The World Trade Organization’s top arbitrators upheld a ruling that China is illegally restricting imports of U.S. music, films and books, and Washington pushed forward with a new case accusing China of manipulating the prices for key ingredients in steel and aluminum production.
Universal Music Group’s distribution arm is teaming up with digital track distributor TuneCore, a move it says will give it a leg up in signing up-and-coming artists without a recording deal yet. TuneCore, which allows musicians to upload digital songs for distribution on iTunes and Amazon.com for a flat annual fee, has become one of several ways for unsigned acts to sell songs before getting deals with record labels. Several big TuneCore sellers have gone on to sign deals with labels recently, including NeverShoutNever! to Warner Bros. Records and Drake to Universal’s Young Money label. “This gives our labels… Read more »
In early 1984, when Epic Records executives presented their slate of upcoming releases at the convention in Hawaii of parent company CBS Records they couldn’t resist playing up the success they were experiencing. So between the pitches for new albums, Epic inserted stock footage of semi trucks and a voice-over that thunderously announced, “There goes another load of Michael Jackson’s Thriller albums!” Trucks weren’t really leaving the warehouse every few minutes, but Thriller was still shattering expectations more than a year after its November 30, 1982, release. Epic was selling more than 1 million copies per month in the United… Read more »
Boy wizard Harry Potter is back in cinemas later this month with the sixth installment of the movie franchise, and another box office bonanza looks assured for the Warner Bros studio. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” hits screens on July 15, promising high-speed action, dark and dangerous battles with the forces of evil, budding romance at Hogwarts school for wizards and the expected death of a prominent character. The wait has been a long one for Potter fans around the world who have followed the fate of Harry and his friends through the seven best-selling books by British author… Read more »
Despite frequent lineup changes, there is one common thread between each Taking Back Sunday song. “If at the end we’re all red-faced and sweaty,” bassist Matt Rubino says, describing the band’s energetic live shows, “then you know it’s a Taking Back Sunday song.” The group’s aptly titled album New Again, due June 2 from Warner Bros, heralds a move toward a more grown-up modern-rock sound, with catchier choruses and beefier guitars. Guitarist Matthew Fazzi replaces Fred Mascherino. Producer David Kahne says his goal was to capture the “power and scope” of the band’s live show and to “make sure all… Read more »
DETROIT – It seems that Metallica will be a two-bassist band at Saturday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland. A day after former bassist Jason Newsted told Billboard.com that his replacement, Robert Trujillo would not take part in the performance part of the induction, a spokesman for the group’s Warner Bros. label clarified that “Jason and Robert will both be playing Metallica’s induction songs.” He did not indicate what the songs would be or if Newsted and Trujillo would be on stage together or separately. Metallica is flying in from Paris, where the group plays Wednesday… Read more »
Punk band Rancid will release its first album in six years on June 2, two days before it begins a North American tour with Rise Against in Vancouver, B.C. “Let the Dominoes Fall” (Hellcat/Epitaph), the band’s seventh album, was recorded at George Lucas‘ Skywalker Sound Studio in San Francisco, with production by Epitaph founder and Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Stax organ legend Booker T. Jones plays Hammond B3 on the track “Up To No Good.” Rancid’s last album, 2003’s “Indestructible,” reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200. That album marked the band’s first and last for Warner Bros., though… Read more »
BURBANK, Calif. – Premier pop powerhouse Jack’s Mannequin has confirmed their first worldwide tour of the new year in support of their critically-lauded sophomore Sire/Warner Bros. Records album, “The Glass Passenger.” “One doesn’t have to know McMahon’s back stories or relationship status to relate to his music — and that’s what makes ‘The Glass Passenger’ a fantastic, special album,” Alternative Press Magazine noted. The tour will kick off Down Under in Australia this month before moving across the U.K. and Europe, and will touch down in the U.S. in early April through late May. “The Resolution,” the current single and… Read more »
List of winners at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards Album of the Year: ” Raising Sand” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss ; T Bone Burnett producer; Mike Piersante, engineer/mixer; Gavin Lurssen, mastering engineer (Rounder) Rap Album: ” Tha Carter III” Lil Wayne (Cash Money/Universal Motown) Male Pop Vocal Performance : “Say,” John Mayer ; track from “Continuum” (Columbia) Record of the Year: “Please Read The Letter,” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss; T Bone Burnett, producer; Mike Piersante, engineer/mixer; track from “Raising Sand” (Rounder) New Artist: Adele Rock Album: “Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends,” Coldplay (Capitol) Pop… Read more »
Amanda Ghost has been appointed President, Epic Records, it was announced today by Rob Stringer, Chairman Columbia/Epic Label Group. Ms. Ghost will join the company effective February 16, 2009 and be responsible for overseeing the overall management and creative direction of Epic Records. She will be based in New York and report directly to Mr. Stringer. “I am delighted that Amanda has chosen to bring her creative vision and flair to the Epic label. In the changing environment of the music business record labels undoubtedly need to be complete partners with the artistic community and Amanda will be the perfect… Read more »
