| TOP STORIES | Dispute between Soundgarden and Chris Cornell's widow goes legal READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LEGAL | RIAA goes after DBR.ee replacement site with new subpoena READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| DEALS | Max Richter expands his partnership with Decca, but also continues to work with Deutsche Grammophon READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| LABELS & PUBLISHERS | Tony Harlow announced as new boss of Warner Music UK READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| RELEASES | Plan B urges people to vote tactically on new track 'First Past The Post' READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| GIGS & FESTIVALS | Crowded House reunite for European tour READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| ONE LINERS | Sentric Music, TikTok, Ed Sheehan, more READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
| AND FINALLY... | LadBaby attempting to make sausage rolls Christmas number one for second year running READ IN THIS EMAIL | READ ON THE WEBSITE |
Dispute between Soundgarden and Chris Cornell's widow goes legal
A dispute between the widow of late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell and his former bandmates has gone legal. Vicky Cornell claims that the other members of Soundgarden have been withholding royalties and making false statements in a bid to force her to hand over seven recordings of new songs that her late husband made before his death in 2017.
According to Cornell's lawsuit, Soundgarden members Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd are keen to access those recordings in order to include them on a possible new album. She insists that she has been supportive of that proposal, but on the condition that the band develop said recordings in a way that "respects her late husband's legacy and wishes". That includes involving a specific producer and liaising with her on any marketing plans in relation to the proposed new LP.
Cornell says that Thayil, Cameron and Shepherd initially agreed to those conditions, but subsequently backtracked, later claiming that the band owned the seven recordings in question via the partnership they had with her husband. She strongly denies this, insisting that only Chris Cornell was involved in writing and recording the new tracks, and therefore he was the sole copyright owner, with those rights then passing to his estate.
"After rejecting Vicky's offer to share Chris's recordings according to Chris's wishes", the lawsuit claims, Thayil, Cameron and Shepherd - and their business manager Rit Venerus - "resorted to strong-arm tactics". This includes "withholding royalties undeniably owed to Chris's estate" and "on which Chris's three surviving children are dependent". And also suggesting in media interviews that she is blocking a new Soundgarden album.
The latter claims, Cornell says, have put her and her family at risk. "Chris's former band members menaced Chris's family with false media statements intended to rile the cyberstalkers", the lawsuit reckons, later adding that "even after being shown examples of the online hate directed towards Chris's children, Thayil persisted".
"By knowingly imperilling Chris's family with such callous cruelty, the former band members have revealed their monstrous avarice for the sound recordings which they neither created nor own", yesterday's legal filing then boldly states.
Insisting that Vicky Cornell is reluctantly launching this lawsuit after numerous unsuccessful attempts to work out a solution with the band, her legal filing concludes that the litigation "seeks to vindicate her late-husband's rights in the sound recordings that he created" and "to recover the substantial sums of money and personal property that are being unlawfully withheld by Venerus and the band".
RIAA goes after DBR.ee replacement site with new subpoena
The Recording Industry Association Of America recently secured another subpoena in the US courts ordering domain registrar Namecheap and internet services firm Cloudflare to hand over any information they have in relation to a bunch of websites accused of copyright infringement. And that includes a site that launched just three months ago to replace another one shut down following a similar RIAA subpoena earlier this year: DBR.ee
That particular file-hosting site went offline in May following legal action from the RIAA and its fellow record industry trade groups Music Canada and the IFPI. The closure came just weeks after the RIAA secured another subpoena forcing Cloudflare to reveal details about various copyright infringing websites, including DBR.ee.
However, following the demise of DBR.ee, in September a new site launched called DBREE.co which seemed to carry on where the now defunct file-hosting site left off. It's not clear if any of the people involved in DBR.ee are also behind DBREE.co. But the RIAA is presumably interested in finding that out.
It's Torrentfreak that spotted the latest RIAA subpoena against Namecheap and Cloudflare, and also that DBREE.co was among the targeted sites.
The accompanying legal document reads: "The purpose for which this subpoena is sought is to obtain the identity of the individual assigned to these websites who has induced the infringement of, and has directly engaged in the infringement of, our members' copyrighted sound recordings without their authorisation".
Other sites covered by the new subpoena include FLACC.org and Hiphopeasy.xyz. It remains to be seen if any more closures now follow the court order.
Max Richter expands his partnership with Decca, but also continues to work with Deutsche Grammophon
Max Richter has rejigged his alliance with Universal Music. His recordings of new works will be released through the major's London-based Decca division, which already works with the composer on his publishing. Those records will be released by the Decca team under the existing 'Studio Richter' imprint.
