vernon Neilly Guitar, Set of Seymour Duncan Pickups, G-Fire CD and Vernon Neilly Live In Brasil DVD. The deadline for the giveaway is March 30, 2007. For more information or to enter, visit Guitar Global http://www.guitarglobal.com/content/contest.asp

Vernon Neilly is an award winning guitarist/producer who is also a world touring performer. He is also the CEO/President of his own internationally distributed label Boosweet Records, and Guitar Global, a company that exports high quality guitars and basses internationally. Vernon has also participated in 2 major blockbuster films by Warner Bros and Universal Pictures, and has done a cameo appearance in the UPN TV Comedy "One On One." Vernon is endorsed and sponsored by some of the worlds leading musical equipment and musical software manufacturers such as Seymour Duncan, Tagima Guitars, Giannini Strings & Guitars, Morely, Digitech Electronics, Cakewalk, Sony Media Products, Levys Bags and Straps, Nady, Xotic Effects and Jim Dunlop who supplies his signature guitar picks.

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Kobo Town Makes Ranks Among The Best Of 2006 According To Blogcritics, CBC Radio One And The Live Music Report

Toronto-based calypso act Kobo Town’s debut album Independence was named by Blogcritics as the best International album of the last year. CBC Radio One’s "Fresh Air" and "Big City Small World" radio shows also chose the record among their Top 10 lists for 2006. Finally, The Live Music Report had this to say about the record after placing it on their Top 10 list of outstanding 2006 discoveries:

"It is daunting to attempt to describe a CD created by a poet with the eloquence of Trinidadian-born Drew Gonsalves. His "St. James" would fit nicely in an anthology of Caribbean and Caribbean-born poets that would also include the works of Linton Kwesi Johnson. Some heavy material, but there is levity too ‹ and rhythm! Lots of sounds to savour."

Kobo Town produced and self-released Independence in November. Drawing heavily upon the sounds of traditional calypso, roots reggae and dub poetry, the album is a collection of stories which offer a running commentary on a wide variety of social and political themes including domestic violence, homelessness, globalization, the war on Iraq, and the various frustrations and betrayals of the post-colonial era.

Named after an historic community in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, where calypso was born, Kobo Town strives to recover the social conscience, satirical storytelling and strong acoustic/organic rhythms that characterized Trinidadian music in the past. But while the group’s singer-songwriter Drew Gonsalves expresses a wish to "celebrate the musical and artistic traditions formed over the long years of our turbulent history", the tales that fill the album could be told anywhere.

Independence was co-produced by Lyndon Livingstone (David Rudder, Andre Tanker, Mighty Scrunter) and Drew Gonsalves at the Razorshop in Maraval, Trinidad. Independence will be available for download through CD Baby, iTunes, Music Discovery Network, Calabash Music and select online retailers.

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Tiger Tiger Celebrates The Native American Rock Movement

Inspired by the nature of the Florida Everglades, their American Indian culture and Chief Buffalo Tiger (their father) of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, the Tiger Tiger Band career highlights include initial recordings at Woodstock (later released in Germany on Sony’s ZYX label).

Based in Miami, Florida, national recording artists Tiger Tiger have headlined and graced the stages for numerous festivals and concerts over the years. They were featured in the First Miami Pop Festival along with Jimi Hendrix, Procol Harum and Led Zeppelin. In fact, the actual jacket that Lee Tiger wore on stage at the first Miami Pop Festival in May 1968 has recently been put on permanent display in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. The jacket was designed and created by Stephen Tiger. At The Seminole Tribes Big Rock Pow Wow they performed with Chicago, Edgar & Johnnie Winter. These accomplished and respected musicians were requested by Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley to be their backing band.

Tiger Tiger’s last commercially released album, Southern Exposure, received a Grammy nomination. Their self-produced music video Lay Your Burden Down took second place for Best Music Video at the 2000 American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco. The Tigers have recently completed their most exciting Native American cultural CD, Peace From The Everglades, Dedicated to the Survival of the Miccosukee & Seminole People of Florida. This CD received two NAMMY nominations in 2005, for Best Pop/Rock Recording and Song/Single of the Year for Heya. In 2006 Tiger Tiger received the Lifetime Achievement Award from NAMMY (Native American Music Awards) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. This would be Stephen’s final appearance.

Tiger Tiger recently finished recording Native to this Country. The album was released end of 2006. Future plans include touring and promotional opportunities in support of the new CD.

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Down With Disease Through Download For The Cure

Can music save lives? The music industry has been no stranger to using music for charitable causes. Rocking for Darfur, Music for Bangladesh, Tibetan Freedom Concerts… all aimed to create awareness and revenue for interesting global causes.

The industry has united once again but for something a little closer to home. Even more exciting, it gives hope to not only those afflicted by disease, but hope to musicians looking to break through into the industry sphere so difficult to get in front of.

The exciting new music "contest" and charity program, Download For The Cure®, combines the ability for the independent music artist to both get heard and have their music serve a bigger purpose.

Partnered with the most recognizable name in the fight against cancer, the American Cancer Society, Download For The Cure will offer a national music search to select a 12 to 15 song virtual album exclusively available through iTunes. All download proceeds from that virtual album will be directly donated to the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.

The best part, music artists who apply will have the opportunity to be heard by an industry panel hand selected for their different functions within the music industry. The panel consists of representatives from major labels, managers, attorneys etc.

Director of Marketing for Virgin records, Nikki Hirsch, is one of the 8 industry panelists. Download for the Cure® is an exciting program for Ms. Hirsch not only for the chance to help those affected by cancer but to have a great way to find new music. When asked what makes a great artist "great" Nikki explains, "Artistic integrity is the most important criteria for me, and that means staying true to your sound and style without compromising it to fit a trend. And on a superficial level, I like music I can rock out or shake my tush to."

