DMW: Digital Music W...

In Japan, Fuji TV and Production I.G. have signed a deal to open a joint digital post production movie studio to be called FILM LLP. Slated to open this coming January 2006, the new facility will be used for both CG animated movie as well as live action movies. The FILM facility is estimated to cost upwards of 200m yen (about US$1.7m), with Fuji TV contributing the lion's share of the investment at 170+ yen and Production I.G. making an investment of around 28m yen. The sound technology and wiring will be provided by Lucasfilm's Skywalker Sound.

Source: Cynthia Turner's Cynopsis: MCE

While we're on the subject of Japan, Dentsu Inc., one of the world's largest ad agencies, has started talks with other major Japanese TV broadcasters on starting up an IPTV venture.

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Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 29, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Would you like to have popular musicians crooning at your private party for a price?

After reading that article in the Sunday Styles section of the Sunday New York Times, I started to fantasize who I'd want performing at my birthday party. It's funny how some parents today would practically do anything to make their child's party memorable. But it's not just for their kid, it's really for themselves and their ego - proving that they can "rent" top talent for a day with the best of those rich folk.

So, I continued to wonder... If I were ever in a position to throw a killer b-day party like Amber Ridinger's parents did, who would I rent for a day? Here's my wish list:

For my Birthday Party - (One of these performers) Sarah McLachlan, Air, Coldplay, Neil Diamond
For my Wrap Party (on whatever project I worked on) - (One of these performers who will DJ) Alison Goldfrapp, Moby, DJ Shadow, Bjork, and The Chemical Brothers.

Pretty modest. I had to whittle it down to performers I really, really wanted. And I wasn't even thinking about charities for Juvenile Diabetes or anything. This was my wish list for selfish means.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 28, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

At last, Production I.G. reveals more about itself through it's Studio Insider page on their website. It discusses the inner workings at Studio 1 and Studio 2; how the two production departments are able to put out some fine anime titles and side projects under deadline.
For the uninitiated, Production I.G. is responsible for such works as Ghost in the Shell (TV and features), Blood: The Last Vampire, Blood + (Hans Zimmer is credited as Music Producer!), Patlabor 1 & 2 movies, Dead Leaves, Cromartie High School and the animation sequence in Kill Bill Vol. 1. That's just a spattering.
You can currently catch their latest project - IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix - on US TV via Cartoon Network's Toonami block. Also, the second season of Ghost in the Shell S.A.C.: 2nd Gig is currently airing on US TV via Cartoon Network's [adult swim] block.
I mentioned in a previous blog about Mamoru Oshii's Tachigui: The Amazing Lives of the Fast Food Grifters. Production I.G. is currently working on that project as well.

Source: Anime News Network
Check your TV listings for air dates and times for IGPX and GiTS S.A.C 2nd Gig.

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Original Soundtracks - The Best Of Anime

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 27, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper/Reuters

Straight from Reuters...What was Gary Glitter (aka Paul Francis Gadd) thinking? Could he not tell that some girls looked younger than 16 (which is the legal age of consent for sex in Vietnam)?
And then I scoured the Internet to see what other headlines looked like. Some definitely went for embellishment - even before the man was taken into custody.

Examples:
Glitter may face firing squad over child-sex allegations
Gary Glitter Facing Child-Sex Rap

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 26, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

All boy bands never come to an end. They break up and then get together again for reasons like trying to get a 401k plan in the form of a year-long concert tour. Or they do it because they really miss each other. Well, I think for Take That it's the former as they announce their intention to tour the UK in springtime.
But, without Robbie Williams, it's not much of a "reunion" tour is it? It's like splitting the Oreo cookie in two and leaving the other half of the cookie somewhere else - never reuniting it to make it whole again. Damn, that was deep. But you get my point.
Anyway, Take That recognizes the absence of Williams and bid him a good endeavour. Whatever, they're just jealous that his five nights at Wembley Stadium are already sold out for 2006. Take that! (that was bad)

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 26, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

I am on a controversial kick today. Instead of just putting up one video, I'll just have links to the videos because some people want a Windows Media Player and some want Quicktime. And plus it's too distracting to put up three players on this blog. It might hurt your eyes. Or blow up the servers or something.

