Page 2378 – That Eric Alper

OMD Announces “Souvenir 2022” Greatest Hits North American Tour

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jun 14, 2021

OMD Announces “Souvenir 2022” Greatest Hits North American Tour

Today, OMD announces the “40 Years Greatest Hits” 2022 Tour. In addition, the band will be performing the “You Me & OMD” livestream on June 19th. All proceeds from the livestream will be split between OMD’s touring crew who have not had any work since February 2020.

Today’s announcement comes as part of another exciting instalment of the band’s 40th anniversary celebrations which first saw the reissue of their first four classic albums on 180g vinyl, mastered at half speed by Miles Showell at Abbey Road and housed in their original iconic die cut sleeves designed by the legendary Peter Saville.

“Electronic music is our language,” Andy McCluskey says. “It’s how we talk.”

“We’re at our best when we’re in a room together, working,” Paul Humphreys adds. “That’s when the sparks and ideas happen. It’s the same now as it ever was.”

The band were formed in 1978 by teenage friends Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys. They quickly became electro-pioneers with a string of hit albums released throughout the 1980’s, eventually selling over 25 million singles and 15 million albums across their career to date, establishing them as electronic synthesiser pioneers and one of Britain’s best-loved pop groups.

In 2018, OMD also played two acclaimed concerts at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in October. Both shows sold out and featured orchestral arrangements of many of OMD’s biggest hits, with The Times’ four-star review describing the arrangements as “working perfectly with the orchestra and demonstrating how uncompromising OMD have been“. It also went on to say that the band “rejected every rock’n’roll cliché going and made the Philharmonic Hall seem like their spiritual home.” The shows coincided with the anniversary of OMD’s first-ever gig which took place at legendary Liverpool club Eric’s in October 1978.

The celebrations also spawned a must-read special 40th anniversary book which tells the story of OMD from the garage beginnings right through to the latest sell-out tours. Featuring memories from band members, other musical artists that they have influenced, famous admirers and loyal fans.

OMD 40 YEARS – GREATEST HITS 2022 North American Tour

4/22 – Orlando, FL – Plaza Live
4/23 – St Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
4/24 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
4/26 – Washington DC – Lincoln Theatre
4/27 – Glenside, PA, Keswick Theatre
4/29 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
4/30 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
5/1 – Boston, MA – House Of Blues
5/3 – Toronto, On – History
5/4 – Royal Oak, MA – Royal Oak Music Theatre
5/6 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
5/7 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
5/8 – Kansas City, MO – The Truman
5/10 – Dallas, TX – TBD
5/11 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
5/12 – Austin, TX – ACL Live @ The Moody Theater
5/15 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
5/16 – Salt Lake City, UT – Union Events Center
5/20 – Vancouver, BC – Malkin Bowl
5/21 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theater
5/22 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
5/24 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
5/25 – El Cajon, CA – Magnolia
5/26 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre

Country Artist Myranda Christi Gives a “Pure” Reminder with New Single

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jun 12, 2021

0

Country Artist Myranda Christi Gives a “Pure” Reminder with New Single

It’s by “Pure” coincidence that Myranda Christi found this the perfect song to kick off her career as a recording artist…

The Bowden, Alberta-based songbird, who managed to make her way to becoming a close-contestant for her country’s version of Idol, says she knew “Pure” — available now — was the track to make her debut.

“The first time I got to read the lyrics to ‘Pure’, it spoke to my heart in so many ways,” Christi reveals. “I knew at once that it was the perfect song for me to start my career with.

“The kind of love this song talks about is one so many people not only have, want, or need, but also deserve.”

A delicate, piano-based adult contemporary tune, the song finds its niche in unabashedly revelling in the beauty of simplicity. Christi strips back to a near whisper, before cascading in rushing crescendo. Her powerhouse talent reigns through, showcasing her innate vocal prowess.

“Practicing the song was an amazing experience,” Christi recalls. “Using the rough track to get a feel for the rhythm was so much fun!

“I was so excited to give this song the emotion and attention it deserved. Given the current Global COVID-19 Pandemic, I knew this song is exactly what the world needed right now. So, I went into the studio to record it for the first time ever.

“The studio experience was one I have experienced before, but never to this quality. It was amazing, and I never wanted to leave. The recording experience was one that I will never be able to replicate again and one I will always look back on in the most amazing way possible.”

