News:
· Puff 'n' Stuff
Everything that's happenin in Adelaide this fortnight.
· Industry
The latest from the music industry.
· Puffio
Theatre news.
· Dance
Dance and electronica news.
· Metal
Updates from the wide world of metal.
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Industry.
Shock Scores At MIDEM
Following our item re last week's major deals at MIDEM by Australian indies comes news from the Shock camp. They've signed label licensing deals for UK indie Rough Trade for all their new releases (sans The Strokes) and Wall Of Sound, taken over distribution of Roots Manuva from Inertia, and renewed deal with Sweden's Burning Heart Records for another four years. Their new Australian label partners Vicious Vinyl and Vinyl Pusher Records shared the Shock stand. After a fierce bidding war, their dance track Star2Fall by Cabin Crew was signed to Ministry of Sound for rest of the world.
Rolling (Out) The J
Triple J marks its 30th year on air by rolling
out the J Award for best Australian album of the year. It will
be selected by a panel of J staffers led by music director Richard
Kingsmill. Winner is presented the first week of December, at
the end of Ausmusic Month.
Jet, Doc To Caribbean
Two Aussie acts have been enjoying the sunshine in the
Caribbean. Jet were writing in Barbados and start recording
in LA this month. Doc Neeson and his band are working with US
producer Terry Manning at the legendary Compass Point Studios
in Nassau. Local resident, actor Sean "the best Bond" Connery
dropped in to hang.
Axl Greased
Axl Rose's new multimillion dollar
publishing deal with Sanctuary Group (represented here by Mushroom)
has stirred up two ex-Guns N'Roses members, Slash and Duff McKagan.
Both filed suit against Rose last year over who controls the
rights to the GNR songs. The singer's publishing deal includes
his forthcoming songs and the GNR catalogue which includes Sweet
Child O'Mine and November Rain. McKagan's lawyer
says Rose, Slash and McKagan are part of a partnership, that
his lad was not given a copy of the new deal, and accuses Axl
of trying to transfer copyright interests in songs which "are
not owned by Mr. Rose". Sanctuary Group CEO Merck Mercuriadis
also manages GNR.
Mushroom Inks
Mushroom Music Publishing signed songwriting and production
team Paul Wiltshire and Victoria Vu. Wiltshire wrote and produced
Delta Goodrem, Backstreet Boys, Vanessa Amorosi, Tina Arena,
and Human Nature. Vu was singer with Culture Shock in the mid-90s
before writing for Backstreet Boys, Robert Mills and Tammin
Sursok.
Idol's Worship
With Glenn Wheatley dropping out of
being third judge for Ten's Australian Idol, the rumour mill
has narrowed the list to radio yapper Kyle Sandilands and the
ex-manager of a US superstar.
More Live Music
The SA government's move to get rid of 3,000 poker machines
through the state to try and cut down on the gambling problem,
will be a boon for live music. The first cull of the pokies
will see an initial 2100 go by July. Obviously many publicans
will counterbalance this by bringing more live acts in. Some
like the Eagle On The Hill Hotel has already got rid of their
24 pokies and are courting bands.
Own Your Own Orchestra!
Be the first on your block to own
an orchestra - the assets of the Queensland Pops Orchestra.
Expressions of interest to Christopher Ohlrich on (02) 9236
9962 or christopherohlrich@unwired.com.au
Shannon Back
Vinnie Shannon returns to work on Triple M Adelaide only
this week. He's been busy with his new son Jacob.
Diva Problems
Diva tantrums saw TV stations pull
the plug on one music-interview show before it went to air,
and look at the continued involvement of a singer in another.
Scooting
Things get nicked from hotel car parks all the time.
But Damien Kelly, owner of the Prince Albert Hotel, is heartbroken
after his red Coopers scooter vanished. He'd used it as his
"wedding car" when he married Jo three months ago. The thing
is unique: it's the only one in SA with whitewall wheels and
gold rims. Just return it, no questions.
Contestant Of The Week
21 year old Sydney bartender Patrick
Darrig couldn't attend the Sydney try-outs for INXS's new singer.
So he flew all the way to the Toronto auditions!
Clubber Of The Week
Dude from Darwin, very tired and emotional, drove home
on just his wheel rims. Motorists alarmed by his weaving all
over - not to mention the sparks coming from the wheels! - alerted
cops who found him easily by following the gouge marks left
on the road by the rims.
Lee Tour In May
With Gamble Everything For Love
putting him back in the charts, look out for news of a national
tour by Ben Lee in May. His album 'Awake Is The New Sleep' is
out on Inertia Recordings through Lee's own label Ten Fingers
on February 28.
How Much Is That Kazaa In The Window?
Sydney-based Sharman Networks paid 600,000 euros (US$750,000)
to buy the Kazaa file sharing network from its Dutch creators
Kazaa BV (Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis) in January 2002.
