Las Vegas rock band the Killers, in the middle of a world tour to promote their third album, plan to release a live DVD later this year. “We’re working on some ideas for what will be our first DVD,” drummer Ronnie Vannucci said. “We’ve been kind of hounded about it for a while, and haven’t really thought we were due for it yet, but I think it’s time. I think we’re approaching the moment of DVD mass hysteria.” That’s not all the band is currently working on. In addition to tinkering around with songwriting ideas for its next Christmas single,… Read more »
LONDON – One in 10 albums bought in the United States last year was by a British act, figures from the BPI, which represents the British recorded music business, showed yesterday. The rise to 10 percent from 8.5 percent in 2007 was due to a mixture of established bands like Coldplay which released “VivaLa Vida or Death and All His Friends,” and Radiohead with “In Rainbows” and newer acts like Duffy, Leona Lewis and Estelle. There is one caveat, however. British pop stars are gaining a growing share of a rapidly declining U.S. market. U.S. album sales fell 14 percent… Read more »
Season 6 Premiere! A New Beginning
Death Cab for Cutie kicked off its U.S. tour last night with a stop at Philadelphia’s Tower Theater, a converted movie house with acoustics ready-made for frontman Ben Gibbard’s supernaturally clean and earnest whisper. Gibbard, recently engaged to fellow indie icon Zooey Deschanel, took the stage after solid performances from opening acts Cold War Kids and Ra Ra Riot and delivered an intimate solo rendition of “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” to a quiet, seated crowd. The rest of the band emerged and hit their stride with “The New Year,” a cut off of 2003’s “Transatlanticism” that ended… Read more »
The average cellphone customer pays more than $3 per minute, according to a report being issued this week by the Utility Consumers’ Action Network, a San Diego consumer advocacy group. Researchers arrived at the average $3.02-per-minute charge by comparing the average number of minutes charged in more than 700 San Diego consumers’ telecom bills and dividing by the average number of actual minutes used. “We knew it was a myth that wireless costs were going down,” said Michael Shames, UCAN’s executive director. “But we were blown away by the actual costs.” That $3-per-minute figure is skewed by the relatively small… Read more »
Sirius XM Satellite Radio has been working with advisers to prepare for a possible bankruptcy filing in a move that could put pressure on the satellite company EchoStar, which owns a substantial amount of the company’s debt. Sirius has been working with the restructuring expert Joseph A. Bondi of Alvarez & Marsal and the bankruptcy lawyer Mark Thompson of Simpson, Thatcher & Bartlett to help prepare a Chapter 11 filing, people close to the company said. The documents and analysis are close to being completed and a filing could come within days, according to a person familiar with the matter.… Read more »
Early this morning Warner Music reported it’s last quarter’s earnings to Wall Street. There was little good news in the report accpet perhaps that the major label group did not do worse then many analysts predicted. Total revenue of $878M decreased 11% from the prior-year quarter Digital revenue hit $171M (19% of total revenue) up 2% from the immediately previous quarter and up 20% from $142 million in the prior-year quarter Operating income from continuing operations declined 34% to $41M compared to $62M in the prior-year quarter Operating income before depreciation and amortization from continuing operations fell 17% to $107M.… Read more »
Throughout the week, we’ve been posting segments of our interview with Mark Hoppus. In part one, he spoke about reconnecting with his estranged bandmate, Tom DeLonge, and the possibilities of a full-blown Blink-182 reunion. In part two, he revealed plans for a solo album and said his other band, +44, is pretty much finished. And while Hoppus has done most of the talking, we’ve also been hearing plenty from you too. Seems you’ve had plenty to say – not just about a reunited Blink, but about the end of +44 and the prospects of a Hoppus solo album. So we’ve… 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 »
