| Available to premium subscribers, CMU Trends digs deeper into the inner workings of the music business, explaining how things work and reviewing all the recent trends. | |
 | AI - THE NEXT REVOLUTION IN MUSIC? Music business conference Midem this week publishes a brand new white paper from our consultancy unit CMU Insights reviewing the potential impact various AI technologies will have on the music industry in the next decade. As a preview, CMU Trends presents some highlights. [READ MORE] |
 | TOP FIVE STREAMING CHALLENGES It's been a while since we've put the spotlight on challenges in the streaming sector. CMU Insights presented a new speed briefing on that very topic at the Output conference in Belfast this week. Based on that, here is a CMU Trends overview of the top five streaming challenges. [READ MORE] |
 | TOP THREE MUSIC BUSINESS TRENDS IN JANUARY For the super busy music business professional, CMU Trends helps you keep up to speed on the most important developments in the music industry in recent weeks with a concise summary of the top three trends of the last month: mechanical rights in the US; agent of change; YouTube and safe harbour. [READ MORE] |
| TOP STORIES | Irish government could back ticket touting ban READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LEGAL | Aussie movie exec says Google "facilitates crime" READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LIVE BUSINESS | Scottish government adds agent of change to planning law READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| MANAGEMENT & FUNDING | My Vitriol sign to Killing Moon Management READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| MARKETING & PR | One Little Indian's Katie Malcolmson to head up Brixton Agency UK office READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| DIGITAL & D2F SERVICES | Facebook planning two smart devices READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| EDUCATION & EVENTS | Pirate Studios launches new talent initiative The Pirate Prodigies READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| INDUSTRY PEOPLE | Chris Martin supports proposed freelance paternity leave legislation READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | Tinashe, Diplo, Stefflon Don READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | Fergie apologises for US national anthem performance READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| Check out all the latest job opportunities with CMU Jobs. To advertise your job opportunities here email advertising@unlimitedmedia.co.uk or call 020 7099 0906. | |
 | BELIEVE SYNC - JUNIOR SYNC MANAGER (LONDON) Believe Sync is looking for a self-motivated individual looking for a unique opportunity in the world of sync. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | MUSIC MANAGEMENT COMPANY - ASSISTANT MANAGER (LONDON) London based independent management company seeks assistant manager for roster of artists, writers and producers. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | BROWNSWOOD RECORDINGS - SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER (LONDON) Brownswood is looking for a driven and highly organised social media manager with great design and copywriting skills plus an instinctive understanding of the label's brand. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | MPA GROUP OF COMPANIES - MUSIC PUBLISHING & SYNC CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) The Music Publishers Association is seeking a highly organised, pro-active, efficient and positive team player to work as its Music Publishing and Sync Co-ordinator Executive. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | KOBALT MUSIC GROUP - BUSINESS AFFAIRS MANAGER (LONDON) An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Business Affairs Manager to join the fast-growing master rights division of KobaltÂs Business Affairs team in London. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | O2 APOLLO MANCHESTER - BOX OFFICE MANAGER (MANCHESTER) The O2 Apollo Manchester is seeking a Box Office Manager to co-ordinate all venue box office and ticketing activities. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | INVOLVED GROUP - ROYALTY & ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT MANAGER (LONDON) Involved Group is looking for an experienced Royalty & Accounts Assistant Manager to join its busy and growing Finance Team. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN - ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER (LONDON) Academy Music Group is recruiting for an Assistant General Manager to assist in all aspects of the Operation of the building in relation to events staged at O2 Forum Kentish Town. For more information and to apply click here. |
| KOBALT MUSIC RECORDINGS - INTERNATIONAL LABEL & PRODUCT MANAGER (LONDON) Kobalt Music Recordings is looking for a flexible, confident and highly organised International Label & Product Manager, based out of our London office. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING - ROYALTY TRACKING MANAGER (LONDON) Concord Music Publishing's Royalty Tracking Manager role will focus on maximising client royalties through the tracking of missing revenue. A good understanding of UK, and potentially European, music collection societies and royalty processes is essential. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | LISTEN UP - SENIOR PRESS MANAGER (LONDON) Listen Up is currently recruiting for a highly motivated Senior Press Manager with a passion for electronic music and industry relevant experience to join our rapidly growing team. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | HOUSE OF BESTIVAL - NEW BUSINESS PROJECT MANAGER (LONDON) House of Bestival, the brand activation and creative prop house division of the Bestival group, is recruiting a New Business Project Manager with solid production expertise to bring innovative ideas to life in green fields and beyond. For more information and to apply click here. |
| KOBALT MUSIC GROUP - CLIENT ADMIN ASSISTANT (LONDON) Kobalt Music Recordings (KMR) is looking for a detail-oriented and organised individual to assist with our royalty and accounting responsibilities within our Artist and Label Services department, incorporating the AWAL distribution business. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | THE ORCHARD - INTERNATIONAL ARTIST & LABEL MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) The Orchard is looking for a savvy, seasoned International Artist & Label Marketing Co-ordinator to promote The OrchardÂs artists and labels in Europe and beyond. For more information and to apply click here. |
| THE ORCHARD - LABEL MANAGER (LONDON) The Orchard has an immediate opening for a label manager in our London office. Managing key relationships you will be the first point of contact for a number of labels, artists and managers. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | FIRE RECORDS - PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION ADMINISTRATOR (LONDON) Fire Records is seeking a Production And Distribution Administrator, experienced in all areas of record production and manufacturing. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | SHOGUN AUDIO GROUP - PRODUCT AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER (BRIGHTON) Shogun Audio Group is looking to hire an experienced, highly motivated, passionate Product and Distribution Manager to join our growing team. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | ACADEMY EVENTS - TOUR MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR (LONDON) Academy Events is seeking a Tour Marketing Co-ordinator to co-ordinate the sales and marketing function for tours, liaising with promoters, agencies, marketing depts and PR, seeking creative marketing opportunities, maximising ticket sales and other such revenues by developing and managing key marketing campaigns. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | WILDLIFE ENTERTAINMENT - FINANCE MANAGER (MATERNITY COVER) (LONDON) Finance Manager for a successful artist management company based in Parsons Green. Accounting for artists, in particular touring for multiple active acts. This is a part time role, three days a week, for a nine month maternity cover contract commencing April 2018. For more information and to apply click here. |
 | THE MUSIC ROYALTY COMPANY - ROYALTIES ASSISTANT (LONDON) The Music Royalty Company provides financial and administrative services to many record labels, distributors, publishers and recording artists. We require a dedicated Royalties Assistant eager to progress their career alongside other talented people. For more information and to apply click here. |
| CMU Insights provides training and consultancy to music companies and companies working with music. Find out about our seminars, masterclasses and primers here... | |
 | CMU SEMINARS: BUILDING A FANBASE AND FAN BUSINESS Mondays 26 Feb, 5, 12 Mar 2018 at 6.30pm in London These three CMU Insights seminars together provide an overview of how to build a fanbase for new artists and new music. They also look at how artists can use these channels to build a direct-fo-fan business. You can book into each individual session at £49.99 per seminar or you can book a place on all three at the special price of £125. CLICK HERE FOR INFO. |
 | CMU PRIMER: KEY MUSIC BUSINESS TRENDS 2018 These are courses we can run in-house at your company As we head into 2018, CMU Insights is now offering music companies a special two-hour primer session reviewing five key areas of the music business, summarising important developments from the last twelve months and looking at the challenges that lie ahead in the next year. Including: the streaming business, piracy, safe harbour, ticketing and data. CLICK HERE FOR INFO. |
Irish government could back ticket touting ban
The Irish government might give its backing to legislative proposals that would basically make the touting of tickets for profit illegal in Ireland.
Two members of the Irish parliament, Noel Rock and Stephen Donnelly, have been calling for tough new regulations limiting online ticket touting for a while now. That led to a government review of the secondary ticketing market last year by the Department Of Business, which included a public consultation.
Some in the Irish live music industry gave full backing to strict new rules, while some in the ticketing sector questioned how effective an outright ban would really be. Though that did include Live Nation's Ticketmaster which, of course, has interests in both primary and secondary ticketing, so has generally lobbied for light regulation of the latter.