Here are my choices for the day: Sigur Ros "viðrar vel til loftárása", Goldfrapp "Number 1", Goldfrapp "Twist". I wanted to put up a link to Goldfrapp's "Train" but all the videos with a stand alone link were edited for content. Damn it.

Anyway. Enjoy.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 25, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The ad is called "StandOff" and this XBox 360 ad will never find it's way to US TV. Check it out and you'll see why. (Too bad because it's actually funny.)

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 25, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Week of November 21 - 25

Happy Black Friday!

I'd figure to list some items that caught my attention and consider this a wrap-up.

Madonna is "Frozen"...
...From using the song ever in Belgium. According to AP, a local judge ruled in favor of a little-known Belgium songwriter who claimed that parts of his song, "Ma Vie Fout L'camp (My Life's Getting Nowhere)," found their way onto Madonna's hit song off of her 1998 release Ray of Light. The songwriter, Salvatore Acquaviva, claimed to have written the song five years earlier.
Hey, so I guess that little quote from Alison Goldfrapp was partially correct. She gets the last laugh as the European press pulls most of those links down from Google.

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Courtney Love Has Found the Light
BEFORE

Photo: Reuters

AFTER

Photo: AP

The Superior Court Judge ruled recently that Courtney Love can enroll in an outpatient program. She must still submit to random checks twice a week for drugs and alcohol. She also must continue therapy and avoid any business that primarily sells alcohol. Her probation has been extended to March 2007 and her curfew is at 10 p.m.
On another note, her time in rehab has given her the jolt she needed to get going on a new set of songs. Of course, with a little help from R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe and songwriter Linda Perry, she has been able to focus on what it is she does best. Here's another tidbit, in her recent interview with The Guardian, she has given her blessing on bands she's really into at the moment. And those lucky bands are (drum roll please): Kings of Leon, Goldfrapp, The Icarus Line, Maximo Park, Ladytron and The Duke Spirit. If there is one part of Love that hasn't been fried, it's her taste in music.
Click

for music related to Courtney Love.

Miyazaki vs Otomo...Maybe
In the Oscar longlist, I see two of Japan's most respected animation filmmakers vying for the Best Animated Feature. In Miyazaki, his name is almost synonymous to Oscar (having already won Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away) while in Otomo, he has been involved in some incredible anime titles such as Akira, Metropolis, Neo-Tokyo and Memories. I had the greatest pleasure of programming Neo-Tokyo on The Anime Network and I urge people to get a chance to watch his works. Put them on your Netflix queue. I hope that once the final nominees are announced Tuesday, January 31, 2006, Miyazaki-san and Otomo-san are included. Ahhh, only in my perfect world.

Casshern
On another note, I hope Dreamworks will release the live-action version of Casshern, which is based on the anime version of Casshan: Robot Hunter. They paid a pretty penny last year to get that film. I'm a little baffled by Dreamworks and their Go Fish Pictures. They say they are serious about adding anime to their animation slate, but as of late, I have yet to see any real proof of that. The last foray into anime theatrical release was Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. And they didn't even bother to do an English dub for North America because it was cost-prohibitive. Hmmm...

Mamoru Oshii reveals Tachigui: The Amazing Lives Of The Fast Food Grifters
Well he doesn't reveal all but he does hint that it is NOT anime. In fact, it's more live-action with some elements of animation used. But he strongly professes that it is not an anime feature. Anyway, the film is based on a novel by Oshii that chronicles the history of "tachigui" - eating fast food in the street without paying. That's all anyone outside Japan knows about this project. But, here's more on what the hell Oshii-san's novel is about.

