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New release from RTFM favorites, Blind Divine

February 12, 2008

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Another new release from Magnatune, Blind Divine’s ‘Music for Unmade Movies, Vol. 1′, is a bit of a departure from your standard record – it’s a melange of 39 tracks, from full songs to ambient soundscapes apropos the title. Paula Catherine Valencia’s moody vocals punctuates this release with a soothing, silky overtone. Buy the ticket, take the ride….

Get Blind Divine’s “Music for Unmade Movies Vol. 1′ on Magnatune.

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Magnatune releases Kirsty Hawkshaw’s ‘The Ice Castle’

February 12, 2008

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Kirsty Hawkshaw, most famous for her work with Delerium, has a new solo record, ‘The Ice Castle’, out now on Magnatune. This is Kirsty’s first release in a very long time, due to issues with her former record labels (and yet another reason we advocate not getting involved unless the deal is good for the artist as well as the label…!).

 Get Kirsty Hawkshaw’s ‘The Ice Castle’ on Magnatune!

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Why aren’t people willing to pay for music?

January 21, 2008

Radiohead had a purchase percentage of about 30%.  Trent Reznor’s production with Saul Williams had about a 20% pay rate.

 Trent Reznor – Why won’t people pay $5?

So, why IS it, exactly, that so few people want to pay for music? If so many go on the assumption that music should be ‘free’, how do they expect musicians to make a living? Yes, some are still doing fine – but they’re mostly major label artists who have built up a reputation over the years. For artist that shun the major labels limitations, who have to do their advertising and promotion (and pay for it directly), how would a new artist be expected to do that if so few actually put a little in the hat for their efforts?

These are the questions that the music industry and musicians face. It’ll be interesting to see where this goes….

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The latest and greatest – Bat for Lashes

December 12, 2007

I stumbled across and ad in Bust magazine recently – something about it just grabbed my attention. I think it was the Shazam-like lightning bolts in the band name. Mental note to self – cool band logo.

Then, a week or so later, someone told me about a band video with BMX bikers wearing huge animal costume heads and directed me to this:

What’s a Girl to Do?

After watching it – I was sold. Bat for Lashes is not to be missed. Check out their site here:

Bat for Lashes

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Pay what you want for the new Radiohead release, ‘In Rainbows’

October 1, 2007

In a very interesting turn of events, Radiohead are offering downloads of their new release, ‘In Rainbows’, on a ‘pay what you want’ model, including the option of getting it for free. Yes, free. This could be the real ‘taste test’ for such a model to be implemented universally – essentially circumventing any piracy issues. With piracy being as rampant as it is and no visible means of preventing it, relying on DRM or other means is practically a useless and costly measure.

Going to a model based on the end-users ability, honesty and willingness to support the artists they like is an idealist approach – but it may be the only one we have left….

Radiohead offers new album, “In Rainbows” for whatever you want to pay (viz Gizmodo)

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Can Rick Rubin save Columbia…and the music industry?

September 4, 2007
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Destination Lounge San Francisco Vol. 2

August 31, 2007

Destination Lounge SF Vol. 2

The follow-up to Virgin records best selling remix CD “Destination Lounge San Francisco Vol. 1″, Volume 2 is another amazing collection of remixes of the Bay Areas finest trip hop, downtemp, nu jazz and chillout artist, including J Boogie, Artemis, Irina Mikhailova and many more. Miguel Migs, DJ F, Rick Preston, Julius Papp and several other remixers have their way with this collection and it’s a no-holds-barred production that will keep you moving until the wee-hours.

Get your copy on Amazon.com.

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Sutro – RE:fected remix CD

August 31, 2007

Sutro  - RE:fected

A blazing hot set of takes on Sutro’s sultry, sexy ‘Affected’ from their debut EP “How Things Transpire” with remixes by Tyler Stone, Chris Lum, DJ F and Honeycut’s Tony Sevener. Feel good grooves that take the groove up a few notches…

Available on:

iTunes

Grab their EP, ‘How Things Transpire’ on:

CD Baby iTunes

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More on the future of web radio…

August 6, 2007

A federal bill that would reset music royalties at a more affordable rate for thousands of internet radio stations is losing steam in the House of Representatives, raising new fears for the future of webcasting.

Webcast Royalty Bill, Negotiations Hit Impasse

and this little gem:

SoundExchange, Caught Lobbying, Says Lobbying Bar Does Not Apply

If you’ll recall, SoundExchange is the company that has their finger in every musicians pie whether they like it or not.

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Lovespirals – upcoming release and podcast info…!

July 17, 2007

Lovespirals

Lovespirals just announced an October 2007 release date for their upcoming release, ‘A Long Way From Home’ with slightly earlier pre-release copies to be available directly from their site at lovespirals.com.

If you haven’t had the chance, check out their podcasts – they’ve got two of them! The first, ‘Chillin’ with Lovespirals’ gives you a behind the scenes look at their production techniques, life in the indie music world and snippets of in-production songs. The Chillcast with Anji Bee is a ‘cosmopolitan blend of Electronica, Jazz, Soul, and World music’ for your listening pleasure.

You can get copies of Lovespirals current release, ‘Free & Easy’ on the following sites:

CD BabyiTuneseMusicLovespirals.com