Penned by veteran songwriters J.C. Veaudry, Jacqueline Burke and Corey Lee Barker, “Pure” is a tranquilizing reminder of how love can be real, and really felt through song and lyric.

‘Pure as the song the bluebirds sing – Pure as the water from a mountain spring,’ speaks the chorus, Christi’s impressive and eloquent vocals inviting the listener to remember love in its rawest form. ‘Our love – must have been written in the stars,’ she sings.

Currently signed to MC1 Nashville/Brandy Records Canada, Christi has enjoyed a slew of early success in her career; from radio musicals to a three-song cover album she recorded in Red Deer, Alberta. Her start on the stage began when she performed in a variety of singing competitions, from Kiwanis Music Festivals to Alberta Provincials in 2007.

After years of teaching vox to students, Christi steps onto the stage and accepts the spotlight for herself; a deserving shine for an artist intent on making her mark on the music scene.

Now on the horizon of a promising, and exciting tenure as a solo artist, expect much to come from Myranda Christi. The girl with the big dreams, the big voice, and the song dripping with “Pure” happiness.

Linus Entertainment and Popguru Sound & Vision Announce Global License Deal

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jun 12, 2021

0

Linus Entertainment and Popguru Sound & Vision Announce Global License Deal

Linus Entertainment Inc. and Popguru Sound & Vision Ltd. announce today that they have signed a global exclusive licensing deal that will see future and back catalogue Popguru releases being marketed and distributed by Linus, that includes music from both The Confidence Emperors and Popguru label imprints. The new pact enables Popguru to now bring Linus’ marketing team and global reach to its artists. The first release under this new arrangement will be the John Orpheus album Saga King. Earlier this year, Penguin Random House launched his book of memoirs entitled Saga Boy under his real name of Antonio Michael Downing. There will be new albums to follow from The Wilderness of Manitoba and Martha and the Muffins.

Linus president Geoff Kulawick says, “It’s a real honour to be able to work with Graham Stairs again, he has repeatedly proven his A&R and record production skills, and his ability to personally connect with artists across many genres makes Popguru an ideal label partner for us.”

Popguru president Graham Stairs says, “I have known Geoff Kulawick since our early days in the music business when I signed Rheostatics to Intrepid Records and Geoff signed them to Warner-Chappell for publishing. That was one interesting ride! Then, I was doing A&R and International at True North Records when Geoff bought the company. He has built a great group of companies and I look forward to working with Geoff and his team on upcoming Popguru and The Confidence Emperors releases.”

Linus Entertainment is a leading global independent music company comprising distribution, publishing, concert promotion and artist marketing through its labels True North Records (Bruce Cockburn | Buffy Sainte-Marie), Stony Plain Records (Ronnie Earl | Sue Foley | Colin James) Linus Entertainment (Jane Bunnett & Maqueque | David Clayton-Thomas), Spring Hill Media (Golana | The Mozart Effect) and The Children’s Group (Classical Kids | Fred Penner).

Founded in 1998, Popguru Sound & Vision is a fully integrated, Toronto-based music company whose core business consists of two record label imprints, artist and producer management, music publishing and licensing music for film, television and other media. Popguru has a diversified roster of artists that includes Grand Analog, Odario, Martha and the Muffins, John Orpheus and The Wilderness of Manitoba, among others.

Prior to starting Popguru, founder Graham Stairs’ background was in A&R and International for Intrepid Records, Latitude Records, EMI Music Canada and True North Records. The strength of the company is its artists and repertoire. Popguru subscribes to the philosophy of building long-term careers for its artists and songwriters. The company’s mandate is to develop Canadian artists and repertoire for the domestic and international marketplaces.

Get “High” on Jordana of Earth’s Stunning New Electro-Pop R&B Single

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jun 12, 2021

0

Get “High” on Jordana of Earth’s Stunning New Electro-Pop R&B Single

Breathy. Sultry. A fusion of electro-pop with notes of R&B. Canadian singer/songwriter Jordana of Earth is back with her latest offering, an intimate love letter simply titled, “High” — available now.