However, Richter will also continue his relationship with Universal's Deutsche Grammophon label, which will still create albums with Richter featuring newly recorded versions of his existing works and reimaginations of classical pieces. What a party!
Says Decca President Rebecca Allen: "The Decca Label Group are incredibly excited and proud to be partnering up with Max and his Studio Richter team, helping to strategise, amplify and visualise his future music projects globally. Like Max, we have always strived to break down genre boundaries and, with this exciting new partnership, we feel empowered and ambitious to bring new audiences into the ongoing Richter journey".
Deutsche Grammophon boss Clemens Trautmann adds: "We are privileged to continue our successful partnership well into the future with a series of recordings, audiovisual projects and catalogue curation, building on more than one million albums sold. As a collaborative effort within Universal Music Group on both Max's recording and publishing activities, DG will ensure his work continues to excite and move an increasing global audience".
Tony Harlow announced as new boss of Warner Music UK
Tony Harlow has been announced as the new Chair and CEO of Warner Music UK, replacing Max Lousada, who kept the top job at the major's UK division even when he was promoted into a role overseeing the whole Warner recorded music business worldwide.
"Tony has a depth and diversity of experience that few can match", says Lousada of the man who will take over the UK side of his current brief. "Ever since his days behind the counter at a Beggars Banquet record shop, he's been a true artist champion with a total passion for music. And as an entrepreneurial leader, he has a progressive and ambitious vision for where the business needs to go next".
"He'll be a great mentor to the next generation of creatives and executives", Lousada goes on, "building an environment where original talent is nurtured and challenged. This is obviously a job that's very close to my heart, and I couldn't be leaving it in better hands".
Harlow himself adds: "The UK is a vital source for many of the world's most influential artists, cultural trends, and creative innovations. At the same time, it's been leading the way in erasing the barriers of genre and geography for international talent. I'm very happy to be coming home to work with the extraordinary, record-breaking artists and team at WMUK. I'm so pleased I'll get to continue working with my amazing colleagues at WEA in this new role, and I want to thank Max for giving me this wonderful opportunity".
Harlow has been at Warner for some time already, having previously worked for EMI, V2 and Universal. He became Warner's MD for Australasia in 2010, subsequently moving over to the major's WEA division. Hence him mentioning it. See, it does all make sense!
| On the CMU stereo 2019 - Winter Christmas is approaching fast and just behind it the year 2020. And so - as one year winds down - we turn our thoughts to the last twelve (or at least eleven and a half) months. Or, more specifically, the last twelve (or at least eleven and a half) months in music. That being our brief. And a whole lot less depressing that thinking about the last year in the wider world. There has, as ever, been some phenomenal music released over the last nearly twelve months, and over the next couple of weeks we're going to revisit 40 of our favourite tracks of the year, ten at a time, sorted roughly into the seasons when they were released. For our first selection, we head back to winter and the beginning of 2019, with the earliest track in the chronologically organised list being one that went on to pretty much define the whole musical year - 'Juice' by Lizzo. Three albums into her career, it's been heartening to finally see Lizzo tip over into the superstardom she's always deserved, and with some of the greatest music she's recorded to date. Speaking of superstardom, Billie Eilish also makes the list here, her debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' having hit the shelves in January before going on to dominate, alongside Lizzo, for the rest of the year. Some other highlights in the first batch (they're all highlights, of course, that's the point, but still) include Little Simz, the brilliant Snapped Ankles, and Self Esteem - the solo project of Rebecca Lucy Taylor, formerly of Slow Club - who was another artist to release an incredible debut album this year. The music all speaks for itself though, listen to all ten tracks in this Spotify playlist here, and subscribe to get the other 30 dropped right into your headphones in the run up to Christmas. Here's what we've got on our winter 2019 playlist: Lizzo - Juice |
Plan B urges people to vote tactically on new track First Past The Post
With the UK's General Election rapidly approaching this Thursday, Plan B has released a new track called 'First Past The Post', deconstructing the UK's deeply flawed electoral system but, nevertheless, encouraging young people to vote.
"It's important that people, especially young people, are making an informed vote", he says. "I just speak about the shit we all see. That's why your vote matters".
The musician's opinions on our voting system, it turns out, are pretty fresh. In a post on his website, he explains: "Three and a half weeks ago I knew nothing about the 'first past the post' voting system. Writing this song has been an informative exercise for me and the only agenda I have with this video is to try to inform others before this week's election".
He also provides a list of websites where people can get more information on how best to vote if they'd like an outcome more likely to result in the UK staying in the EU.
