Digital Economy Bill passes in UK with little debate

By Aaron Norman on

Digital Economy Bill passes in UK with little debate

With little debate in the Commons, the UK’s audacious Digital Economy Bill is now an Act of Parliament (law), passed last week during a late-night “wash up” session. The bill is designed to bring fairness to the digital side of business in the UK, with an intent to modernize and regulate digital media. But what does this really mean? Here are some key provisions from the Bill:

• Requires Ofcom [telecommunications regulator] to report on communications infrastructure and media content.
• Imposes obligations on internet service providers to reduce online copyright infringement.
• Allows the Secretary of State to intervene in internet domain name registration.
• Requires Channel Four to provide public service content on a range of media.
• Provides more flexibility over the licensing of Channel 3 and Channel 5 services.
• Modifies the licensing regime to facilitate switchover to digital radio.
• Allows variation of the public service provision in Channel 3 and 5 licenses.
• Provides Ofcom with additional powers in relation to electromagnetic spectrum access.
• Extends the range of video games that are subject to age-related classification.
• Includes non-print formats in the public lending right payment scheme.

Portions of the bill are already being touted as “rushed” and “unenforceable.” The concern is that these provisions outline objectives without providing details about how they’ll be met or enforced. In particular, the two items in bold could have serious ramifications to how people in the UK access digital information and copyrighted material. Worst-case scenarios could allow the government to block websites such as YouTube, Wikileaks, and even Google, all due to the way the Bill adumbrates web sources that have infringed upon copyrights in the past, “intend to” infringe, and finally those that may provide access (e.g., search engines) to copyrighted material.

It seems as though governments and corporations across the globe, including the US and Australia, are tightening their grip on what has for a long time been the Digital Wild West. You can stay up to date on the bill here, while a broader overview can be viewed here. For criticism of the Bill and its passage, check out Electric Roulette and TorrentFreak.

Secret Cities sign to Western Vinyl; meanwhile, Atlantis and the Bermuda Triangle are still playing basement shows

By Annapocalypse on Apr 12 2010

The lost city of Atlantis and the Bermuda Triangle are super pissed. Why? Because while they’re struggling to find gigs playing your cousin’s Bar Mitzvah, their arch rival band, Secret Cities, has gone and gotten themselves signed to Western Vinyl. Hailing from Fargo, North Dakota, Secret Cities are described in a press release as “a cocktail of Spector-esque doe-eyed romanticism” with “electronic flourishes indebted to minimalist composers like Terry Riley and the noisy, art damaged sensibilities of late psych groups like The United States of America.” Their first release on Western Vinyl is Bright Teeth, a double A-side digital single. After that comes their debut album Pink Graffiti in June, followed by a sweet summer of touring.

Bright Teeth tracklisting:

A. Bright Teeth
AA. Pink Graffiti pt. 1

• Secret Cities: http://www.myspace.com/secretcitiesmusic
• Western Vinyl: http://www.westernvinyl.com

Wonder twin powers activate! Murs & 9th Wonder return with ForNever

By Kid Midnight on Apr 12 2010

Reacting quickly to the news about his recently announced Soundset Festival appearance (TMT report), Murs has dropped another truth-nugget on us: He will be re-teaming with producer 9th Wonder for the forthcoming album ForNever on SMC Recordings. The new disc will be the third collaboration for the MC/producer duo.

“When it comes to 9th, I pretty much just let him run the whole show,” Murs says about the collaboration. “That’s why it works with us. I’m one of the few rappers out here secure enough to relinquish some control in the studio. I mean, I’m still a total control freak. I’m just not as bad as the rest of them.”

The album features 10 tracks, including first single, “The Problem Is,” as well as a cover of Common’s classic jam, “I Used To Luv H.E.R.” Also planned are collaborations with Kurupt, Suga Free, Verbs, Sick Jacken, and Uncle Chucc.

If you want to buy ForNever hot off the presses, then make sure you show up at a store tomorrow, April 13.

Tracklisting:

01. ForNever (feat. Kurupt)
02. The Lick (feat. Verbs)
03. Asian Girl (feat. 9thmatic)
04. Let Me Talk (feat. Suga Free)
05. Cigarettes and Liquor
06. Vikki Veil
07. I Used To Love H.E.R. [AGAIN]
08. The Problem Is… (feat. Sick Jacken & Uncle Chucc)
09. West Coast Cinderella
10. Live from Roscoe’s (feat. Kurupt)

And if the album turns out to be good, check out the tour that starts the next day:

04.21.10 - Tucson, AZ - Club Congress
04.22.10 - Visalia, CA - The Cellar Door
04.23.10 - Bakersfield, CA - Fishlips
04.24.10 - Riverside, CA - UC Riverside
04.25.10 - Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones
04.26.10 - San Luis Obispo, CA - Downtown River
04.27.10 - Chico, CA - Cal State Chico
04.28.10 - Reno, NV - Tonic
04.29.10 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
04.30.10 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater (Balcony Bar)
05.01.10 - Olympia, WA - The Royal Lounge
05.04.10 - Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
05.06.10 - Ft. Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre
05.08.10 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre
05.09.10 - Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Music Hall
05.10.10 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room
05.11.10 - Madison, WI - The Annex
05.12.10 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
05.13.10 - Ann Arbor, MI - The Blind Pig
05.16.10 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground

• Murs: http://www.myspace.com/murs
• 9th Wonder: http://www.myspace.com/9thwondermusic
• SMC: http://smcrecordings.com

Supergrass break up after 17 years of being in it for the money

By Mr P on Apr 12 2010

During the writing and recording of The Bends, it was reported that Radiohead’s UK label Parlophone “gave the band a six-month ultimatum,” while their US label Capitol “were withholding their second-album option until they heard promising new material,” according to a 2000 issue of Uncut. Of course, Radiohead went on to record The Bends and have since devoured the entire earth, but in between this brief period of uncertainty, Radiohead managers Chris Hufford and Bryan Edge started looking for new acts, when they found the one, the only Supergrass.

Seventeen years later and six albums later, the Oxford quartet Supergrass have decided to call it quits. In a statement from the band:

Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years. We still love each other but – cliché notwithstanding – musical differences have led to us moving on and of course we all wish each other well in the future.

The band signed to Cooking Vinyl late last year and were expected to release a new album, Release the Drones, in early 2011. The status of the album is unknown, but if “musical differences” is what led to the breakup, then it’s not a stretch to wonder if 2008’s Diamond Hoo Ha will be their last album. Though, I’ll still remember them for their awesome run of I Should Coco (1995), In It for The Money (1997), and their untitled 1999 release.

The band will play some “farewell” gigs in Glasgow, Manchester, and London. Their final gig will be in Paris on June 11.

06.08.10 - Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowlands
06.09.10 - Manchester, England - Academy
06.10.10 - London, England - Brixton Academy
06.11.10 - Paris, France - La Cigalle

• Supergrass: http://www.supergrass.com

The Mary Onettes tour Islands in the US

By Erika H on Apr 12 2010

Do you want to see Joy Division, The Smiths, and New Order? Too bad. Ian Curtis is dead, Morrissey balks at water, and nobody really wants to see Bad Lieutenant.

That’s why it’s good that there are bands like The Mary Onettes, who deliver successful 80s revival synth pop with neither cheese nor tears, despite the constant comparisons with The Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, and the rest of the sad gang from 1980s Great Britain. The Swedish group released their newest album, Islands, on Labrador last winter, and in April they head over to the US for a tour. And what would a tour be without a free download to preface it? Get “Once I Was Pretty” (off Islands) here.

04.19.10 - Philadelphia, PA - Mar Bar
04.20.10 - Washington, DC - DC 9
04.21.10 - New York, NY - Mercury
04.22.10 - Alison, MA - Great Scott
04.23.10 - Columbus, OH - The Summit
04.24.10 - Chicago, IL - Schubas
04.25.10 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern
04.26.10 - Portland, OR - Holocene
04.27.10 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
04.28.10 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
04.29.10 - Los Angeles, CA - Viper Room

• The Mary Onettes: http://www.myspace.com/themaryonettes
• Labrador: http://www.labrador.se

[Photo: Mia Fredin]

of Montreal announce spring tour, Kevin Barnes jump kicks through a horse made of gold, glitter covers everybody

By E. Nagurney on Apr 12 2010

Hey kids, Athens dance-pop institution of Montreal are going on tour this Spring! of Montreal shows are a lot of fun in and of themselves, but you know what would make them even more fun? This handy checklist of things you may (or may not) see at the show!

[ ] A tiger man wrestling a skunk man.
[ ] Kevin Barnes riding a robotic squid.
[ ] CONFETTI.
[ ] of Montreal playing any song made before 2004’s Satanic Panic in the Attic.
[ ] A mini-play involving samurai fighting glam-pirates.
[ ] Nudity and lots of it.
[ ] Breakdancing businessmen.
[x] An opening set from of Montreal member James Husband.

Checked off that last one for you. While I wouldn’t be surprised about any (well, maybe one of them) of the aforementioned happening, James Husband is definitely opening all the shows. Additionally, many dates will feature Atlanta funk outfit Noot D’Noot, who sound exactly like the kind of band you’d expect to open for of Montreal.

Confetti and rainbow soaked of Montreal dates:

05.22.10 - New Orleans, LA - Howlin’ Wolf *&
05.23.10 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk *&
05.24.10 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater *&
05.25.10 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom *&
05.26.10 - Columbia, MO - 9th Street Summerfest (FREE!) *&
05.27.10 - Lexington, KY - Buster’s *&
05.28.10 - Pittsburgh, PA - Ches-A-Rena *&
05.29.10 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts *&
05.30.10 - Durham, CT - B.O.M.B Fest
05.31.10 - Charlottesville, VA - The Jefferson *&
06.01.10 - Richmond, VA - The National *&
06.02.10 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle *&

* James Husband
& Noot D’Noot

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