CMU Daily 12.07.16: Crowdmix goes into administration, Guvera creditors await debt restructuring plan, Raw Power opens Funhouse

Crowdmix goes into administration
Music-social-media-networking-fan-connection-thingimy-app maker Crowdmix yesterday confirmed to staff that the company was going into administration.

There had been much speculation about the future of the digital start-up in recent weeks following the departure of CEO Ian Roberts last month, ahead of the delayed launch of the firm's much hyped app.

At the time the company said that it was "currently raising a fourth round of investment which is expected to be completed in the coming days", though gossipers said that interest amongst those most likely to invest had started to wane.

According to Business Insider, staff at the firm were told yesterday afternoon that a last minute bid to raise emergency funding had failed and that the company was now going into administration. Despite some recent downsizing, it's thought the company still has about 130 people on the payroll, at least some of whom are reportedly still owed June wages.

The start-up's owners are seemingly hoping to sell the company as a going concern, but that might involve coming up with a compelling answer to the question: "why does the world need a music-specific social network?" We asked that question to various people connected to the project over the years and never really got an answer.

Though there may be an interest in some of the company's intellectual property, including the assets of two other digital start-ups it swallowed up, Buddybounce and Music Technology Limited.

Rapper charged over shooting at TI concert given bail
Rapper Troy Ave, real name Roland Collins, was freed on bail yesterday. He has been incarcerated ever since the fatal shooting backstage at a TI concert back in May, during which Collins's own bodyguard was killed.

As previously reported, Ronald McPhatter was killed and three others, including Collins himself, were injured during the shooting at New York's Irving Plaza venue. Collins, who had been scheduled to perform at the show, was later arrested and charged with attempted murder and illegal weapons possession.

It is alleged that Collins had been targeting rapper Maino, with whom he had been feuding, and that he shot both McPhatter and himself by accident during the resulting fracas. Though Collins denies that version of events.

He was freed yesterday on a $500,000 bond that is secured on his mother's Brooklyn home. The rapper, still in a wheelchair as a result of the injuries he sustained in the shooting, was told prosecutors had now consented to bail at a court hearing yesterday.

Under the terms of his bail he will have to wear an ankle monitor, isn't allowed to leave New York City, and must stay away from all bars and venues. Those terms mean the rapper will now have to cancel a number of shows that he was scheduled to perform at.

Number of disabled ticket-buyers up 26% at venues allied to Attitude Is Everything charter
Music charity Attitude Is Everything says that the number of deaf and disabled fans buying tickets for festivals and venues signed up to its Charter Of Best Practice was up 26% last year.

Compiling sales data from those live music businesses which have committed to adopt best practice in making their events fully accessible, the charity says that 144,000 tickets were sold to disabled fans in 2015, compared to 114,000 the previous year. Attitude Is Everything reckons that the economic impact of these sales is worth some £7.5 million.

The increase is partly due to more venues signing up to the charity's charter, though even removing those, the number of tickets sold to disabled audience members was still up 19,000, or 13%.

Says Attitude Is Everything CEO Suzanne Bull: "The Charter Of Best Practice is at the core of Attitude Is Everything's activities. Each year we accredit a wide range of venues and festivals, from the biggest in the country to the smallest, and see them make a commitment to improving their access provision. Meanwhile, existing sign-ups improve what they do and move up to silver or gold status".

She adds: "As well as encouraging innovation and best practice, this practical and straightforward process sends out an important message of inclusivity to deaf and disabled fans across the UK, who are attending live music events in ever increasing numbers. With fourteen new sign-ups in 2015, ticket sales across 103 of our charter venues and festivals contributed more than £7.5m to the UK's music economy. Which, for those live businesses not partnering with us, begs one simple question: what are you waiting for?"

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Russian festival pulled at last minute due to political pressure
A hardcore festival due to take place in Moscow last weekend was cancelled at the last minute under pressure from local law enforcement, with local media reporting that the authorities objected to the booking of two Ukrainian bands at the event.

According to Billboard, a since deleted message posted to Raw Fest's page on social network vKontakte hours before the festival was due to begin read: "We spent the entire day with law enforcers, and they gave us many reasons why the festival shouldn't go ahead. The law enforcers promised us and [audiences] all kinds of problems, even if we moved the festival to another location... There is no alternative to cancelation of the festival".

It is thought that the booking of Ukrainian bands Kingpin and Bluesbreaker was behind the opposition from the Russian authorities. Documents published by website Grani.ru seemingly stated that these bands had previously taken part in fundraisers linked to the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, raising monies for those fighting against Russian-backed forces in the region.

The festival's organisers have said that they will endeavour to refund all ticket holders out of their own pockets.

