Business
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Legal / Business Are Performance Rights Organizations Harming Live Music?
Posted by Grant Brissey on Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 1:46 PM
[ASCAP, BMI and SESAC's] aggressiveness in getting just about any small venue to pay up fees [is] killing off open mic nights and other sorts of venues that allowed musicians to play live. Mike points us to the news that many venues are simply giving up on live music. The problem? Well, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC are all demanding huge fees. Even the restaurants that don't bring in cover bands are being told they need to pay up, just in case a musician happens to do a cover in the middle of a wholly original set. The licensing organizations don't seem to care, they just want you to pay, just in case.
It seems unlikely that these outfits could find all that much success with this campaign, but their teams of big, scary lawyers surely wield more resources than those of any given small venue. Also, what of DJs, iPods etc.? Do they not require collections from recorded music. Remember those of ASCAP stickers on jukeboxes? Has anyone experienced increased collections requests or other such hassle in Seattle? Let us know in the comments.
h/t: Techdirt
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Bars / Two-Block Radius / News / Business More on the War Room: Owner Marcus Lalario on the Club's Future and Its Final Party
Posted by Eric Grandy on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 11:19 AM
"Basically, November 30th was coming up, and we actually already had plans to rebrand the space," explains Lalario of the plans to shutter the War Room's doors. "It wasn't going to be a nightclub, it was going to be something different. December 1st was the deadline for those god-damned $60,000 sprinkler systems, our liquor license happened to be up, so we just figured, November 30th lets close the thing down."
"Once word leaked to real estate circles and other people, we started getting offers to buy the club, we're open to the idea, and we have a couple guys who have made offers to buy the club as is."
"I've had that space since i was 19, so there's a part of me that is gripping onto it, and a part of me that would love to let it go. I guess we'll see."
Asked if he thinks the odds are good of the club being bought and maintained as is, Lalario says, "If I'm a betting man, I would say so, but the way things are in this world who knows what'll happen.
"Either way, November 29th is our last public party, and everyone who's ever DJ'd or been through is going to come play. And it'll be a McGinn/Holmes fundraiser—thank god for McGinn—to help them cover campaign debts. Even on my last night, I can't make any money."
Club spokesperson Kerri Harrop agrees that chances are “pretty strong” that a buyer will step up to take over the club as is.
The War Room is dead, long live the War Room? More news as this develops.
Bars / News / Business The Official Word on the War Room: Shutting Its Doors, Future Uncertain
Posted by Eric Grandy on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Line Out reported on Monday that the War Room would either be shutting its doors or finding new ownership by the end of the month. Today, the official press release, and this note from the club spokesperson Kerri Harrop:
Hello friends.It is with no joy that I bring you this news. On November 30, the current War Room ownership will shutter its doors. The future of the venue remains to be determined.
On a professional level, I hate to see a good club close down.
On a personal level, my heart is nearly broken. The War Room has been the best clubhouse imaginable, for more than a minute. I celebrated my 40th birthday there. My 38th, too. We’ve ushered in great political change in that room, and said goodbye to dear friends under its roof.
And, we have partied our balls off up in that piece.
Full press release after the jump.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Business / Tip Sonic Boom's New Location Won't Open Until December
Posted by Megan Seling on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Ouch. The post-Thanksgiving shopping week is no time to be closed! Hopefully this is the last of the delays.
In the mean time, you can continue to ease all your Sonic Boom cravings at their Ballard location on Market St.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Bars / Two-Block Radius / News / Gossip / Business Ownership Changes at the War Room? Or...
Posted by Eric Grandy on Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Word on the streets is that War Room owner Marcus Lalario will either be selling the club to new ownership by the end of the month or else closing its doors. More information as we get it.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Business Pierced Arrows Sign to Vice Records
Posted by Eric Grandy on Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Here's what Ari Spool wrote about ex-Dead Mooners Pierced Arrows for the Stranger way back in 2007:
Pierced Arrows are the reincarnation of Dead Moon, and when Fred and Toody Cole put their DIY stanchion to rest and started a new project, the punk-loving masses were biting their fingernails. "Would it be as good?" they murmured. "Would they sell out?" "Would they do something weird, like get a cello?" The answers were yes, no, and no, and everyone rejoiced by getting smashed to high heaven and tossing themselves on top of each other at the Funhouse last time the Arrows came up. Even Eddie Vedder was there. This is sure to be a repeat of a good time.
Might wanna make that "yes, yes, no" now:
Pierced Arrows, the Portland-based trio comprised of legendary members Fred and Toody Cole of the seminal punk band Dead Moon have announced their signing to VICE Records for the release of their sophomore LP Descending Shadows on February 2nd.
