Chris Cornell death ruled suicide
Chris Cornell took his own life following a performance with Soundgarden in Detroit earlier this week, a medical examiner has ruled.

As previously reported, the band's PR rep Brian Bumbery announced yesterday morning that Cornell had died "suddenly and unexpectedly", aged 52. No indication of the cause of death was immediately given.

The band performed a sold out show at Detroit's Fox Theater on Wednesday night, after which Cornell was found dead in his hotel room some hours later.

In a statement yesterday, Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office said: "The cause of death has been determined as hanging by suicide. A full autopsy report has not yet been completed".

The remainder of Soundgarden's tour dates have been cancelled, as has Pointfest in St Louis, Missouri, which the band were due to headline tomorrow night. In a statement, organisers said yesterday: "It is with deep regret, we are announcing that due to the sudden passing of Chris Cornell of Soundgarden last night, Pointfest on Saturday is cancelled".

Among the other artists paying tribute to Cornell yesterday were Elton John, who described him as "a great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man", and Jimmy Page, who said that Cornell was "Incredibly talented, incredibly young [and] incredibly missed".

Writing on Instagram, Cornell's Audioslave bandmate Tom Morello wrote: "I love you, brother. Thank you for your friendship and your humour and your intellect and your singular and unmatched talent. It was a great honour to know you as a friend and as a band mate. I am devastated and deeply saddened that you are gone dear friend, but your unbridled rock power, delicate haunting melodies and the memory of your smile are with us forever. Your beautiful voice and beautiful self will always be in my heart. God bless you and your family".

If you are experiencing mental distress, you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123, or by emailing jo@samaritans.org. The Mind website also offers information and support on a range of mental health issues.

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MCPS announces renewed deal with PRS
The good old Mechanical Copyright Protection Society has announced that it has signed a new long-term administration deal with PRS For Music. This follows a consultation period reviewing the two UK song right collecting societies' relationship.

As previously reported, the MCPS - which represents the mechanical rights in its members' songs - and which is owned by the Music Publishers Association, began calling for other companies to pitch to run various areas of its business in April last year.

MCPS and PRS have worked closely together since 1997, when an alliance was formed that ultimately resulted in the creation of PRS For Music, a joint venture business that did the deal making, database management and royalty distribution on behalf of both societies.

But in 2013, as part of moves to restructure its financial liabilities, MCPS sold its share in the PRS For Music venture to PRS, thus becoming a client of rather than a shareholder in the organisation that actually does the deals, data and distribution.

Following the recent review of this supplier/client partnership, MCPS identified licensing, processing, invoicing and distribution requirements, which will continue to be provided by PRS, measured against defined performance indicators.

"We have seen with the number of responses to the [request for proposals] that the MCPS business is - as we thought - a very appealing one", says MPA CEO Jane Dyball. "Consequently, taking the time to explore the full potential of the MCPS business and its operations has been crucial. During this process, we have had the pleasure of working with RfP candidates from around the globe, who have proven the quality of their administrative capabilities and aptitude to meet the needs of their customers".

She adds: "The [key performance indicators] that have been secured will drive the service delivered from PRS and will help us grow the business. We're delighted that PRS won the bid fair and square".

PRS chief exec Robert Ashcroft is also pleased, saying: "We are delighted that MCPS has, following a rigorous selection process, chosen PRS to be its service provider for the licensing and distribution of mechanical royalties. We value our continued partnership, which dates back almost twenty years, very highly and I believe that it remains in the best interests of both the members of our respective societies, and our shared customers, that we continue to license the performing right and the mechanical right together".

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MMF launches mental health guide for artist managers
Yesterday at the CMU Insights Drugs Conference at The Great Escape, the Music Managers Forum launched a new free guide that provides artist managers with information and advice on how to care for the mental health of both themselves and their clients.

Produced with support from music charities Music Support and Help Musicians UK, the guide specifically covers anxiety and depression, alcoholism and drug addition, plus work balance and boundaries.

Launching the report, MMF's Fiona McGugan said: "The modern music business is a rewarding environment in which to work, but it is no secret that it can also be tough and isolating - and particularly so for managers. Our members frequently play an all-encompassing role, and must protect their client's emotional, mental and physical state as passionately as their business interests".

"At times this is a 24 hour role and, combined with our 'always on' digital culture, it is quite easy for such support to become stretched to breaking point", she continued. "If that occurs, it is vital that artist managers can turn to someone in confidence, whether that's the MMF as their trade body, Music Support, Help Musicians or a medical professional".

She concluded: "All this information is provided in our guide, as well as advice from managers with first-hand experience of dealing with mental health problems and addiction. We hope it will make a positive contribution to tackling this important issue and the development of preventative strategies that will benefit all in the wider music business".

Download the guide here.