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The perfect gift for music lovers in your life – iTunes gift certificates

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 25, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

While I was preparing the turkey, I went on MySpace to check out One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back!, the latest from The Darkness. Not too shabby. The entire album is available for listening for a limited time.
Note to Sony BMG: Did you see what Atlantic Records did? Now, was that so hard?

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 24, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

While you're trying to prepare your Thanksgiving feast or looking for ways to "spice up" the after party, check out this music doc that aired on BBC Radio 2's Classic Singles channel. The doc focused on Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer's collaboration on the '70s disco hits "I Feel Love" and "Love to Love You Baby".
It's a good 30min listen as it traces through Moroder's musical escapades in the 1970's, discussing his first all-synth compositions and the seventeen minute opus "I Feel Love" which served as the benchmark for the Disco era.
The music doc is narrated by Alison Goldfrapp. How fitting!

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 24, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Photo: REUTERS/Chris Pizzello
Taken from the 3rd Spike TV Video Game Awards 2005. Do you notice anything about the background?

Junior Foreign Minister Dan McTeague is suggesting to the Canadian government that they should ban US rap artist 50 Cent from touring around Canada because of his criminal record. Canadian law dictates that anyone with a criminal record needs a special permit from the office of Immigration Minister Joe Volpe to enter the country. McTeague has written to Volpe urging him not to grant the permit. Volpe declined to discuss the case with reporters but said he too was concerned by the rising gun violence in Toronto, where 49 people have been killed so far this year, many of them young black men.

Ok, ok...hold on here. Before people start raising their arms in disgust or blame Canada for other things (like their Arctic breeze), let's step back a bit and pretend to be in their shoes.
Several minutes later...
Ok. I can't be in their shoes. All I can think of is, if 50 Cent changed his tone from glorifying gangs, guns, bitches and ho's, maybe more places (like Canada) would relax their laws a bit. But, since 50 Cent has been on the record to support violent video games and the like, there will be more resistance from the "higher powers that be" simply because they don't want another gang-related shooting before, during, after his show.
Thoughts? Anybody? Canadians?

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 24, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (1)

It's true what they say about music award shows, there is never a dull moment. Unlike the Oscars, most music award shows just come across as loose. Which is good. I can't imagine most musicians attending these and not causing some sort of ruckus.

Photo: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
Which leads me to highlight just a couple of moments I thought were really priceless performances at last night's American Music Awards. The duet with Sarah McLachlan and Cyndi Lauper was simply amazing. They performed a mesmerizing rendition of "Time After Time" and it just came across perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed the reunion of The Eurythmics too. That was fun to watch.
I think the one category that came across as curious was the Favorite Male Artist: Pop/Rock. When Will Smith won (beating Rob Thomas & 50 Cent), I thought - "Really?" And then I thought - "Only three nominees?"
And then I found out what else was in the goodies bag (besides MindSpa) and it was a plot of land on the moon. Yep. According to MTV.com, everyone got a piece of the moon to bring home. I can see it now, a Hard Rock Cafe on the moon.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 23, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Photo: Reuters

Gary Glitter is denying child molestation allegations in Vietnam and telling police that he was just teaching English to the young girls. The Vietnamese-language Thanh Nien newspaper said police had identified five girls who had admitted to having had sex with Glitter. One of the girls was 12 years old, the paper said. The age of consent in Vietnam is 16 and sex with minors is punishable by up to 12 years in jail (just keep that in mind when you head there for vacation and whatnot).
Okay, so basically, Glitter (aka Paul Francis Gadd) thinks the "I was just teaching" excuse makes a more plausible scenario and not the "I was just teaching the Flying Dutchman" excuse. Why would anyone approach Gary Glitter to learn how to speak proper English? If anyone would approach Glitter for anything, it would be to learn how to be a glam rock star and to have sex with a former glam star. And then he pleads ignorance for not knowing that the girls are under 20 years of age. Hmmm. Quite a predicament.