Full press release after the jump...
Monday, November 2, 2009
??!! / Business If You Thought Vampire Weekend Were Privileged...
Posted by Eric Grandy on Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Just imagine how rich and connected the scions of Steven Spielberg and Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner must be, and then weep for your future (via Gawker):
(Also, unrelated: VW played out a few new songs over the weekend, and only one of the three, "Run," seems very good from the admittedly low quality videos.)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Album / ??!! / Business Best Buy Butters Up Hudson Mohawke
Posted by Dave Segal on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Turn to page 54 in this week's Stranger. Peruse the Best Buy ad in the upper right corner. Whoa. WTF?
Normally the retail giant spotlights mainstream releases, but this week it includes Hudson Mohawke's glitter-glitch opus Butter CD (the power of a Rihanna recommendation? Or did Warp Records suddenly receive a huge influx of pounds?). I like this bit of ad copy describing HudMo's Polyfolk EP: "hyper melodic drum-and-synth sidewinders." Really honing in on Best Buy's demographic with that sort of talk.
This is all very peculiar... What next—Mike Slott 12s at Wal-Mart?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Business / Teh Internets Google Getting Into the Music Biz?
Posted by Grant Brissey on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 12:36 PM
The nail in the Myspace coffin:
Multiple sources are reporting that Google is on the verge of launching some sort of "music service."The rumors began with a TechCrunch story Tuesday night that claimed Google had spent "the last several weeks securing content" from the major record labels in the run-up to this alleged launch. But other sources say this content-acquisition bit is wide of the mark.
Both Wired.com and CNET News paint the service as more of a vertical search engine, offering links where users can purchase songs from music sites such as Lala and iLike, which was recently acquired by MySpace.
Since Google runs roughshod over competition in every market it enters, I can't see this boding well for Myspace, whose music tools for artists are really the only thing keeping them relevant, at least in terms of revenue generation. Also, "content acquisition" suggests Google will be selling, not just linking to a third party.
h/t: the Register
Thursday, October 15, 2009
News / Business Capitol Hill Sonic Boom Holds Moving Sale
Posted by Dave Segal on Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Sonic Boom Records' Capitol Hill branch is moving its 15th Ave. E. shop to 1525 Melrose Ave. between Pine and Pike Streets in mid November, if all goes according to plan. To lighten its load, Sonic Boom—only the CH store—is putting all of its non-sale items on sale at 20-percent off. The stock includes new and used CDs, LPs, 7-inches, DVDs, toys, accessories, and more. In addition, thousands of CDs are being marked down to $1 (or three for $2). The new location will be twice as large as Sonic Boom's current space.
The sale began yesterday and runs till Oct. 25. Upon hearing this news, Dave Segal and several other hopeless artifact-loving consumers were seen weeping bittersweet tears of joy. With Sonic Boom and Wall of Sound soon to be sitting within about a block from each other, music lovers can experience a convenient array of exceptional choices, as both establishments will complement their respective goods, with only a slight overlap in selections.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Business Starfucker's New Name is Pyramid
Posted by Eric Grandy on Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 11:39 AM
As noted in last week's Up & Coming previews:
I guess it had to happen eventually. Portland electro-rock band Starfucker are changing their name so they can really "make it" in the music world. Fair enough. They've seemed destined for success from the start, and they certainly deserve all they can get for their brand of playful, breezy, and occasionally sinister synth pop. Still, I wish they could keep the profanity. After all, Holy Fuck, Fuck Buttons, the Fucking Champs, Fucked Up, the Fucking Eagles, and of course Fuck have all achieved highly lucrative mainstream breakthroughs, right? Right? In any case, they are soliciting suggestions from fans for their new band name; e-mail them at newnameideas@gmail.com or tell them in person at tonight's show. I wonder if the Fucking Sellouts is taken. JK!
Today, there is this press release:
It's been an exciting year for Portland, OR's favorite breakout band, Starfucker, and today is an exceptional day. Last month, just as the four-piece were poised to set sail on an extensive North American tour, they announced a name change contest that allowed fans to play a pivotal role in re-naming the band. After many votes and infinite good ideas, the guys have chosen PYRAMID as their new moniker. They will perform their last ever show as Starfucker at Portland's venerable Wonder Ballroom on Halloween, so if you have a hankering for infectious beats and a costume contest judged by some of the members of the band, then look no further.In addition to the name change news, PYRAMID are will self-release their debut UK single via their new imprint DDD featuring "Medicine," from 2009's Jupiter EP. "Medicine" will be available exclusively at London's Rough Trade stores as a limited edition, deluxe white vinyl 7"....
For more information on all things PYRAMID, check out the guys' new website here: www.pyramidlovesyou.com
Local band Pyramids is no doubt very excited about the news.
Update: Yes, I know Pyramids changed their name to Love Tan a while ago, because there was already a band by that name—I thought the parallels were funny.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Business What Do You Get the Music Lover Who Has Everything?
Posted by David Schmader on Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Another external hard drive, so all that everything doesn't disappear? An empty iPod, to fill up for you? An apron with "Good for You, You Have Everything" embroidered on it?
Nope: Old hair.
Here is a big wad of Elvis Presley's hair, believed to originate from Presley's pre-Army head-buzz of 1958, which is expected to sell for between $8,000 and $12,000 at auction October 18.
Below that are some wispy bits of Michael Jackson's hair, reportedly recovered from the coat placed over Jackson's head when his hair caught on fire during that Pepsi commercial shoot in 1984, which are expected to sell for around a thousand pounds at auction October 17.
Fun fact: This woman started her journey toward life by being shot out of the penis of the owner of the first wad of hair, and cemented her own fame by accepting the penis of the owner of the second wad of hair into her wifely loins. (Or so she continues to insist.)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Out of Town / Radio / Business KEXP Making Layoffs in NYC Operations
Posted by Eric Grandy on Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 4:16 PM
A Line Out reader forwards a memo sent to KEXP staff and volunteers on Friday by Executive Director Thomas Mara which announces four layoffs to the station's NYC part-time staff due to hard economic times (perhaps you've heard of them!). No layoffs have been announced in Seattle. The memo:
Hello all,
As you know, we are in the midst of hard economic times. It is with difficulty that I write to inform you that the recession has required KEXP to reduce staffing in order to maintain economically stability.
Earlier today, we conducted a lay-off including primarily folks who have been supporting our NYC project: Kevin Helfrick, Fred Rains, Tyson Lynn and Jacob Bennett.
Kevin was working part-time as our primary board operator. Fred, Tyson and Jacob were spending a one or two days a week helping with Mo-Glo and Wake Up. Michele Khazak will continue to work on WNYE and KEXP production.
Let me immediately say that each and every one of these individuals has done a /stellar/ job lifting our NYC broadcasts off the ground and creating some of the most innovative music programming in the country's largest city. The reasons for these reductions are purely economical. The economy simply has not been cooperative enough to sustain the current level of operations in NYC.
I encourage you to reach out to Kevin, Fred, Tyson and Jacob and offer your support. I've directed our HR staff to take steps to support them as much as possible in their transitions.
At this time, we have no plans to perform further layoffs. I believe the changes we have made will keep KEXP sustainable into next year and will position us to continue to make progress in regards to our mission. However, as we operate in this down-turned economy, we must remain agile. I will continue to communicate with you if we face compelling reasons to make further cuts.
In addition, I have directed our leaders to reduce non-staffing expense as much as possible. (I very much appreciate efforts people have already been making to stretch dollars and reduce cash expense these past few months. That has helped quite a bit.) From office supplies to equipment to remote broadcasts to travel, we have done a detailed job scouring our operating budget and identifying ways to reduce expense while upholding our core services.
I very much appreciate the time, energy, and creativity you contribute to our organization. Your fierce support of our mission is enabling us to continue being such a significant part of people's lives.
If you have any thoughts or questions, please feel very free to swing by.
As usual, a pleasure working with you all.
-Tom
Update: A little background: KEXP moved some operations to NYC, partnering with that city's WNYE, in February of last year, at which time divisive morning show host John Richards began splitting his time between Seattle and NYC. Since then, some have speculated that Richards wasn't too happy either there or here.
Update: A correction: the laid-off staff were working on the station's NYC operations but were based out of Seattle. The post has been amended above.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Upcoming / Business Seattle City of Music Fetes Fleet Foxes, Quincy Jones, and KEXP
Posted by Dave Segal on Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Quincy Jones, Fleet Foxes, and KEXP have won some of the highest, most official honors available to those in the local music scene—or who were in it. For that they'll be celebrated Oct. 14 at Showbox at the Market, with performances by Maldives, Pearly Gate Music, Seattle Jazz Repertory Orchestra's big band (homaging Quincy), plus youth entertainers and an after-show set by Tea Cozies. Read all about it in the press release after the cut.
