There Is a Non-Denominational Faith-Based Figure: Indie Labels Beat Out EMI in Market Share
By Heidi Vanderslice on 07-09-2008
Finally, some justice for the "little guys" -- though that classification gets less accurate as EMI's behavior increasingly mirrors Britney Spears in a 7-11. Independent record labels officially snagged 14% of the music industry's market share, leaving EMI behind with 10%. Apparently, corporate ain't everything... who knew? The death grip of the Universal Music Group is also slipping, ever so slightly, from 31.5% to 31.2%.
Back to EMI. You know, the big loser. How, one asks, just how do you fuck up a once-powerful industry conglomerate with infinite resources so badly that THIS happens? Oh, you mean by doing things like threatening to eat all of those indie labels for breakfast (TMT News)? Selling itself to someone who couldn't afford to fix it, despite having the best name ever (TMT News)? Keeping on a bunch of corporate suits and laying off the young, in-touch entry-level employees (TMT News)? Releasing an artist's single without asking (TMT News)!?
Yes, that's a froth I've worked myself into. It's kind of gross, but, then, so is the state of the music industry. I'm gonna take the positive slant, however, and invite you to give the indie labels a big round of applause for this winning lap. Turns out that the real secret to success in the record industry is a straight shot: respecting your artists, releasing creative new music in various mediums, and charging a fair price for your albums. What. A. Concept.
Björk Cancels Another Fest Appearance Due to Voice Problems; I Recommend Apple Cider Vinegar Lozenges
By Mango Starr on 07-08-2008
Is it just me, or does Björk cancel a lot of shows? Fresh off her cancellation of Wild In The Country (which itself was canceled) and a Sheffield, UK show a few days ago, Björk has canceled her Finlandia Puisto/Park show in Helsinki citing voice problems.
"Sadly, due to medical issues with her voice, Björk has to cancel the show in Helsinki," states a post on her official website. "Ticket holders should return tickets to point of purchase to get a ticket refund. Björk thanks her fans for their understanding and support."
But like most stories, this one has a good ending: "The remaining concerts are not affected by this cancellation.” And that's the end of that! Or is it? Hey, remember that song "The End is the Beginning is the End" by The Smashing Pumpkins? Good times.
Remaining dates:
Castanets Guy Set to Release 4th Album, Make Your Work-a-Day Existence Look Pitifully Lame
By Liz Louche on 07-08-2008
The guy from Castanets continues to live the kind of life I want to have, but never will. The kind of life that unfolds in your imagination with every new detail, looking like it was filmed by the Coen Brothers and scripted by someone less violence-inclined than Cormac McCarthy. The kind of life that makes press releases practically write themselves. Specifically, press releases referring to the fourth studio album from Castanets. According to the one I read before writing this story, the man behind the music, Ray Raposa, reportedly woke up in the backseat of a motor vehicle after an overnight drive from Oakland to Vegas, had a revelation, and decided he was going to record his newest material in a desert motel room.
Entitled City of Refuge and set for release October 7 on Asthmatic Kitty, the album was recorded during a three-week stint at a mom-and-pop motel room in unincorporated Overton, Nevada. Yes, that's right... that Overton, she of two bars, zero traffic lights, and one Lost City Museum. Overton lies on the outskirts of the amazingly-named Valley of Fire State Park (or Moapa Valley to the indigenous tribes living nearby), and it quickly became the center of Castanets' universe. Raposa's City of Refuge also features guest contributions from pals Sufjan Stevens, Jana Hunter, Scott Tuma (Souled American, Boxhead Ensemble, solo), Dawn Smithson (Jessamine, Sunn O)))), solo), and co-producer Ero Gray, added during some post-recording studio wizardry. If you're reading this thinking, "Shoot, all these lost highways and lost cities are seeming a little too faded and American Gothic! I mean, it's summer right now!" well, then you are in luck, because Asthmatic Kitty will also be releasing Dub Refuge, a dub version of the upcoming original. Party on!
And in an effort to make my unemployed Midwestern office-worker life feel even more distant than his epic, Wild Wild West lifestyle, Castanets will also be releasing an album of Hank Williams cover songs in the near future. Sigh. You may have your romantic minstrel life, Mr. Raposa, but I got stoplights. I got LOTS of stoplights.
City of Refuge tracklisting:
Boredoms Looking For New Drummer; 77 BOADRUM Documentary Being Screened – Rad
By Mario Speedwagon on 07-08-2008
Japanese noise act Boredoms are screening a documentary of their 77 BOADRUM show in Japan! For those who aren’t familiar or weren’t around, 77 BOADRUM (Boa as in snake, drum as in... duh) took place July 7, 2007 in New York's Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park (not as cool as June 6, 2006, but still awesome). Boredoms played with 77 drummers spiraling out from the center where they were positioned.
It looked like this:
I was there, it ruled. But somehow I forgot that huge drum circles = hippies. I was thinking, “Tons of awesome drummers playing with Boredoms, fuck yeah!” To many others, however, it meant bare feet, overalls, devil sticks, granola, and that weird noodle dance they do. Shit got crunchy. Regardless, it was fun, loud, and a creative way to celebrate the date. You could hear the drums echo off the Brooklyn Bridge. Drummers included Christopher Powell (Man Man), Mattias Schultz (Enon/Holy Fuck), Andrew W.K., Alan Licht, Brian Chippendale (Lightning Bolt/Black Pus), Ryan Sawyer (Stars Like Fleas), Chris Moore (Negative Approach), Jason Kourkounis (Bardo Bond/Hot Snakes), and many others.
The event was put on by Vice Records. If you want to check out video, pictures, and find out more information about the event, check out the Viva Radio website or 77 BOADRUM's MySpace page. As of now, there's no concrete plans for a DVD release, so the screenings may be your only chance to catch the film. Unfortunately, it's only being screened in Japan, currently at Theater N Shibuya for four weeks until August 1 as part of the Punk/HC Film Festival. In keeping with the theme, 77 people will be invited to each screening; the screening lasts 777 minutes and 777 seconds; and the lobby will display 777 photos of the event by Reiji Isoi. There will be an additional screening July 24 in Kyoto.
In other news, if you happen to live in the Kansai/Osaka area and can play drums, the band is looking for a new drummer. For more information, send an email (boretonix@earth.ocn.ne.jp) with your resume and drumming samples (either in video or MP3 format).
[Thanks to Brian Suzuki for helping translate!]
Stars Announce More Tourdates, Recall Television Acting Stints
By Annapocalypse on 07-08-2008
Remember when Torquil Campbell, the singer of Stars, starred in an episode of Sex and the City in 2000? Sure you do! But did you know that the other members of Stars also starred on a few hit shows back in the day? Really! Check out the list below:
- Amy Millan may be a singer/guitarist in Stars today, but back in 1994, she was originally cast as “Monica” on Friends. She backed out after a few episodes, and Courtney Cox was given the role instead.
- Evan Cranley has been playing bass in Stars since their formation in 2000, but two years prior to that he played a prison guard in the finale episode of Seinfeld.
- Chris Seligman helped form Stars with Torquil, and he actually hasn’t acted in any television shows, but rumor has it he used to be a porn director before Stars hit it big.
Aspiring actors/waiters, be sure to ask Stars for their showbiz advice when they play your town:
