All music is rehash. There are only a few notes. Just variations on a theme.
Is this interest remix not displaying correctly? | View it in your browser.
John Lennon's glasses. (LBJ Library/Flickr)
Thursday - December 08, 2016 Thu - 12/08/16
rantnrave:// The final, horrific death count at the GHOST SHIP in OAKLAND is 36, making it the deadliest structure fire in CALIFORNIA in more than a century. As feared, the victims include two of the artists who were scheduled to perform Friday night, CHERUSHII and NACKT. NICOLE SIEGRIST of the Oakland synth-pop band INTROFLIRT was also confirmed dead on Wednesday. Officials in LOS ANGELES have promised to crack down on illegal residences, and BALTIMORE authorities have already taken action, evicting dozens of artists from a warehouse on Tuesday. In both cities, it should be noted, officials also are talking openly about the need for more affordable housing—an issue that explains, in part, why artists in cities around the country are attracted to buildings like the Ghost Ship. "The economic trends in Oakland and the circumstances leading to the Ghost Ship fire are a magnification of what many are experiencing across the country," MEREDITH ISAKSEN, a local poet, writes in the NEW YORK TIMES. "They can’t afford safe housing"... SFX is now LIVESTYLE, and you can hardly blame the recently bankrupt electronic music powerhouse for the name change. "Every time I said the name ‘SFX’ to someone, I got this negative reaction—people would make the sign of the cross,” RANDY PHILLIPS, the company's new CEO, says. The company's core business, electronic music, sometimes gets a negative reaction too—from sponsors—and Phillips says while some LIVESTYLE festivals will remain electronic-centric, he wants to broaden the appeal of others. Expect " a little bit of a COACHELLA feel" at the next MYSTERYLAND... Thirty-six years ago today... Streaming music companies should be applauded for investing hundreds of millions of dollars in "creating new ways to listen to music," and record companies should pay artists and songwriters more, says—guess: is it an artist, a songwriter, a streaming exec or a record company exec?... The CMA AWARDS offered its stage to BEYONCÉ this fall, but the GRAMMY AWARDS' country music committee wasn't so welcoming. It reportedly rejected her submission of "DADDY LESSONS" for the country categories at the GRAMMYS... COMPLEX exits the print magazine business... RIP STEVE BACKER.
- Matty Karas, curator
working class hero
Pigeons & Planes
The Redefinition of New York Rap
by John Norris
Exploring the evolving sound of New York with DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Young M.A, and Flatbush Zombies.
Noisey
How Can We Make the Vinyl Boom Sustainable for Fans?
by Eddie Cepeda
The current boom is creating lifelong fans from a new generation, and it goes beyond buying “special edition” vanilla chocolate-swirl reissues.
The Fader
24 Albums That Made Albums Matter Again In 2016
by Duncan Cooper
In a standout year for music, these are just some of the best albums. But they’re the projects that made the format relevant again.
Variety
Why the Music Industry Needs a Revamped Relationship With Artists, Entrepreneurs
by Zach Katz
As 2016 comes to a close, an air of positivity surrounds the music business that few would have thought possible a decade ago. Thanks to the rise of Spotify, Apple Music, and their peers, revenues are seeing an upward trajectory.
The New York Times
The Ghost Ship: It Could Have Been Any One of Us.
by Meredith Isaksen
In a city that lacks affordable spaces, artists and innovators found a haven and community in an Oakland warehouse.
WSJ
Concert-Business Veteran to Head LiveStyle, formerly known as SFX
by Hannah Karp
Randy Phillips is starting as chief executive this week at LiveStyle, the dance-festival conglomerate formerly known as SFX Entertainment, which filed for bankruptcy in February. In recent months he has been crafting a strategy that includes broadening the company's music appeal.
Financial Times
The Life of a Song: 'Not Fade Away'
by Helen Brown
Buddy Holly’s 1958 performance inspired the young Mick Jagger to form his own band.
The Guardian
St. Louis rap: a would-be thriving scene struggles amid pervasive violence
by Ben Westhoff
The city’s insular scene is full of aspiring talent, but a string of murders involving high-profile stars has led to rappers relocating for their own safety.
MTV News
Martin Garrix Is The Happiest Superstar DJ In EDM
by Molly Lambert
How the Bieber-backed phenom went from teen dreamer to international headliner.
Spotify Insights
Musical Map of the World 2.0
by Eliot Van Buskirk
Music is a universal language - and maybe one with more variants than any other. To understand these nuances, let’s step back and see and hear how people around the world (cities and countries) listen to music differently, what they share the most, and more.
remember
The Quietus
Bowie, Prince, Cohen & The Quiet Power Of Public Grief
by Jude Rogers
Reflecting on a year that has seen so many musical heroes taken from us, Jude Rogers explores how a shared sense of sorrow is far from indulgent, but might help us all through these strange and difficult times
Billboard
How Smartphones Spurred Latin Music's Streaming Explosion
by Leila Cobo
In October 2013, Spotify introduced its first Latin ­playlist, “Baila Reggaetón.” It was an experiment: The ­service, launched in 2008, wasn’t even available in most Latin countries until the end of 2013. But within two years, “Baila Reggaetón” had become Spotify’s second-most popular playlist globally, and it has only continued to grow.
The Fader
Meet AJ Tracey, The College Dropout Keeping Grime Fresh
by Aimee Cliff
This 22-year-old MC used to steal mopeds to get to performances. Now he Ubers everywhere.
Noisey
Rihanna's 'Work' Is the Love Song That Saved Me in 2016
by Lauren O'Neill
After a break-up, this drink-spilling banger motivated me to work, work, work, work, work-at life and on myself.
Perfect Sound Forever
Fiona Apple: Inspiration in the Age of Trump?
by Lee Doptera
How Fiona Apple gave courage to a women during the time of Trump
NPR
The Gender Wage Gap In The Arts
by Shankar Vedantam
New social science research shows that women in the arts earn significantly less than men across the board.
Hollywood Reporter
Global Music Rights Takes Fire at Radio 'Cartel'
by Ashley Cullins
Dueling antitrust claims could shake the music industry.
Thump
Watch Laurie Anderson Reflect on Lou Reed, Her Recent Film, and Decades of Thrilling Creativity
by Laurie Anderson and DJ Lance Rock
The iconic sound artist sat down with DJ Lance Rock at Moogfest.
Pigeons & Planes
In Search Of Lou Bega
by Graham Corrigan
The "Mambo No. 5" singer opens up about finding peace in the music industry.
Chicago Reader
Remembering Bay Area producer Cherushii, a victim of the Ghost Ship fire
by Leor Galil
Yesterday, officials identified the body of Chelsea Faith Dolan. Since then I've had the title track of her 2015 EP, "Nobody's Fool," on repeat. IThis is the kind of music that inspires people to do things their own way, and I hope it will continue to encourage young artists excluded by mainstream touring circuits to create safe spaces for themselves.
MUSIC OF THE DAY
RIP
"Queen of Cups"
Cherushii
“REDEF is dedicated to my mother, who nurtured and encouraged my interest in everything and slightly regrets the day she taught me to always ask ‘why?’”
@JasonHirschhorn


REDEF, Inc.
25 Broadway, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10014

redef.com
YOU DON'T GET IT?
Subscribe
Unsubscribe/Manage My Subscription
FOLLOW REDEF ON
© Copyright 2016, The REDEF Group