Industrial Strength: December 12

12 December 2012

by Christie Eliezer

Launch Pad #1: ARIA’s Streaming Tracks Chart

ARIA introduced its long awaited ARIA Streaming Tracks Chart this week. Based on sales for the week beginning Friday Nov 30 to Thursday Dec 6, the inaugural #1 position was by Thrift Shop from Seattle-based duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz. At #2 was Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin’s Don’t You Worry Child, followed by Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch’s Sweet Nothing, Rihanna’s Diamonds, Of Monsters And Men’s Little Talks and Kesha at #6 with Die Young.

The chart is currently compiled from data provided by Spotify, JB Hi-Fi Now and Samsung Music Hub. Further streaming providers will be incorporated in the coming months. “The introduction of a number of music streaming services into the local market over the past year has provided Australian music fans with access to great music through a legitimate platform, that also ensures artists, writers and labels are rewarded for their creative work,” said ARIA chairman Denis Handlin AM, also CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia & New Zealand and President, Asia. “The Streaming Tracks Chart is an exciting addition to the ARIA Charts family and a genuine reflection of the ever-expanding digital music landscape in Australia.”

Launch Pad #2: Pandora pops in

US-based internet radio company Pandora, which has 175 million users in America, launched Australia and New Zealand service. It will be run out of Auckland through the Voyager ISP. Pandora founder Tim Westergren was in New Zealand and Australia for the launch, said he is looking at tie-ups with Australian ISPs. Jane Huxley is named its managing director for both territories overseeing strategy and direction. Huxley was, until May, CEO of Fairfax Metro's digital arm. Previously she worked at Microsoft and Vodafone. The local version of Pandora will feature Australian and NZ tracks, as well as international ones, in its collection of 1 million. It has struck a deal with Holden for use in its MyLink Infotainment system.

Launch Pad #3: Music Booze & Stuff from Annandale team

The team behind Sydney music venue The Annandale set up a new venture, Music Booze & Stuff. It explains, “Music, Booze & Stuff (MBS) quite simply is what is says; a company that specialises in all things related to Music and Booze, and all the Stuff that go hand in hand with them. MBS has been created to open up opportunities outside the walls of the Annandale and to utilise the vast array of skills, contacts and knowledge that comes with running a live music venue for 13 years.” These include venue booking, production services, gear hire and operation, in-house audio/video recording, and event and special occasion catering. Effective immediately MBS handles booking for the Annandale, with Mark Smithers (mark@musicboozestuff.com.au) and Paddy Cornwall (paddy@musicboozestuff.com.au).

Launching Pad #4: Music Licensing Directory

Twin brothers Winston and Adrian Giles unveiled the Music Licensing Directory (www.musiclicensingdirectory.com) for artists and music rights holders to get their music licensed globally. It lists and analyses 400 companies around the world which license music into film, TV, advertising and games as well as new companies that license music directly to brands and new media. Its CEO, Winston, a musician and producer whose music has been licensed by Nokia and Coca-Cola, said no other platform offered such a “quick and simple” service, and that branding and sync were becoming more important as revenue earners. Adrian set up the successful internet measurement company Hitwise. Michael Parisi, managing director of Wunderkind Records and Michael Parisi Management commented, "Finally, a real-deal , proper one-stop online music licensing resource that is certainly going to revolutionize the international music licensing business!”

Launching Pad #5: Deezer announces free platform

Deezer launched its free ad-supported service in Australia yesterday (Dec 11). Aiming at a mass market audience, it is offering users up to 12 months of unlimited free music if they register before June 2013. After that, users receive two hours per month of free listening on PCs and laptops only, also providing users with a free a month trial of Premium+ (pc/laptop & mobile) upon mobile activation. This will assist in encouraging discovery on mobile and tablets, said Thomas Heymann, head of Australia/NZ.

Launching Pad #6: Aussie #1 Facebook

The ARIA chart is heading for the 1000th No.1 single. It hit #997 two week ago with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ Thrift Shop. Chart historian Gavin Ryan has set up a Facebook page called 1000 Australian Number One Songs. It runs from the first chart topper in 1940, with clips from Youtube and Vevo where possible.

Launching Pad #7: Beatles festival

Port Macquarie, NSW, will host the inaugural Beatles Festival on March 1, 2 and 3. There will be tribute bands, street parades, dances, markets and more. The idea by former Port Macquarie-Hastings administrator Neil Porter was inspired by the Elvis Festival which draws 15,000 to Parkes, NSW.

Launching Pad #8: South Australia’s small venue licence

In a bid to encourage more small bars and clubs that showcase live music, the South Australia Government introduced the cheap Small Venue Licence. It exempts small venues (up to 120 patrons) from separate entertainment approvals process (which can add $30,000 to the cost of starting a venue) and the anti-competitive needs test on application. The small venues won’t have to serve sit-down meals. They can open from 11 am to midnight, but can apply to open until 2 am. The new rules are limited to within the City of Adelaide for the first 12 months. These venues cannot have takeaway service or pokies. It also prevents residents from complaining about their noise. While the SA live music industry celebrates its introduction, it also points out that more steps have to be taken. One is the removal of the Building Code, which applies a lot of red tape to how venues must meet expensive structural needs. Small Venue Licences are in place in NSW, Victoria and WA.

SLAM Day is back

After a massive successful debut this year, SLAM Day is back for 2013, with registrations being open for the largest simultaneous celebration of live music in the country. Next year’s event is slated for Saturday, February 23. Last year over 150 venues registered and showcased the breadth of live music in this country. Register at slamrally.org

Radio advertising grows in November

Ad revenue for the five metropolitan commercial radio markets was up 3.47% to a total of $64.316 million, compared to November 2011, said industry body Commercial Radio Australia. Sydney went up 3.76% to $19.832 million: Melbourne up 4.67% to $19.253 million, Adelaide up 3.44% to $6.063 million, and Perth up 7.29% to $9.160 million. Only Brisbane bucked the trend, down 2.41% to $10.007 million. CRA’s CEO Joan Warner said, “We hope this is the start of a more positive trend for the rest of the financial year.”

Stooges posters in demand

Promoter Viv Lees Presents found that street posters for Iggy & The Stooges’ March tour are becoming heavily souvenired. Fans are literally ripping them down to put them up on their lounge room walls. As a result, Lees is offering 10 signed and 40 unsigned tour posters for those with tickets for their headlining (ie, non festival) shows. Entrants have to email info@vivleespresents.com with their name and city of show until the day of the show, and winners will be picked at random.

ACT celebrates its own with first awards

The MusicACT Annual Music Awards (MAMAs) were held in Canberra last Friday, ending with the Winterman & Gioldstein/ Ivy League Records crew (Pete Lusty, Andy Kelly, James Roden, Andy Cassell) inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. Pro Musica were acknowledged for contribution to the ACT music industry. Super Best Friends took out artist of 2012 and live performer. Other winners were Ashton Shuffle (electronic/dance), The Wedded Bliss (song of the year for Broken Bird), Tonk (rock/alt), Kayo Marbulis (urban), Fun Machine (pop), Dorothy Jane Gosper (jazz/blues), Xavier Dunn (folk), No Hausfrau (country), Matt Withers (classical), The Pocket Score Company (choral), Duncan Lowe (engineer, producer), The Phoenix (live venue), Natalie Magee (youth artist) and Canberra City Band (orchestra, brass, big band).

MUSICAL CHAIRS

Carey, Collins, Preece join AAM board

Greg Carey (Umbrella Music – Rubens, Cloud Control, Urthboy), Claire Collins (Bossy Music – YesYou, Art vs Science, Vydamo) and Ben Preece (Mucho Bravado – Hungry Kids of Hungary, Ball Park Music) joined the Association of Artist Managers’s board as executive members. Stepping down were Kim Thomas, Gregg Donovan and Heath Bradby. Cath Haridy was re-elected as chairperson, Briese Abbott as vice chair and Tom Harris from White Sky as treasurer.