Her delicate vocals float like silk between the melodies, dripping with passion and eroticism in a vein not unlike Childish Gambino’s “Redbone” mingled with the edginess of The Weeknd — a near-notable nod to the indelible Toni Braxton. With “High,” the Toronto-based artist takes calculated risks with the track, tying off intricate beats with smart lyrics and a dream-like vox that transcends the listener into a sphere caught somewhere between being in love, and making it.

“I talk about being in my head, and this lover’s ability to pull me out of it, even if it’s just in a brief moment of intimacy,” Jordana of Earth explains. “It’s honestly a pretty personal song — I talk about darkness, about the trials of life having knocked me off track, and a sort of disassociation I sometimes feel from people and the world around me because of that. Getting caught up in my head, in my own world, disconnecting from things.”

She says the song describes this moment of intimacy being that one thing that brings her back to her true self. “(This is) allowing me to be present and alive in that moment,” she reveals. “It’s about getting me ‘High’ off the vibe of this person, and how that’s not some purely emotional or magical, or mysterious thing that’s at play, but rather something real and significant. Like there’s something about who this person actually is, and their depth, and their ability to be so real and so present, that is sort of helping me deal with my apparent tendency to disconnect from people and from situations.”

Produced by Toronto’s Caleb Elias G — who also helmed production on previous offerings “Tell Me” and “Ringer” — “High” joins the ranks of JoE’s 100,000+ streams and 10+ other stunning singles released since 2020.

Masterfully, Jordana of Earth has released the subsequent music video for the track — a captivating black and white snapshot to the artist whimsically surrendering to her lover’s hold on her. Its simple, one-shot storyboard frames a space and place in time — our protagonist spending a few fleeting moments to revel in the experience of love.

“It walks the line between disconnect and intimacy, and the lyrics are sort of navigating that space,” JoE says. “The main line of the chorus, ‘you get me so high’ is playing off the idea of being high, as something that’s chemical or of an altered state, but rather I’m talking about something that’s really quite the opposite. Something real and unaltered and just pure.”

Become entranced with Jordana of Earth, as she invites you to lean into desire by using the magic of melody, the imagery of intimacy, and the hypnosis of being high off love, loving, and being loved. It’s a trip you’ll want to take again, and again.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Songs And Music From The Motion Picture “She’s The One” Turns 25

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jun 12, 2021

0

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Songs And Music From The Motion Picture “She’s The One” Turns 25

In honor of the 25^th anniversary of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ 1996 album Songs and Music from the Motion Picture “She’s The One,” and to continue the celebration of the prolific Wildflowers era of Tom’s career, the Petty family and Warner Records are unveiling a remixed, remastered and reimagined version of the album: Angel Dream (Songs and Music from the Motion Picture “She’s The One”). The reissue will be released on limited-edition cobalt blue vinyl on June 12 (Record Store Day), with the CD, digital and black vinyl release following on July 2.

Of the forthcoming release, Tom’s wife Dana Petty remarks, “These songs are extremely special to me. It was the beginning of our journey together. I am grateful this record is getting the recognition it deserves. The remix Ryan Ulyate did sounds amazing, and the unreleased gems are a lovely bonus. We took a lot of time finding artwork that reflects the mood of the album. I think we finally achieved that with Alia Penner’s work. It is surreal and beautiful, just like life during that time.”

Ryan Ulyate, Tom’s longtime engineer and co-producer, remixed the audio for the reissue, and the song selection was designed to work as a Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers album rather than a film soundtrack. Four unreleased tracks have been added—“One of Life’s Little Mysteries” (written by Tom), “Thirteen Days” (JJ Cale cover), “105 Degrees” (another Tom original), and “French Disconnection” (an instrumental in the same vein as the instrumentals on the original album). An extended version of “Supernatural Radio” is also included.

The original 1996 album included several songs that were left off of the final Wildflowers track list but were recently featured in 2020’s critically lauded Wildflowers & All The Rest collection. The new title is a nod to the opening track on the album, with an official video forthcoming. Angel Dream (Songs and Music from the Motion Picture “She’s The One”) will replace the existing physical versions of the soundtrack, although the original release will remain on DSPs in addition to the new album.

Angel Dream (Songs and Music from the Motion Picture “She’s The One”) is available for pre-order now.

