In one of the largest global campaigns, Spotify has revealed some of the more amusing pieces of data from its system, including user playlist names, listening counts and specific dates. The tagline, “Thanks 2016. It’s been weird.” might just be the slogan for us all.
For example, one UK billboard reads, “Dear 3,749 people who streamed ‘It’s The End Of The World As We Know It’ the day of the Brexit Vote. Hang in There.”
A lovingly campaign, Spotify.
James Veitch, a London-based comedian who enjoys nothing more than trolling pesky internet scammers is my new hero. His book, Dot Con: The Art of Scamming A Scammer is packed full of Nigerian princes, can’t-miss investment opportunities and eligible Russian brides, and his correspondence leads to surprising, bizarre and hilarious results. See below for one such hilarious instance.
See below for one of the many funny conversations he’s had with various unsuspecting scammers. This one involves somebody called “Solomon” who wants to sell him 25kgs of gold. But the only thing gold about this particular exchange is the way that James strings the foolish fraudster along before the conversation reaches its hilarious conclusion. He’s even compiled his funny exchanges into a book called “Dot Con,” which is available on Amazon.
More info: James Veitch | Amazon
The 2017 Pirelli calendar “conveys personality, sensitivity and the guts to be yourself””, Peter Lindbergh explained at the international press launch of the new calendar in Paris. The German photographer has called the creation “Emotional”, emphasizing how his aim was “not shoot a calendar about perfect bodies but to capture sensitivity and emotion, laying bare the souls of the women in the images, rendering them more naked that a nude.”
The 44th edition of Pirelli’s legendary creation is further testament to Lindbergh’s love of the big screen, which he celebrates with his star-studded 2017 Pirelli Calendar cast: Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, Helen Mirren, Julianne Moore, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlotte Rampling, Lea Seydoux, Uma Thurman, Alicia Vikander, Kate Winslet, Robin Wright, and Zhang Ziyi. The line-up also features Anastasia Ignatova, a Political Theory professor at Moscow State University, as special guest. In shots from the behind-the-scenes video, traditionally used to reveal the hidden workings of the Pirelli Calendar, the actresses themselves explain what it felt like to be behind Lindbergh’s lens. Uma Thurman, for example, said if felt “like an interview, but with a camera” while for Penelope Cruz it was “almost like seeing into your soul.” “I wanted to show women in a different way: I did this by asking actresses who have always played an important role in my life and to try and get as close to them as possible through my photos. As an artist, I feel I have a responsibility to free women from the idea of eternal youth and perfection. Society’s ideal of perfection is impossible to achieve”, Lindbergh explained. As the photographer behind the 2017 Pirelli Calendar, Lindbergh is the first in the industry to have shot three editions of The Cal™. His first partnership was in 1996 when he set the shots in the El Mirage desert in California; this was followed by the 2002 edition, when the images were taken in Paramount Pictures studios, Los Angeles. Lindbergh also worked with Patrick Demarchielier to shoot Pirelli’s 50th anniversary calendar in 2014.
For the 2017 edition, the shots were taken between May and June in five locations: Berlin, Los Angeles, New York, London and the French beach of Le Touquet. This produced a calendar featuring forty images, both portrait and ambient shots, taken in the studio or outside on location around the city, from the street scenes, fast food joints and run-down hotels of downtown Los Angeles to Time Square in New York, the Sophiensaele theatre in Berlin, the roofs of New York and London studios, and on the beach in Le Touquet, France.
The Pirelli 2017 Calendar is about to be go live .. get a sneak peak in this fascinating behind-the-scenes video.
Almost 4 years after the tragedy that struck Sandy Hook Elementary School, there continues to be no reduction in the number of gun violence acts committed each and every day. In the aftermath, families and communities are often left wondering what they could have done differently to have stopped it. Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a leading national gun violence prevention organization, wants to help prevent acts of gun violence before they start through their no cost “Know the Signs” programs. SHP’s programs teach youth and adults how to recognize an individual exhibiting at-risk behaviors and how to effectively intervene to get them help BEFORE they hurt themselves or others.
Sadly, it has been reported that 80% of school shooters and 70% of individuals who completed suicides told someone of their violent plans prior to taking action — yet no interventions weren’t made. Working with award-winning advertising agency BBDO New York, SHP is launching a powerful PSA titled “Evan” to educate viewers that very often warning signs are given off before an act of violence occurs — but sometimes we don’t see what is right in front of us.
The short film is the story of Evan, a teen counting down the days to summer break, who demonstrates his boredom by writing on a table in the school library. The next day he finds someone has responded back. While we watch Evan’s story, another darker tale is unfolding simultaneously, but no one notices.
“When you don’t know what to look for or can’t recognize what you are seeing, it can be easy to miss warning signs or dismiss them as unimportant. That can lead to tragic consequences, including someone hurting themselves or others”, said Nicole Hockley, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Sandy Hook Promise who lost her first-grade son Dylan in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. “It is important for us to show youth and adults that they are not helpless in protecting their community from gun violence — these acts are preventable when you know the signs. Everyone has the power to intervene and get help. These actions can save lives.”
