I don’t play drums, but I’m great on the steering wheel in the car. I can relate to this. Somewhat.
HBO’s The Defiant Ones Is A Must Watch If You’re In The Music Business
Set amid many of the defining events of the past four decades, The Defiant Ones (airing on HBO Sun, Jul 9, 9:00PM ET) tells the stories of Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre — one the son of a Brooklyn longshoreman, the other straight out of Compton — and their improbable partnership and surprising leading roles in a series of transformative events in contemporary culture. From director Allen Hughes (Menace II Society) this revealing, compelling and often-gritty story takes place in recording studios, in humble homes and massive mansions, in criminal courts and in the highest corridors of corporate power.
Hughes shows how decades of defiance and determination helped Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre build a few empires, make a series of American dreams come true and transform two American street kids from different tough neighborhoods into a global force to be reckoned with. This epic look at America shows how you can consistently defy conventional wisdom and even logic, and still win big.
The four-part documentary event is told with the help of many of the most notable artists and figures of our time, reflecting Hughes’ unfettered access to Iovine, Dre and the remarkable cast of figures who have been a part of their success story. In addition to extensive interviews with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, who speak frankly about their highs and lows, the show includes interviews with such music icons as Bono, David Geffen, Eminem, Nas, Ice Cube, Gwen Stefani, Jon Landau, Tom Petty, Trent Reznor, Snoop Dogg, Bruce Springsteen and will.i.am. The series also features never-before-seen footage from a multitude of recording and writing sessions with Eazy-E, JJ Fad, Stevie Nicks, N.W.A., Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and U2, among others.
Music Industry at Mid-Year Mark: Album Sales Down But Vinyl Still Going Up
As 2017 hits the mid-year mark, BuzzAngle has released a new report on the state of the music industry, and no big surprises, except CDs and Vinyl are still going up.
The first half of 2017 saw a continued increase in total consumption, growing 9.9% over 2016 YTD (293.0 million project units in 2017 YTD vs. 266.6 million album project units in 2016 YTD)
Song Consumption for 2017 YTD was up 29.5% over 2016 YTD (1.5 billion song project units in 2017 YTD vs. 1.2 billion song project units in 2016 YTD).
Audio streams reached 179.8 billion, up 58.5% over 2016 YTD.
Subscription streams grew 69.3% and accounted for 78.6% of total audio streams in 2017 YTD, up from 73.6% in 2016 YTD.
Overall album sales were down 13.9% compared to 2016 YTD (74.0 million in 2017 YTD vs. 86.0 million in 2016 YTD).
Digital album sales in 2017 YTD were down 24.3% over the previous year (34.5 million in 2017 YTD vs. 45.6 million in 2016 YTD).
Digital album sales accounted for 46.6% of all album sales in 2017 YTD, down from 53.0% over 2016 YTD.
Physical album sales were down 2.1% (39.6 million in 2017 YTD vs. 40.4 million in 2016 YTD). Physical album sales accounted for 53.4% of all album sales in 2017 YTD, up from 46.9% over 2016 YTD.
Vinyl album sales were up 20.4% over 2016 YTD while CD album sales were down 3.9%. Vinyl albums accounted for 4.9% of all physical album sales, up from 3.5% in 2016 YTD.
Song sales (downloads) in 2017 YTD were down 23.8% compared to 2016 YTD (313.3 million in 2017 YTD vs. 410.9 million in 2016 YTD).
Download the full report – BuzzAngle Music 2017 YTD U.S. Report
Laurie Brown Announces Departure From CBC Radio’s The Signal And A Farewell Tour
After 10 years hosting CBC Radio 2’s acclaimed late night music program THE SIGNAL, Laurie Brown announced during tonight’s show that she has decided to step down as host to pursue new creative ventures. To celebrate a decade at the helm, Brown will embark on a farewell tour this summer, including stops at CBC in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal that will be recorded and featured in her final show on September 2. THE SIGNAL LIVE tour kicks off August 15 in Vancouver and will feature great music, a meet and greet and commentary from Brown’s decade hosting the show. For more information on the tour and to reserve free tickets starting this Friday at 12 p.m. ET, visit www.cbcmusic.ca/SignalLive.
Following Brown’s departure, late night listeners can still experience an atmospheric and cutting-edge mix of music from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. on CBC Radio 2, with a new show name and host details to be announced later this summer.
“It has been 10 gratifying years spent hosting The Signal and it is time for me to try something new,” said Brown. “The toughest part about making this decision was the thought of leaving my Signal audience. I’ve spent a decade thinking and talking about how your nights unfold and I will miss you. I’m excited to have you all join me to record the final show this August.”
“Laurie’s deep knowledge of and passion for music has built The Signal into an innovative and inspiring destination for music lovers, “said Mark Steinmetz, senior director, CBC Music. “We thank Laurie for her dedication to CBC Radio 2 listeners over the past decade, and look forward to building on her commitment to showcasing ground-breaking music across all genres. She will be missed!”
Laurie Brown is known for her award-winning and wide-ranging music career that has taken her from performing onstage with bands, to MuchMusic VJ, to Senior Arts Correspondent for The National before launching The Signal in 2007.