That review of the ticket resale sector is complete and, according to the Irish Examiner, Rock and Donnelly will now meet with the Department Of Business to discuss the outcomes. It is thought the two politicians will then re-introduce their proposed new law that would ban the resale of tickets for profit and that the Irish government may formally back the proposals.
On those plans, Donnelly told the Examiner: "This will change mindsets. Anyone trying to sell at an inflated price will be breaking the law. It will be a culture change".
Specifics of those proposed new rules are not yet clear, with questions still to be asked including what happens if tickets are touted for Irish events on websites based outside of Ireland, and who would be responsible for enforcing any ban. Similar proposals were passed in the Australian state of New South Wales last year.
Aussie movie exec says Google "facilitates crime"
An Australian movie industry boss has hit out at Google for "facilitating crime" by failing to play its part in combating online piracy. Graham Burke, co-CEO of and a shareholder in film producer Village Roadshow, added that the web giant is welcome to sue him if they take offence at his "facilitating crime" accusation.
Burke's comments come as two piracy debates continue in Australia. First, the expansion of Australia's currently very narrow safe harbour. Second, a recently announced review of the country's web-block system.
Although the safe harbour in Australian copyright law operates in much the same way as the similar principle in the US and Europe, it currently only protects internet service providers. In America and the European Union a wide range of web operators also enjoy safe harbour protection, so that they can't be held financially liable for their customers' copyright infringement. In the EU, of course, efforts are under-way to restrict the safe harbour a little so that user-upload sites like YouTube are no longer protected.
In Australia moves are afoot to expand safe harbour protection to the likes of libraries and educational or cultural institutions. However, under pressure from the copyright industries, web firms like Google will not be included in the expanded Australian safe harbour.
Needless to say, Google is not impressed with that decision. According to Torrentfreak, in a recent submission to ministers the web firm said that the Australian government's current plan "falls far short of a balanced, pro-innovation environment for Australia. Further, it takes Australia out of step with other digital economies by creating regulatory uncertainty for investment and start-up/entrepreneurial success".
Google then added that, without safe harbour protection, it and other web firms would have less incentive to work with copyright owners on developing anti-piracy tools. It stated: "If Australian-based service providers are carved out of the new safe harbour regime post-reform, they will operate from a lower incentive to build and test new voluntary tools to combat online piracy, potentially reducing their contributions to innovation in best practices in both Australia and international markets".
For its part, Village Roadshow urged the government to resist pressure to extend safe harbour to protect the likes of Google, stating in its submission: "It is very unlikely given their size and power that as content owners we would ever sue [Google], but if we don't have that right then we stand naked. Most importantly if Google do the right thing by Australia on the question of piracy then there will be no issues. However, they are very far from this position and demonstrably are facilitating crime".
Burke then repeated the "facilitating crime" remark when discussing web-blocking in Australia. Specific new laws were passed in the country to allow copyright owners to request that internet service providers block their customers from accessing piracy platforms. Since those rules went into effect, Village Roadshow has been a key participant in demanding blockades against an assortment of copyright infringing websites, alongside other music and movie companies. The whole web-blocking system in Australia is now being reviewed.
Of course, a key issue with web-blocking is how easy it is to circumvent the blockades, usually via a simple Google search. Burke, like many copyright owners, reckons the web giant should be much more proactive in keeping web-blocked piracy sites - and proxies that help users get around the blockades - out of its search engine.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he said of Google's failure to proactively remove piracy sites from its search results, "my view is they are complicit and they are facilitating crime". And, he added, Google is welcome to sue him if they take issue with that remark.
Unlikely to want to participate in any such messy legal battle, instead the web giant had a spokesperson tell the Herald that the company takes piracy "very seriously", that it has invested "tens of millions of dollars" to deal with the issue, and that it continues to have "meaningful and earnest conversations with industry about copyright". Fun times.
Scottish government adds agent of change to planning law
The Scottish government last week announced that it would update its planning policies in line with England and Wales, meaning that the 'agent of change' principle will be introduced in all three countries. This will force property developers to protect new property developments from noise created by existing venues.