“Through ‘Evan,’ we sought to show how different your perspective can be when you’re aware of the signs,” said Greg Hahn, Chief Creative Officer of BBDO New York. “We’ve been fortunate to work with the inspiring people at Sandy Hook Promise to help parents, students, and teachers better identify these signs.”
“Evan” demonstrates the problem that SHP is working to solve through their four “Know the Signs” research-based programs, provided at no cost to schools and community organizations. In just 22 months, SHP has already trained 1.5 million students, teachers school officials and parents in all 50 states in at least one of its programs.
As a result of their “Know the Signs” training, SHP has helped intervene on multiple threats — including a school shooting, suicides and bringing firearms to schools, as well as helping to reduce bullying and getting hundreds of individuals mental health assistance.
Like other public health issues, including heart attacks, domestic violence and strokes, PSAs have historically been a powerful tool in educating Americans on recognizing signs of someone needing help. SHP’s Know the Signs campaign is no different. BBDO New York seized the opportunity to expand SHP’s mission and educate millions with this powerful and educational PSA.
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a non-partisan national nonprofit formed and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Based in Newtown, Connecticut, SHP’s sole purpose is to prevent gun violence BEFORE it happens so that no other parents experience the senseless, horrific loss of their child. SHP delivers, at no cost, four Know the Signs programs that teach youth and adults to recognize signs of individuals who may be at-risk of hurting themselves or others and intervene to get them help before it is too late. SHP’s Know the Signs programs have helped stop a school shooting, multiple suicide and firearm threats, while also intervening to help individuals get mental health assistance. Additionally, SHP advocates for sensible state and federal policy that helps prevents at-risk individuals from hurting themselves or others, including limiting their access to firearms until they are deemed fit. To bring SHP’s Know the Signs programs to your school or community or help advocate for sensible policy, visit sandyhookpromise.org.
The 1973 collapse of the Mercer Arts Center, home to a New York Dolls residency and the center of a nascent “underground” rock scene, left unsigned and outsider bands nowhere to play and develop their sound. One small gritty bar at 315 Bowery soon began to fill that void. And now, Sotheby’s is auctioning off the awning on December 10th and the historic material is expected to go for at least $25,000.
Owner Hilly Kristal took over what had been a dive bar and then a biker hangout with the idea of featuring music very different from what the club was to become famous for – the full name of CBGB’s OMFUG was “Country, Bluegrass, Blues and Other Music For Uplifting Gormandizers” – but by early 1974 he was booking live music from bands that had been playing the Mercer, including Suicide and Wayne County. When Richard Lloyd and Tom Verlaine of Television spotted the club while on the bus to their Bowery rehearsal space, they approached Kristal claiming that they played a little of everything the club was titled for and somehow secured three Sunday gigs with the promise that their manager could pack the bar.
Kristal liked the energy and crowd that the young bands attracted, and the accompanying bar receipts. The bands kept the door receipts, so the more they built their fan base and the more folks drank, the better it was for everyone involved.
Second on the bill in the early Television gigs were the Stilletoes, a band featuring Chris Stein and Debbie Harry that soon transformed to Blondie and began their own headlining stint. Founding punks the Ramones soon followed and a scene was born.
It was a destination that one had to be rather determined to either perform in or really want to see the bands that did, as the neighborhood at the time was notorious and the club itself owed its cheap rent to being under a flophouse.
The list of bands that played CBGB’s in the first wave of American punk and into the New Wave included Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, the Cramps, the Dead Boys, the Misfits, the Voidoids, the Runaways, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Agnostic Front. The first of the English punk acts to play the US played at Hilly’s bar, and even the Beastie Boys, in their earliest hardcore phase, debuted there.
Few if any clubs are more intricately tied to as influential a musical scene as CBGB’s.
Today the Province of British Columbia and Creative BC announced the allocation of $4.41 million from the BC Music Fund.
Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, and Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, alongside Prem Gill, CEO of Creative BC and industry representatives, made the announcement today at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall, with an acoustic set performed by Jasper Sloan Yip, a B.C. musician who has received support from the BC Music Fund.
A total of $1.41 million has been allocated to Music BC to support the expansion of the association’s activities in the areas of export and professional development, touring and expanded showcase opportunities for B.C. artists. Music BC plays an integral role in delivering projects that develop B.C.‘s music industry, and will be essential in connecting musicians with the BC Music Fund and its suite of programs.
Sound recording plays a vital role in the overall music ecosystem and today, Bond and Gill congratulated thirty-five successful applicants who received grants from the previously announced $500,000 Sound Recording Pilot Program.
Further to applicant and industry feedback, Creative BC has extended the Sound Recording Program providing an additional $3 million in funding. The expanded application criteria reflects increased access for unincorporated recording studios and artists. The announcement today brings the total investment in sound recording to $3.5 million.
Applications for the Sound Recording Program will be accepted by Creative BC as of today, and on a first come, first served basis until funds have been allocated. Successful recipients will receive grants to record at B.C.-based recording studios.
