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Everything that's happening in Adelaide this fortnight.
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The latest from the music industry.
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Theatre news.
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Dance and electronica news.
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Industry News
SonyBMG Launches New Acts
SonyBMG Music Entertainment Australia (SBMEA) unveiled its latest signings, and plans for its new film and TV production division, at a function last week. The 300 guests included retail and media members and 11 SonyBMG executives from the US, UK and NZ. The major project is an all girl singing act under the working title Girl Band. The act's development, and the recording of its first album, will be the basis of a TV series to be screened early next year on a major network. SonyBMG boss Denis Handlin told this column, "We are also in discussions with a major free to air network in regard to a new format for a series which will have a heavy music involvement as well."
Human Nature got an award for 4 x platinum sales (280,000 units) of their 'Motown Album'. Pete Murray was given a 3 x platinum for 'See The Sun', Rogue Traders for double platinum (140,000 units) for their 'Here Come The Drums' and dance act TV Rock for going to Number One on the ARIA with its debut single Flaunt It.
SonyBMG also launched its other new signings opera-pop singer Kane Alexander, 'Australian Idol' winner Emily Williams, and singer songwriters Kate Miller Heidke and Amy Person.
Handlin announced the Rogue Traders' album will be released in the UK this year by SonyBMG UK. To no one's surprise, singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte has resigned from her role as resident vixen Izzy Hoyland on 'Neighbours' and shoots her last episode on June 2.
SonyBMG Tours
Word from last week's SonyBMG conference is that we could see playing here the Dixie Chicks, Pink, Chris Brown, Matisyahu, Eros Ramazzotti, Teddy Geiger, Pearl Jam, Tony Bennett, The Zutons, Bullet For My Valentine and Julio Iglesias.
Aussies Make Chart History
Aussie acts made history this week on the ARIA chart. Hilltop Hoods's 'The Hard Road' album entered at #1, the first local hip hop act to do so. They're also the 64th Aussie act to top the local charts.
Megadeth's 'Gigantour' Coming
Megadeth's multi-act 'Gigantour' will be visiting Australia and New Zealand, leader Dave Mustaine told Ultimateguitar.com website. Rather than just play, Mustaine hinted that he wants to "collaborate with the entertainment scenes" there. Whatever that means. He also revealed to the website that the reason Megadeth cancelled their second Aussie/NZ tour was a couple of the junkies in the band couldn't score smack in Japan, and hence refused to tour any more.
MMF: Under The Board's Walk
We'd love to have been a fly on the wall at the Music Managers Forum board of directors' meeting in Sydney. Six of the eight resigned, including chairman Peter Bayliss and vice chairman Bill Cullen. Its professional development manager Penny Weber also quit. The two remaining, Nathan Brenner and Anita Donbon will announce a new board in a few weeks, and stress the state seminars will continue.
Travellers Of The Week
One of Jet flew back to Melbourne with one of his production guys and picked up their luggage from the airport carousel and left. Meantime, a guitar case with JET emblazoned on it went around the carousel for 30 minutes before one of 'em ran back to get it.
Piss Weak Clubber Of The Week
Rockhampton clubber Ian Thomas Fuller, 29, was fined $200 for being so shitfaced at Stadium Nightclub that he urinated on the dance floor when the bouncers came up. He is banned for life from the club.
Drug Fiend Of The Week
Doctors at London's St. Georges Medical School are working with a 37-year old who consumed 40,000 e-tabs over nine years. He suffers short term memory, paranoia, hallucinations, depression (obviously now a music journalist!), and muscle rigidity in his neck and jaw that sometimes stops him from opening his mouth. (Well, maybe not...).
Terrorist Of The Week
A 24 year old Muslim gent was singing along to The Clash's London Calling and Led Zeppelin's The Immigrant Song on his way to catch a flight at Durham Tees Valley Airport. The taxi driver, shitting himself over the lyrics (maybe he heard "Valhalla we are coming" as "Allah we are coming"?), reported it to the cops , and the gent was marched out of the plane and quizzed about his music tastes.
Joke Of The Week
As part of an April 1 hoax, Nova put an ad in the Sydney Morning Herald for new breakfast hosts. The deadline was 9 am on Monday. 130 applied, and now have their demo tapes played on air to much mirth making by the real brekkie team Merrick & Rosso.
Lifelines:
Expecting: Alex Lloyd and his manager wife Amelia, a second child in June.
Born: son Jamison Mackenzie Rankine to singer Amity Dry and her manager Phil Rankine.
Born: son, Roland William, to SonyBMG marketing manager John Paterson and wife Hillary Morton.
Split: Eminem and Kim Mathers after remarrying four months ago.
Injured: Ben Lee had mild concussion after being hit on the head by a full beer bottle at a Margaret River (WA) concert.
Jailed: Rapper Black Rob, for six years, for stealing a purse containing $6,000 from a woman in a hotel five years ago.
Jailed: '70s pop star Leif Garrett, for 45 days, failing a drug test while in rehab.
