| TOP STORIES | Spotify launches artist blocking feature READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LABELS & PUBLISHERS | Sonic Cathedral launches "panicked" and "irrational" singles club in face of Brexit READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| MEDIA | Simon Mayo hired for new classical radio station from Bauer David Walliams to host new classical music podcast for children READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| RELEASES | Foals reveal album and tour details READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| GIGS & FESTIVALS | Thom Yorke to premiere new classical piece READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | BTS, 5SOS, Nakhane & Anohni, more READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | New Abba music delayed until later this year READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
Spotify launches artist blocking feature
Spotify's hateful conduct policy having backfired so dramatically last year, the streaming service has now introduced a new feature allowing individual users to wipe specific artists from their playlists. Which means it can pass the buck on to its customers over whether or not artists accused of hateful conduct should be banished from its playlists.
In the latest version of Spotify's iOS app it is now possible to select 'don't play this artist' from any artist's profile on the streaming service. Turning this on will remove that artist's music from your library, user-generated and automated playlists, charts and radio stations.
This is a feature that users have requested in the past. However, back in 2017 Spotify said that "after serious consideration" it had decided not to implement it. Subsequently it launched its 'hateful conduct' policy, which saw the company draw up its own list of artists it would not promote on its playlists due to allegations or convictions of 'hateful' actions.
R Kelly and XXXtentacion were the first artists placed on the list, but there was a backlash due to a lack of clarity on what Spotify deemed 'hateful', and the policy was dropped.
The new feature means that the streaming firm itself doesn't have to decide what conduct, or alleged conduct, is sufficiently hateful to deserve a boycott. Though maybe it could introduce a new recommendations tab along the lines of "here are some hateful artists you might like to block" or "here are the artists other Ariana Grande fans thought were hateful this week". Then add in a "most hateful artists" chart with an accompanying playlist stripped of all its music. Endless potential!
Sonic Cathedral launches "panicked" and "irrational" singles club in face of Brexit
With continuing Brexit uncertainty making planning all sorts of things for the near future almost impossible in the UK, indie label Sonic Cathedral has decided to mark its fifteenth birthday by pressing loads of vinyl while it still can.
In February, the company will launch a "panicked" and "irrational" new singles club which will then release a seven-inch single every month until the end of the year, after which it will (possibly) "go down fighting (and drowning in debt)".
"Sonic Cathedral turns fifteen this year and, with Brexit bearing down on us, we can't help but wonder what the future holds", says the label in a statement. "All of our vinyl and CDs are manufactured in the European Union and prices have already gone up considerably since the referendum in 2016, so it's fair to assume they will continue to do so as the value of the pound plummets".
"If we have to start paying import duties to cover the cost of those blue passports, then running an independent record label will become even less viable than it already is", it goes on. "And, let's face it, vinyl will probably start slipping down in people's list of priorities below such things as food and vital medical supplies".
Did I mention that this is all part of a birthday celebration? For readers outside the UK, yes, this is what birthdays are like here now. Laying out its plan, the company goes on: "Faced with this potential dead end, we panicked and came up with the most irrational solution possible - pressing more vinyl in one year than we ever have before. If we go down, we will go down fighting (and drowning in debt). Hence the Sonic Cathedral Singles Club".
The releases will feature eleven of the label's favourite artists, new and old, the statement reveals, explaining: "We think of it as a shamelessly self-indulgent, eleven course final meal as we await our destiny on Discogs death row".
The first release will be the debut single by Buffalo Postcard, 'Morning Chimes/Such A Drag'. It'll arrive on 6 Feb to all those signed up to receive all eleven releases. Signing up will also get you a pin badge, access to a new club night at The Social in London and three editions of a new Sonic Cathedral newspaper. More info here.
Happy birthday, Sonic Cathedral.
Simon Mayo hired for new classical radio station from Bauer
When Simon Mayo confirmed that he was departing Radio 2 last year he said he was far too busy with writing projects to be doing a daily radio show in 2019, which everyone interpreted as "I'm fucked off that the BBC fucked up my show, so I'm fucking off to do something else on another fucking radio station". I don't know why everyone interpreted Mayo's statement in such a sweary fashion, but who are we to question the Great British public?
Anyway, we now know that the other fucking radio station Mayo is joining is a brand new one from Bauer Media called Scala Radio. It's a new classical music station, based on the assumption that - with only two classically-focused radio channels currently available in the UK (BBC Radio 3 and Global's Classic FM) - there's definitely room on the digital dial for another.
But Scala Radio, Bauer would like you to note, will offer "classical music for modern life", and will be just the kind of station equipped to capitalise on an anticipated "explosive growth in the genre". It's also going to "break the mould of classical music in the UK". Which seems unnecessarily violent, but who are we to question Bauer Media's marketing team and their waffley nonsense publicity blurb generator?
Mayo will be joined by his old mate Mark Kermode at the new station, who is on board to play some film scores - they will also continue to present their film show on BBC Radio 5 Live too, do not panic - while Goldie and William Orbit have also been hired, possibly to do the mould breaking bit. Other presenters include Angellica Bell, Charles Nove, Mark Forrest, Sam Hughes and Jamie Crick.
"There are hundreds of radio stations playing rock and pop, and only two classical music stations", observes Mayo, who then shrieks in a scary fashion "until now!" His new employer is "different because we're going all out to entertain, laugh with the listeners, and have a good time", he adds. "Some of it will be familiar, some new and exciting, but all timeless, beautiful and all absolutely relevant to today".
Which kind of reads like Mayo has employed the same waffley nonsense publicity blurb generator as Bauer's marketeers, but who are we to question the Mayo? And, as he's prone to say (in your head anyway), "fuck yeah, let's just fucking do this".