Haridy said of the departing members, “We are grateful for their outstanding contribution to establishing the AAM as the peak body for artist management.” She added, “This year we’re lucky to welcome three young, active and high profile managers who’ll bring the AAM into its next phase of industry development.” Abbott looked back on the AAM’s busy year: “We launched a website, a mentoring program and had a presence at most national conferences, with the new board in place we’re already looking at the projects to work on in 2013.” The AAM will launch a Patron’s program to capture the skills, profile and contribution of past board members.

Andrew G exits MCM Media

Andrew Günsberg, host of MCM Media’s nationally syndicated radio show The Hot Hits will leave the program at the end of the year. “Andrew’s passion for music and his love of sharing this with audiences has always shone through his work,” said MCM Media group content director Sam Thompson.

Strang takes head role at Warner Bros

Warner Music Group appointed Cameron Strang head of the Los Angeles-based Warner Bros. Records (home to Michael Buble and The Black Keys) in addition to his duties as chairman and CEO of Warner/Chappell and head of WMG’s Music Publishing and Catalogue Development division. He replaces Warner Bros. Records’ co-president and CEO Todd Moscowitz who has resigned. Warner Bros’ chairman Rob Cavallo and co-president/COO Livia Tortella report to Strang. He now runs WMG’s entire West Coast operations, and speculation is growing that he will end up in the WMG recorded music chairman/CEO position left vacant by Lyor Cohen in September. Warner Bros’ market share is 4.72%, down from 6.19% in late 2010.

Yothu Yindi manager running Darwin Entertainment Centre

Darwin Entertainment Centre hired former Yothu Yindi manager Alan James as its new General Manager. It wants to use his connection in music and in the arts (James also co-founded Garma festival) to expand its programming. The Centre recently posted a debt of $124,000, with show attendance for 2012 76% capacity. This year, the NT Government gave a $490,000 grant and Darwin council $512,871. James replaced Richard Fitzgerald who opted not to extend his contract. The Centre’s business manager Robert Graham, axed on October 16 six months into his job, recently claimed he was a scapegoat for the venue’s financial problems and threatened to go to court.

Mix Sydney gets shake up at breakfast, drive

Australian Radio Network (ARN) has made major programming changes at Mix 106.5 Sydney for 2013. The breakfast team of Tim ‘Rosso’ Ross and Claire Hooper – which struggled to find a chemistry as its 3.9% share indicated -- is now replaced by Sydney’s first all-female breakfast team of Yumi Stynes and Sami Lukis, Mix’s demographic is 25—44 year old females. Stynes returns after being dropped in August from The 3PM Pickup. Lukis was previously co-host of Mix’s drive show; its other host Ant Simpson has left. Mike Byrne will anchor the breakfast show, returning to Sydney after 4 ½ years at River949 Ipswich. He leaves River this week.

Lee elevated at 92.9

Southern Cross Austereo Perth station 92.9 made Amanda Lee assistant content director and music director. She worked previously with incoming content director Todd Campbell who takes over on Dec 31. Lee was music director of Nova 919 Adelaide, AMD at Nova 100 Melbourne and Hot 30 producer for SCA.

Marshall becomes head of contemporary music at Opera House

From next month, Fergus Linehan steps aside as head of music at the Sydney Opera House and concentrates as festival director of the SOH’s Vivid LIVE. Music producers Ben Marshall and Yarmila Alfonzetti become head of contemporary music and head of classical music respectively. Marshall and Linehan have, in the past three years, considerably expanded the SOH’s program with Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Sufjan Stevens, Erykah Badu, Gurrumul and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. In the past two years, Marshall also produced the GRAPHIC festival celebrating comics, animation, illustration, gaming and music. This year he stepped up as co-curator with Jordan Verzar.

Sullings exits radio

After 20 years on radio, most recently doing breakfast and daytime at Canberra FM Radio’s 104.7 / Mix 106.3, Cam Sullings has left radio to become senior sponsorship & events officer at service provider ActewAGL.

