The Shins news update
November 28th, 2006
The Shins have been making a little news lately. A little while ago they released Phantom Limb online, their single from their new album Wincing The Night Away, which is set for release on January 23, 2007. Phantom Limb is online for stream from Subpop.
Their album Wincing the Night Away is now up for Pre-order at Subpop. You can also check out their new Wincing t-shirt.
Additionally, The Shins announced a quick new West Coast US tour. Dates are as follow:
- December 7 at the Key Arena Seattle, Washington
- December 8 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, Cali
- December 9 at the RIMAC Arena in La Jolla, Cali
- December 13 at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon
The December 7th date will be the one to watch, as the Shins play in the Deck The Hall Ball with a bunch of other, mostly awesome artists. Sweet.
Technorati Tags: the shins
Rufus Wainwright to have Christmas Show
November 22nd, 2006
Pitchfork Media has a story on Rufus Wainwright and his sister hosting a Christmas show December 13 at Carnegie Hall. Last year Rufus was involved with “The McGarrigle Christmas Hour” a similar Christmas show.
Somehow, I didn’t hear about the McGarrigle show last year, and I’m considering ordering it at Amazon. It sounds like a good Christmas album.
An interesting excerpt from the Pitchfork article is
Will they be wearing ugly Christmas sweaters? “Perhaps. Either that or a loud tie. A tie that you never wear that your aunt gave you.”
I found that amusing, as the thought of Christmas carols and family get together immediately brings up the image of tacky clothing. Anyways..Rufus is planning on organizing an opera for New York’s Metropolitan Opera after this show. Impressive.
AMA American Music Awards Snow Patrol
November 21st, 2006
I know everyone’s been long awaiting this night. The American Music Awards are finally on tonight. Hooray…
Not surprisingly, no artists that I have a real interest in were nominated for any awards. Who’d a thunk it? But there is actually one bright spot in the show tonight: Snow Patrol will be performing Chasing Cars.(YouTube Link) Snow Patrol has made a subtle leap into the mainstream as it’s been featured on Grey’s Anatomy, as well as other shows.
Good for them I suppose… I just thought I’d give people a heads up that Snow Patrol would be performing. Peace.
Technorati Tags: AMA, American Music Awards
Peter Jenner DRM alternative by Music Tax in Europe
November 20th, 2006
Brought to my attention by TechCrunch, in an interview with Peter Jenner (former Pink Floyd manager), the most idiotic DRM alternavtive was given. Peter Jenner thinks a mandatory tax of €4/month in Europe on computers and other music electronic devices is a good alternative to large record labels struggling with DRM. In return for the monthly tax, listeners can then download all the music they want online.
Revenue on market share
This tax would then be distributed among the record labels based on their market share.
Iin theory, it really isn’t too bad. The ability to pay $5/month for all the music I can handle is very tempting. But then when I think about what it would do to the industry, I think buying CDs is a much better alternative.
This system would make labels worry only about market share, thus, not promoting music they may actually like. All labels would promote would be the catchy, generic, mainstream music. Small, independent labels would really suffer. And since I’m all for indie music, this idea sucks.
Along with my support for independent music, I also support freedom. Some people may not like music. That’s fine. But why should the government be allowed to tax computer owners (basically everyone) for music that they don’t like, don’t enjoy, and don’t use? It’s terrible.
Ok, he didn’t actually say that. But Jenner’s propsition is terrible, and I didn’t even get into the economic side of things. We live in a capitalistic society. Who would distribute the music? Would the EU create its own distribution channel? What would happen to iTunes, record stores, and other music distributors? I suppose they would just go out of business…?
Please stop Jenner
So even though Peter Jenner was a successful manager in his day, he should not be getting involved with the new DRM issues that plague the industry today. It may be time for him to keep his ideas of the modern day music industry to himself.
So until a practical DRM alternative is proposed, I suppose we’ll be stuck in the slump we’re in right now. I do think that something needs to change, but what that is, I do not know.
2007 PLUG Award Nominees
November 19th, 2006
If you’re an seasoned indie music fan, you’ve probably heard of the Plug awards. Well, they have announced their 2007 award nominees earlier this week. The Plug awards will be held February 7, 2007 in New York. I am a little bit late reporting the news though, because I wanted to give my audience my vote.
Lots of categories up for awards, but I won’t cover all of them. Here’s part of my ballot.
Album of the Year
Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit (Matador)
New Artist of the Year
Voxtrot
Female Artist of the Year
Neko Case Read the rest of this entry »
Ryan Adams streams eight more albums
November 16th, 2006
Yep, eight new uncut albums by Ryan adams available for stream here from Ryan-Adams.com. That is a lot of new albums you may be thinking, and you are absolutely correct.
I am fond of Ryan Adams’ Love is Hell and Gold, and pretty much the rest of his collection, but I wasn’t too impressed with his new streaming albums. They are uncut, garage band style, which is okay sometimes, but I couldn’t get into Adams’ new releases.
I didn’t listen to all eight albums. Instead, I listened to more like eight songs. I find his produced albums and songs much more appeasing to my senses. Maybe other Ryan Adams fans will be able to find his new released more intriguing. Check em out.