ANGEL DREAM (SONGS AND MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE “SHE’S THE ONE”)

SIDE 1:

Angel Dream (No. 2)
Grew Up Fast
Change The Locks
Zero From Outer Space
Asshole

SIDE 2:

One of Life’s Little Mysteries
Walls (No. 3)
Thirteen Days
105 Degrees
Climb That Hill
Supernatural Radio (Extended Version)
French Disconnection

Judas Priest Announce Rescheduled 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jun 12, 2021

0

Judas Priest Announce Rescheduled 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour

One of heavy metal’s all-time greats, Judas Priest, will finally get the opportunity to celebrate their 50^th anniversary this year with the launch of a North American tour this fall. The 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour will also feature Sabaton as openers and is being fueled by the highest charting album of Priest’s career, ‘Firepower,’ which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200.

Produced by Live Nation, the North American tour – which will run throughout September (kicking off on September 8^th in Reading, PA) and November (concluding on November 5^th in Hamilton, Ontario), will feature a variety of special effects, which will undoubtedly enhance the might of Priest’s metal.

Tickets for the newly announced dates will go on sale beginning this Friday, June 11^th at 10am local time at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets for the previously announced tour dates are available now.

Judas Priest originally formed in 1970 in Birmingham, England (an area that many feel birthed heavy metal). The original nucleus of musicians would go on to change the face of heavy metal. Throughout the 70’s Priest were responsible for helping trail blaze metal with such classic offerings as ‘Sad Wings of Destiny’ (1976) ‘Sin After Sin’ (1977) and ‘Hell Bent for Leather’ (1978) as well as one of the genre’s top live recordings ‘Unleashed in the East’ (1979) among others.

It was during the 80’s that Priest conquered the world, becoming a global arena headliner on the strength of such all-time classics as ‘British Steel’ (1980) and ‘Screaming for Vengeance’ (1982), as well as being one of the first metal bands to be embraced by the then-burgeoning MTV, plus performing at some of the decades biggest concerts (1980’s Monsters of Rock, 1983’s US Festival, and 1985’s Live Aid) and being the first to exclusively wear leather and studs – a look that began during this era and would eventually be embraced by metal heads throughout the world. Priest’s success continued throughout the 90’s and beyond with the addition of drummer Scott Travis, as evidenced by such additional stellar offerings as ‘Painkiller’ (1990) ‘Angel of Retribution’ (2005) and ‘A Touch of Evil: Live’ (2009) the latter of which saw Priest win a Grammy Award for a killer rendition of the classic ‘Dissident Aggressor’

In 2011 new guitarist Richie Faulkner came in to replace the previous guitarist who had left in 2010 – the move seemed to have reinvigorated the band, as evidenced by a show-stealing performance on the ‘American Idol’ TV program that also served as Faulkner’s debut performance with the band (also in 2011 was the release of a new compilation ‘The Chosen Few’ which included Priest classics selected by some of metal’s biggest names) and the ‘Epitaph’ concert DVD in 2013.

Priest’s next studio effort would arrive in 2014 ‘Redeemer of Souls’ which was supported by another strong tour. In 2017 (and again in 2019) Judas Priest received a nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and got ready to unleash their latest studio album ‘Firepower’ (produced by Andy Sneap and Tom Allom) which received global success and critical acclaim. In 2020, a fully official and authorized photographic book, ‘Judas Priest: 50 Heavy Metal Years,’ was issued.

Few rock or metal acts remain as much of a must-see live attraction as Judas Priest. Having been forced off the road for over a year, Priest will soon make a most-welcomed return to metalheads coast to coast, with the 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour.

CONFIRMED TOUR DATES:

9/8/2021 Reading PA                           Santander Arena*
9/9/2021 Virginia Beach VA                   Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater*+
9/11/2021 Orlando FL                            Central Florida Fairgrounds^#
9/13/2021 Charlotte NC                         PNC Music Pavilion
9/14/2021 Raleigh NC                           Red Hat Amphitheater*
9/16/2021 Grand Rapids MI                   Van Andel Arena*
9/17/2021 Youngstown OH                    Covelli Centre^
9/19/2021 Detroit MI                              Fox Theatre*
9/20/2021 Rosemont IL                         Rosemont Theatre*
9/22/2021 Milwaukee WI                        Miller High Life Theatre^
9/23/2021 Minneapolis MN                    The Armory*
9/25/2021 Maryland Heights MO            Saint Louis Music Park
9/26/2021 Louisville KY                         Louder Than Life Festival^#
9/29/2021 Denver CO                            The Mission Ballroom^
9/30/2021 West Valley City UT               Maverik Center*
10/2/2021 Everett WA                           Angel Of The Winds Arena*
10/3/2021 Portland OR                          Moda Center*
10/5/2021 Oakland CA                          Fox Theater^
10/6/2021 Los Angeles CA                    Microsoft Theater^
10/8/2021 Las Vegas NV                       Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood
10/9/2021 Phoenix AZ                           Arizona Federal Theatre
10/12/2021 San Antonio TX                   Freeman Coliseum^
10/13/2021 Cedar Park TX                    HEB Center Cedar Park^
10/15/2021 Irving TX                             The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
10/16/2021 Oklahoma City OK               The Zoo Amphitheatre^
10/19/2021 Independence MO               Cable Dahmer Arena*
10/21/2021 Nashville TN                        Nashville Municipal Auditorium*
10/22/2021 Alpharetta GA                      Ameris Bank Amphitheatre*
10/24/2021 Charleston WV                    Charleston Civic Center Coliseum*
10/25/2021 Philadelphia PA                   The Met*
10/27/2021 Newark NJ                          Prudential Center*
10/28/2021 Oxon Hill MD                       The Theater at MGM National Harbor
10/30/2021 Mashantucket CT                Foxwoods Resort Casino – Grand Theater^
10/31/2021 Lowell MA                           Tsongas Center At UMass Lowell*
11/2/2021 Halifax NS                             Scotiabank Centre*
11/4/2021 Laval QC                              Place Bell*
11/5/2021 Hamilton ON                         FirstOntario Centre*

* new show

^ not a Live Nation event

# festival date

+ Sabaton not support on this date; support is TBD

Eagles Add “Hotel California” Concerts To 2021 Tour

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jun 12, 2021

0

Eagles Add “Hotel California” Concerts To 2021 Tour

The EAGLES – Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, with Deacon Frey and Vince Gill – have added six “Hotel California” concerts to its 2021 tour in Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., produced by Live Nation.

Sunday, August 22 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

Tuesday, August 24 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

Friday, August 27 Boston, MA TD Garden

Saturday, August 28 Boston, MA TD Garden

Tuesday, August 31 Washington, D.C. Capital One Arena

Wednesday, September 1 Washington, D.C. Capital One Arena

Each night’s concert will feature a “Hotel California” set accompanied by an orchestra and choir followed by an additional set of the band’s greatest hits. The shows are scheduled to begin at 8 PM, with a brief intermission. Tickets go on sale beginning Friday, June 18, at 10 AM via Ticketmaster.com. All times are local. A full listing of tour dates can be found below.

Hotel California is the third best-selling U.S. album in history, certified 26-times Platinum by the RIAA. After its release in 1976, it topped the charts and won two GRAMMY Awards for “New Kid in Town” and “Hotel California.” Several of the songs from the album have never been performed since the original “Hotel California” tour. The band’s Their Greatest Hits 1971-1977 is the best-selling U.S. album in history, with the RIAA certifying the collection at 38-times Platinum.

In today’s faddish, fractured, rock landscape, the Eagles retain an appeal that transcends both generation and genre, cementing the band’s role as enduring musical icons. As the best-selling American band of the ’70s, and one of the top-selling acts of all time, the Eagles have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, scored six #1 albums and topped the singles charts five times. They have won six GRAMMY Awards, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, in their first year of eligibility, and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2016.

Check Eagles.com for complete tour information.

