Last week, we reported that the court case between Apple Inc. and Eight Mile, Eminem’s publisher, had begun. The dispute centered around Eight Mile’s claim that Aftermath Records, who controlled the recordings of the little-known white-boy rapper’s music, did not have the authority to strike a deal with Apple to upload his music onto iTunes.
However, on October 2 Eight Mile’s attorney, Richard Busch, revealed the two parties had settled but did not disclose any details.
Anyone know who this Eminem guy is (no-one at TMT has a clue!)?
Legendary DJ Mr. Magic has died from a heart attack, AllHipHop.com has confirmed with various sources.
Mr. Magic was a legendary DJ who debuted in 1979 on a pay-to-play broadcast on WHBI 105.9's "The Mr. Magic Disco Showcase."
In 1983, he launched "Mr. Magic's Rap Attack," in New York City which featured a young DJ Marley Marl in addition to future Co-Chillin Record label owner Tyrone “Fly Ty” Williams.
Google appears to be suffering from a great deal of "don't kill the messenger" syndrome these days. As much as they'd probably like to sneer at their accusers and say "we're just doing our job," they have little choice but to comply to certain demands, such as weeding out search results the Chinese government deems unsuitable and more recently, taking down Pirate Bay's front page.
Of course, this isn't the first time Google has been asked to take down torrent sites, what with the current war on file sharing and all. Google takes down its content primarily because copyright holders get wind of their material being downloaded for free -- and it would be a lot easier for them if the world's most popular search engine got behind them in stemming the flow of free stuff. The copyright owner (a porn company, in this particular case) then files a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) complaint, and bam, problem solved... somewhat. The leaked material is still on Pirate Bay, but at least the front page has been removed from Google's search results.
Google's only comments regarding the request go something like this: “In response to a complaint we received under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed X result(s) from this page. If you wish, you may read the DMCA complaint that caused the removal(s) at ChillingEffects.org.”
What is also notable however, is that the entire Pirate Bay domain hasn't been removed -- just the front page. Oh, loopholes.
Warner Music Group is still searching for answers. It's losing money and not sure why! Soon, however, there may not be any major labels at all, if they keep laying off their employees. This week, WMG announced more layoffs at Warner Bros. Records, with reports of 10-13 employees being placed on the chopping block, among them Senior Vice President of Sales Dave Stein. Additionally, WMG is also cutting employees from distribution group WEA and indie distribution division, Alternative Distribution Alliance, who are responsible for stocking independent music retailers all across the U.S. with all the hip new indie stuff.
Recently, Rhino reduced its staff and Sony is expected to do the same. Sigh.
Hey, remember like a couple weeks ago? A lot was different back then, huh? It was still summer, the world was still reeling with the possibilities of the Pavement reunion... and, of course, we here at TMT dropped the sensational, Pulitzer-worthy news bomb that Rhode Island noise-rock duo Lightning Bolt would be pummeling Australia and New Zealand (still as-yet virgins to their visceral live show assault) with a round of shows in support of their forthcoming Earthly Delights record on Load.
It was a standstill moment, to be sure. Millions were affected by this deftly crafted story and unprecedentedly informative news item. Destinies were altered. Lives previously considered by their errant leaders to be “worthless” suddenly seemed fulfilled and driven. Families torn asunder were reunited by the joyous news and the mellifluously qualitative manner in which the delicate piece’s author described its finer points to them, juicy tidbit by juicy tidbit, like a buttery sirloin steak... made of velvet... draped in U.S. Grade A “Dark Amber” maple syrup... being cooked via the convection of passing sound waves from Claude Debussy’s Greatest Orchestral Hits all being played simultaneously from a number of sleek Bose Wave® combination alarm clock /radio/iPod dock/CD changers in Platinum White arranged in an ideal Platonic circle around God’s immaculate parlor room in his (2nd, larger, and even more private than the first) secluded, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed summer home in Martha’s Vineyard.
And then?
...uh, we um, kinda sorta found out about the Japanese dates that they’re also doing on the tour and one U.S. date, so we had to hurry up and post a new one chop-chop.
(cough)
...and, you know, here it is. Thanks, everybody. Thanks for reading. Thank you.
New and Improved Lightning Bolt Tourdates: 10.29.09 - Providence, RI - Firehouse 13 # 11.05.09 - Tokyo Shibyua, Japan - O-Nest 11.06.09 – Nagoya, Japan - Club Rock’n’Roll 11.07.09 – Kyoto, Japan - Urbanguild 11.08.09 - Yamaguchi Houfu, Japan - Indo-Yo 11.09.09 – Fukuoka, Japan - The Voodoolounge 11.10.09 – Ooita, Japan - Athall 11.11.09 – Okayama, Japan - Pepper Land 11.12.09 – Osaka, Japan - Shangrila 11.13.09 - Tokyo Shibuya, Japan - O-Nest 11.14.09 – Enoshima, Japan - Oppa-La 11.15.09 - Tokyo Shindaita, Japan - Fever 11.16.09 - Tokyo Kouenji, Japan - UFO Club 11.20.09 - Melbourne, Victoria - Thornbury Theatre 11.21.09 - Sydney, New South Wales - Manning Bar 11.22.09 - Brisbane, Queensland - Hi Fi 11.24.09 - Auckland, New Zealand - Transmission Room 11.25.09 - Wellington, New Zealand - San Francisco Bath House 11.26.09 - Hobart, Tasmania - Mona 11.27.09 - Adelaide, South Australia - Fowlers Live 11.28.09 - Melbourne, Victoria - Trades Hall (Static Age Festival)
# benefit show for Dan Tanner with Tinsel Teeth and Beat Mountain
These days, anyone can have their own iPhone App, including the most unlikely of candidates. Case in point: Daniel Johnston. “Hi, How Are You” is the first ever toon-shaded 3D puzzle platform for both the iPhone and the iPod Touch, and it’s available in the Apple App store right now for $0.99. According to the press release:
The game features dynamic, physics-driven gameplay and is set in a psychedelic universe filled with the art, music, and iconic themes of renowned Johnston. The game begins with Satan turning the innocent Jeremiah into a frog and stealing the object of his affection. To win back his true love’s freedom, Jeremiah must progress through 25+ devilish levels to reverse the curse that Satan has bestowed upon him.
The game can be played by using tilt controls or a virtual on-screen joystick. Over 20 achievements can be unlocked as the game progresses, revealing original artwork from Johnston. “Hi, How Are You” was developed by Dr. Fun Fun and Smashing Studios. Screenshots, a.k.a. the next best thing, can be found here.