The American Cancer Society is more than excited to have the opportunity to unite music makers and music lovers in an effort to fight cancer. "I have no doubt that this program will find success and provide us with a link (pardon the pun) to a new audience… we couldn’t ask for much more than that - a chance to spread hope, an opportunity to make a difference," says Mark Drill, Regional Income Development Director of the American Cancer Society’s regional headquarters in Philadelphia.

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InterMixx.com To Sponsor Millennium Music Conference In February 2007

InterMixx.com, the parent company that presents the Independent Music Conference (IMC’07), the online independent music store IndieGate.com and InterMixx, Independent Music Magazine, will be a key sponsor and partner in the 11th annual Millennium Music Conference taking place at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, February 15th - 18th.

Apparently the founder of the MMC greatly appreciated the emphasis on education at IMC06 where he had generously contributed some of his time as a Panelist and Mentor. After the IMC he publicly commented…

Message dated 9/7/06 from John Harris of the MMC:

"You guys had more going on at the IMC than I could fathom… what a great resource for independent musicians."

"John Harris is an industry icon and it’s been my great privilege to be involved with his event since its very inception eleven years ago. It just keeps getting better each year and John’s confidence in my ability to create a quality educational and networking environment at MMC means a great deal to me," comments President and Founder of the Independent Music Conference, Noel Ramos.

"In recent years, our online store IndieGate.com became a major sponsor of the MMC. John also chose us as his preferred web hosting company and asked me to contribute my artistic skills by designing and maintaining the MMC web site. He’s also given me the privilege of designing and producing his ID badges, the MMC Conference Directory (as a special edition of our magazine), the MMC Goodie Bags and many of his ads which appear in publications all over the country."

This latest expansion of the cross-promotion between these two organizations further solidifies their powerful cooperative bond. "It’s exactly this kind of community and unity building that I believe in so strongly, and I couldn’t be more proud or pleased to get the job!" summarized Ramos.

Source:

Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2007 - Republished with Permission

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(PRESS RELEASE) Revenge Productions’ next Start & Run Your Own Record Label seminar is on Saturday, February 24, 2007; 11AM - 5:30PM at the New Yorker Hotel, on the NW corner of 34th Street and Eighth Avenue in New York City

The seminar leader is Daylle Deanna Schwartz, author of the best-selling Start & Run Your Own Record Label, I Don’t Need a Record Deal! Your Survival Guide for the Indie Music Revolution and The Real Deal: How to Get Signed to a Record Label (Billboard Books). Daylle has been presenting these seminars for over 10 years.

The seminar will cover:

* setting up a business
* retail marketing and promotion
* radio promotion
* doing your own publicity
* marketing and promoting on the internet
* international marketing
* income streams for licensing CDs
* street promotion
* distribution
* manufacturing
* financing
* legal issues

(more…)

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At the MidemNet Conference in Cannes, France, a new agency representing the “world’s independent music sector” has been created that will work with a lot of the new “Web 2.0” companies allowing independent labels to sell their music on sites like MySpace and YouTube.

Named Merlin, this agency will represent a sector of the music industry that represents 30% of all music sales and so they are referring to themselves as the “fifth major” with Vivendi’s Universal Music, Sony BMG, EMI Group and Warner Music Group representing the major lables who account for the lions share of music sales. It is expected that Merlin will announce a partnership with MySpace in conjunction with Napster creatror Sean Fanning’s Snocap company that will make it easy for labels to sell on the hugely popular social networking site.

The thing that impresses me most about announcements like this is that we are finally getting to see the infamous “level playing field” that everybody has been saying the Internet would provide the indies. My only question now would be what criteria are used to gain admission to Merlin as a lot of the labels that I deal with are pretty small, even by indie rock standards.

Later.

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INDIE NEWS BEAT
January 16, 2006 Edition
* Shauna Burns Releases Powerful EP Desert Tune
* New Duo Hits Number One On Two Charts
* Eric Benson Article Appears On Neil Young Website
* A Fine Adjustment Of Time
* Inside the Music Business Announces National Seminar & Showcase
* 37 Records on the MOVE
* Allegro / Nail Distribution Plan To Re-Sign Label Agreements At MIDEM 2007

Shauna Burns Releases Powerful EP Desert Tune

Shauna Burns developed her delicate vocals and striking piano while growing up in Miami, Florida. Shauna derived inspiration from her mother’s love for the piano. Shauna’s songwriting skills prospered and when she went off to college, her music found fans that were enthusiastic and appreciative of the artistry they heard.

Every Thought was the Shauna Burns debut release in 2006. The recording received rave reviews followed by successful sales. Her 2007 follow-up EP release entitled Desert Tune is an engaging five song EP that captures the spirit and warmth of Shauna’s hypnotic vocals and temperate piano playing. The tracks are clever while playful, in accord with her nature of being personal and captivating. Shauna and her piano are once again joined by co-producer and drummer James Clark, Ryan Tilby on guitar and bass with Steve Lemmon on guitar. Shauna spent some time residing in the desert before recording the EP and the listener benefits from that journey while listening to the music.

Shauna explains her songwriting philosophy as, "It can start with just a feeling, that seed in your stomach that grows until you cannot ignore it anymore. I feel the need to cultivate and nurture these seeds because seeds can grow into big ideas if we take care. It makes me question: What’s next for all of us in this world? What is the universe trying to tell us? I’m listening." Finding inspiration in the world around her is what Shauna Burns is all about and it is no wonder her songs have such feeling and depth.