Hotel California 2021 Tour Dates

Newly added dates on sale June 18:

Sunday, August 22 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

Tuesday, August 24 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

Friday, August 27 Boston, MA TD Garden

Friday, August 28 Boston, MA TD Garden

Tuesday, August 31 Washington, D.C. Capital One Arena

Wed., September 1 Washington, D.C. Capital One Arena

On Sale Now:

Thu, Sep 16, 2021 Denver, CO Ball Arena

Sat, Sep 18, 2021 Denver, CO Ball Arena

Tue, Sep 21, 2021 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center

Fri, Sep 24, 2021 Phoenix, AZ Phoenix Suns Arena

Sat, Sep 25, 2021 Phoenix, AZ Phoenix Suns Arena

Fri, Oct 1, 2021 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center

Sat, Oct 2, 2021 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center

Fri, Oct 15, 2021 Los Angeles, CA Forum

Sat, Oct 16, 2021 Los Angeles, CA Forum

Tue, Oct 19, 2021 Los Angeles, CA Forum

Fri, Oct 22, 2021 San Francisco, CA Chase Center

Sat, Oct 23, 2021 San Francisco, CA Chase Center

Fans flocking to UK independent labels’ music across streaming and physical formats

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jun 12, 2021

0

Fans flocking to UK independent labels’ music across streaming and physical formats

More than a quarter of all music consumed in the UK in 2020 was by artists from the independent music community, the BPI and AIM reported today. Between them, record label associations AIM and the BPI represent the spectrum of recorded music rightsholder businesses in the UK.

In addition, the data, which is drawn from the BPI’s yearbook All About The Music 2021 and based on Official Charts Company data, shows that:

• UK independent labels’ share of music consumption across streaming and physical formats combined, as measured by Album Equivalent Sales (AES)1, rose for a third successive year in 2020 to reach just under 26%;
• Independent music businesses’ share of Streaming Equivalent Albums (SEAs) has grown over each of the past five years and is off to a strong start in 2021; and
• Independent music traditionally ‘punches above its weight’ in physical formats and remains a driving force in helping to achieve chart impact – a key factor in the success of independent labels in recent years.

This trend has continued into 2021 following the Q1 success of artists such as Mogwai (Rock Action Records), You Me At Six (AWAL) and Architects (Epitaph Records) achieving No.1 albums in the Official Albums Chart.

Historically predominantly made up of labels, the independent sector’s growing market share now includes an increasing number of creative entrepreneurs, from DIY (Do-It-Yourself) and self-releasing artists to record labels and other release partners. This year, AIM launched a new, free Associate Tier of membership for anyone going through an AIM Distributor Member, which will ensure access to knowledge and opportunities for representation across this increasingly diverse sector, while BPI introduced a Membership Inclusion Programme aimed at removing barriers to entry to the music industry for small labels and music companies run by individuals from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented categories.

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI & The BRIT Awards, said: “The Independent community lies at the heart of our vibrant music scene, consistently innovating to make the UK a dynamic and competitive incubator of diverse new talent. Indie labels and their artists are harnessing the global reach of streaming, introducing new models for artist/label partnerships, and are playing a key role in the revival of vinyl and resilience of CD. They help to ensure the music industry is teeming with creativity, and that fans and artists have more choice than ever.”

Paul Pacifico, CEO of AIM, said: “Independent music businesses are the home of innovation and experimentation in the UK music industry. Our community of creative entrepreneurs keeps music moving forwards. As streaming offers consumers ever more opportunity to discover and enjoy diverse and eclectic music, it is no wonder that independent market share continues to grow, even in the face of industry consolidation.”

Independents excelling across physical releases

While independent labels and their artists perform strongly on streaming services, they have played a particularly influential role in the resurgence of physical formats, with independents’ highest format share in 2020 coming on vinyl LP (35%). In the first three months of 2021 this rose still further as independent artists claimed nearly four in every 10 vinyl LPs purchased by the UK music-buying public (39.8%). Top-selling independent artists in 2020 included Kylie (Disco), Arctic Monkeys (Live At Royal Albert Hall), IDLES (Ultra Mono), Fontaines D.C. (A Hero’s Death), and Gerry Cinnamon (The Bonny). Over 250 independent titles sold over 1,000 copies on vinyl.

Independent labels and their artists also performed well on CD, claiming close to 30% of all sales of the format in 2020, rising to 32.5% in Q1 this year.

Jeff Bell, Partisan Records, said: “Being independent is about culture and community. Both of these ideas tend to start outside (or at best, on the fringes of) what is commercially viable in the traditional sense, so genuinely adding value to artists takes time, agility, and a partnership in the truest sense of the word. As the landscape keeps evolving at the pace it is, the demand for, and success of these flexible approaches will only continue to grow.”