From December through March, the BC Music Fund will launch additional programs to support B.C.’s diverse music industry. The seven programs will be: sound recording, live music, industry initiatives, research, careers of B.C. artists, music company development, and innovation.
Sun Broadcast Group announced today that it has entered into a sales and syndication partnership with Little Steven’s Underground Garage. The show, heard on over 80 stations across America including Q104.3 in New York City and WROR in Boston, is hosted by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Steven Van Zandt.
“Fourteen years ago we started Little Steven’s Underground Garage. We created a new format which included all 60 years of Rock and Roll, and it’s roots – the Rock pioneers like Little Richard and Bo Diddley, Blues, DooWop, Surf Rock, Girl Groups, 60’s Soul, the British Invasion, Folk Rock, Psychedelic, Glam Rock, Power Pop, Punk, and everything in between, alongside the best new Rock and Roll bands in the world,” said Van Zandt. “In other words, play the coolest Rock and Roll records ever made. The goal has always been to bring that music to listeners EVERYWHERE and we’re excited to partner with Sun Broadcast Group to help achieve that goal. We’re also enthusiastic about the ability to bring our listeners cool new features that includes Sun’s partnership with Shazam and more.”
In addition to performing around the world with the E Street Band, Little Steven spent years on the small screen staring as Silvio Dante on HBO’s hit series, “The Sopranos.” He’s also busy programming two SiriusXM channels, releasing music through his record label, “Wicked Cool Records,” and is founder of the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation.
“I’ve seen Stevie Van Zandt on stage more than 60 times in the last 36 years. To be able to work with someone you’ve followed and admired for so long is a dream come true.” said Ron Rivlin, SVP of Programming and Affiliate Sales for Sun. “Not only is he a musician, songwriter, producer, arranger, actor and radio host, he is rock and roll’s biggest advocate through his Rock and Roll Forever Foundation and Teach Rock- the foundation’s national middle and high school curriculum. We are proud to be working with Little Steven’s Underground Garage.”
Today, Spotify unveiled its annual top lists that takes a look back at the artists, albums, tracks and moments that made 2016 such an amazing year in music.
“Drake has been unstoppable this year – he’s a true global superstar,” said Stefan Blom, Spotify’s Chief Content & Chief Strategy Officer. ”With the top album and the top song this year, as well as his successful Summer Sixteen tour, Drake continues to engage his fans in a way that only Drake can; it’s no surprise he is dominating the music industry.”
Fans also discovered more new music and artists than ever before in 2016. ZAYN became the top breakout artist, and Discover Weekly was streamed more than 9 billion times this year.
Check out below for the full breakdown of this year’s rankings and musical trends and head to 2016 Wrapped at spotify.com/2016 for the top playlists of 2016, year in review playlists, videos, and more.
Spotify’s Global Year in Music 2016
Most Streamed Artists
For the second year in a row, Drake was the world’s most streamed artist with over 4.7 billion streams this year, more than doubling his record of 1.8 billion streams last year. In fact, Drake is the most streamed artist of all time on Spotify with over 8.7 billion streams.
Here are the top five artists for 2016:
Most Streamed Female Artists
Putting in ‘work’ this year with over 2.5 billion streams, Rihanna takes home the title of most streamed female artist for a second year in a row with Ariana Grande, Sia, Adele and Fifth Harmony rounding out the top 5:
Most Streamed Male Artists
Behind Drake and with the help of his late 2015 release of his album, Purpose, Justin Bieber shoots to the number two spot on the list of most streamed male artists followed by Twenty One Pilots, Kanye West and Coldplay:
Top Five Breakout Artists
One Direction fans still have love for ZAYN, putting him on top of this year’s list of breakout artists along with FRENSHIP, Anne-Marie, Madeintyo and Rob $tone. These breakout artists made their mark in 2016:
Most Streamed Tracks
Drake’s One Dance made history this year by overtaking last year’s winner Lean On by Major Lazer (ft. MØ and DJ Snake), as the most popular song ever on Spotify with almost 970 million streams.
Most Streamed Albums
After dropping Views in April, Drake’s album has racked up over 2.45 billion streams on Spotify in 2016, making it the most streamed album of the year. Here are the top 5 most streamed albums for 2016:
Most Popular Playlists
Of Spotify’s 2 billion+ playlists, Today’s Top Hits was the most popular this year with over nearly 12 million followers
Fun Facts:
Top Artists by Genre:
Emerging 2016 Genres:
Included with Spotify’s annual lists of artists, albums, tracks and trends that topped the service in 2016, was a mention that should make the music industry happy – the music streamer’s Discover Weekly playlists had been streamed more than 9 billion times as of the end of November.
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Discover Weekly playlists have been streamed more than 9 billion times so far this year, according to Spotify. With the average Discover Weekly playlist ranging from 30-35 tracks each, that ‘s 270 – 315 billion tracks “discovered” so far this year.
If you’re still wondering why the labels want (need?) Spotify and other music streaming services, 300 billion tracks delivered is your answer.
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Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.
Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com
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