Kings of A&R

Big industry turnout for indie band Mute Math last night at Avalon (NYC).  In early 2006 the band made headline news when it sued its label, Warner Brothers, for breach of contract when it promoted it as a christian rock band.

Nike shoes has teamed up with Apples iPod. The Nike + iPod Sports Kit will be able to access distance, time, pace and calories burned on the screen of a nano version of the iPod via a sensor inside the shoes that communicates with the digital music player. Apple will also include a Nike Sport Music section on its iTunes music store, the companies said

The partnership was announced in New York during an event attended by Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs, Nike CEO Mark Parker, Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and marathon record-holder Paula Radcliffe. Read the full article here.

 

The 47 year old still can create national press. Press is important for new artists’ and especially ageing artists’. Yes, we are speaking about Madonna. She still uses her old tricks including religious imagery and sexuality as she always seemed obsessed with Jesus Christ. At her recent Los Angeles performance she insulted George Bush, simulated sex and suspended herself from a giant mirrored crucifix, head adorned with a designer crown of thorns.

The war rages on between Record Labels and Satellite Radio, with XM’s new Inno service facing scrutiny. The mini satellite radio player includes a feature that allows subscribers to permanently record up to 50 hours of songs. XM’s Inno is like the TiVo for radio, with the recordings exclusive to the player and not transferable to other mediums as well as no longer available once the subscriber discontinues service. This new service has led record labels to file a federal lawsuit against XM, claiming “massive wholesale infringement,� and asking for $150,000 in damages for every song saved on one of these players. Perhaps these lawsuits will temporarily band-aid the labels’ financial hemorrhage, but it certainly isn’t fixing the problem.

Eric Clapton slammed the music industry claiming that it’s obsessed with Reality TV and Award Shows. Not suprisingly, he is right.

His exact words:

In an interview with The Times, Clapton revealed: “Right now, the power of music sits with Simon Cowell and Coldplay and U2, who are really people who just attend awards shows.

“From just listening I can’t tell the difference between Coldplay and U2. The one in Coldplay (Chris Martin) even dances like Bono.”

Hot Topic that targets goth inspired emo kids have suffered from a deep decline in sales in the first quarter. Why? trends are changing.

According to the LA Times, “The company, which sells apparel and accessories, posted a loss of $1.4 million, or 3 cents a share, in the quarter ended April 29″.

“The retailer has struggled as fashion trends have turned to more preppy styles rather than the rock-music-inspired and gothic designs that Hot Topic carries.”

In their 23 year existence, after releasing 9 studio albums, 9 number one rock singles, selling over 50 million copies worldwide, and being recognized as icons in rock music, The Red Hot Chili Peppers have hit a new milestone in their career selling 442,500 copies of Stadium Arcadium their first week, giving them their first number one album in the US. As the best and most diverse artist coming out of the 1980s Alternative Rock movement in LA, The Red Hot Chili Peppers were the precursor to multiple movements in rock, influencing bands from Korn and Rage Against The Machine to No Doubt and Incubus. With each member of their current line up being considered a master of their craft, The Red Hot Chili Peppers show no signs of slowing down and will surely see more great weeks ahead.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - 442,469
Nick Lachey - 171,657
James Blunt - 70,856
Godsmack - 50,981
Jewel - 43,276
Nickelback - 41,311
Taking Back Sunday - 33,436
Panic! At The Disco - 29,395
Fray - 28,226
Blue October - 18,432
Arctic Monkeys - 7,409
Shinedown - 7,048

 
James Blunt jumped 22% from 58,153 to 70,856, this guy is on the roll. The Red Hots had a great opening week, BUT!….The double disc Stadium Arcadium isn’t as strong as the previous efforts. Regardless, still need to give the RHCP props because they are well..RHCP. Arctic Monkeys continue to plummet. Panic! At The Disco (pictured) jumps from 27k to 29K with a total of 585+.

According to Hits, Richard Branson sold its stake in V2 Records to Morgan Stanley.  Branson, an English entrepreneur best known for Virgin supposedly chose its name because a female friend involved in setting up the initial record label commented “We’re all virgins at business“. Branson who is known for his outlandish media events has signed such groups as The Sex Pistols and Culture Club. Branson is currently working a new space tourism company, Virgin Galactic, which will license the technology behind SpaceShipOne to take passengers into suborbital space.

We hear Branson is working on a compilation called “See You On the Moon”……….

Former Wind-Up artist Alterbridge is currently in negotiations with several majors. Expect a deal to be made rather soon. For more information email Jeff Cameron & Randy Dease. 

Indie critic’s darling  Jeff Klein  is currently working on new demos for his third album, recently free from his One Little Indian recording contract, he’s currently entertaining offers from several labels.  Klein will be on tour in the U.S. in May & June as the support act for The Twilight Singers.  He’s toured with Joseph Arthur, The Honorary Title & People In Planes in 2006. For more information contact Keith Hagan at 212-334-6116.  

KOAR Higher Learning artist My Favorite Highway is heading to NYC and will be performing private showcases for majors. For more information email Dan Friedman