EU Proposal Protects File-Sharers, ACTA May Be Blunted Yet

By Ze Pequeno on

Fellow readers, you may have been horrified by recent news concerning the leaking of ACTA treaty proposals (TMT News), primarily led by the Obama/Biden administration's industry-fueled intentions for a "graduated response" (a.k.a. three-strikes) policy and for ISPs to actively monitor user activity for signs of piracy and force disconnects. But there is some hope: Last week, after an all-night session to reach a compromise, the European Parliament and Council of Ministers reached a unanimous agreement on the EU Telecoms Reform Package, a set of laws to be imposed on the EU for the sake of increasing competition for ISPs and telecoms. The compromise in question, importantly, added protections to internet users, in particular file-sharers.

In legislation crafted by none other than the Swedish Pirate Party's Christian Engström, the compromise did not prohibit the addition of the troubling three-strikes policy, an issue likely held firm due to the ACTA negotiations. However, the agreement did not demand the policy, either. More importantly, the agreement added grounds that would, in the event of such a policy's implementation, protect users from unjust disconnection and forced compensation. Users would be availed the right to privacy, as well as the right to "a fair and impartial judicial review."

This addition of due process and judicial protection was a surprising yet positive victory for the Party, who will have member Amelia Andersdotter joining the European Parliament when the Treaty of Lisbon goes into effect December 1. Most importantly, it marks the first significant strike against the impending ACTA treaty. When the world's nations return to the negotiating table in January, these new laws will be put at stake and may force the Obama/Biden administration to compromise or back down on many of its proposals. The likelihood of compromise is high: The next round of negotiations is taking place in Stockholm, home territory of the Pirate Party.

There is hope for us yet.

RIP: Jerry Fuchs of Maserati, !!!, The Juan Maclean

By Shane Mack on 11-08-2009

From Chunklet (via onethirtybpm):

Getting phone calls at three in the morning on a Saturday night are never a good sign, and the one I got last night is no exception. Fred Weaver called and left a message on my voice mail which I immediately returned to get some of the most grim news of my life.

Jerry Fuchs, drummer extraordinaire, illustrator par excellence, Chunklet contributor and rock solid friend, died last night. I'm still awaiting to get more news, but here's what I know: Jerry was at a party in Brooklyn and fell down an elevator shaft. He was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. Shortly after, he died in the early hours of Sunday, November 8 while an entire waiting room of friends were there for him.

- Jerry Fuchs Wikipedia entry

Calexico Celebrate Dia de los Muertos on Website, Plan to Pelt Fans with Sugar Skulls on Upcoming Tour

By Liz Louche on 11-06-2009

Fun fact about Calexico: you can buy really awesome Dia de los Muertos paper flags on their website! Fact #2: John (of the band) recently composed a film score for Taiwanese filmmaker Peter Chang’s Man with a Movie Camera-esque video portrait of Tokyo, Toyko Is Dreaming, which premiered about a month ago at a film festival in England. Whoa, what’s this? Another fact? YES. Here goes: Calexico is touring very, very soon. For the majority of the dates, the group is being billed simply as founding members Joey and John of Calexico. Life on the road wraps up with a performance as part of seminal LA punk band X’s 2nd Annual Merry X-mas show.

Dates:
11.08.09 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
11.10.09 - Boston, MA - Wilbur Theatre *
11.11.09 - Tarrytown, NY - The Tarrytown Music Hall *
11.12.09 - Portsmouth, NH - The Music Hall *
11.13.09 - Northampton, MA - Calvin Theatre *
11.14.09 - Providence, RI - Lupo’s *
11.15.09 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre *
11.16.09 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre *
12.19.09 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern **

* performing as Joey and John of Calexico

** X

Grooms Embark On Fall Tour In Celebration Of Positive Tiny Mix Tapes Review

By E. Nagurney on 11-06-2009

Here at Tiny Mix Tapes, we got a little thing called influence. You know, that special clout. We’re tastemakers, that’s what we are. Not to brag or nothing, but the world of independent music spins on our collective little finger. Deerhunter would be nothing without us. Evangelista wouldn’t be on their rocket ship ride to the top. And doesn't Magik Markers have a record on the Billboard Top 40? Pretty sure they do. That’s what they call the TMT bump.

