music biz
Rapidshare preparing launch of music site RapidMusic
Controversial one-click file hoster Rapidshare is apparently working on a music download site. The company recently hired former German TV personality Mola Abedisi as an executive consultant to “coordinate trade show participation and the new section RapidMusic,” according to German business news website New-Business.de. Rapidshare also hopes that Abedisi will help them to establish new cooperations with the entertainment industry.
Continue reading »UK Indies favor three strikes, hope for carrots
The UK-based Association of Independent Music is supporting an initiative that would disconnect repeat infringiers from the Internet, also known as three strikes and you’re out, according to a report from Musicweek.com . The organization, which is made up of UK indie labels, submitted its position as part of the ongoing government consultation about P2P file sharing. Here’s a short quote from the Musicweek article: “We support provision for a range of sanctions which can be invoked proportionately including, with necessary safeguards, the suspension of individual broadband accounts as a last resort against the most persistent offenders.” The consultation has divided the UK’s music industry, with many artists coming out on both sides of the debate.
Continue reading »Hey, @misterdj: App lets DJs post track names to Twitter in real time
Veteran techno DJ and producer Ritchie Hawtin has just released a free OS X application that makes it possible for DJs to automatically post the exact names of all tracks played to their Twitter stream. twitter dj Twitter DJ works as a extension of Traktor , a popular DJ software solution that can be used to mix MP3 files with the help of traditional turn tables or other external devices. Hawtin has been an early champion of Traktor, and his Twitter DJ press release is full of praise about the application: “Having already revolutionised the art of mixing, it could now be about to have a profound effect on the relationship between a DJ and their audience.” Twitter DJ checks every five seconds which tracks Traktor is currently playing.
Continue reading »Indie labels to file sharers: We pay our artists, dammit!
One of the most interesting side effects of the file sharing debate has been that it has shed some light on music industry practices. Courtney Love opened up this debate almost ten years ago when she said that the real pirates aren’t using Napster, but drafting recording contracts. Lilly Allen echoed some of that criticism a few days ago.
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