RIP: Kate McGarrigle

By Rachel B on Jan 19 2010

Ruh-Roh. Hold on to your back catalogues, boys, cause this ain’t good news. Sources are saying that there have been severe layoffs within Universal Music Group, including 50 employees (a few of which are VPs). No label heads that we know of have been affected. According to a press release sent to The Daily Swarm, “Universal Music Group is continuing to transform our organization to better serve our artists and business partners. Given the current economic climate, we have to be as agile and efficient as possible. Unfortunately, these ongoing efforts have resulted in some redundancy. However, UMG will now be even better positioned to compete in the growing global, digital marketplace.” Never was there a better time for “coughBULLshitcough.” But I digress.

Layoffs affected those at Verve, Interscope, Def Jam, and Motown, as well as Universal Motown Distribution. Ouch. But this is all for the best, right? Let’s hope for all the people still at UMG that Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga will continue to churn out the bankable hits.

By Liz Louche on Jan 19 2010

Yay! The rumored new Swans album/tour which we reported last year is less of a rumor! Details about the legendary post-punk/no wave group’s upcoming new album and “tour(s)” are fairly scant, but the important thing is that THIS SHIT IS ON.

Last week, frontman Michael Gira announced that the band would be reforming on Swans’ MySpace page and posted a new acoustic track, “Jim,” one of several potential songs to be recorded on the new album. In order to raise money for recording costs, Gira is releasing a CD of these potential Swans acoustic tracks that will come with a DVD of two live shows. Entitled I Am Not Insane, the release will be limited to 1,000 copies.

Ordering info and further explanation from Gira can be found here. Just don’t call it a “reunion.”

The new Swans lineup, according to the MySpace post:

• Michael Gira / gtr / voice / mendicant friar act (original Swans)
• Norman Westberg - Guitar (original Swans)
• Christophj Hahn - Guitar (mid period Swans and most Angels of Light)
• Phil Puleo - Drums, percussion, dulcimer etc etc (final Swans tour and
most Angels)
• Chris Pravdica - Bass and gadgets (Flux Information Sciences /
Services / Gunga Din)
• Thor Harris, Drums, percussion, vibes, dulcimer, curios, etc etc…
(Angels, now also with Shearwater)

No word on tourdates yet, but Mr. Gira, if you’re sitting around reading news stories about your band getting back together, just let me ask that you to puuhhlllllllleaaaaaase come to Minneapolis!