In Court: Ian McCulloch of Echo & The Bunnymen to stand trial for alleged assault on two Glasgow fans last October. He is accused of kicking a toilet door which hit Juliet Sebley, pushing Gary Duncan and swearing at them.
Arrested: Hank William Jr gave himself up over allegations he sexually harassed a waitress.
Died: Mark Gilk, one time drummer with '90s English band The Wonder Stuff, who later managed Reef, A and Hundred Reasons.
Died: US balladeer Gene Pitney, best known for 24 Hours From Tulsa and writing Hello Mary Lou, 65, found dead in his hotel bed in Cardiff midway through a UK tour.
EMI Publishing Signs Freedman
EMI Music Publishing Australia signed Tim Freedman of the Whitlams to a worldwide publishing deal. The agreement covers his complete back catalogue and futures including the new Whitlams' 2-CD set 'Little Cloud' (Black Yak/Warner) which is Top 5 on the ARIA chart.
Death Row Goes Debt Row
Rap-music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight knocked off receivership for LA's Death Row Records by seeking bankruptcy protection for himself. Knight also avoided a criminal contempt citation. Knight claims debts of more than US$100 million. At issue is an unpaid judgment against Knight for $107 million that was awarded to former associate. Lydia Harris claimed she helped start the rap record empire with her former husband, Michael Harris, one time drug dealer serving a 28-year sentence at San Quentin Prison. Michael Harris claims he put up $1.5 million from behind bars to help start Death Row, which Knight has firmly denied. Knight's move to file for bankruptcy has stopped moves by the couple to put Death Row into administration and get their $$$.
Nightclubs, PPCA, Squabble Reignites
The squabble between nightclubs and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia has reignited. The PPCA, which collects royalties for artists and record companies when their music is played in public, wants to lift its copyright fees from 7.26 cents a person to $2.23, over five years. It wants fees to be based on club capacity, not attendance. The clubs say it is a huge hike and will send them broke. The two will battle it out in the Copyright Tribunal in June.
Dorset Exits Slanted/Liberation
Justin Dorset, Slanted/ Liberation National Marketing/ Promotions Manager for close to 3 years has decided to relocate to New York - with fiancˇe, e-marketing exec Anne-Claire Blackburne. Liberation has appointed Georgia Moore as Promotions Manager (Southern Region). She is at georgiam@liberation.com.au
Things We Hear
* Pete Murray and his ex-manager Justin Stanford are back in court to sort out outstanding issues.
* Is the East Coast BluesFest's new home move from Byron Bay closer to Coolangatta in Qld?
* Who is the soon to be announced head of SonyBMG's film/ TV division?
* Sydney based heavy rock columnist Murray Engleheart's book on AC/DC is due out in November.
* Why don't INXS seem to know anything about Nick Egan's plan to direct a biopic on Michael Hutchence.
* Relations between John Farnham and Nine Network are below freezing point after the closing of the Commonwealth Games, when Nine's telecast cut away to ads during part of the Voice's set.
New Company #1: Sanctum Music
A new dance, hip hop and R&B label called Sanctum Music has been set up by Universal producer / songwriter Tony Cvetskovski and UK singer songwriter Kae Goldsmith (of UK R&B band MN8). Sanctum has offices in London and Sydney and at info@sanctummusic.com
New Company #2: Breakin Wreckwordz
After five years of keeping it real in New Zealand, hiphop label Breakin Wreckwordz is soon to launch in Australia with an office in Melbourne. They're also looking for a graphic designer. Contact Brylee Rowell on brylee@breakinwreckwordz.com.au
New Company #3: Soundshifter Music
Soundshifter Music is a new music placement company, focusing on unsigned bands & artists and exploiting their music through TV & film production companies and advertising agencies. If you have a demo-quality recording and not signed to any publishing agreements, send a CD to P.O. Box 9128, South Yarra Vic 3141, along with APRA details of registered songs and contact details. Licensing of all works will be on a non-exclusive basis. Tracks with or without lyrics are welcome. If you have any questions email soundshifter@hotmail.com
Jazz Awards Return To Tinkling Ivories
This year's National Jazz Awards return to its original format, to showcase ten young pianists. It will be the first time piano has been featured since 1999. The Awards featured piano in 1990-92 before organisers decided that opportunities should be shared with other instrumentalists. Entry forms can be requested from 03-5722 1666 or 03-9898 6276 or downloaded from www.wangaratta-jazz.org.au
Monique Lisa Moves
Freelance Sydney publicist, marketing consultant & tour manager Monique Lisa of CBAR Media & PR Pty Ltd has moved offices. Her new phone number is 02 4377 1858. Email is moniquelisa@aapt.net.au
Lior Goes Gold
Sydney based singer songwriter Lior's 'Autumn Flow' has been certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA
Street Leaves dB
dB Magazine Music/Games editor Andrew P Street is leaving Adelaide (and the magazine) to join his wife, who transferred to Sydney a couple of months ago. Street was in the position for some six years and will be missed by many in the local music industry. Applications for the position close on April 13 (see careerone.com.au).
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