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Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 22, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Someone should start an unofficial Anti-James Blunt Fan Club. So far, I have heard basically nothing but slamming and put-downs for this guy. If you have no freakin' clue who I'm talking about, he's Britain's latest morose singer/songwriter who claims that he is not a contrived asset for a record label. Some musicians who have gone on record to slam Blunt are Alison Goldfrapp and Charlotte Church (who later admitted regreting her comments that were along the lines of "His song You're Beautiful is so annoying..."). Here's the latest member in the club - Justin Hawkins of The Darkness has fired a shot across the bow, saying that Blunt's lyrics aren't impressive.
You be the judge. Below is a video to James Blunt's latest You're Beautiful (the one Church denounced as annoying). And there's a reason why he's shirtless.

Click here to launch music video

1. YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL

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Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 20, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

Case in point:

Kylie Minogue Skeds Homecoming Tour
Yeah, can you believe it? Only problem is, the homecoming tour is for next year - end of 2006. At least that gives her time to recouperate from breast cancer surgery and probably come up with some new tunes. Godspeed!

Music Will Make You Go Deaf
I can attest to that. RollingStone.com has done a report on how the iPod generation is steadily losing their hearing - before they even hit the ripe old age of 50. For me, I think I've lost some of my hearing in the late 90s. Standing in front of three large speakers at a club does no one any good. And the sad irony? I got an ear infection from the ear plugs I was using b/c I kept using the same ones. So, not only am I partially deaf, I'm partially deaf and have inner ear infection. Take it from me - wear ear plugs and change them often (like underwear).

Now onto my personal rants:

I was thinking about the best music of 2005 - but I realized that I don't want to judge music solely for this year alone. So, I'll probably come up with the best music for the past five years. That's a better way to get a decent list going.

And then, I was thinking about anime titles because my friends keep asking me what anime titles I recommend they watch. So, I'll come up with a general overview of the best anime titles to watch and that should get things going too.

All for next time.

Goldfrapp in NYC
How many times can I mention this band on this site? Can you not tell that I'm a fan? Anyway, I'm really excited about this show. This is more like a warm-up or word of mouth performance since Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory will be performing. And the US release of Supernature won't hit stores until March 2006. Me thinks Mute wants to show them up at SxSW. Hmmm...
Meanwhile, ween yourself onto the US single of Number 1 instead.

Neil Diamond is Awesome!
Again, I'm a fan. His latest release, 12 Songs, is the result of the great experiment. This is what happens when you pair Producer Rick Rubin with Neil Diamond and you get Neil at his damn best. I am so going to your show, Neil.

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Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 20, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

My Space Records
As most of you are aware of this, My Space recently launched their record label November 15. Don't consider this a test. This will actually change the music industry in more ways than one. First off, let's thank Rupert Murdoch and News Corp for this as they acquired My Space and rottentomatoes.com this past year. And recently announced, DirecTV (which is owned by News Corp) will launch a new music channel on their system called CD USA which is actually an offshoot of cduk. My Space and CD USA will make an interesting programming combination and will try to upstage stalwart MTV.

The Root of All Problems Sony BMG
Sony BMG has stepped up damage control on this very controversial spyware that they insist copy-protects their assets. Right. They might as well be saying, "We erroneously thought Trojan Horses are a good thing and so we allowed this rootkit to lay dormant on our physical cds until you, the dumb consumer, will play it in your cd-rom drive and allow our little rootkit to infiltrate your system and stay there for all eternity." As Stewie Griffin of Family Guy would say, "Who the hell do you think you are?"
Click here to learn more on how you can exchange these copy-protected cds for normal cds...or are they?

