Triple J, The King Of The Airwaves
Triple J has become the number one rating station in Perth, for the first time ever, in the latest ratings that pitch ABC’s national youth broadcaster ahead of commercial radio stations in the WA captial such as the Fairfax-owned 96fm and Austereo’s Mix 94.5fm. Triple J secured 13% of the audience share according to the latest Neilsen survey, where ratings peaked at 14.8% in the afternoon slot thanks to Lindsay ‘The Doctor’ McDougall’s drive time show and the Hack current affairs program earning the biggest audience numbers for Triple J. The station’s ratings drew big figures across the board, but as Triple J Manager Chris Scaddan points out: “This is the first time Triple J has been number one overall in any metro market so we’re really grateful to everyone in Perth for supporting what we do… To be number one in such a competitive radio market is exceptional and we don’t take it for granted at all.” (via The Age)
Have Music Downloads Peaked?
An interesting new report shows that following a dip in 2012, digital download sales are likely to increase again in 2013, but won’t hit the apex they reached two years ago. Download sales accounted for 73% of digital revenues in 2011 and fell to 70% last year, according to annual shipments tracked by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Despite track and digital album sales having each grown every year since the RIAA began reporting them in 2004, it appears that they may have hit their peak in 2011. The symptom of a decline in digital profits in the switch to popular music streaming services? or a blip in a larger pattern? (via Billboard)
The Smith Street Band Land International Deal
Following on from the recent “#ampgate” incident, Melbourne’s The Smith Street Band have landed a deal with Asian Man Records to have their albums distributed in the United States and Canada. The band, signed to Poison City Records locally and self-managed, will see their releases Sunshine & Technology, No One Gets Lost Anymore, and their latest EP Don’t Fuck With Our Dreams issued on both CD and vinyl through Asian Man Records, who handles output from Alkaline Trio and Voodoo Glow Skulls. The Smith Street Band’s US and Canada releases will be available in time ahead of their October international tour across the two countries as support for Frank Turner. (via theMusic)
Live Nation Australasia Forms Venture With MixItUp
Following on from partnering with streaming service Rdio, the Australasian arm of the world’s biggest concert promoters, Live Nation, has announced a new joint venture with Mixitup Enterprises, a leading brand entertainment agency. Prior to Michael Coppel joining Live Nation Australasia, his company – Michael Coppel Presents – had a working relationship with Mixitup on projects for V Festival, Daft Punk, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, engineering the deal with the company “who have a well earned reputation for creating and managing highly successful brand partnerships” since their formation in 2006, according to Coppel. (via Mixitup)
Guvera Expands Streaming Library With 7 Million Tracks
Music streaming service Guvera, which offers free models for web and mobile platforms, has added 7 million tracks to its music library, with a large focus on content from indie labels and distributors, including Liberation Music, Valley Arm, Orchard, and INGrooves. The expansion follows a brand new update to their user interface which allows the playlist creation and downloads for offline playback (via MusicFeeds)
Abbe May Joins Alberts
Music publishers Alberts will represent Abbe May’s current album Kiss My Apocalypse, and future works from the singer-songwriter, in all territories. The deal comes off the back of the promiscuous electropop of Kiss My Apocalypse earning the Western Asutralian-bred musician a nod in the longlist for the coveted 9th Australian Music Prize, recognising her bold move from the blues driven guitar rock of 2011’s Design Desire, which was also an AMP Award and AIR Awards nominee. (via Alberts)
Shock Records Expands Roster With Seabellies
Newcastle’s Seabellies have signed with Shock Records for the release of their new single, lifted from their forthcoming album, set for release this year via Shock imprint Permanent Records. Following on from their self-released 2007 EP Wave Your Fingers To Make The Winters and 2010 LP Limbo Lake, Seabellies’ new single ‘It’s Alright’ is the first song from their new album, demonstrating a new direction for the band, as well as new team behind them – including Shock Records, 123 Red Booking and Alberts Publishing. The band is set for a series of headline show, with support from Melbouren’s I, A Man, around the country this September. (via Seabellies)