NEW SIGNINGS AND TEAM-UPS

Beyonce, Pepsi, reunite with new-look partnership

Beyonce and Pepsi reunite in a deal – worth US$50 million – which shows off Pepsi’s new approach to engaging with consumers through music acts. Beyonce, who has appeared on four Pepsi ads since 2002, will appear in a new commercial which debuts in America on February 3 during the Pepsi-sponsored Super Bowl. But in the new deal, where she is named the brand’s new global ambassador, Pepsi will sponsor a number of creative projects for the singer by setting up a multi-million dollar trust as well as help promote her next album. In this way, Pepsi is not merely dolling out sponsorship money but takes the role of an arts patron. It’s not known what her creative projects but can include live events, videos and photo shoots. Pepsi spends $330 million on entertainment and sports TV shows (Coke spends $240 million). Beyonce will have a hand in designing her image on cans and bottles. She will also sing a new Live For Now global TV ad out in the first quarter of 2013.

Universal, MediaCom link devises app

Universal Music Australia worked with close ally MediaCom's Innovation & Technology (I&T) and The Entertainment Division (TED) sections to device a new Facebook app. Called The Give Music Generator, it encourages consumers to buy albums and DVDs as Christmas gifts.

Darwin’s Perambulator shakes it up for Worldfly

Darwin-based Perambulator Records, an imprint of Skinnyfish Music, signed Northern Territory’s Worldfly. The band has spent the last two years working on an album with ARIA winning producer-engineer Jimi Maroudas for release in 2013. That the signing coincided on the night of the biggest earth tremor to hit the Northern Territory in 25 years is a “sign of synchronicity”, says Worldfly singer songwriter Michael Maher. Six years ago when the band formed, the territory was also hit by tremors. Since then, Worldfly has toured Europe every year, with airplay in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Devendra Banhart lands at Nonesuch

Acclaimed US singer songwriter Devendra Banhart has been signed to Nonesuch/Warner, which releases his next album Mala next year. He co-produced it with long time guitarist Noah Georgeson.

Domino adds Matthew E. White

US jazz arranger and guitarist Matthew E. White has joined Domino’s roster, and has his debut album Big Inner out on January 18. It was inspired by the landscape of his hometown Richmond, Virginia, and recorded in his attic.

Fourteen Nights land deal

Melbourne's Fourteen Nights At Sea signed with Hobbledehoy Records Co. Their Untitled debut album is out on CD and digital for the first time, while a follow up is set for an autumn release.

IGN, Mountain Dew, partner for video games award

Games media company IGN Entertainment and Mountain Dew partnered to launch Australian video games awards, the Black Beta Select Awards. Voting has begun for the February 1 event. IGN’s Australian GM James Whitehead said: " Gaming is such a celebrated medium in this country and we are proud to be launching an activity which will unite our industry and celebrate one of the fastest growing entertainment genres there is.”

Lockhouse reaches over the Tasman

Australian production house for country artists, LockHouse Productions, signed New Zealand’s Aly Cook for management. Cook won best female artist at this year’s NZ Country Music Awards, and began touring Australia in the 1980s. “Aly is a wonderful entertainer,” said Tracy Dann, managing director of LockHouse Productions, which has Nicki Gillis (Aust), Coopers Run (NZ), Branch & Dean (US) and Katie O’Donnell (Aust) on its roster.

Filmscope takes the Front Row

Australian production and distribution company Filmscope Entertainment will distribute America’s Front Row Networks 2D and 3D concert projects in Australia and New Zealand. Filmscore has long released theatrical and home entertainment releases in these territories. "Front Row Networks are a highly innovative company and at the forefront of 3D Alternative Content," said Filmscope’s John Soto.

TRIPPING

Which festival had to pay thousands of dollars to its cleaners after underpaying them for last year’s event?

Who hacked Delta Goodrem’s twitter account and sent messages to thousands of fans?

Who tried to tell a court that the reason he got clocked doing 186 km was that his “accelerator was stuck”?

Can Bluesfest top having headliners Paul Simon and Robert Plant? Festival head Peter Noble is in America to close off the “tougher” negotiations.

With Sydney’s Jacksons Rare Guitars store going into administration last month, audio tech trade media CX reckons that up to $1 million worth of stock on consignment has been lost to customers. Some of the axes were worth $50,000, CX says.