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New Duo Hits Number One On Two Charts

In their first 30 days, Mimi and Teft landed four chart placements with two first place positions on PureVolume.

Their debut EP, Look Into the Mirror, took the Club and Electronica charts by storm holding number one spot this week on purevolume. They broke out with the number 10 spot on Pop, and 41 over all combined genres. They also received awards from Garageband this week including dance track of the day for January 4, 07.

The duo is hitting the internet streets fast, being one of seven artists chosen to represent MusicDish Network at the international music conference, MIDEM, in January at Cannes, France.

The songwriting team changed their focus last summer from writing for other artists to delivering their own upbeat version of electronic pop. With their first EP, they’ve definitely delivered.

Purevolume stats 12/27/06
#1 in both club and electronica genres of about
20,000 artists
#10 of 21,000 pop artists
#41 of all 362,122 artists

Garageband award - dance track of the day for Jan 4, 2007

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Eric Benson Article Appears On Neil Young Website

Eric Benson can add yet another awesome accomplishment to his music career. Besides having one of the top songs on Neil Young’s Living With War website for nearly 3 months now, (Writings of Holy Men, currently at #37 of almost 1,200 songs), Young recently published an article by Benson, a Canadian musician who is fast becoming one of the most downloaded singer/songwriters on MySpace.com

The article, aptly titled Writings of Holy Men, is just below another editorial written by controversial Oscar winning documentarian Michael Moore (Bowling for Columbine, Farenheit 9/11). Benson says he was surprised to see the article he wrote in a letter to Young and his staff regarding the origins of his popular song on the anti-war website. "I’ve been receiving accolades from around the globe for ‘hitting the nail on the head’, as most have described the editorial, and the song." says Benson from his BC home. "It’s really just my own opinions, and what got me writing the song in the first place. I’m certainly not speaking for anyone else, although it is very gratifying to know that so many others feel the same way. Particularly some of the feedback I’ve received from my American fans."

To read the article, go to "NeilYoung.com" and check out the "Living With War" link. On the same page, there is a link to the "Top Songs of Today" to listen to Benson’s song. Each listen counts as a vote for the tune, pushing it ever closer to the top ten spot. "Writings of Holy Men" has also been chosen as the featured "Song of the Week" at http://www.myspace.com/dreamstormproductions

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A Fine Adjustment Of Time

Blending elements of Trip-Hop, Reggae, Drum and Bass and Ambient, Analogue Mindfields music was described by Cheshire Cat of Leftfield as a heavyweight mix of reggae, old school dub with vibrant brass driven trip skank like a mouthfull of liquorice allsorts

The bands second album ‘A Fine Adjustment of Time’ is all pressed up and is to be released on Malicious Damage Records on 26th February 2007. It will be available on cd and double gatefold transparent coloured vinyl!. Malicious damage will be taking pre-orders for the album on their webisite maliciousdamage.biz. There’s a video in production and it should be ready by the end of the month - we’ll stick it up on youtube as soon as it’s done…

Analogue Mindfield worked on a number of collaborations for ‘A Fine Adjustment of Time’ which include Tim Bran (Subsonar, ex-Dreadzone), Dr Das (ex-Asian Dub Foundation), Eric Rico (producer/remixer Jurassic 5, Pharcyde, Tupac Shakur Tribute album), Belka & Strelka (The Orb, The Transit Kings) and Electric Forgiveness (Jon Dawson - Third of Never, John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick - The Who, Bob Marley)

Their Mission Statement is simple - Create auditory sound-scapes of challenging yet accessible music, whilst retaining an inspired socially conscious theme to our tunes.- Gizzy D

Analogue Mindfields initial output, entitled Digital Brainwave was released in May 2006 and can be purchased online at the Analogue Mindfield shop . Some notable guests featured, including M.C. Ishu (Step13, Manaseh Soundsystem), Pete Balfe (Yolazy) and the crispy horns of The Love Grocer (Mad Professor, Morcheeba, Steel Pulse, The Bluetones, Horace Andy, Zion Train and Dreadzone).

Youve got to get Weatherall to listen to these tracks man, hell fookin love em- Mani (Primal Scream)

Snapper J and Gizzy D met through their former band The Subtonics and worked with such producers as Leo Pearson (produced U2, Elvis Costello), Trevor Hutchinson (Lunasa, The Waterboys) and Connor Brady (The Blades). It was during this time that they first started working together on the debut recordings of Analogue Mindfield

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Inside the Music Business Announces National Seminar & Showcase

Eric Kline, CEO and founder of the multi-platform Inside the Music Business brand, has unveiled the names of thirty music power players who will be a part of ‘Strategies for Success,’ the company’s premiere national all-genre Seminar & Showcase, taking place April 28th in Ft. Lauderdale.

The ever-growing list of executives, artists, producers, attorneys, video directors, radio programmers & DJs - the POWER PLAYERS, as Kline calls them will include Latin Music impresario Emilio Estefan, former Creed front man Scott Stapp, Hip Hop mogul Steve Rifkind, Grammy nominated producer Steve Bogard, Justin Prager, Music Choice’s Director of Pop & Rock Programming; Music Choice and Music Dish Network’s Editor in Chief Eric de Fontenay to name a few.

‘Strategies for Success’ Seminar & Showcase is an all-encompassing music community event featuring more than 30 industry power players from the worlds of Rock, Urban, Country, Pop, Latin, Dance, Americana/Folk and Christian musicŠ all converging for an explosive one-day experience of education, networking, and showcasing.