Federal Court judge Murray Wilcox released the previously confidential
contract against Sharman's protests, saying privilege only extended
to current business transactions. The price does not include
the Kazaa Media Desktop P2P application, heart of the current
stoush with record companies. The sale document does not reveal
who owns Sharman: it is incorporated in Vanuatu, its directors
listed as Global Nominees Ltd and Credit Facilities. Final submissions
in the case are due March 22.
Even When I'm Sleeping
Having trouble going off to sleep?
Research done in Taiwan found that slow music - around 60 to
80 beats per minute - such as jazz, folk or orchestral pieces
does the trick. It causes lower heart and breathing rate, leading
to more restful sleep, and less dysfunction during the day.
Lifelines
Born: daughter for Eric Clapton, 59, and wife Melia McEnery.
Dating: Nelly and Ashanti's affair is now public knowledge.
Engaged: Red Hot Chilis' bassist Flea and model Frankie Rayder.
Arrested: Rapper Master P and his brother Silkk The Shocker, possession of a gun after being pulled over for traffic violation.
Jailed: Dancehall star Sizzla sentenced to 15 days for swearing during a Christmas Day show in Jamaica.
Charged: Former Libertine, Pete Doherty, with assault and blackmail relating to film director Max Carlish (who is making a doco on his new band Babyshambles) for allegedly selling photos of Doherty on heroin, to newspapers. Doherty wanted some of the money.
Died: Celtic musician Martin Bennett, 33, from cancer. He mixed Celtic with techno on solo albums as Grit, Hardland and Glen Lyon as well as his band Cuillin.
Died: Eric Griffiths of pre-Beatles band The Quarrymen, 64. He left to join the merchant navy as George Harrison joined.
MMF Expands Category
The Music Managers Forum has expanded
its membership category for self managed artists, to allow an
entire band to attend MMF sessions for $142.50 per year. With
one member signed up as a Class B member at $82.50, the rest
of the band can sign up for $60 per band or $25 each member.
For enquiries, contact Penny Weber at penny@immf.net or on 02
9310 4268
Hit Factory Closes
One of rock's legendary studios, the Hit Factory on New
York's 54th Street, will close in a month. Its facilities will
move to Miami, to the old Criteria Studios which its owners
bought in 1999. As recording budgets cut, larger studios have
to shrink or close. John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen,
U2 and Paul Simon recorded there.
Young Aussie Grants
The Foundation for Young Australians
has a number of grants open now for young people. Full details
on www.youngaustralians.org or call (03) 9670 5436. Applications
close 9th March.
Falls Fell?
The second Falls Festival Tasmania drew an extra 5,000
people but it seems to have led to a slight cooling off between
Falls organisers and the Sorrell Council. Mayor Carmel Torenius
told the Mercury they were "disappointed" and felt "let down"
over some health and safety issues. Falls co-promoter Naomi
Daly said next year's will be smoother, and that a meeting would
be held this month to review the festival.
Olivia Harrison In Australia
Olivia Harrison, widow of ex-Beatle
George, is in Sydney and Melbourne from February 28 to March
4 for a promotional tour for Genesis Publications . She's here
for the launch of the book 'A Celebration Of The Life Of George
Harrison' and world launch of the 'Concert For George' limited
edition book. The major Sydney event is a gala dinner at the
Variety Club on March 4.
A Win For GC Nightclubs?
Nightclubs in Surfers Paradise are heartened by a new
report commissioned by the Premier's Department, that the public
blames the police and city council for making the area unsafe,
and not the clubs. The 336-page study interviewed 3800 people,
and found they attribute a rise in crime to "a low level of
human surveillance ... large amounts of rubbish, inadequate
lighting and a tolerance of highly intoxicated patrons in public,
the enticement of street vendors and poor street entertainment."
Nightclubs demand that the 3 am lockout law, which they say
is not working and sending some of them broke, be scrapped.
Tsunami Updates
Cold Chisel has joined the Melbourne
International Music Festival benefit at Myer Music Bowl (Feb
27), the Melbourne hip hop community holds a "Dig Deep" Friday
11th February at the Prince of Wales, Sting's sold out concert
at the Leeuwin Estate in WA this Thursday will raise $3 million,
Cape Live will be held on on the weekend, the Turning Back The
Tide fundraiser at the Springvale Town Hall raised $27,000,
Adelaide's ethnic radio stations raised $60k, the banding together
of chain and indie cinemas to donate proceeds from screenings
on Sunday January 23 took $440,000 and Hills For Hope in Sydney
got $60,000.
The Chase Ends
The printed version of satirical magazine 'The Chaser'
will stop being published after six years but will continue
on the Internet.
Wanna Promote Jam?
Sydney based Jam is looking for a
young, experienced tour/event promoter following the departure
of Andy Rigby. You need extensive knowledge and passion for
the club scene and electronic music. Contact Jane English on
jane@jammusic.com.au
Wanna Manage CAAMA?
Alice Springs-based CAAMA Radio needs a station manager.
More info on the gig from www.caama.com.au or call Jennifer
Howard on 8951 9701 or email corp.services@caama.com.au Written
applications and resume due by February 15 to PO Box 2608, Alice
Springs NT 0871 or faxed on (08) 8951 9717.
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