In a statement, the Scottish government said the new guidance recognised "the cultural and economic contribution of Scotland's music industry, as well as the importance of live music to the vibrancy of our town centres and to our night-time economy".
The UK government announced plans to update the National Planning Policy Framework, so to include agent of change, in January, following pressure from campaigners. However, this policy only applies to planning laws in England. In Wales, plans to implement the change were already announced in May last year. As a result, music industry reps in Scotland began their own campaign to have the law changed there.
"The Scottish government recognises the significant cultural and economic contribution of our music industry", Housing Minister Kevin Stewart told The Scotsman. "It is only right we do what we can to protect the established and emerging musical talent and that is why we are embedding the 'agent of change' principle in our planning guidance".
He continued: "Music venues should not have to make high cost changes or deal with expensive disputes because of new developments. Developers will be responsible for identifying and solving any potential issues with noise, giving residents of new homes a better quality of life and allowing our music venues to continue to operate".
Chief Planner John McNairney has reportedly written to all local authorities in Scotland asking them to "act now" on the changes to planning rules.
My Vitriol sign to Killing Moon Management
My Vitriol have signed a new management deal with Killing Moon. The band are set to release new music later this year.
"We are excited to partner with Killing Moon", says frontman Som Wardner. "On meeting Achal and his team, we knew the positive energy and enthusiasm that they bring to the projects they work on would be a great asset alongside their collective experience in their respective fields. We are looking forward to getting creative together!"
The company's MD, Achal Dhillon adds: "The music industry has taught me that life is generally just one gag after the other - the things you want the most sometimes never work out, and the things that you've only dreamed of being possible just suddenly happen almost by themselves".
He continues: "My Vitriol were one of the most important bands to me in my teenage years, and of course that means they're still very important to me now and the band's debut 'Finelines' is still an album that I hold so dear to my heart. If you had told me all the way back in 2001 that I would ever be working with My Vitriol, I'd have told you to shut your lying gob. I'm beyond pleased the band have decided to join the KM family and can't wait to show the world what we have in store for them".
The band released that debut album, 'Finelines', in 2001, going on hiatus two years later. Since 2005, they have performed a number of live shows, as well as releasing a handful of EPs and direct-to-fan album 'The Secret Sessions'.
One Little Indian's Katie Malcolmson to head up Brixton Agency UK office
Katie Malcolmson is to head up the new UK office of US music PR firm Brixton Agency. Currently Head Of Press for indie label One Little Indian, she will continue to represent the company in her new role.
"I'm incredibly excited to be able to give Brixton Agency a home in the UK, as well as continuing to work with the fantastic roster of One Little Indian Records", says Malcolmson. "Coming from a label background as a PR, you are equipped with a far greater understanding of the inner workings of an entire campaign, from marketing to radio to international - something that some agency PRs tend to overlook. You are able to look at the bigger picture and create bespoke campaigns to suit each artist and label".
She continues: "I've admired Brixton Agency co-founders Sean Patrick Rhorer and Talia Miller for many years, having seen first-hand how they've grown the company in the US. They've been the first to discover some of my favourite artists and they truly have their respective fingers on the pulse of new music. I think their success is rooted in the fact that they are genuinely fans of every artist they work with. I'm excited to be able to do the same thing in the UK, presenting some awesome US artists to the UK music media as well as home-grown talent".
The Brixton Agency currently represents acts including Circa Survive, La Dispute, Modern Baseball, and Kevin Devine.
Facebook planning two smart devices
"I like small speakers, I like tall speakers", sang Cliff Richard on 'Wired For Sound'. But he was conspicuously quite on smart speakers. Well, he's going to have to make a decision some time soon, because Facebook looks set to join the ever-expanding market for speakers you can shout at.
According to DigiTimes, the social network is set to launch two smart devices in July. Both will feature touchscreens and built in speakers, with a focus on allowing you to video chat with friends and family. Sounds like an utter fucking nightmare.
Sources told the website that the two devices are codenamed Aloha and Fiona. Aloha is the more technically advanced model, using facial recognition as well as voice commands.