Strong independent performance on streaming services

Independent labels and artists accounted for a quarter (24.5%) of Streaming Equivalent Albums in 2020, their highest share yet, and got off to a very positive start of 25.8% in the first quarter of the new year. Independently-released tracks by artists such as AJ Tracey, Trevor Daniel and Endor were among the 100 most-played songs on audio streaming services in the UK in 2020, with independent artists such as Central Cee, KSI, BTS and Tom Zanetti placed in the top 100 for the year to date.

Independent labels enjoy Official Albums Charts success

Reflecting the highly competitive dynamic of the UK music industry, independent labels claimed four No.1 albums in the Official Albums Chart in 2020: BTS (Map of the Soul –7), Gerry Cinnamon (The Bonny), IDLES (Ultra Mono) and Kylie (Disco) – the biggest tally since 2017. An impressive 52 independent albums made the weekly Official Albums Chart Top 10 (again, the biggest number since 2017). This strong showing continued into Q1 2021, with three independent titles making it to No.1 – You Me At Six (Suckapunch), Mogwai (As The Love Continues) and Architects (For Those That Wish To Exist).

Pat Carr, Remote Control Agency, said: “For years, the Independent sector has survived and thrived by having to be more creative, extra adaptable and super nimble. We work hard alongside and hand in hand with our artists and management teams on cultivating a close and personal relationship with the fans, strong D2C, digital marketing, DSP relationships and socials strategies Also, crucially, working with the network of Independent record stores both on and offline that are still very much part of music discovery in this current market. This hands-on and attention to detail approach enables the indies to compete more and more within the mainstream – which is great to see!”

Strong physical share creates an advantage in the race for an Official Chart No.1

The strong connection that exists between independent artists (and their fans) with releases on physical formats has helped to produce a particularly good showing this Q1, with independents’ share of all metrics up on Q1 2020.

Releases on physical formats continue to be a driving force in helping to achieve impact in the Official Charts, a key factor in the success of independent labels in recent years. Vinyl sales have now risen for a thirteenth successive year since their low point in 2007 – up 11.5% in 2020 with 4.8 million LP copies purchased. In Q1 2021 this trend accelerated still further, rising by 16% – a remarkable feat considering the restrictions imposed by lockdown but one that reflects how labels, stores, fans and artists came together online, backed by campaigns such as Love Record Stores, Record Store Day, and National Album Day.

The start of 2021 has seen a run of 13 ‘physical majority’ No.1 albums in the Official Albums Chart, including not just the aforementioned number ones but new releases from Celeste (Not Your Muse), Kings of Leon (When You See Yourself), The Snuts (W.L.), Tom Grennan (Evering Road), and Barry Gibb (Greenfields).

All 13 albums had a physical share totalling over 60%, with six enjoying a figure over 80%. This is the longest run of ‘physical majority’ number ones since the end of 2019 (15) – a significant achievement considering how much streaming has grown over the same period, suggesting that many fans have been actively seeking out their favourite titles to buy, even during lockdown. The run was broken last month by Taylor Swift’s new album Fearless (Taylor’s Version), but since then a further five albums that have claimed the top spot have done so with a majority ‘physical’ component, bringing the total number for 2021 to date 18.

Drew Hill, MD Proper Music Distribution, said: “2021 is on its way to becoming a particularly strong year for CDs and vinyl, with 18 out of the year’s 22 #1 albums so far boasting a physical sales majority. It’s clear fans appreciate choice, and the different roles that streaming and physical play – discovery v tangible ownership – are proving to complement each other well.”

Of these 18 albums, vinyl accounted for over a third of the chart sales on five titles: Slowthai (Tyron, 35.4%), Mogwai (As The Love Continues, 41.3%), Royal Blood (Typhoons, 40.5%), Paul Weller (Fat Pop, 36.6%) and Lana Del Rey (41.6%), whose album Chemtrails Over The Country Club sold nearly 16.7k copies on vinyl format in its first week of release, and was the fastest-selling LP since Liam Gallagher’s Why Me Why Not in September 2019. It made the album the fastest-selling LP by a female artist this century.

Compact Disc accounted for over half of the sales on eight of the 17 titles: Barry Gibb (particularly strong at 81%), You Me At Six, Bring Me The Horizon, Celeste, Tom Grennan, Ben Howard (Collections From The Whiteout), Tom Jones (Surrounded By Time – also 81%) and Rag’n’Bone Man (Life By Misadventure).