Unsigned/indie rock artists of all genres who sign up for the seminar (early bird price is $125) are automatically put into consideration to perform at the VIP showcase by submitting their website or MySpace page during registration. From that pool of registrants, says Kline, ten performers will be picked by an independent panel of industry producers, executives, artists and managers.

Those chosen will perform at the invite-only showcase and will also appear on the syndicated Inside the Music Business radio special and national event DVD.

With interactive panel/audience discussions, the seminar will delve into the ‘new music business’ of 2007. Aspiring producers, labels, managers, directors, and attorneys are encouraged to attend as well. ‘On top of learning about the biz and the unsigned artist showcase,’ notes Kline ‘Strategies for Success’ is an event that is also about networking.

An online campaign kicks off this week, followed by a multi-pronged regional radio and TV blitz. Retail exposure in Sam Ash Music Stores in South Florida has started as well.

To learn more about the event, unique artist/label exposure opportunities and registration, log on to www.InsideTheMusicBusiness.com

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37 Records on the MOVE 37 Records, founded by Steven McClintock, has continued the forward momentum with the release of 4 new CDS in 2006. The recent holiday release of Judy Akin’s Christmas CD entitled SEASONED really ended the year with a bang selling out of the first run within four weeks of delivery. The awarding winning Canadian Bluegrass band Tumbleweed, released its 21 song compilation encompassing 10 years of music in one CD and DVD package including one new song never before recorded.

Indie label

Opening to rave reviews, the Texas born troubadours, Fertitta and McClintock, have finally released the 14 song CD they planned 30 years ago while on Arista Records. Produced in lavish style by famed producer Fred Mollin (VP at Disney Records), the duo has taken their place as one of the best duos to every make music with the release of AFTER ALL THIS TIME. Finally after much demand, the 1983 release of Don McClintock’s CD CHRISTMAS NEEDS LOVE TO BE CHRISTMAS was released on CD.

The label will be at MIDEM conference in Cannes France in January looking for new artist for worldwide release. All CDS available on ITUNES, NAPSTER and other digital sources as well as Amazon.com, NashvilleIM.com and 37records.com

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Allegro / Nail Distribution Plan To Re-Sign Label Agreements At MIDEM 2007 NAIL Distribution, the indie-rock division of the Portland, Oregon based entertainment distributor, Allegro Corporation, is proud to announce that the company plans to attend the 2007 MIDEM conference to further seal concrete relationships with labels such as Mint Records, who will be re-signing a two year distribution agreement with NAIL furthering a long and fruitful relationship.

Chris Scofield, label manager of NAIL Distribution notes: "MIDEM has always led the way in exploring fresh avenues of business for independent companies. The conference continues to pave the way for musical exploration, in a truly global sense. NAIL looks forward to the opportunity to renew relationships with our existing labels such as Mint, as well as shake the hands of potential labels and international distribution prospects at Midem 2007. Our company’s ability to introduce some of the most diverse musical landscapes into the marketplace through avenues such as MIDEM leaves an indelible mark on the music industry as a whole."

In past years, MIDEM has afforded NAIL the opportunity to forge many unique distribution partnerships, such as with Cornerstone/RAS and Park The Van records, which has fostered a critically acclaimed soundtrack for director Richard Linklater’s engaging motion picture, Fast Food Nation, which screened for the first time in France at the 2006 Festival de Cannes as an Official Selection, in competition for the coveted Palme d’Or. Other opportunities include the signing of the legendary and influential ESP-Disk’, who forged a distribution partnership with NAIL / Allegro after meetings conducted at MIDEM in 2005.

With these types of profitable networking threads made at MIDEM, Allegro / NAIL Distribution will continue their reign as one of the most successful and diverse North American industry leaders in music & entertainment distribution today.

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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2006 - Republished with Permission

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Interview With NYC-based JP Bommel, Vice President, Sales & Business Development, MIDEM
Bommel Sheds Light On Upcoming MIDEM 2007 Conference Events
by Anne Freeman,

I recently interviewed JP Bommel, Vice President, Sales & Business Development, Midem, who is based in New York City, NY, U.S.A. In the interview below, we discuss what is in store for the fortunate music industry representatives who will attend the 2007 MidemNet conferences, and 21-25 January 2007, at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France.

[Anne Freeman] JP, what is unique about the Midem Conference, which takes place every year at the end of January in Cannes, France?

JP Bommel Midem is a business-to-business show that takes place every year. This year will be our 41st year. It’s open for five days and it’s a great opportunity for exhibit, to advertise or attend. You can educate yourself with some wonderful seminars. We had 66 meetings and seminars, and about 222 speakers in 2006, and we expect to do the same in 2007. The highlight of the conference, if you will, is a technology forum called MidemNet. MidemNet is a two-day forum to discuss the current business models, what the revenues are, what’s happening in that market, and what are the big trends, such as content for cell phones. We discuss all of the issues at Midem at the global level.

[Anne Freeman] I attended Midem for the first time last year, the 40th Anniversary of Midem. I must admit it was a bit overwhelming at times!

JP Bommel It sounds overwhelming, but Midem is quite simple. It is organized in different days in different themes. Midem is a conference and a trade show. Midem can be seen as an overwhelming event, but it’s really a great opportunity for networking. What Midem is really about is making contacts with people in the commerce of music. We expect above 10,000 people 93 countries the year, and we’re well on target for that. We had 4,300 companies represented last year, and about 2,300 companies exhibited. It’s the largest trade show in the world of music, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for people who are in music to do their global business in Cannes. They can convene there; do business, whether you are in the digital space, the content space, or professional services catering to the music industry °¶

I’ll talk about the conference first. The conference starts with MidemNet on the Saturday and Sunday. MidemNet is two days where you discuss doing business in the digital space. Attendance is limited to 1200 people. It’s an audience of CEOs and people involved at a high level of digital entertainment. We have two days of panels and keynotes. We try to cover the entire spectrum of the digital market during MidemNet. (For a list of the confirmed MidemNet speakers, see "MIDEMNET FORUM".)