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Sound Diplomacy launches Music Export Pledge
At the CMU Insights' Export Conference at The Great Escape later today, music market development consultancy Sound Diplomacy will officially launch a new Music Export Pledge. The document is aimed at local governments and councils, highlighting the need for music export initiatives in every country.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said: "We want every country in the world to have a thriving, active music export initiative. It doesn't matter how it is set up. It matters how its functions impact the artists it serves. Talent is everywhere, and great talent deserves the best support".

"Only some countries and regions have music export initiatives; those that do are very lucky, because the business leaders running them are providing opportunities for artists across the sector, every day", they continued. "So let's learn from each other, work together and make music export an integral aspect of national, regional and local cultural policy".

Find out more at www.musicexportpledge.com

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PWR BTTM members issue statements on sexual assault accusations
PWR BTTM's Ben Hopkins has denied an accusation of sexual assault, in the first statement since the band's management and two record labels revoked their deals with the outfit over the weekend.

As previously reported, allegations against Hopkins began circulating on social media last week, with Jezebel speaking to one alleged victim, who said that she had been assaulted on a number of occasions. The band's response was to set up an email address asking alleged victims to come forward in order to discuss the matter further through a mediator.

But by Friday, two members of the duo's touring band had quit, their support acts had pulled out of upcoming tour dates, and their management, Salty Artists, had dropped them. Over the weekend their US label Polyvinyl and UK label Big Scary Monsters had also terminated their deals with the band. Polyvinyl has also ceased selling the band's music, and removed it from digital music services. New album 'Pageant', released last Friday, remains available in the UK.

In a lengthy statement yesterday, Hopkins said that "what has transpired over the past several days has been emotionally overwhelming and difficult to comprehend ... I've waited to respond to the Jezebel article because the statements made about me by the anonymous source did not line up with any sexual experience I have ever had".

Having seemingly identified the woman who spoke to Jezebel, Hopkins said that "based on the nature of our communications and our interactions with one another, I understood our interactions to be fully consensual".

The other half of the duo, Liv Bruce, also commented. Bruce had spoken to the same woman in February, but had not taken her allegations further for fear of revealing her identity by speaking to Hopkins. "I did not know how to proceed nor did I know where to seek advice about how to move forward", Bruce added.

As a duo, they then addressed the matter of their previous statement, saying: "As some of you know, we set up a separate email address back in mid-May so that anyone with information relevant to the situation that was then unfolding could privately share what they knew. At the time we thought it was the right thing to do. We now see that we were putting the onus on others to do something that only works if it is what they want. We have concluded that there is no viable way to do what we were trying to accomplish, with the result that we are going to shut that email address down (we have not and will not look at any emails that may have been sent there to date)".

The statements do not address further allegations that have been made against Hopkins - beyond claims of boundaries being crossed when the duo have greeted fans at shows. They also do not address the fact numerous collaborators and business partners cut ties with the outfit in a very short space of time on the basis of the published allegations.

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Muse release new single, Dig Down
Muse have released a new single, 'Dig Down', ahead of US tour dates later this summer.

"When I was writing this song I was looking to counteract the current negativity in the world and give inspiration, optimism and hope to people to fight for the causes they believe in; that as individuals we can choose to change the world if we want to", says the band's Matt Bellamy.

Given the 'fighting the odds' theme of the track, the video for the song features model Lauren Wasser, whose leg was amputated as the result of toxic shock syndrome from a tampon.

Director Lance Drake says of the clip: "The song is about survival and fighting the odds - when I heard this song I knew I wanted to do an action packed narrative. I'd heard about Lauren a year or so ago, I read her story and she gave me personal inspiration so I'd always kept her in mind to shoot with one day. The power of the song made me think of her. So I wrote the video narrative based on Lauren's story and how she overcame the odds".

Watch the video here.

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Liars announce new album
Liars have announced that they will release a new album, 'TFCF', in August. The record was written and recorded solo by Angus Andrew, following the departure of Aaron Hemphill from the outfit.

"My favourite feeling is going into the complete unknown", says Andrew of making the album. "What's the point in making something you know you can? My goal was to make creative decisions that keep me awake at night".

The first snippets of music from the record are contained within five short videos uploaded to YouTube.

Andrew and a new touring line-up of the band will play a number of UK festivals in August, including Visions in London.

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Skepta named Songwriter Of The Year at The Ivors
It was the Ivor Novello Awards yesterday, the annual prize-giving ceremony for songwriters deemed to be right good at writing songs. Among them this year was Skepta, who took home the Best Contemporary Song and Songwriter Of The Year trophies.

Commenting, BASCA chair Crispin Hunt said: "In celebrating the exceptional power of British and Irish music writing and by honouring the past, the present and the eternal creators of music - once again this year, The Ivors absolutely smashed it. BASCA's heartfelt congratulations go out to every winning composer. Whether you wrote songs, symphonies or syncs - we salute you".