Growing demand for cassettes, which have revived in recent years (selling well over 150,000 copies in 2020), also contributed to the overall physical impact, accounting for 10% of Bring Me The Horizon’s album sales, a fifth of Lana Del Rey’s (19.6%) and 14% of The Snuts’ sales.

Various Artists – The Vinyl Series Curated By Chris Blackwell And Presented By Island Records/UMe

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jun 12, 2021

0

Various Artists – The Vinyl Series Curated By Chris Blackwell And Presented By Island Records/UMe

Since its beginnings in Jamaica in 1959, the story of the pioneering Island Records label has been inextricably linked to the story of its founder, Chris Blackwell. Now, Blackwell has curated a series of compilation LPs featuring his hand-picked tracks that correspond with his and Island’s legendary history.

On July 23, Island Records / UMe will release Volume Two of The Vinyl Series, a nine-track album covering the years 1969 to 1973. Volume One, which included pivotal songs from 1962 to 1969, will also be available, and Volume Three will follow later this year. Taken together, the set explores the wide-ranging highlights from Island’s remarkable and extensive catalog. Pre-order The Vinyl Series HERE.

“Just prior to underground rock taking off in the U.K., the folk scene had become extremely strong,” writes Blackwell in the new collection’s liner notes, pointing to the direction that would become a focus for the label during this period—a chapter that would culminate in the breakthrough success of Cat Stevens, whose music Blackwell describes as in the “singer-songwriter mold: not quite folk but coming from that direction.”

This volume of The Vinyl Series includes material by such quintessentially English, acoustic-based artists as John Martyn (the first person Blackwell signed to the new “pink label” Island when the guitarist was just seventeen), Richard and Linda Thompson, and the tragic cult hero Nick Drake; “his genius was eventually recognized,” writes Blackwell, “and he remains popular and revered to this day.”

But it was Stevens who would hit big (“He sold ten times what everyone else did”), helping to establish Island as a force in the pop world and blazing a trail for the singer-songwriter movement in the ’70s. This volume also includes two of classic rock’s greatest anthems—Traffic’s “Feelin’ Alright?” and “All Right Now” by Free, who Blackwell notes “now seem like the original hard-rock act.”

While these years saw Island moving into different musical directions though, they also marked the continuing expansion of the reggae revolution that initially drew Blackwell into the record business. The Vinyl Series: Volume Two includes classics from the Heptones (“Book of Rules”) and Toots & the Maytals (the incomparable “Pressure Drop”)—both, according to Blackwell, “perfect representatives of…the three-piece male harmony group, with stimulating and sublime vocals.” Jimmy Cliff’s “Many Rivers to Cross” is a precursor to the world-altering release of the movie and soundtrack The Harder They Come in 1972, and as Blackwell states, it would ultimately be Cliff’s departure from Island that led to the signing of Bob Marley and the Wailers—but that is a story for the next volume.

In track-by-track essays by noted author and longtime Island Records chronicler Chis Salewicz, the album package features reminiscences that offer Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Blackwell’s own perspective. The third volume of The Vinyl Series will continue the tale of Island’s visionary, eclectic path—venturing into funk, glam, and progressive rock—solidifying its place as one of the most distinctive and bold labels in music history.

The Vinyl Series
Volume Two
Various Artists

Side A
1.    Cat Stevens – Lady D’Arbanville
2.    Nick Drake – River Man
3.    John Martyn – Solid Air
4.    Richard & Linda Thompson – I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight

Side B
1.    Free – All Right Now
2.    Traffic – Feelin’ Alright
3.    Jimmy Cliff – Many Rivers to Cross
4.    The Heptones – Book of Rules
5.    Toots & the Maytals – Pressure Drop

Sonic Reducers: David Bowie Painting Found…In Northern Ontario?

Music

Eric Alper

-

Jun 11, 2021

0

Sonic Reducers: David Bowie Painting Found…In Northern Ontario?

Sonic Reducers: 5-minute video. 2 music geeks. 1 big story.
Join us as we try to figure out how a David Bowie painting ended up in a Northern Ontario thrift shop, play The Price Is Right: Ziggy Stardust Edition, and give Eric a lesson in Roman numerals.