[Anne Freeman] Midem also offers many informative panels, some of which I had the opportunity to attend last year. I’m looking forward to this year’s panels. What’s in store for us at Midem in 2007, JP?

JP Bommel On Monday morning, our first panel is a wonderful panel that really reflects the trends of the music industry today. It’s called "Music for Images." Music for Images presenters will discuss the business of music in T.V., film, video games and brands. We’ll have amazing people coming to that panel, as well. One of the trends that effects people who come to Midem, I would have to say, is how to make money with nontraditional revenue from the music industry, and that is to tie your music in TV and to brands. The whole morning on Monday is based on that.

[Anne Freeman] Do you find that there is a lot of interest amongst the global music industry for information about these nontraditional revenue steams?

JP Bommel Absolutely! When you start touching upon what we call sync-licensing rights, all of the majors have taken a stand on that. Yes, there is a great demand for that from our audience, so we’re pleased to have these panels.

[Anne Freeman] What else is in store for us on Monday?

JP Bommel At noon, we’ll have what is considered the largest revenue-producing sector of attending Midem - and of the industry at large °© and that is the live business. We’ll have a global summit around the issues of touring, what are bands facing in the world of concerts, and so forth. That’s on Monday afternoon.

And in between the morning and afternoon sessions, we have one of our networking luncheons where we bring 100 to 120 top-level music executives involved in music for images to meet with music supervisors. It’s a mixer, a greet and meet. We try to blend it so that the 100 or so people who are very concerned about music for sync rights meet with music supervision for films and TV, and the world of advertisers. The 1®–-hour luncheon will be at the Majestic Hotel across the street from the conference. It’s a great event.

[Anne Freeman] I see on the www.Midem.com site that some other exciting events will be returning to Midem 2007?

JP Bommel Yes, will have Global A&R panels, which are put together with help from our partner, MusicExpo. MusicExpo is a conference that takes place in the States from a global A&R focus. It’s an opportunity to hear about how you acquire content, what are the trends around the world, what are the different challenges in A&R today, and so forth. Again, then we’ll break for lunch, and this year we’ll have an A&R and live luncheon to bring together two worlds that connect, but they are the beginning and the end of the spectrum, the studio and the stage. We had a lot of fun doing that last year.

This particular lunch is actually brought to us and sponsored by an amazing newcomer to Midem, a company called www.rehearsals.com. What Rehersal.com does is the business of rehearsals. They have a very large soundstage in L.A. They have remote-controlled cameras in their rehersal studios that record rehearsals, providing original content for distribution by musicians around the world. They have a great business model and are run by great people.

[Anne Freeman] I will be sure to attend that event. What’s next?

JP Bommel Monday night is our "Personality of the Year" event. This year we are very happy to announce that Claude Nobs, founder and CEO of the world renowned music event ‘The Montreux Jazz Festival’ has been nominated MIDEM personality of the year. It’s another one of those wonderful networking events. We match the executives with those doing business in the independent community. We always provide opportunities for independent record companies and other small companies °© for lack of a better work °© to meet with and hang out with the majors and publishers. Our Personality of the Year award is a dinner for about 200 °©250 people, which is a beautiful black tie event with great entertainment. (See "Claude Nobs, Founder & CEO Of The Montreux Jazz Festival, Named Midem 2007 Personality Of The Year" for the Personality of the Year announcement and interview.)

[Anne Freeman] JP, last year the opening night celebration was sponsored by the Country of Finland. What’s in store for the opening party for 2007?

JP Bommel We are really looking forward to this year’s Opening Night which will be particularly exciting, but I’m afraid I’m not able to announce anything quite yet. Your readers need to stay tuned to Music Dich to find out all the details of this, which we should be announcing it soon.

[Anne Freeman] Good advice for news about a great night. I am looking forward to a sleep deprived Monday night at MIDEM 2007, JP!

We’ll continue our conversation with JP next edition.

Some key Midem statistics:

MEET KEY PLAYERS FROM EVERY SECTOR, GENRE AND COUNTRY

(% of companies in each activity)

°§ Recording: 50%
°§ Publishing: 33%
°§ Licensing: 29%
°§ Production: 28%
°§ CD/DVD distribution: 20%
°§ Audio & Video: 20%
°§ Digital & Media: 19%
°§ Artist management: 18%
°§ Live music: 17%

You’ll find just about every single music genre represented at the market, with specialized sections for Classical, Jazz, Electronic and Urban.

To register now for Midem 2007, the World Music Market, visit www.Midem.com

USA/LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN: REED MIDEM NEW YORK OFFICE

JP Bommel, Vice President, Sales & Business Development, NYC Office, Tel: +1 212 284 5145

360 Park Avenue South - 14th Floor, New York, NY 10010, USA
Tel: +1 212 284 5142 / Fax: +1 212 284 5148
General sales enquiries: midemusa@reedmidem.com

Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2007 - Republished with Permission

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INDIE NEWS BEAT

January 3, 2007 Edition

* Catherine Duc Named ‘Instrumental Artist Of The Year’ At Los Angeles Music Awards

* The Water Music Records Group Announces The Launch Of Their “10 Spot” Label

* Santa Fell Asleep On Christmas Eve

* “Jimmy Flavor” Reggaeton’s Urban Latin Sensation Is Set To Top The Charts

* Slip-N-Slide Records (Street) To Debut Single By Hip Hop R&B Songstress, Ariana

* RockPop Gallery & MusicWorld3D Tap MusicDish Network For Marketing Campaign

* Kobo Town @ Club Midway, NYC

* Music & Brands - Key Focus At The “Music For Images” Conference At MIDEM 2007

Catherine Duc, Award-Winning Australian Composer, Named ‘Instrumental Artist Of The Year’ At Los Angeles Music Awards

Catherine Duc, award-winning Australian composer and musician, has won another major award. This time she was chosen from a talented field of thousands of international artists and named ‘Instrumental Artist of The Year’ in the 16th Annual International Los Angeles Music Awards.