SBS has green lighted Series 11 of RockKwiz. They’ve done 138 episodes and just finished off a 15-date tour.

Which young promoter has been caught in a turf war – a violent one – between two groups of nasties?

UK rapper Example, who is marrying MTV’s Erin McNaught in Australia next year is applying for Australian citizenship. So is Brian McFadden.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

14 consecutive weeks at #1 on the ARIA Club Chart by Swedish House Mafia’s Don’t You Worry Child makes the triple-Platinum track the longest running #1 club track in Australia ever. It beat Spiller & Sophie Ellis-Bexter’s Groovejet which held No.1 spot for 13 consecutive weeks in 2002.

$66 million which Southern Cross Austereo shares slumped by on the first trading day after the tragic nurse’s death in the Radio Kategate affair.

1.094 million tuned in to Nine Network’s A Current Affair to see the trainwreck interview by 2DAY’s Mel Greig and Michael Christian. Another interview with the duo screened at the same time on Seven’s Today Tonight was watched by 1.023 million.

$60,000 one scalper demanding for one ticket to the star-studded “12-12-12” Hurricane Sandy benefit concert in New York.

17 countries that Rdio is now in, after launching in Estonia, Belgium, and the Netherlands this week.

1.66 million votes cast over eight weeks during Channel [V]’s Oz Artist poll, which was won on the weekend by Seth Sentry.

19^th Billboard dance club chart topper for Rihanna with Diamonds. She now ties with Janet Jackson for the second-most No. 1s in that chart's 36-year history. Only Madonna has more.

44,000 attended Melbourne Music Week events over 10 days – up from 15,000 in 2011.

2 year new residency for Human Nature at The Venetian in Las Vegas doing their Motown show, from January 19.

$392,500 raised by B105 Brisbane for its Christmas Appeal for sick children, $90,000 more than last year. In its 17 years, the appeal raised $11 million.

250 patrons at the nightclub in Greens Hotel in Burnie, Tasmania, when a fire ripped through the building causing damage of $400k to $500k.

LIFELINES

Hospitalised: Yothu Yindi leader Mandawuy Yunupingu after collapsing at his Northern Territory home, from the stress of their ARIA induction.

In Court: Russell Ian Payne, 42, who kidnapped a 21 year old woman and her 17-year old brother after the Port Fairy Folk Festival, was jailed for 3 ½ years by Warrnambool County Court. He claimed he was a security officer for the council helping people get rides home after the festival.

Vale: Rebecca Coyle, associate professor at Southern Cross University, whose research academically highlighted the work of Australia’s film and television composers as Brian May, David Hirschfelder, Guy Gross, Mick Harvey, Paul Kelly and Ross Edwards. The founder and editor of Screen Sound: The Australasian Journal of Soundtrack Studies, Coyle also served on editorial boards of three international academic journals on screen music. Screen Scores: Studies in Contemporary Australian Film Music (1998), which she edited, became the basis of the Screen Music course which the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) introduced the year after (from APRA-AMCOS’s tribute).

Vale: Steve Swadling, GM of Capital Radio Network’s radio operations in Goulburn, NSW. Kevin Blyton, managing director of Capital Radio, who announced his passing in a statement added, “Steve was 58 years old – a good man – he certainly didn’t deserve to go so young and in the way he did. He worked for us for 23 years and was the longest serving employee of the Capital Radio Network.” A winner of the Commercial Radio Australia award for Best Regional Station Manager, Swadling was also deputy mayor of Goulburn for a time and president of the Goulburn Soldiers Club at the time of his death.

Vale: Steve Andrews, 46, singer with early ‘90s Wellington, NZ, punk-metal band Vas Deferens, after a fatal assault. Andrews, who sang under the name Luger Douch formed the band to play at his 22^nd birthday. At their first proper gig in 1998, he handed out eggs for audience to throw at him. The band split in 1997. He moved to London where he worked as a postman. Last Sunday, he and his girlfriend were celebrating her birthday at a pub in the suburb of Putney when a fight broke out, and he was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries. He was to return to NZ for a reunion tour by Vas Deferens. British police have launched a murder investigation.