Business I Need An Intern
Posted by Grant Brissey on Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Must be available 10-15 hours a week for a duration of 3 months. Candidates should have an interest in online journalism. Experience with content management systems, basic html, and/or the local music scene is a plus. Interested parties should contact me here. Writing samples are also valued, but fancy, overwritten cover letters are not. Please note that internships consist mainly of exciting tasks like data entry and do not necessarily include writing opportunities, and that you don’t get paid anything.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Business Piracy Is Part of Marketing
Posted by Grant Brissey on Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Regardless of how you might feel about 50 Cent and/or his music, he comes across pretty well in this interview, and he makes some good points about piracy, despite what the RIAA would have you believe. "We can't stop it. If the major record companies could, they would," he says, "I see it as part of the marketing. Even the people who [pirate the music], they end up at the concert."
The music business stuff starts at around 1:20.
h/t: Techdirt
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Legal / Business / RIP Territorial Pissing (on Kurt's Ashes)
Posted by Eric Grandy on Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 3:18 PM
The latest words in the controversy over the use of Kurt Cobain's likeness in the most recent iteration of the Guitar Hero video game franchise:
From Activision:
Activision is responding to queries regarding the usage of Kurt Cobain's likeness in Guitar Hero 5 with the following statement "Guitar Hero secured the necessary licensing rights from the Cobain estate in a written agreement signed by Courtney Love to use Kurt Cobain's likeness as a fully playable character in Guitar Hero® 5."Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, the two surviving members of Nirvana, have no say whatsoever in the usage of Kurt Cobain's likeness.
From Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, who mostly just don't want Cobain's ghost lip-synching along to Bon Jovi:
This is a statement regarding Nirvana, Guitar Hero and the likeness of the late Kurt Cobain.We want people to know that we are dismayed and very disappointed in the way a facsimile of Kurt is used in the Guitar Hero game. The name and likeness of Kurt Cobain are the sole property of his estate - we have no control whatsoever in that area.
While we were aware of Kurt's image being used with two Nirvana songs, we didn't know players have the ability to unlock the character. This feature allows the character to be used with any kind of song the player wants. We urge Activision to do the right thing in "re-locking" Kurt's character so that this won't continue in the future.
It's hard to watch an image of Kurt pantomiming other artists' music alongside cartoon characters. Kurt Cobain wrote songs that hold a lot of meaning to people all over the world. We feel he deserves better.
Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl
And as always, the ever eloquent Love herself:
# nor was going to and my quote on grphl stands, he financed his mothers home and his own with kurts etstae not his "own" money.about 1 hour ago from web# activision know this aos very very bad press indeed wait til you see what MY lovely lawyer has cooked up, i never ever signed off on thisabout 1 hour ago from web
# all sorts of shit, and even then i had no intention of doing his btw we get NO money for this, travesty, Frances gets NO money for the rape.about 1 hour ago from web
Upcoming / Business Baltimore Sleep-Pop Band Beach House Sign to Sub Pop
Posted by Eric Grandy on Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 10:40 AM
From the oracle at Loser HQ:
Sub Pop + Beach House = TRUE LOVE!There is no denying true love. Especially bi-coastal love between us and the Baltimore City based Beach House. The super talented duo, Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand, first fused their respective musical creativity in 2005, releasing their self-titled debut in February of 2006 and the second, Devotion, in August of 2007.
In July the band took a break from touring to head to upstate New York to record with Chris Coady at Dreamland Studios in Woodstock. They spent a solid month in solitude writing and recording in the church-converted-to-studio compound. What they emerged with is their greatest work to date! Beach House’s third album will be released on Sup Pop (and on Bella Union overseas) in early 2010...WE CAN'T WAIT. Based on some of the reactions to previous works that are noted below, we think some other people might be pretty excited about it too.
Beach House never rests and soon will be on tour with Grizzly Bear this fall all over the USA. The band will be unveiling new tracks from their upcoming album at these shows, so please come visit.
Beach House plays Seattle at Neumos on Sunday, September 20th.
Shit Talk / Business Hell Hath No Fury Like an Opening Band Abused
Posted by David Schmader on Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 10:00 AM
From the wilds of the I, Anonymous forums:
Who the fuck do you think you are?
We were super excited to hear that our first ever Showbox Market show was going to be opening up for your band. We knew you drew big crowds and we really wanted to put on the best show possible. We spent weeks preparing by practicing, selling tickets (which we HATE doing), and even spent many hours of many days working on a background video to go along with each song in our short 30 minute set. Not only were you guys total dicks when we introduced ourselves, but then you denied us the use of our background video that we so painstakingly synced with our songs on the basis that your band had a video as well (which was just fucking LAME-ASS stock footage, by the way). Who are you to call the shots on the venue's video gear and creatively stifle another band? Are you afraid of being upstaged by the opening local act? And then you had the fucking nerve to ask us if our merch girl will work YOUR merch booth too. To which we kindly obliged. FUCK YOU. We hope you fucking break up.