The Los Angeles Music Awards encourages musicians from all over the globe to reach out to the Music Capital of the World, and gain much deserved respect and exposure for their abundant, if undiscovered, talent. Now in it’s 16th year, the awards gala was held on November 9 at the Music Box Theatre. Past winners who have gone on to critical acclaim and mainstream success include Paula Abdul, Jackson Browne, System of a Down, Jack Black and the Black Eyed Peas. The show is internationally recognized as the top independent music awards in the world.

Catherine melds Celtic and world-music melodies with contemporary rhythms and cinematic elements on her album ‘Visions and Dreams’. Her CD has gained radio airplay internationally. Positive reviews from an admiring press and industry insiders have come rolling in. Artist, Repertiore and International Licensing magazine stated: “As an award winning composer, Catherine Duc has an achieved an excellent cohesive tone… a truly inspired collection of work”.

International Music Online describes Catherine’s album as: “A remarkable piece of work from a remarkably accomplished musician composer.” Renee Gelpi, host with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Galaxy service raves: “Your music on Visions and Dreams is glorious. Excellent writing and arranging brings out exciting emotions. Loved it.” Download.com says: “It’s hardly surprising that this Melbourne composer has a film degree, her ambient soundscapes could easily find their way onto a movie soundtrack: a coming-of-age tale, say, set in a mysterious foreign land, with Duc’s mix of Celtic folk winds, lush synth washes, and pulsing percussion underlining a dramatic meeting of cultures.”

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The Water Music Records Group Announces The Launch Of Their “10 Spot” Label

While i-Tunes set the standard by offering tracks for just $.99 each, the 10 Spot label has been launched with the digital download customer in mind. Believing in the mantra “10 Tracks, 10 Bucks, Every Time” 10 Spot stands firm with their new price point.

“10 Spot gives the consumer ten good reasons to buy physical product. Offering ten tracks for ten dollars while getting the benefit of the CD package, the look, the feel, liner notes, artwork and artist information, it’s like a free gift with purchase!” states Brad Pressman, President of The Water Music Records Group of labels.

The label’s debut artist Shannon Moore combines the spunk and fire of The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde with the sexy savvy of Sheryl Crow and this singer/songwriter knows how to deliver a song. Shannon’s new CD “Evaporate” hits the streets March 6, 2007.

Canadian born singer / songwriter Justin James’ new album “Sun Drenched” has already received considerable media attention including placements on TV shows like Laguna Beach. A regular entertainer on the Southern California club circuit, his six-piece band Justin James & The Sons of Beaches has a reputation for spirited shows. A tentative street date has been set for Justin’s album in April 2007.

10 Spot’s most prestigious artist, Tiffany, catapults her career from a 80s Dance/Pop icon to a truly inspired singer/songwriter with her new release on 10 Spot Music in May 2007. Having recently signed on for Season 5 of VH1’s hit reality show Celebrity Fit Club, Tiffany’s release will coincide with the airing of the show.

The Water Music Records Group consists of 10 Spot, Water Music Kids, Water Music Dance and the parent label Water Music Records. Water Music Records has been primarily a Los Angeles based Electronica music label. Launched in July 2000, Water Music Records releases, markets and distributes albums in various sub-styles of Electronica including Chill Out, Lounge and Down-Tempo and Dance music. Universal Music Group Distribution, in association with Varese Sarabande, will distribute 10 Spot as it currently distributes all other Water Music Records Group imprints.

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Santa Fell Asleep On Christmas Eve

The Apache Twins - Joe and Charles Nicklus a country / oldies duo who live in Garfield, New Jersey, have released their new single “Santa Fell Asleep On Christmas Eve”. Their new single CD will be available at Rhaposdy, iTunes, and YOUTUBE.COM shortly. The broadcast quality CD is available free for radio stations at airplaydirect.com.

The Apache Twins duo have performed in clubs and concerts in Canada, Puerto Rico and metropolitan New York and New Jersey. They are working on a new single to be released early in 2007 with their newly completed in their state of the art 8 track 24 bit digital recording studio.

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“Jimmy Flavor” Reggaeton’s Urban Latin Sensation Is Set To Top The Charts

Dominican Republic born, Reggaeton and Latin Hip Hop recording artist Jimmy Flavor teams up with The Lindoro Entertainment Group and Two Time Grammy Award Winning Producer Echo & Diesel and 18 year Producer Lincoln to launch Reggaeton’s New Urban Latin Sensation.

Two Time Grammy Award Winning Latin Hip Hop Producer Echo & Diesel Producers of Daddy Yankee, Vico C, Tego Calderon, Don Omar, Ivy Queen, Wisen Y Yandel, and the list go on and on are currently working on Jimmy Flavor’s debut album slated for a Spring 2007 release under Lindoro Entertainment.

Echo & Diesel, the force behind some of the top selling Reggaeton and Latin Hip Hop albums including Vico C’s En Honor a la Verdad and Daddy Yankee’s Barrio Fino, are acting as Producer and Creative Director for Jimmy Flavor’s Début Album. “Jimmy’s Style is unique, and his talent is exceptional, the lyrics are all Jimmy. We are working diligently to bring something new and exciting to the fans of Reggaeton and Latin Hip Hop” says Echo.