Commenting on Skepta's big win, the CEO of his publisher Warner/Chappell Jon Platt said in a statement: "Skepta is a groundbreaking songwriter, and we're THRILLED to see his exceptional talent acknowledged with two of The Ivors' biggest honours. This is also a great moment for Amber Davis, the A&R executive who had the vision to support the grime community very early on, and bring many of its leading lights to Warner/Chappell".

Here are all the winners in full:

Best Song Musically And Lyrically: Black Man In A White World, written by Dean 'Inflo' Josiah Cover and Michael Kiwanuka

Best Contemporary Song: Man, written by Skepta and Josh Homme

Album Award: The Dreaming Room, written by Laura Mvula

Most Performed Work: Hymn For The Weekend, written by Coldplay

Best Original Film Score: Kubo And The Two Strings, composed by Dario Marianelli

Best Television Soundtrack: War And Peace, composed by Martin Phipps

International Achievement: Florence Welch

Lifetime Achievement: Nitin Sawhney

Outstanding Song Collection: Pulp

Outstanding Contribution To British Music: Anne Dudley

Special International Award: Bill Withers

Songwriter Of The Year: Skepta

The Ivors Jazz Award: John Surman

The Ivors Inspiration Award: Gary Numan

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Spotify, JME, Selena Gomez, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• Spotify has acquired Paris-based machine learning startup Niland. Its team will join the streaming service's New York office to build new AI-driven personalisation and recommendation functions.

• Watch JME's full interview with Jeremy Corbyn here.

• Selena Gomez has released a new single, 'Bad Liar'.

• Vince Staples has released new single, 'Big Fish'. His new album, 'Big Fish Theory', will be released on 23 Jun.

• The ILY (aka Zach Hill and Andy Morin of Death Grips) will release their third album, 'Bodyguard', on 30 Jun. From it here's 'Gargoyle' and 'Bobo'.

• Emiliana Torrini and The Colorist will headline the Shepherds Bush Empire on 10 Nov. This follows their collaborative live album, released last year. From that, here's 'Speed Of Dark'.

• Skinny Puppy are playing a rare UK show at The Forum in London on 30 May.

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Beef Of The Week #355: 2017 Miley Cyrus v 2013 Miley Cyrus
You remember back in 2013 when everyone had an opinion on Miley Cyrus? Well, you know who's only just getting around to jumping on that bandwagon now? Miley Cyrus.

Now back with new music, and a new image, Cyrus is somewhat bemused by herself of four years ago, when she was the party girl who rarely had her tongue in her mouth.

There were many things that Cyrus did in 2013 that made headlines, though the defining and most enduring point in all of it was the release of the 'Wrecking Ball' video.

You remember, Terry Richardson directed a clip in which Miley swung around naked on a wrecking ball. And also licked a hammer. In making metaphors real terms, it was quite a piece of work. So much so, that you still remember it over that song she wrote about pissing herself in a car.

Cyrus remembers it too. And she remembers that you remember it. And remembering this doesn't make her entirely happy.

"That's something you can't take away - swinging around naked on a wrecking ball lives forever", Miley joked on the Zach Sang Show. "Once you do that [it] lives forever. I'm never living that down. I will always be the naked girl on a wrecking ball. No matter how much I just frolic with Emu, I'm always just the naked girl on a wrecking ball".

Emu is Miley Cyrus' dog, by the way. You didn't miss any videos of her running around with giant birds. Probably a good thing, those emus can be vicious. They might kick you to death if they feel threatened by you. They also sometimes eat people's jewellery. Or so I learned from a cursory and entirely unnecessary web search I just did about the dangers of frolicking with emus.

I even knew that Miley was talking about her dog, but the intrigue just the thought of frolicking with an emu brought about in me was too strong. And now I have passed that information on to you. Which entirely justifies my suddenly deciding to do emu research at work. Be wary of emus, people. And probably ostriches too.

Holy shit, yes, I just looked up ostriches. Those things are way worse than emus. Print out this handy guide I just found for escaping being killed by one and study it carefully. I pray none of us ever actually need to use it.

Wait, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, Miley Cyrus. She came in like a wrecking ball. Like a wrecking ball that she was literally sitting on. Literally sitting on it naked. And then there was that incident with the hammer.

"I just licked the sledgehammer", she continued. "I should have thought how long that was going to follow me around. That's my worst nightmare - that being played at my funeral. 'We'll always remember Miley', and then that".

Well, I think what we've learned here is that no matter how far you deviate from thinking about Miley Cyrus swinging naked on a wrecking ball and licking a hammer - even if distracted by fears of being smashed to death by giant birds - your thoughts will always return to that subject.

Even after human civilisation is destroyed - possibly by ostriches - that memory will hang in the air to be discovered by some alien race. It will be the one thing the defines our entire existence. In a way, we are all swinging naked on a wrecking ball.

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