Rdio Signs Streaming Deal With Live Nation
Music streaming service Rdio has inked a deal that will see it supply songs to the website of the world’s largest concert promoter, Live Nation Entertainment. The new agreement will see Rdio gaining massive exposure through the promoter’s website where consumers purchasing tickets from LiveNation.com will be able to register for Rdio directly while unregistered users will be able to access 30-second samples, confirms the service’s Chief Executive Officer Drew Larner in a recent interview. A launch date has yet to be confirmed for the Rdio integration, but the deal will see Rdio sponsoring Live Nation events, starting with Sasquatch, Faster Horses, and Watershed festivals. “A streaming service like Rdio and live concerts can be a virtuous circle,” said Larner. “This is part of a multiprong strategy to raise awareness.” (via Bloomberg)
Greens Propose Copyright Changes To Amend Aussie Music Prices
The Greens Australian Party member Scott Ludlam has put forward a proposed bill this week that aims to amend outdated Australian copyright laws which includes revisions that would also prevent Aussie consumers from paying higher prices for music and digital software in a fair use model. The Copyright Legislation Amendment (Fair Go for Fair Use) Bill 2013 proposes that Australia’s 2006 copyright laws are “out of date, inflexible, unnecessarily complex, imbalanced and virtually blind” to technological innovations. The Bill proposes a reform that “would shift Australian law to the US model,” making for more flexible copyright agreements on music and digital goods that are responsive to emerging technology. (via scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au)
QMF 2013 Emerging Artist Grant Applications Close Today
The Queenscliff Music Festival is heading into its 17th year this November and is once again offering funding of up to $10,000 in the QMF Emerging Artist Grant. Applications are now open for 2013, providing a major financial leg up for budding artists and bands. Previous 2012 winners Tom Milek of Sleep Decade has been working with producers Whitley (aka Lawrence Greenwood) and Colin Leadbetter (Whitley, Willow, Dirt Farmer, The Go Set) to record his own solo album, while co-winner Alister Turrill has used the funds to tour and play music festivals. The QMF Grant is open to any artists who are in their early career and based on artistic merit and potential for sustainability beyond the funding period with no age limit. Applications for the 2013 Queenscliff Music Festival Emerging Artist Grant are open at www.qmf.net.au/emerging-artist-grant Applications will close at 5pm today (Wednesday July 31) (via QMF)
Hulu And Vdio Lodge Australian Trademarks
Popular American video streaming services Hulu and Vdio (the video streaming offshoot of Rdio) have both lodged applications for registered trademarks in Australia. Hulu’s applications include a Class 9 trademark, to allow “streaming or downloadable audio-visual content” in range of fields, including music and music videos, while Vdio’s lodgings include a Class 42 for “providing a website allowing users to download music and audiovisual materials; providing temporary use of online non-downloadable software that enables users to play and program music.” (via Gizmodo)
Australian Institute of Music Opens New Melbourne Campus
The Australian Institute of Music (AIM) has set up a new campus in Melbourne, located at 120 King Street in the CBD. AIM provides opportunities for students to get a foot in the door of the music and entertainment industry in a series of education and career programs. The campus features a range of productions studios, rehearsal spaces, private tuition, and a campus full of industry staff on hand. Applications are now open for the first intake in 28 January 2014, and for the first year AIM will be offering a Diploma and Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Performance and Composition & Music Production and a Bachelor of Entertainment Management. (via AIM)
Bloods Sign To Shock Records
Sydney garage-punk-pop trio Bloods have signed with indie label Shock Records, inking a deal for the release of their forthcoming EP Golden Fang, out Friday 16th August. The EP was produced by Liam Judson (Cloud Control, The Laurels) and follows on from Bloods series of singles. Shock will distribute Golden Fang, which also sees the band heading out on a national tour in support of their forthcoming release.
Bird’s Robe Records Expands Roster With Teal
The Sydney based progressive and alternative rock label Bird’s Robe Records has signed Sydney band Teal in the wake of the group completing their debut EP Hearth, produced by Lucius Borich (Cog, Floating Me, The Nerve). “I’m stoked to be welcoming Teal into the Bird’s Robe family. They’re already so well liked by so many BRR bands that it seems like a natural fit,” said Bird’s Robe Collective Director Mike Solo. Teal join a roster that includes sleepmakeswaves, The Red Paintings, and 65daysofstatic. Teal are heading out on a national tour in support of their forthcoming EP release.