Jimmy Flavor, born in the Dominican Republic, now residing in Tarrytown, New York has recently performed at the La Kalle Radio Showcase, The Fourth Annual Latin Rap Conference, and is now contracted to perform at The Miss Dominican Republic USA Beauty Pageant in March 2007 along with Millie Quezada.

Jimmy is out there pounding the pavement performing at most of the local hot spots in the NYC area to promote his first single “Que Tu Quiere Hacer”, Produced by Echo& Diesel and the 18 year old Producer from The Dominican Republic Lincoln. This track has steadily climbed the charts in the Dominican Republic and Argentina, which are among the largest markets for Reggaeton and Latin Hip Hop.

“Jimmy is an original, in terms of his Music, lyrical content and his artistic approach. He will definitely have a major impact on the Reggaeton and Latin Hip Hop Market” said Robert Mele, CEO of Lindoro Entertainment.

J. Antonio of 2-TOXIK Productions and the newest member of Lindoro Entertainment added “we are very excited about this project. Jimmy is a breath of fresh air and a great talent, Jimmy has amazing work ethic and unwavering dedication, watching him perform and witnessing him capture his audience is an incredible experience. I am thrilled to part of the team.”

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Slip-N-Slide Records (Street) To Debut Single By Hip Hop R&B Songstress, Ariana

As the rest of the commercial music industry sleeps on one of the most talented Hip Hop R&B singer/songwriters to come along in a while, Slip-N-Slide Records (Street) has decided to let the fans decide if 17-year-old Ariana will get her big break. Slip-N-Slide Street is touted for launching the careers of rap artists Plies, Citty, and Deuce Poppi based on their Street buzz. Slip-N-Slide Records is also the home of Trina, Trick Daddy and Rick Ross, all of whom have current and prior hits burning up the charts.

Ariana, the self proclaimed “Street Diva,” will debut her single “Let Me Do My Thang” on the Slip-N-Slide Street website. This track is produced by multi-platinum producer CC Lemonhead. In the ’90s, CC Lemonhead ushered in the most popular club songs of the time, such as 95 South’s “Whoot There It Is,” the 69 Boyz’s “Tootsie Roll,, Dis-N-Dat’s “Freak Me Baby,” and the Quad City DJ’s “C’mon N Ride It (The Train).” CC put his mojo on this track and Ariana put some Hip Hop R&B flavor to it, along with a feature from JB, to give you what should be one of the hottest songs of the coming year. Ariana needs all of her worldwide fans, new and old, to mobilize and vote for her single, “Let Me Do My Thang,” which will be featured 5 days from now on Slip-N-Slide Street. Her management states, “While they are sleeping we’re gonna wake them up with a hit from the Street.”

In March, 2006, BET.com picked Ariana for the “Ya Heard” section which features one artist per week as the hottest unsigned talent in the country. In April, 2006, legendary entertainment Mogul, Maurice “The General” Starr, known worldwide for discovering, producing, promoting, and writing all the hit songs for pop teen icons “New Kids On The Block” and R&B hit teen sensations “New Edition,” labeled Ariana “Another, just like the others”, as he compared her to prior acts he obtained success with. “Ariana revives R&B with a new sound!” - http://audiogemz.com/buzzworthy.html

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RockPop Gallery & MusicWorld3D Tap MusicDish Network For Marketing Campaign

MusicDish, LLC, an Internet music magazine publisher and marketing/development firm, announced the addition of two new companies to the MusicDish Network roster: RockPop Gallery and MusicWorld3D. RockPop Gallery is the online destination for limited-edition prints and photography from the masters of music artwork. MusicWorld3D is the new Web 2.0-style service that caters to the needs of independent musicians, fans, and the industries that support them.

The MusicDish Network will conduct a 3 month campaign combining brand development and social networking to expand RockPop Gallery’s online presence. RockPop Gallery will be aggressively pushed on community destinations such as Myspace and Live Digital, to name a few, specifically targeting a demographic consisting of collectors of fine music art.

MusicWorld3D parent company, Virtual Media Promotions, Inc., will use the services of the MusicDish Network for an saturated marketing campaign, combining PR/brand development, syndicated marketing and online street teaming. MusicWorld3D will gain extensive exposure through the MusicDish Network’s community of music websites, as well as street teamed on hundreds of message boards, forums and egroups.

RockPop Gallery and MusicWorld3D join an eclectic roster of artists and companies on the MusicDish Network’s marketing/artist development program, including African American Country artist Miko Marks; Your Guitarist, the Internet-based developer of custom guitar tracks; the Los Angeles, cult rock band Bluebeard; Astrella Celeste, daughter of the ‘British Bob Dylan’ Donovan; and WorkshopLive, the award-winning website for music lessons.

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Kobo Town @ Club Midway, NYC

Listen Liberally hosts MusicDish Organic Entertainment treated us all to yet another great night of music, food and drink at Club Midway (25 Ave B, NYC). Tonight’s feature was Kobo Town. They are a group named after an historic neighborhood in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad where traditional calypso music is said to have been born. Currently based in Toronto, Canada this group has tight ties to Trinidad.

Those ties can be felt in the heart of their music and the kindness of their personalities. The tiny basement of Club Midway was no longer in NYC but transported to a sunbathed island with hot sand and cold beer. You couldn’t help but move to the flowing harmonics and ebbing beats. Even those like me who are hopelessly deficient in the rhythm department. But the room of warm, fun-lovin’ smiles would outshine any inhibitions.