Kissing Is Contagious in Absolut’s First Ad Celebrating ‘Equal Love’
Love sees no color, needs no label, and makes no judgment. Absolut’s ad spot just in time for Pride Week, directed by Aoife McArdle, is wonderfully set to the 1962 track “There’s No Other” by the Crystals,
Absolut and I truly believe that a more open world, without labels, where people freely can express their individuality, love and diversity, will be a better place for all of us.
Watch 20 Years Of Radiohead Performing “Karma Police” All In One Video
Now THIS is a great idea, I wouldn’t be surprised if more fans, and artists, do this. Radiohead headlined the Glastonbury Festival this past week, closing out the Pyramid Stage with songs including a glorious version of OK Computer’s Karma Police.
One fan had the brilliant idea to splice together three Glastonbury versions of the song, spanning 20 years, into a single video, toggling back and forth between performances from 1997, 2003 and last week. Note the group is performing “Karma Police” in the same key all these years later. Watch the video below.
Build-A-Bear Workshop And Hot Topic Introduce New “Furry N’ Fierce” Collection
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., an interactive destination where Guests can create personalized furry friends, and Hot Topic — the first retailer to bring alternative apparel and accessories to malls across the country—have teamed up to debut a bold-yet-cuddly line of furry friends, complete with stylish outfits and accessories, and matching pieces for teens and young adults. This is the first time the brands have worked together to develop a joint collection, which they will officially unveil in mid-July.
Build-A-Bear Workshop and Hot Topic have always encouraged self-expression through products that appeal across genders and generations. Together, as Build-A-Bear celebrates its 20th birthday year, the brands are introducing a one-of-a-kind collection perfect for teens and young adults who have grown up with furry friends and have an affinity for Hot Topic’s iconic styles. The Furry N’ Fierce collection blends the comfort of cuddly plush with the thrill of “youthful rebellion” in a uniquely nostalgic way.
Bears with Hot Topic flair will be available at select Hot Topic stores and online. Accompanying furry friend outfits and accessories will be sold in Build-A-Bear Workshop stores. The matching young adult styles will be available at select Hot Topic stores along with a Funko Pop! vinyl figure. The Funko Pop! vinyl figure will also be sold at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores.
“Guests who have grown up visiting Build-A-Bear Workshop have a special fondness for the furry friends and memories they’ve made in our stores,” said Jennifer Kretchmar, Chief Product Officer, Build-A-Bear Workshop. “The new Furry N’ Fierce collection gives them the opportunity to reconnect with their youth while expressing their individuality. We have been neighbors with Hot Topic stores at shopping destinations for many years, but this is the first time we have worked together to create a line of furry friends, accessories and clothing. As we celebrate our 20th birthday in 2017, we are excited to introduce a new collection that appeals to Build-A-Bear and Hot Topic fans.”
“We are so excited for this unique collaboration between two pop-culture-driven retailers, combining fashion inspired by Hot Topic and cuddly, furry bears,” commented Cindy Levitt, Senior Vice President, Merchandise and Marketing at Hot Topic. “We can’t wait until Furry N’ Fierce launches so we can all be wearing the same outfits as our furry friends!”
Rodney Bingenheimer to Host New Weekly Show Exclusively on SiriusXM
SiriusXM announced today that legendary radio host and rock and roll influencer Rodney Bingenheimer will host a new weekly music show on SiriusXM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage channel.
Rodney Bingenheimer, who curated his longtime radio show “Rodney on the ROQ” for over 40 years, has been known for launching and championing now legendary acts like the Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Tom Petty, Blondie, Elvis Costello, Van Halen, The Clash, The Smiths, The Go Go’s, The Bangles, The Runaways and Oasis. He has also been recognized for bringing back classic acts and album cuts from the likes of The Monkees, The Beach Boys, The Standells, The Ventures and many more. He continues to launch new music from the likes of The Regrettes, the Atomics, The Moon Kids, The Tearaways and Beck Black.
“I’m so honored to be on the same SiriusXM channel as Little Steven,” said Rodney Bingenheimer. “He has also championed some of the greatest music of our time, both past and future. With both of us now at the same channel we’re gonna keep great music alive. Especially for me, being on at an earlier time, I can have more listeners who don’t have to worry about missing work or school the next day. To be on in Primetime on the East Coast as well is also exciting.”
“Rodney was one of my first calls when I started the channel,” said Steven Van Zandt. “We are honored to have him. This is where he belongs!”
Rodney Bingenheimer’s SiriusXM show will premiere on Sunday, July, 16 at 9:00 pm ET, 6:00 pm PT, on SiriusXM’s Underground Garage, via satellite on channel 21 and through the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com.
SiriusXM’s Underground Garage channel is executive produced by Steven Van Zandt, and plays the coolest records ever made from all 60 years of rock and roll from artists like The Beatles, The Ramones, The Rolling Stones, Little Richard, The Who, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, Joan Jett, The Clash, and everything in between, alongside the best new rock and roll bands in the world.