In more Ping news, Fred Wilson, principal at Union Square Ventures, opines on his blog “A VC: Musings of a VC in NYC” about Apple’s new social network. “In summary, Ping is not very social and it is not really about music,” he writes. “It is about music purchases and celebrities.”
In this multi-part series, record producer Michael Beinhorn blogs about the making of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ seminal 1987 album “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan.” The pain, drugs and amazing music, despite record industry obstacles. In this post, the band crashed an A&R meeting and dances naked!
Well, Ping isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, yet. There are Facebook/Apple problems (you can’t import friends). And, as far as music goes, it’s elitist. Hypebot reports that artist profiles are “invitation only,” which is a smack in the face to DYI and indie artists.
Looks like Google will have its music operations open just in time for the Christmas holiday. Google Music is expected to be a formidable competitor to iTunes with its cloud based download store.
First the Sex Pistols get their own perfume and now the Rolling Stones have their own branded version of Monopoly. It’s all so, how should we say it, rock and roll?
Katy Perry, whose “Teenage Dream” record topped the albums chart this week, also lands at No. 1 on the Ultimate chart with second single of the same name. Meanwhile, Taio Cruz moves down to No. 2 with “Dynamite” and Eminem hangs on to No. 3 with “Love the Way You Lie.”
Digital music entrepreneur and partner at Venrock David Packman responds to U2 manager Paul McGuinness’ oped that piracy is the main reason the massive decline in music sales.
Hits’ editor-in-chief Lenny Beer may not be the most interesting man in the world, but Hits is a partner to The Comet and he does have an impressive track record when it comes to spotting hits and trends before they happen – even if he does say so himself. Here are his 10 things to ponder, digest and worship over Labor Day weekend, including Arcade Fire’s Grammy potential.
For the first half of 2010, Universal Music Group’s revenues fell 5.4% vs. 7.9% the previous year last year. The label group blamed a weak release schedule and that no one wants to buy CDs anymore. Big sellers so far have been Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Eminem and Justin Bieber. UMG is banking on strong sales from Kanye, Akon and Maroon 5 for the second half of the year.
The Comet blogger Marissa Devito contemplates new school vs. old school music releases. Fans want it now. Give it to them!
Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” debuted today at #1 on the albums chart with 194k in sales, while Fantasia’s “Back to Me” landed at #2 with 122k in sales. After topping the chart for six non-consecutive weeks Eminem’s “Recovery” album drops to #3 with just under 100k based on music retailer data reported on HitsDailyDouble.com.
Tim Robbins and the Rogues Gallery Band are set to perform during the 37th Ghent International Film Festival in Belgium. The Oscar-winner’s self-titled debut album will be released in September via PIAS Recordings.
Music executive Scott Austin has tried to crack the code of an industry whose traditional operating platform has all but cemented. Here, the Authentik Artists CEO suggests it may be better to leave it to the “blowhards” to take control and truly affect change for the greater good of us all.
Miranda Lambert leads the CMA award nominations with five nods, followed by The Comet favorite Lady Antebellum! The band picked up four nominations, including vocal group of the year, while Zac Brown Band earned three nominations.
OK Go lead singer Damian Kulash takes on net neutrality and what tech giants can learn from the mistakes the music industry has made. Go Damian!
CMJ has revealed the initial lineup for this year’s Music Marathon, taking place Oct. 19-23 in New York. Among the 27 bands announced are Surfer Blood, Helmet, School of Seven Bells, Ghostface Killah and The Comet favorite, Two Door Cinema Club! Tomorrow is the last day to get the early discount, so register now.
Robby Takac’s new blog for The Comet Robby’s Lobby chronicles the musings of his life as founding member of multi-platiumn band the Goo Goo Dolls, his unconventional label Good Charamel Records, J-Rock, and the state of the music biz.
Music supervisor and The Comet blogger Joel C. High blogs about the New Orleans-based HBO series, “Treme,” which he is working on. In honor of the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, “Treme” gives back with a night of music. The city celebrates New Orleans style! With a big party!
The Opry, which celebrates its 85th year, was displaced from its permanent home after May’s historic Nashville flood. But on Sept 28, country will come home with a star-studded show featuring Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels Band, Diamond Rio, Jimmy Dickens, Del McCoury Band, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Mel Tillis, and Josh Turner.
The party never stops! Tracks by Eminem, Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi, Metallica, Donna Summer and Janet Jackson are getting exclusive remixes by Deadmau5, David Guetta, DJ Qbert, and Tiesto for Activision’s hit game.