INSIDE TRACK

Birds of Tokyo unveil album details

Birds of Tokyo’s fourth album will be called March Fires and is due out on March 1. They’ll do their first national tour in 18 months around then, with tickets on sale this Friday. Track listing is: Liquid Arms, This Fire, When The Night Falls Quiet, Motionless, Lanterns, The Others, White Leaves, Blume, Boy, Sirin and Hounds. According to the band, March Fires captures a time of “change and renewal.” There were two new members (Glenn Sarangapany on keys and Ian Berney on bass) while original members Ian Kenny (vocals), Adam Spark (guitars) and Adam Weston (drums) moved for different reasons from hometown Perth to new cities on the East Coast. They experimented with a new approach to writing, first in a Sydney studio space and then a farmhouse in France. Then they went to Los Angeles to work with a new producer, Dave Cooley (Silversun Pickups), and a new mixer, Tony Hoffer (M83, Beck, The Kooks, Belle & Sebastian). Says Spark, "We really made a conscious choice to just put a match to everything we'd done before so that we could create something that felt fresh and exciting for us. Hopefully people who like the band will feel the same way when they hear it."

Warner Music, Festival, unveil Jimmy Little legacy

Warner Music Australia and Festival Records have dug into the goldmine of the late Jimmy Little’s legacy. Treasure: The Very Best of Jimmy Little 1956-2011 is a single disc collection with Yorta Yorta Man, Randwick Bells, Winterwood, Mysteries Of Life and Royal Telephone. Out on January 18 is a 3-CD collection Songman which collects his comeback albums Messenger and Life’s What You Make It, which he cut with guitarist Brendan Gallagher. Aside from his reworking of hits by The Church, PJ Harvey, The Reels, The Go-Betweens and Bruce Springsteen, Songman includes five outtakes from the Messenger sessions. These include versions of The Triffids’ Wide Open Road and AC/DC’s It’s A Long Way To The Top - and a never before released concert recording Live at the Studio, Sydney Opera House, 2001.

Russell Morris reactivates interest

Russell Morris’ early hits The Real Thing, Wings Of An Eagle and Sweet Sweet Love continue to be played on radio. But like most rock veterans, his later material remains overlooked. As a result, it was easy for Morris to decide to do a blues record. “Close friends told me I was mad, who gives a shit about the blues, but it was essentially a labour of love for me.” A picture in a newspaper colour supplement of 1920s petty crook and scam artist Thomas 'Shark Jaws' Archer gave it direction. “It was such an evocative photograph that I had to write a song about him.” (That sepia-toned photo adorns the cover of his new album Sharkmouth). Memories came flooding back to Morris, about tales his 90-year old grandmother imparted of growing up in the rough working class Melbourne suburb of Richmond and seeing gangsters like Squizzy Taylor swaggering about. More stories from Australia’s past emerged: the boxer Les Darcy, the painters & dockers union, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a 1927 gambler and drifter who survived a murder attempt…

Morris approached record labels, wanting $15,000 to finish the album. In return, he offered them the rights to his old hit songs. “It was met with a collective yawn.” So, with producer Mitch Cairns, he called in favours from friends like Renee Geyer, Chris Wilson, Diesel, James Black and Troy Cassar-Daley. The album reached the ears of Robert Rigby, one time managing director of WEA Records who had set up his own company Ambition Entertainment. “He got the concept immediately. He told me it would be a slow burner but he would work on it because he believed in it.” Sharkmouth has started to kick: ABC Radio around the country put it on high priority, and the mainstream press gave it glowing reviews. Morris is being booked on blues festivals in early 2013. “I think it’s struck a chord because people know it’s authentic, and that I believe what I’m singing. That’s how it’s been. People sometimes don’t get something you think they will. Other times they do. Wings of An Eagle was an abstract song. But I’ve had people come up and say they played it at their father’s funeral. And I say, well, it is a story about the spirit and the body, and influenced by Australian Aborigine and Native American folk tales.”