The newest recipient of the TMT bump? Brooklyn’s Grooms, that’s who. Ever since the big Mix Tapes gave their debut record Rejoicer (TMT Review) four orbs filled with dreams and magic, they’ve been on the top of the world. And they’re psyched about it, too! So psyched, in fact, that they’re going on a month-and-a-half-long tour to celebrate. A bit of advice, by the way: get your tickets now. Considering the power of the TMT bump, these shows will all almost certainly sell out

11.05.09 - Danbury, CT - Larry's
11.08.09 - Providence, RI - AS220
11.15.09 - Cincinnati, OH - Contemporary Space 13
11.16.09 - Bloomington, IN - Bishop Bar
11.17.09 - Kansas City, KS - Record Bar
11.24.09 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews
11.25.09 - Chicago, IL - Ronny's
11.28.09 - Madison, WI - Project Lodge
11.29.09 - Cleveland, OH - Tower 2012
12.03.09 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Conservatory
12.04.09 - Witchita, KS - Blue Lounge
12.05.09 - Dallas, TX - Handsome Kitten
12.06.09 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk
12.09.09 - Tucson, AZ - TBA
12.10.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Silverlake Lounge
12.11.09 - San Diego, CA - Che Cafe
12.15.09 - San Francisco, CA - Hemlock

[Photo: Julian Gilbert]

Legendary Free Jazz Label ESP-Disk’ Turns 45, Throws Party, Buys a Motorcycle

By Jon Lorenz on 11-06-2009

ESP-Disk', the label responsible for shedding light on such monumental free jazz players as Albert Ayler, Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman, Milford Graves, and Pharoah Sanders -- not to mention weirdo folk bands like The Fugs, The Godz, Holy Modal Rounders, and Pearls Before Swine -- is turning 45 years old. Since 1964, the label has released over 100 records, and its back catalogue is still highly sought after by collectors.

On November 8, ESP-Disk' will be throwing itself a big ol' b-day party at the Bowery Poetry Club in New York. In addition to performances by many of the artists included in its catalogue over the years, ESP will be helping out a great cause by giving 100% of the door money to the Jazz Foundation of America. They'll be using a sliding scale for tickets, from $20 to $100, but of course donations will be accepted for higher than the suggested amount. The event will start at 2 PM with 11 groups playing, including Talibam!, Alan Sondheim, Sonny Simmons Trio, and many more. Check out the full lineup here:

- 2 PM - Mercy

Joe Morris - bass

Charles Downs - drums

Ras Moshe - tenor, alto

Matt LaVelle - trumpet, bass clarinet

- 2:40 PM - Alan Sondheim

Myk Freedman - guitar

Azure Carter - voice

Alan Sondheim - string instruments

- 3:20 PM - Paul Thornton solo

- 4:00 PM - Flow Trio

Louie Belogenis - tenor sax

Joe Morris - bass

Charles Downs - drums

- 4:40 PM - Kali. Z. Fasteau

Nioka Workman - cello

Kali. Z. Fasteau - soprano sax, viola, drums, nai flute, voice, mizmar

- 5:20 PM - Randy Burns solo

- 5:50 PM - Totem>

Bruce Eisenbeil - guitar

Tom Blancarte - bass

Andrew Drury - drums

- 6:30 PM - Juini Booth solo bass

- 7:00 PM - Giuseppi Logan Quartet

Matt LaVelle - trumpet, bass clarinet

François Grillot - bass

Warren Smith - drums

Giuseppi Logan - saxophone

- 7:50 PM - Talibam!

Matthew Mottel - piano, fender rhodes, mini moog

Kevin Shea - drums

- 8:30 PM - Sonny Simmons Trio

Warren Smith - drums

Tom Abbs - bass

Sonny Simmons - saxophone

Help Save Free Music in Good Ol’ Chi-Town

By Kid Midnight on 11-06-2009

One of the best things about Chicago, in addition to the endless hot dog joints, is that you can find so many entertaining and free ways to listen to music. There's a ton of $0.00 block parties during the summer that ALWAYS have bands worth watching. Then, of course, there are the free concerts at Millennium Park, and let's not forget Jazz Fest, Blues Fest, Downtown Sound, Music Without Borders, SummerDance, etc.

But Chicago is in a little financial crisis, just like everyplace in this great, empty-pocketed country of ours. And how does America usually solve its financial problems? By cutting arts and music. However, there is something you can do besides just heading to City Hall and yelling at the endless stream of business-suited government officials. Friends of Chicago Music have set up an online petition that you can sign, with a message to all those government fat cats. Please ensure that my (and, to a lesser extent, your) free-music summer will be entertaining and sign the petition.

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