The race to put pointless shouty boxes in homes is hotting up at the moment, of course. Amazon is the market leader with its Echo range, followed by Google Home. Apple recently finally got around to launching its HomePod this month, to a fairly lukewarm reception.
Pirate Studios launches new talent initiative The Pirate Prodigies
Pirate Studios - the network of rehearsal, DJ and production studios that have been quietly popping up all around the UK - has announced a new talent initiative called The Pirate Prodigies that will provide proactive support to three artists among the thousands who regularly book space with the company.
Launching the new initiative, Pirate Studios co-founder David Borrie said: "We have 20,000 musicians in our community, a lot are producing amazing music. We find it incredible some of these guys aren't already household names so we thought it would be awesome if we could be the ones to give them a helping hand".
The artists selected for the programme will have access to mentoring from experts across the music industry, will attend masterclasses and workshops, including one run by CMU:DIY, will get unlimited free use of Pirate Studios' facilities, and additional support producing both recordings and video content.
Other companies supporting the programme include PPL, Flying Vinyl, Various Artists, Fear PR, Music Glue, Radio X, The Great Escape, United Talent Agency, This Feeling and Sentric, while a team of artists, journalists and industry types will also help select the three acts who get to participate in the programme.
Interested artists should apply by 19 Mar here.
Chris Martin supports proposed freelance paternity leave legislation
Coldplay's Chris Martin has leant his support to a campaign calling for the principle of shared parental leave to be extended to the self-employed.
Campaigners will gather outside Parliament tomorrow morning in support of Labour MP Tracy Brabin's proposed Shared Parental Pay And Leave (Extension) Bill.
In 2015, the law was changed to allow parents to split parental leave between them. However, self-employed mothers are only able to take maternity leave and their statutory maternity pay in one block. Self-employed fathers have no access to paternity leave or pay.
Brabin's proposed legislation would change this, and would be of particular benefit to those who work in the creative industries, where the rate of self-employment is around 44%.
In a statement, Chris Martin said: "So many of our crew, both in the studio and on the road, are freelance, and we don't want to lose half of that talent when they become parents - we want them to be able to share their parenting in a way that works for them, and isn't dictated by being a man or a woman".
Other musicians supporting the campaign include from Laura Marling, Keane, Ed Harcourt and Fyfe Dangerfield.
| Approved: G Flip Having been involved in various projects with others in recent years, Georgia Flipo has now released her debut solo single, 'About You', under the name G Flip. The track is filled with enthusiasm for experimenting with sounds, all hung off a very well-crafted song. The results are infectious. "Over a year ago I made the decision to give a red hot crack at making my own music", she says. "I've spent the past year locked away writing and producing in my bedroom". As for the video, she adds: "Since I wrote, produced and recorded this song in my bedroom, I thought why not make the music video there too! Cheers to my little bro Reuben for shooting it all on my iPhone". Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
Tinashe, Diplo, Stefflon Don, more
Other notable announcements and developments today...
 All the bits of Tinashe's new single that don't have Future on them are brilliant. Here's the video for the track.
 Diplo has released the video for new single 'Look Back', featuring Dram.
 Stefflon Don's collaboration with Skepta, 'Ding-A-Ling', now has a video. The track remains not good.
 Melvins have released new track 'Stop Moving To Florida', taken from upcoming new album 'Pinkus Abortion Technician'.
 The Chemical Brothers have announced a show at Alexandra Palace in London on 5 Oct. Tickets on sale on Friday.
 Every Time I Die have announced that they will play The Garage in London on 29 May. They will have spent the preceding weekend playing the multi-site Slam Dunk festival.
 Cut Chemist will play an AV set at the Scala in London on 17 May to launch his first solo album since 2006.
 Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
Fergie apologises for US national anthem performance
Fergie has apologised for her rendition of the US national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game 2018 this weekend. The singer performed a weird jazzy version of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' before the sporting match on Sunday.
"I've always been honoured and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA", she told TMZ yesterday. "I'm a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn't strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best".
Yes, if there's one thing we all know about Fergie, it's that she's "a risk taker artistically". Watch her performance here.
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