Raw Power opens a Funhouse for producers
Artist management firm Raw Power has announced the launch of a new division focused on managing the careers of producers. The initial roster of clients for the new business includes Colin Richardson, Carl Brown, Adrian Bushby, Drew Fulk and Fred Archambault.

The new entity, to be called Funhouse Producer Management, will be overseen by Raw Power's Craig Jennings, Don Jenkins and Matt Ash. The former says: "We have always worked closely with the world's best producers so launching Funhouse Producer Management was a natural step for us. We feel that we are ideally placed to help navigate the careers of these hugely talented professionals and to help them achieve their goals".

Meanwhile Ash adds: "World class studio talent is rare and we are therefore extremely privileged to be launching Funhouse Producer Management with five of the most acclaimed and respected guys in the business. They all have one thing in common, they are all exceptional at what they do".

Barcardi announces partnership with AEG venues
Barcardi is the "most awarded rum" of course. No, I don't know what that means either. But, says this press release, "Barcardi, the world's most awarded rum, has signed", and who am I to argue with the wisdom of a press release? No one, that's who.

"But what has the world's most awarded rum signed?", that's what you're all wondering now, isn't it? Because while I may be 'no one' when it comes to questioning the wisdom of press releases, I am the undeniable king when it comes to building suspense.

So yes, what has the world's most awarded rum signed? Can rum sign something? I'm not sure that's possible. But this press release says it has. And who am I to argue with the wisdom of a press release? No one, that's who. Though that suspense is still building nicely, right? See. The King.

So, like I was saying, the world's most awarded rum has signed a deal. And it's not just any old deal. Well, it is just any old deal. But for the purposes of this paragraph let's pretend it's not just any old deal. Then I can add some excitement on top of all that suspense.

So, it's agreed, yeah? Barcadi is the most awarded rum; rum can sign deals; and this isn't just any old deal. Just as long as we are all clear on those three things. Otherwise I won't be able to continue. So all nod for me now. Good.

Barcadi has become the Official Spirits Partner of the Wembley Arena and Hammersmith Apollo in London, and the SECC and SSE Hydro arena in Glasgow, with Official Spirits Partner status to follow at The O2 complex in Greenwich too. Bet you're glad you stuck with this story all the way through now, aren't you?

Says Nathan Kosky of AEG Global Partnerships, which negotiated the deal: "Barcadi rum has a rich music and entertainment heritage, so it feels very natural that it should be the spirit of choice across our UK properties".

Guvera creditors still awaiting debt restructuring plan
Creditors of the two Guvera subsidiaries put into administration last month are hoping that they will find out what the streaming music firm is proposing regarding the two companies' debts later this week, after an expected debt restructuring proposal failed to materialise at a creditors' meeting in Sydney last week.

As previously reported, the digital firm put its Guvera Australia and Guv Services units into administration after the parent company's plan to IPO was blocked by the Australian Securities Exchange. Bosses at the company have since been on a PR offensive to convince investors and the music industry that everything is fine.

But the two companies in administration have about 150 creditors - many former staff - who, according to The Courier-Mail, claim they are collectively owed almost AUS$ 15 million. Some of the former employees seeking redundancy payouts and compulsory pension contributions have reportedly expressed concerns about any staggered payment plans, requesting lump-sum payments for what is owed.

With regards the expected proposal from the parent company, administrator Neil Cussen of Deloitte said last week: "We remain in discussions with [Guvera] management on this and hope to receive something towards the end of next week".

Elsewhere, the Australian Financial Review has reported that the main reason Guvera bought the UK-based Blinkbox streaming service last year was because the company was, at that point, plotting an IPO on the London Stock Exchange, which made buying a pre-existing British business attractive.

This is according to the man who oversaw Guvera's UK adventure, Michael de Vere, who is now suing the company. The UK plan collapsed, of course, when Blinkbox fell into administration, resulting in legal action from the employees of what had previously been a Tesco subsidiary.

J-pop group announce London stagewear exhibition
Japanese pop group Perfume have announced an exhibition in London next month featuring a selection of their innovative stagewear.

The show will be produced in partnership with Rhizomatiks, the design and technology collective behind many of the band's outfits. On display in London will be one of Rhizomatiks' more complex creations, a set of LED-lined dresses which appeared in the video for the song 'Spring Of Life'.

The exhibition also coincides with the UK release of new album 'Cosmic Explorer' and new live DVD and Blu-ray release 'We Are Perfume - World Tour Third Document'.

'Perfume: A Gallery Experience' will take place on 6-7 Aug at the Truman Brewery in East London. Advance tickets are available here, with further information on the Facebook event page.

Watch the video for 'Spring Of Life' here.

Radar Awards nominees announced
Radar Music Videos has announced the shortlists for the first edition of its new Radar Awards. The event, which will take place at YouTube Spaces in London this Thursday, aims to celebrate up and coming artists and video directors.

And the nominees are...

Director categories:

Art Department / Styling: SMRT – Buzzsaw (Dir: Avery Stedman), Girl Band – Paul (Dir: Bob Gallagher), Lunakid - Technicolor (Dir: Rico Mahel)

Animation / VFX: De Staat - Witch Doctor (Dir: Studio Smack), White Shadows Give Up Give Out Give In (Dir: Melvin J Montalban), BRO - Less Than Three (Dir: Julian Harding and Garth Vickers)

Cinematography / Lighting: Drvored - Bas Sam Sretan (Dir: Marin Nekic), Hammock - In the Middle of this Nowhere (Dir: Seth Fuller), Shen An - Things We Want (Dir: Remii Huang)

Concept / Narrative: Erik Blood - Chase The Clouds (Dir: Peter Edlund), Girl Band - Pears For Lunch (Dir: Bob Gallagher), Death From Above 1979 - Virgins (Dir: Eva Michon)

Edit: Lynx - Clap Track (Dir: Max Palmer), Zebra Katz - BLK Diamond (Dir: Elvar Gunnarsson), V V Brown - Lazarus (Dir: Daniel Price)

Live: Lady Leshurr - Queens Speech 4 (Dir: Wowa), Lucy Spraggan – Unsinkablw (Dir: Damien Reeves), Circa Waves - Young Chasers (Dir: Gregg Houston)

Location / Character: Supa Good D Smoke feat. Jackie Gouché and Davion Farris - Fighter (Dir: Erica Eng), Zebra Katz - BLK Diamond (Dir: Elvar Gunnarsson), Fly Moon Royalty - Grown Man (Dir: Bryan Campbell)

Radar-commissioned: Vinai - Techno (Dir: Stephanie and Francis Lane), Adem - Surrounded (Dir: Simon Dymond), Lea Porcelain - Out Is In (Dir: Ethan Grahamh)

Student: Noveller - Glacial Wave (Dir: John Byron Hanby, IV), Øst - Skræmmende Tomt (Dir: Emil Øllgaard Vilhelmsen), Prinze George - Victor (Dir: Thomas Hinkamp)

Artist categories:
Dance: The Geek x Vrv - Y (Dir: KillDeath), Fakear - Animal (Dir: Antoine Besse), 20sy - Back And Forth (Dir: Porthe), Gilligan Moss - Choreograph (Dir: Oscar Hudson)

Grime / Hip Hop: Open Mike Eagle - Celebrity Reduction Prayer (Dir: Ryan Calavano), Avelino - FYO (Dir: Isaac Asher), Geko feat Afro B (Dir: Lavinia Noel
Levelz), Rowdy – Badd (Dir: Joe Vickers and Richard Reason)

Indie: Susanne Sundfør - Accelerate (Dir: Stian Andersen), Anna Meredith - Taken (Dir: Ewan Jones Morris), Oscar – Sometimes (Dir: Bryan Schlam), Will Joseph Cook - Take Me Dancing (Dir: Raph Emile)

Gary Barlow hasn't spoken to Simon Cowell about his new talent show venture
Gary Barlow hasn't spoken to Simon Cowell about his move into talent show television. In fact he hasn't spoken to Simon Cowell for three whole years. And who can blame him?

These revelations come amidst rumours Team Cowell are watching with interest the new talent show that former 'X-Factor' judge Barlow is developing for the BBC. As previously reported, Barlow's new show, working title 'Let It Shine', will involve him putting together a Take That tribute act to appear in a new musical featuring the group's tunes. It is set to fill the gap in the BBC 1 schedules caused by 'The Voice' shifting over to ITV.

Cowell is "keeping a close eye" on the new show just in case it appears to be too close a rip off of his talent show franchises, says some random gossiper mentioned in the Mirror. Because that would be just like the Barlow, wouldn't it, him ripping off the genius of his former employer?

And let's not forget, aside from his more famous talent shows, Cowell's Syco was also behind the 2007 ITV series 'Grease is The Word', which also recruited singing wannabes for a stage musical, and which was in now way like the 2006 BBC series 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?', which recruited singing wannabes for a stage musical.

Asked whether he had spoken to Cowell about his new telly venture, Barlow said: "I haven't spoken to him since I left 'X-Factor' three years ago. My show's totally separate".

So, that's that all sorted then. Gary Barlow's 'Let It Shine' will be a totally separate TV phenomenon and in no way similar to the upcoming new series of 'X-Factor'. Except that they'll both be awful.