Once again the host Club Midway impressed me with their sound. For such a small space their soundman‹whose name escapes me‹did a remarkable job of keeping things sonically balanced. This was only my second time in the club but both times were equally pleasing to the ears. Anyone who’s been in small loud rooms in NYC knows how important that is. And of course the food was once again fantastic.

Source: Stephen Bailey

Music & Brands - Key Focus At The “Music For Images” Conference At MIDEM 2007

The increasing collaboration between the music industry and brands will be a key theme at the “Music for Images” conferences at MIDEM 2007. Launched in 2004, “Music for Images” explores how music is being used in film, video games, TV and advertising. The fourth edition of “Music for Images” will take place at MIDEM on January 22. The 41st edition of MIDEM will be held in Cannes, France, January 21-25, 2007.

“Music for Images” 2007 comprises three dedicated panels focusing on video games, film/TV and advertising/branding. Panellists will include major representatives in each field and the entire programme will be chaired by US music industry figure, Daniel Glass, President, Glassnote Records (US).

Returning for the third consecutive year at “Music for Images” will be the ever-popular listening sessions. A total of three separate listening sessions will once again provide companies with the opportunity to submit and play their tracks in front of international music supervisors who are actively looking for music to place in video games, adverts and film scores (see below).

The first panel to kick off the conference is entitled “Video Games: The Latest Challenge for Labels and Composers?” Headlining the session is the music visionary/producer and founding member of legendary funk outfit Chic, Nile Rodgers. The world-renowned music producer, associated with an impressive array of artists from Madonna to David Bowie, is also the founder of one of the world’s leading labels for licensing and distributing videogame soundtracks, Sumthing Else Music Works. As such, he will be giving his insight into the new opportunities for artists and leading talent in this newly emerging musical genre. Other speakers include Nick Wiswell, audio manager, Bizarre Creations (”Project Gotham Racing”); Richard Jacques, composer for titles such as “Jet Set Radio” and “Headhunter” and Eckhardt Consulting’s Randy Eckhardt, in charge of music licensing for Guitar Hero, one of the most critically-acclaimed music games to date.

“The New Role of Music in Feature Film Marketing” will be the second dedicated focus and presents an exclusive look at how music has become a key element in the feature-film business. The session is organised with Hollywood sync agency Zync and features Drew Sherrod, music supervisor for Open Road Entertainment and Niki Gascon, director of music for Warner Brothers Pictures.

The third and final panel poses the question, “Are Brands Shaping the New Music Economy?” While the music industry is looking for new revenue streams, brands are searching to build deeper relationships with consumers. The promising but complex mix between music and brands ranges from the simple sponsorship deal to innovative partnerships. Expert representatives from each side will be looking at how each side can work with the other. Speakers for this panel include: Johan Jervoe, VP Marketing & Communications West Region, McDonald’s (Germany); Cornelia Schneider, Head of Services/Sponsoring, Volkswagen (Germany); Duncan Bird, VP Futures, Sony BMG Entertainment (UK); Mark Boyd, Head of Content, BBH (UK), Kenneth Hertz, Senior Partner, Goldring Hertz and Lichtenstein (USA).

On Monday January 22, Sony Computer heads up the first listening session in which the winner will have his music placed in a video game and also be offered a work experience session with Richard Jacques, the award winning composer.

The second listening session will offer contestants the opportunity to submit music for the hit US hospital series Grey’s Anatomy, currently one of America’s favourite dramas. The US music supervision agency Zync will ask contestants to compose or propose tracks for a specific set of scenes from the series. One or several winners will be retained by The Chop Shop’s Alex Patsavas, music supervisor for Grey’s Anatomy and numerous other popular US shows.

Source:

Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2007 - Republished with Permission

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According to Ailing music biz set to relax digital restrictions the major labels are starting out 2007 by being forced to confront the fact that their use of Digital Rights Management (DRM) on their music is not in fact encouraging legal downloads as "Revenue from digital downloads and mobile content is expected to be flat or, in some cases, decline next year."

Why? Maybe its because people can’t stand the hoops that they have to jump through with DRM’d music to listen to their tunes. It will be interesting to watch the activities of those companies the article lists as pursuing the DRM-free download market: Amazon, Limewire, MySpace, eMusic and Yahoo Music. eMusic has really impressed me and if MySpace jumps on the bandwagon watch out!

Later.

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I have made no secret of the fact that I think rock and roll fans should be trying to give their business to the ever dwindling independent record stores as much as possible before we lose them and their incredibly knowledgeable people forever. One of the best ways to find an indie record store near you is to use the services of RecordStoreReview.Com. An amazing site that is a Godsend for those of us trying to avoid the Walmarts and Best Buys of this world. Unfortunately, Gunnar Van Vliet, the man behind the site is facing a severe cash crunch that threatens the very existence of this valuable resource and he is asking for donations. I’m asking for you to go check out the site, see what it offers and then if you can, pony up a few bucks.

Thanks.

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I have made no secret of the fact that I think rock and roll fans should be trying to give their business to the ever dwindling independent record stores as much as possible before we lose them and their incredibly knowledgeable people forever. One of the best ways to find an indie record store near you is to use the services of RecordStoreReview.Com. An amazing site that is a Godsend for those of us trying to avoid the Walmarts and Best Buys of this world. Unfortunately, Gunnar Van Vliet, the man behind the site is facing a severe cash crunch that threatens the very existence of this valuable resource and he is asking for donations. I’m asking for you to go check out the site, see what it offers and then if you can, pony up a few bucks.

Thanks.

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Music Metadata: Coding Your Recordings for Maximum Royalties

by Peter Spellman,