Pandora Buys South Dakota Radio Station In Bid For Lower Fees
Pandora is angry about the royalties it currently pays, arguing that traditional radio and others users of music pay far less than the popular internet radio service. So in a bold move, Pandora have decided to purchase a terrestrial radio station in South Dakota. The left of field purchase by Pandora is just the latest show fired in the quickly escalating war over royalties currently being fought with the nations lawmakers in Washington.
But why would Pandora buy an actual radio station? So that it doesn’t have to fork out as much in royalties reports CNN. In a bizarre loophole, terrestrial radio stations and the Internet properties that own them “were given preferential treatment” through an ASCAP agreement with the Radio Licensing Marketing Committee (RMLC) last year.
Pandora says the acquisition of the radio station in South Dakota will let the company qualify for the lower-fee RMLC license.
In a statement, music rights company ASCAP accused Pandora of “trying every trick in the book to brazenly and unconscionably underpay” rights holders. The group also argued that “Internet and traditional AM/FM radio services are very different businesses with different formats.”
Pandora did acknowledge that the station buy “might seem like an unexpected move,” but the company insists its interests aren’t entirely about royalty fees. “We look forward to broadcasting our personalized experience to the community in Rapid City, an area where over 42,000 residents already use Pandora,” Harrison wrote. “And we will apply Pandora’s insights about listening habits to program music that accurately reflects local listeners’ evolving tastes.”
APES make inroads to the UK – Getting BBC Radio 1 Play
After much Triple J radio love for their stomping debut single “Seven” Melbourne act APES are the latest Australian act to rattle cages in the UK scene!
Last week their new single “Helluva Time” turned the head (and ears) of more than one announcer at UK radio super-power BBC Radio 1, when influential dj Zane Lowe aired the track alongside songs from hallowed and fellow Aussies Empire Of The Sun and The Middle East…but, as they say in the classics, wait, there’s more…
As of this week Phil Taggart and Alice Levine, who have the same Radio 1 time slot as the late (and legendary) John Peel, have chosen “Helluva Time” as their ‘Record of the Week’!! Praise indeed!
Fortitude Valley set to host live theatre and street music
Talks are underway for a new live theatre venue in Fortitude Valley, with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk unveiling Brisbane City Council’s $4 million vision for the new-look Fortitude Valley mall.
As part of the redevelopment, the council is currently holding talks to consider a live performance venue at the St Paul’s Terrace end of Fortitude Valley. Specifically the council is looking to create a venue that could seat between 1000 to 1500, and would be suitable for both live music and theatre.
John Cotter, from Fortitude Valley’s Economic Development Board has also unveiled a new project that would see new music and performance videos from unsigned, or recently-signed acts, streamed from retail ‘‘pods’’ in the new Fortitude Valley mall. According to the Brisbane Times, the board are discussing the concept with Brisbane cafe owner, music producer and entrepreneur Paul Gordon, who records new artists at his Fortitude Valley shopfront, Race Cafe.
VIVID 2013 Sees Record Crowds
According to preliminary estimates more than 800,000 people attended Vivid Sydney 2013 says NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade & Investment Andrew Stoner. Visitors flocked to the biggest Vivid Sydney ever, which included the largest Vivid Light Walk expanding into North Sydney with the lighting of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Darling Harbour showcasing Australia’s first spectacular water show performances.
Of particular success was the music component of the arts festival. 2013 saw the music program expand into new venues, with the centrepiece, Vivid LIVE selling more than 40,000 tickets at the Sydney Opera House.
Mr Stoner chalked up the record crowds to extensive media coverage and a concert campaign to reach out to interstate and international visitors, report Travel Blackboard.
“Vivid also reached audiences in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide through extensive media coverage. I am confident Vivid Sydney will have delivered this year well in excess of the estimated $10 million in economic impact,” Mr Stoner said.
“Vivid has huge appeal and has been successful in attracting visitors not only from this State and across Australia – where domestic travel packages were up 8% – but also internationally, with over 11,000 travel packages sold, including 7,200 from China.”
White Night Melbourne Seeking New General Manager
White Night Melbourne was first staged in 2013 to wide acclaim. This unique all night event transformed Melbourne into a wonderland of sound, spectacular illuminations and images where art and culture ruled the night. 350,000+ people flocked to the city’s center to participate in Australia’s first White Night, where 300 artists across 40 locations entertained crowds from 7pm to 7am.
Building on the success of the first White Night Melbourne it’s now time to consolidate and plan the event for 2014 and beyond. To do that, we are looking to build a robust management team to realise the event. As General Manager you will be a key contributor to project.
The new General Manager / Project Manager (COO) is responsible for leading and managing departmental managers. The COO is responsible for the management of finance and budget and providing leadership to the project team. You are required to work with the Creative Director to realize the vision of White Night Melbourne and maintain effective relationships with external constituency groups – including community, governmental, and private organizations – and ensure all program activities operate consistently and ethically within the mission and values of White Night Melbourne.
If this sounds like you, you can find out more information on the White Night Melbourne website.
James Young Loves Drunk Mums
Drunk Mums have officially secured the Management services of James Young and Cherry Rock Pty Ltd in Melbourne.
Drunk Mums are formerly from Cairns, Queensland, but headed south down the Newell Highway bringing their 70s-influenced Aussie Pub Rock with-a-twist to their new home in Melbourne. They have dirty hair, clean faces and pristine tunes. Their debut 5-track EP ‘Eventual Ghost’ and debut LP showcased a band with trippy guitars, three singer-songwriters and a tambourine player who is more like an unpredictable art installation than a musician.
Young owns and books the Cherry Bar and drives his Music Marketing company Cherry Rock. “I promised myself I’d never manage another band. No money in it. Babysitting precocious c*nts. F*ck that. Then I saw Drunk Mums at Big Sound in Brisbane last year. They are the most exciting, twisted art rock band I’ve seen since Eddie Current Suppression Ring. They got under my skin and like a leech they’ve sucked my blood ever since. I can’t shake them. F*ck it, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. I’m up for the trip with these guys, and with Drunk Mums you know it’s gonna be some kinda wild-arsed trip that’s for sure. So yes, I now manage Drunk Mums. Look out!”