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David Walliams to host new classical music podcast for children
Classic FM has announced the launch of a new podcast aimed at introducing children to the crazy world of classical music. Hosted by David Walliams, the ten episode series will launch next month.
"I'm incredibly happy to be working with Classic FM on a brand new venture, bringing the fascinating stories and the works of iconic composers to life, through fun and insightful storytelling", says Walliams. "It's wonderful to be able to bring a whole genre of music to a new generation of children, whilst getting the rest of the family listening and enjoying at the same time".
Classic FM's Managing Editor Sam Jackson adds: "As a father of four young children myself, I think it's the perfect way to introduce the next generation to classical music - not to mention adults, too. It's fun, it's entertaining, it's cheeky and we know it will attract many new listeners to enjoy what we at Classic FM proudly declare to be the world's greatest music".
'David Walliams' Marvellous Musical Podcast' will be available to download for free from 4 Feb.
| Approved: Sarah Walk Sarah Walk's 2017 debut album was good with flashes of brilliance. On her return with new single 'CTRL' she takes the better elements of that record and really runs with it. The track also see Walk build on her ability to distil complex issues into three minute pop songs. "I wrote this song about fighting against those who bind you", she says. "I feel like it takes twice as much effort for my voice to be heard as a woman and even then it's often times not taken seriously. We need to be valuing women's voices and perspectives and listening more. It all starts with listening". This idea was developed further for the song's video by director Zoe Travis, who explains: "I wanted the video for 'CTRL' to be a visual representation of how a movement starts and grows. The experience of shooting this was incredible. We cast about 50 women-identified cast members who were very passionate about the project's message". Walk adds: "We are witnessing the emergence of a powerful movement, led by women, on behalf of women, who are determined to seize power from the male-dominated establishment. I hope this video continues that movement". Watch the video for 'CTRL' here. Stay up to date with all of the artists featured in the CMU Approved column by subscribing to our Spotify playlist. |
Foals reveal album and tour details
Foals have confirmed more details about their two upcoming album releases. Part one of 'Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost' will arrive in March, followed by its counterpart in the autumn. The band have also released the first track from the project, 'Exits'.
"They're two halves of the same locket", says Yannis Philippakis of the new LPs. "They can be listened to and appreciated individually, but fundamentally, they are companion pieces".
He goes on: "There's a definite idea about the world being no longer habitable in the way that it was. A kind of perilousness lack of predictability and a feeling of being overwhelmed by the magnitudes of the problems we face. What's the response? And what's the purpose of any response that one individual can have?"
"Lyrically", he then says, "there are resonances with what's going on in the world at the moment. I just feel like, what's the utility of being a musician these days, if you can't engage with at least some of this stuff? These songs are white flags, or they're SOSs, or they're cries for help... each in a different way".
Here's 'Exits', which is officially out on 8 Mar.
There will be tour dates too. Here they all are:
11 Jun: Manchester, Victoria Warehouse
14 Jun: Tunbridge Wells, Bedgebury Pinetum
15 Jun: Birmingham, Digbeth Arena
18 Jun: Glasgow, SWG3 Yard
20 Jun: Thetford, Thetford Forest
21 Jun: London, Alexandra Palace
26 Jun: Bournemouth, International Centre
Thom Yorke to premiere new classical piece
Thom Yorke has announced that he will premiere a new classical composition at a show in Paris in April, followed by a London performance two days later.
The piece was written for pianist duo Katia and Marielle Labèque's new album 'Minimalist Dream House'. As well as Yorke, performing with the sisters for the upcoming shows will by The National's Bryce Dessner and Triplle Sun's David Calmin.
"Good afternoon", wrote Yorke on Twitter yesterday. "I have written some new music for two pianos for Katia & Marielle Labeque. It will be performed in April. I'll be there pretending I can read the music on the paper. Which I can't".
The London show will take place at the Barbican Centre on 9 Apr. More details here.
BTS, 5SOS, Nakhane & Anohni, more
Other notable announcements and developments today...
• BTS will release their first book, titled 'The Notes 1', in March. It was inevitable. You'll be able to buy it in Korean, Japanese or English. Or as a package of all three. So that you can compare and contrast, maybe. More info here.
• Five Seconds Of Summer have released a new version of their song 'Lie To Me' with singer-songwriter Julia Michaels.
• Nakhane and Anohni have released new collaboration 'New Brighton'. "Having Anohni [on board] - a musician who created a tectonic shift in my life - is still unbelievable to me", says Nakhane. "I wanted her to sound like an ancestor in the song: 'Never live in fear again'. Such a simple line, but sung by that voice, it becomes biblical".
• James Yorkston has released new song 'Shallow' from his upcoming new album, 'The Route To The Harmonium'.
• Pom Poko have released new single 'Crazy Energy Night'. Their debut album, 'Birthday', is out next month.
• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
New Abba music delayed until later this year
If you're wondering where those new Abba songs that we were promised by the end of last year were, you can now expect them by the end of this year. Probably.
The group announced last April that collaborating on a new hologram tour had inspired them to record together again, for the first time in 35 years. "It resulted in two new songs", they announced. "One of them, 'I Still Have Faith In You', will be performed by our digital selves in a TV special produced by NBC and the BBC aimed for broadcast in December".
You may have noticed that it is now January and as yet we've not seen or hear anything of this new music. Speaking to IceTheSite recently, Benny Andersson said that at the point they made that announcement "everything was up and running smoothly, [but] then it didn't run as smoothly". The group are "still trying to establish the agreement" with "the other side", he said, insisting that the delay is "not our doing".
Speaking to Variety, a spokesperson for the group refused to comment on what Andersson had said or meant, but did confirm the delay, saying there would be "no release before the summer. Hopefully this fall".
So, you'll just have to wait. But you should be used to that by now.