The creation of iTunes LP was largely the result of major label pressure on Apple, a series of telling leaks has revealed. Music industry contacts claim that the ‘deluxe’ albums were a necessary part of the same deal that also forced variable song pricing in exchange for an all DRM-free catalog. The RIAA member labels, not Apple, wanted to resuscitate album sales and thought the bundle of special features would achieve the goal.
Even before the doors to the Gramercy Theater opened, it was apparent that this show was going to be an entertaining way to start the weekend.
Independent artists who sold their music through imeem’s Snocap music storefronts on MySpace and other sites won’t be paid what’s owed even after MySpace Music’s acquisition of some — but not all — of Imeem, Wired.com has learned.
I’m about to make a fairly simple comparison seem unnecessarily complex, but the situation demands it. So here it goes: Paramore are the new No Doubt. To do this to any other way would be lazy, not to mention a tad bit insulting. But in this case, there is one glaring similarity between both bands: the dynamic, iconic frontwoman who also doubles as the media focal point. In essence, Hayley Williams and Gwen Stefani are covered the same and contextualized the same. Yes, they’re both pretty girls with dye jobs who are showing the guys how it’s done and are… Read more »
There was a point – midway through the writing process of Paramore’s new album – when they almost gave up. Racked by doubts that they had anything left in the tank, struggling to write material that matched the ferocity of their breakout Riot! album and smothered by unspoken tensions that had simmered ever since they nearly split in early 2008, they were treading water in their hometown of Franklin, Tennessee. And with deadlines – not to mention a tour with No Doubt – looming on the horizon, the situation was getting dire. “We went through a lot of heavy stuff… Read more »
There’s a certain serendipity to Paramore’s opening slot on the upcoming and much-anticipated No Doubt return tour. Fans of the latter might remember the video for “Don’t Speak,” where No Doubt’s three male members look daggers at bejeweled frontwoman Gwen Stefani as they’re cropped out of a magazine shoot. A similar thing might have happened over the last two years to Paramore. The young Tennessee pop-punk quintet vaulted into the charts on the strength of such buoyant singles as “Misery Business,” the “Twilight” soundtrack cut “Decode” and their platinum-selling 2007 sophomore album “Riot!” But Paramore’s ochre-haired spitfire singer, 20-year-old Hayley… Read more »
As Rolling Stone first predicted in December 2008, Phish will headline two nights at this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival, with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band also topping the bill. While the two marquee acts don’t really come as a surprise following months of rumors and speculation, the talent underneath the headliners is sure to drop some jaws: The Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Wilco, Snoop Dogg, David Byrne, Al Green, TV on the Radio and many more will be on hand at the Manchester, Tennessee festival on June 11-14th. Tickets go on sale February 7th, and are being… Read more »
If there were any lingering doubts as to which of the three CSIs was the most stunt happy, this next story should erase them: Sources confirm to me exclusively that ubiquitous real-life couple Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz just closed a deal to guest star on CSI: NY. A show spokesperson declined to comment, but I’m told the Wentz’ will not be playing themselves in the episode, which is slated to air on March 18. Rather, they will be playing Bonnie and Clyde wannabes. Question time: Is this cheeky, attention-getting piece of casting a shrewd business decision on the part… Read more »
A foreclosure auction scheduled this week for Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch was canceled after an investment company bought the loan. Colony Capital LLC spokeswoman Caroline Luz said the loan purchase was recently made by Colony and the auction slated for Wednesday was off, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday. In a statement released Sunday by a Jackson spokesman who identified himself as B. Michael, the singer said he was “pleased with recent developments involving Neverland Ranch … that would allow me to focus on the future.” Jackson had gone into default on the $24.5 million he owes on the 2,500-acre… Read more »
Life just got a lot easier for the head of the Recording Academy. Last month, Neil Portnow vowed to stage a full-scale Grammy Awards show with or without support from the striking writers guild. He’ll find it a lot easier to live up to that pledge now that the Writers Guild of America has agreed to let its members work the show on Feb. 10. Portnow called the guild’s decision Monday gratifying, and promised a 50th anniversary show “with an amazing lineup of artists and performances.” With the guild’s board of directors deciding to sign an interim agreement for the… Read more »