Lisa Loeb is the "#1 Single"
Talk about looking for love anywhere you can get it. Apparently, E! has greenlit a reality series which follows the haphazard life of singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb as she meanders through life's dating challenges. Lisa Berger, Sr. Veep of Programming Development at E!, says that, "Lisa Loeb is smart, talented, quirky and endearing, with a genuinely engaging and relatable lifestyle." Loeb explains, "I decided to do this TV series because what I do as a musician and songwriter is connect to an audience, so why not take that to another level." Yes. Why not, indeed?

Madonna
Horse schmorse. Not even a bucking bronco can keep this woman down. Confessions on a Dance Floor recently hit the streets November 15 and just in time for the holidays. I don't know what else to say about it. I mean, I could say everything old is new again? Or, Madonna revisits the thing that made her tick? I will admit. "Hung Up" does have a good beat (because the sample is from Abba's song "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"). But after watching her on the MTV European Music Awards, I want to say 'please don't wear the leotards'. Gravity won.

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AMA's Most Coveted "Thank You" Gift - MindSpa
Feel relaxed as I command you to write better songs.
From PR Newswire:
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- When the sun goes down and the stars come out at this year's American Music Awards (November 22, 2005 on ABC), celebrity watchers could catch Rob Thomas sporting a new look or the Rolling Stones chilling with a new set of shades. And what was that blinking away under Kenny Chesney's hat or keeping the beat with Carlos Santana's guitar? Hip-hoppers always in tune with what's quick and new will note 50 Cent flashing his new bling-bling. What is IT?
IT is MindSpa. The MindSpa(R) Personal Development System, via light/sound technology delivers proven assistance with self-improvement, increased mental and physical performance, elevated memory retention, alleviation of jet lag, deep relaxation coupled with rapid physical and mental rejuvenation.
Ok. So, the next time a musician or actor comes out with a crappy release, they can blame it on MindSpa.

APB on Gary Glitter
It sucks to be Gary Glitter. According to AP, Gary Glitter, (whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd) is being sought by Vietnamese authorities for having a sexual relationship with a Vietnamese teenager. Glitter, 61, left Britain after serving jail time for possession of child pornography in 1999. Of course before all of this, the man was a glam rock staple in the 1970s.
In 2002, he was permanently expelled from Cambodia for crimes no one can seem to confirm. Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung confirmed that Glitter was residing in a home in southern Vung Tau city and had applied for permanent status in Vietnam. If allegations prove true, Glitter may actually face the death penalty. It really sucks to be Gary Glitter.

$2 System of a Down Concert
Fresh off of winning Best Alternative at MTV's EMA, System of a Down will release Hypnotize November 22 and do two appearances in NYC. In one night, they will do an in-store appearance at Virgin Megastore in Times Square at 6PM and later, they will head to Webster Hall for MTV's $2 Bill Concert Series. The $2 tickets go on sale at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square (1540 Broadway New York, NY) on Saturday, November 19th at noon while supplies last. Tickets must be purchased in cash, with a two ticket maximum per purchaser, and attendees must be 18 years of age or older. Tickets can also be won by listening to K-Rock 92.3 FM in New York City and other select radio stations around the country.

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Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 18, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

March 31, 2000 was the date the first issue of Digital Music Weekly made its way to people's inbox. This time, I'm bringing her back and picking up where things left off. There will be some changes in this version. For starters, besides covering music, I will also cover some anime. Music and anime are two things I care deeply about and as things progress, Digital Music Weekly will grow and morph.
I'm currently working on getting some stories together, so bear with me. Fridays will most likely be my publish date. I'm looking forward to writing stories about bands so, if you happen to be a publicist, feel free to send me your press releases and updates on bands.
I hope you are as excited as I am about this. And I'd like to thank the kind folks at indieWIRE for hosting my blog and for having me return.

In the meantime, take a gander at this Picture of the Moment:

It's Alison Goldfrapp at the MTV EMA's which took place early this month. She was presenting an award to Coldplay (whom her band is currently opening for in Europe). It's just a funny reaction...and was she wiggling that award?

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Posted by Amanda Nanawa on November 15, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)