Crowded House reunite for European tour
Crowded House have announced that they will tour Europe for the first time in more than a decade next summer. Frontman Neil Finn and fellow founding member, bassist Nick Seymour, will be joined by record producer Mitchel Froom on keyboard and Finn's children Liam and Elroy, on guitar and drums respectively.
The band will play a number of European festival dates as well as a run of headline shows in the UK, including two nights at the Roundhouse in London. They have also been in the studio recently, with new music on the way.
Tickets for the UK shows go on general sale on Friday. Here are the dates:
16 Jun: Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
17 Jun: Glasgow, Hydro
18 Jun: Birmingham, Arena Birmingham
2 Jul: Manchester, Castlefield Bowl
4 Jul: London, Roundhouse
5 Jul: London, Roundhouse
LABELS & PUBLISHERS
Sentric Music has announced the launch of a new funding initiative inspired by a regular feature on its company blog that asks industry experts what they'd advise emerging artist to do if they suddenly had a grand to spend. Under the Sentric Academy Fund the company will give funding of up to £1000 to twelve early-career artists each year which can be spent on songwriting, recording, touring or marketing activity.
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APPOINTMENTS
Ole Obermann, who left Warner Music in June, has confirmed that he is taking up a new role at that there TikTok. He is now Global Head Of Music for the social network and its parent company ByteDance.
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ARTIST NEWS
Ed Sheeran is the top grossing touring artist of the last twelve months, according to Billboard. Which is the second year he's been top of the touring charts. He's only the second artist ever to top said chart in two consecutive years, the first being the Rolling Stones a decade ago.
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RELEASES
Adam Lambert has released his cover of Cher's 'Believe'.
Gabrielle Aplin has released a lyric video for her single 'Like You Say You Do', with the song's words provided in five different languages - Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, Spanish, French and English. Her new album, 'Dear Happy', is out on 17 Jan.
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead have released the video for 'Into The Godless Void', from their upcoming tenth album 'X: The Godless Void And Other Stories'. The new LP is out on 17 Jan.
Okay Kaya has released new single 'Asexual Wellbeing'. Her new album, 'Watch This Liquid Pour Itself Out', is out on 24 Jan, via Jagjaguwar.
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GIGS & TOURS
White Lies will headline a charity show in aid of Stand Up To Cancer at Union Chapel in London on 11 Feb. Also on the bill are Maisie Peters, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Aaron Smith and Kitt Philippa. Buy tickets here.
Madness are the latest act confirmed for Forestry England's Forest Live gig series in 2020. The band will play two shows in British forests next June. Details here.
Brockhampton have announced UK and Ireland tour dates for May next year, including a show at Brixton Academy on 19 May. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.
Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.
LadBaby attempting to make sausage rolls Christmas number one for second year running
Last year's surprise Christmas number one artist LadBaby - real name Mark Hoyle - is attempting to do it again with a second ode to sausage rolls. Yeah, it does seem like he's stretching that particular joke a bit too far, but it's all for a very good cause, so just go with it, OK?
In 2018, 'We Built This City On Sausage Rolls' was a pastry-wrapped meat reworking of Starship's 'We Built This City'. This year he's penned new lyrics to Joan Jett's 'I Love Rock N Roll'. Again replacing 'rock n roll' with 'sausage rolls'.
As with last year, money raised by the single release will be donated to The Trussell Trust, which, if the Tories gain a majority in Thursday's General Election, will be vital. The charity's mission is to end the need for food banks in the UK. But with an increasing number of people living in poverty, it currently supports a network of 1200 food banks providing emergency support for families and individuals unable to afford to eat.
"We were blown away by the support we received on our Christmas number one single last year and how far that money has gone into changing the lives of families living in poverty across the UK", says Hoyle. "We're continually looking for ways we can support food bank charity the Trussell Trust further as the size of the problem still facing so many adults - and children - is huge and we ALL need to do whatever we can to say goodbye to poverty once and for all in the UK".
"If we can use our social media presence for good by singing about sausage rolls, giving people something to smile about and helping families eat this year, then why wouldn't we?", he continues. "Officially, the most unanticipated single of the decade... AGAIN!".
Garry Lemon of the Trussell Trust adds: "We were overwhelmed at the support shown last year in getting LadBaby's song to Christmas number one, and it's fantastic to be chosen by LadBaby again as the charity benefiting from money made by the single. It's not right that anyone in our country needs to use a food bank but we know what needs to change. The money raised will help us support our network of food banks to provide the best possible emergency help, while we work towards a future where no one needs a food bank".
Whether Hoyle can top the UK singles chart at Christmas with a novelty song about sausage rolls for a second year running remains to be seen. Although last year Hoyle unexpectedly saw off competition from Ariana Grande and Ava Max, so let's not write him off just yet.