Author Archives: robert duffy

From Reuters:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Billboard) – The Recording Industry Assn. of America plans to announce an amnesty program this week that will let individual online copyright infringers off the hook if they change their ways, sources say.

The amnesty program would apply only to alleged infringers who have not been sued by the music industry trade group or identified by Internet service providers as a result of the trade group’s subpoena process. Alleged commercial pirates will not receive amnesty.

According to sources, the RIAA will not pursue legal action if infringers delete all unauthorized music files from their computers, destroy all copies (including CD-Rs) and promise not to upload such material in the future. Each infringing household member will have to send a completed, notarized amnesty form to the RIAA, with a copy of a photo ID. Those who renege on their promise will be subject to charges of willful copyright infringement.

The amnesty program will be revealed at about the same time the RIAA is expected to announce the filing of “several hundred” infringement suits.

The RIAA had no comment.

Reuters/Billbord

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HA.

I like this.

In a move that could lower music CD prices across the board, Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music company, will cut the suggested retail price for its top-line CDs to $12.98 from the current $16.98 to $18.98, effective Sept. 29. (full story)

My initial thought is that this is Good News. It’s something a lot of us have been saying for a long time: cut your prices and the people will buy more music. It’s so obvious that it shouldn’t be said, but unfortunately it’s not that easy.

Now I can finally go out and buy 10 copies of that 50 Cent album.

[Thanks, Kiesha!]

Tankboy, our Chicago man with the plan, broke his heart writing this review for us.

The first time I saw Liz Phair I was trying to put the moves on her. I had no idea the young lady I was so pitifully macking on even was Liz Phair until after she politely turned me down and left. And then the bartender wouldn’t stop making fun of me for being such a dork. (full review)

For those keeping score at home, here’s a shortlist of other taken rock stars Tankboy has hit on in his career:

I love how companies throw around the word exclusive like a cheap whore.

While Real Network’s Rhapsody music service still crows about its exclusive distribution deal with the Rolling Stones, Apple’s iTunes Music Store has just added 18 Stones albums to their catalog. As any pregnant, hot 20-year-old Italian model will attest, Infidelity, thy name is Mick Jagger. (full story)

Keep up the good work, Bryce.

This is a really amazing and in-depth interview with The Roots’ ?uestlove. Everything is discussed, no punches are pulled.

The Believer: So you have a theory that black people make better music when Republicans are in office. Explain the theory and how it’s playing out now, in the midst of this regime ? I mean, administration.

Ahmir Thompson: My theory is that nine times out of ten, if there’s a depression, more a social depression than anything, it brings out the best art in black people. The best example is, Reagan and Bush gave us the best years of hiphop. I think had Carter and then Mondale won, or if Jesse [Jackson] were President from ’84 to ’88, hiphop wouldn’t have been the same. Hiphop wouldn’t have existed. I think you would have more black Tom Waitses. Marsalis would be goin double platinum. There would be more black Joni Mitchells. [Gets impish grin.] The Roots would sell ten million. (full interview)

We’re calling this a must read.

[found via rocktober]

I know New York City was sad when 84 Nash played so far away in Los Angeles. “Where is our love, 84 Nash?” NYC said in an AOL instant message.

The love is here, New York. Our good friends 84 Nash are playing the Mercury Lounge tomorrow. They go on a bit early, somewhere between 7:30pm and 8:00pm.

If you get there, be sure to say hello to lead singer Kevin Elliot, and then kick him in the nuts. For whatever reason, he loves that.

Good luck 84 Nash, good luck New York City.

Some of the best bands Columbus and Indianapolis have to offer will be performing at the NEMO Music Conference in Boston this weekend. Time to do your duty:

Friday night in Cambridge:
Mrs Children (Columbus) at the Middle East – 9 PM
Loretta (Indy) at the Lizard Lounge – 10 PM
Miranda Sound (Cbus) at the Lizard Lounge – Midnight

Make it happen. Aerosmith and Evan Dando approved!

Read about it here, pre-order it there.

Yes, things can get worse:

Late this year the company plans to begin auctioning the best seats to concerts through ticketmaster.com.

With no official price ceiling on such tickets, Ticketmaster will be able to compete with brokers and scalpers for the highest price a market will bear.

“The tickets are worth what they’re worth,” said John Pleasants, Ticketmaster’s president and chief executive. “If somebody wants to charge $50 for a ticket, but it’s actually worth $1,000 on eBay, the ticket’s worth $1,000. I think more and more, our clients ? the promoters, the clients in the buildings and the bands themselves ? are saying to themselves, `Maybe that money should be coming to me instead of Bob the Broker.’ ”
(full story)

I go to concerts like people go to the movies: A LOT. But something like this, if initiated for my favorite bands, would be the final nail in the coffin for me and Ticketmaster. I don’t need it. Neither do you. Discuss.

The word:

Bassist Tim Tobias has apparently left Guided By Voices, according to an announcement on the band’s official website. “Guided By Voices would like to announce that Chris Slusarenko (Sprinkler, Svelt, Off Records) will be playing bass on all the upcoming U.S. tour dates and Sam Powers (Superdrag) will be handling bass duties for the upcoming European tour,” reads the announcement, without explaining the cause for Tobias’ departure. Guided By Voices had just announced a slew of fall dates in support of their latest album, Earthquake Glue, last Thursday. By late yesterday afternoon, Tobias’ photo and instrument had both been removed from the “Current Band Line Up” page on the official site and replaced by Slusarenko and Powers’ names. (Pitchfork: Daily Music News)

It’s weird that I’ve lived in Ohio for almost two years now and haven’t seen a GBV show during this time period. The one and only time I saw them was during their “Mag Earwig!” tour in Central Park. Sleater-Kinney opened for them and both bands brought the rock.