Well then.
Friday, September 4, 2009
??!! / Business Another Thing to Do With Those Unwanted CDs
Posted by Dave Segal on Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Construct a building out of the CD cases, like this edifice in Shanghai. It is clearly an architectural marvel.
Monday, August 31, 2009
History / Business Paramount Theater Raising Money to Replace Sign
Posted by Eric Grandy on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Seattle - Seattle Theatre Group (STG) announced today a fundraising campaign, "Paramount Sign of the Times - Replication, Restoration and Greening," an effort to finance an exact replication of The Paramount vertical sign and restoration of its marquee. The vertical sign replacement will begin October 6, 2009.
Full press release after the jump.
photo by Lori Paulson taken from the Stranger Flickr pool
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Business Post-
Posted by Charles Mudede on Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Displayed at the Wall of Sound:
Friday, August 21, 2009
Merch / Business / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Sir Richard Bishop is Having a Garage Sale
Posted by Eric Grandy on Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Former Sun City Girl Sir Richard Bishop, whom you can read more about here, is having a garage sale this Saturday. Let's get to the goods:
Hey everybody, we're having a big old sale here at Kate's place this Saturday, August 22nd. All kinds of stuff including a lot of musical instruments (tons of guitars, and related items, percussion, amps, ethno instruments) plus a lot of other stuff (see below). In between sales there will be live solo guitar entertainment using the actual guitars that are for sale. If you want the music to stop, just buy the guitars. So tell your friends or co-workers or whoever you all know. Please come by and say hello. It would be nice to see you all.items include:
about 10 guitars (Gypsy, Acoustic, Electric, Lap Steels, Nylon String)
amps
other music equipment - ethnic and otherwise
* supercool original artwork
books
posters
DVDs, CDs, cassettes
stereos
computers + computer equipment
a fair amount of Erotica
* ethnic collectibles (prayer wheels, statues, oddities)
clothes (some vintage)
jewelry
antiques
curiosa
ephemera/vintage postcards
folding bookcases
art supplies
skateboard, snowboard stuff
a mess of 8mm films (Standard 8, not super 8) including daffy duck!+ a bunch more random stuff and all the plums you can eat!
9:00 am - 3:30 pm
(No early birds, gate opens at 9:00, cash only, no pre-sales)location: 4332 8th ave NE seattle 98105
This is in the U-district, just a few doors down from A&C Art Supply (and Petco and the Mac store) on 8th & 45th, just east of the I-5 off-ramp. You will see signs with arrows. Sale is in the BACK yard — follow path through bamboo grove.
Hope to see you then
RB
NO EARLY BIRDS!
Friday, August 14, 2009
On Tour / Business This Could Be a Model
Posted by Grant Brissey on Fri, Aug 14, 2009 at 10:51 AM
The trend towards touring as a revenue base is nothing new, and now the Flaming Lips are taking things one step further, packaging product with the show experience, which is presumably the cause for the somewhat higher ticket prices (either that or Ticketmaster). (info for next Friday's show at Marymoor Park)
Buy a ticket [online], and they'll send you a download code for six songs—three new ones from their upcoming album "Embryonic" (nice album cover!) and three B sides from old singles. After the show, they'll send you another link to download a recording of the show you attended.
They're only giving away three tracks from the album, which will surely flood the P2P networks in the near future anyway, but die-hard fans and album purists won't likely be any more dissuaded from buying the whole thing, and hit seekers would likely rip the few tracks they want anyway. Now they can do it legally, and it's all factored into the ticket price. Sounds like a solid model to me.
Read the Flaming Lips' words about it here.
Via Cnet.com
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Song / Merch / Business Reissue, Repackage, Repackage
Posted by Eric Grandy on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Morrissey, predictably, is none to excited about an upcoming box set of reissued Smiths singles. From credible Moz fansite True to You:
Information regarding boxed sets of Morrissey singles, reissued Smiths CDs and LPs8 August 2009
Morrissey would like it to be known that he has not been consulted by EMI/HMV/Parlophone with regards to two forthcoming boxed sets of Morrissey singles. Morrissey does not approve such releases and would ask people not to bother buying them. Morrissey receives no royalty payments from EMI for any back catalogue, and has not received a royalty from EMI since 1992. Morrissey also does not approve of, and was not consulted on, the Rhino box of Smiths CDs, or the Warner releases of Smiths LPs on 180 gramme vinyl. Morrissey last received a royalty payment from Warners ten years ago, and, once again, he would ask people not to bother buying the reissued LPs or CDs.
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