DMW: Digital Music W...

Apparently, not an April Fool's joke.

The first 500 people to purchase Moby's new album "Last Night" beginning at 9am on Tuesday will receive a wristband to meet Moby and have him sign the new CD:

Tuesday, April 1st -- 7-9pm
Virgin Megastore - Union Square
52 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 598-4666

Source: Moby's MySpace Bulletin

So, its like being on standby to get tickets to be a part of the SNL audience...and yet not because you could be one of the 500 people to actually make their way to the Virgin Megastore in Union Square at 9AM to buy Moby's new CD; and actually get to meet him later on at night. Wow. That was a long sentence.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Its been a decade since French band Air has made people swoon and possibly helped lots of couples conceive kids with their sensual music. To honor the band's achievement, Virgin will re-release Moon Safari as a deluxe anniversary edition.

From their MySpace Bulletin:

AIR - MOON SAFARI Anniversary reissue Released April 15, 2008

Recognized 10 years after its original release as a genre-defining classic, “Moon Safari” is not only a benchmark in electronic pop, but also the album that established Nicolas Godin and JB Dunckel as two of the most imaginative musicians working today. Having sold over 2 million copies worldwide, this highly revered album has become a consistent catalog best-seller, and has garnered a loyal and time-tested fanbase, crossing many demographic boundaries along the way.

To celebrate the band’s illustrious first 10 years, in which they have enjoyed many career-defining moments and countless critical accolades, VIRGIN is proud to present this expanded, deluxe version of “Moon Safari”, a beautiful artifact which no true AIR fan will want to miss out on.

This strictly limited edition release is a 3-disc package wrapped up in a collector case bound book (DVD-size)
Disc 1 features the seminal debut album while the 10-track second Disc includes rarities, remixes (Beck, Moog Cookbook) and key songs from radio sessions recorded during 1998 on both sides of the Atlantic. Disc 3 - a DVD - is the hour-long Mike Mills documentary “Eating, Sleeping, Waiting and Playing” filmed in New York, London and Paris during Air’s first tour.

TRACKLISTING:

DISC 1: MOON SAFARI
La Femme d’Argent
Sexy Boy
All I Need
Kelly Watch The Stars
Talisman
Remember
You Make It Easy
Ce Matin Là
New Star In The Sky
Le Voyage De Pénélope

DISC 2: REMIXES, RARITIES and RADIO SESSIONS
01.

Remember (David Whitaker Version)
02.

Kelly Watch The Stars (Live on the BBC 1998)
03.

J’ai Dormi Sous L’Eau (Live on the BBC 1998)
04.

Sexy Boy (Live on the BBC 1998)
05.

Kelly Watch The Stars (Moog Cookbook Remix)
06.

Mabrouk (Live on KCRW 1998)
07.

You Make It Easy (Live on KCRW 1998)
08.

Bossa 96 (Demo)
09.

Kelly Watch The Stars (Demo)
10.

Sexy Boy (Beck Sex Kino Mix)

DISC 3: DVD Component: “Eating, Sleeping, Waiting & Playing” (Directed by Mike Mills)
- 60 minute documentary originally released as a limited edition in 1999
- Features four video clips for “Sexy Boy”, “Kelly Watch The Stars”.

“All I Need” and “Le Soleil Est Pres De Moi”
- Previously unseen album graphics by Mike Mills

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With Ladytron now on Nettwerk, their upcoming release Velocifero will get a proper treatment. The album is not due for release until June (boo hoo!) but you can listen to the first track off the new album.

Photo: Paris. November 2007. By Stephane Gallois

Jump here to listen to "Black Cat". My first impression so far about the track -- it rocks hard. And Mira Aroyo singing in her native Bulgarian tongue is always a pleasure.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Plus... "Eat Yourself" (Yeasayer Remix)

Jump here to listen to the snippets.

There is also mention about those limited collector's 7" slipcases & CD collector's box.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 27, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, one member of The Teenagers.

I gave it a listen and comparing it so far from Rex the Dog's rejected remix, its different. Not much of a dance remix (which is probably what Goldfrapp is trying to steer clear from). It's helter skelter rhythm suggests confusion in a "la-de-da" state of mind.

Jump here to listen to the fuss.

Apparently there are two versions floating around. Jump here to try and hear the other version (its shorter by a couple seconds and doesn't have Alison's vocals at the end).

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 25, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sounds like Sheryl can't wait to join the AARP caravan.

DETROIT (Billboard) - Sheryl Crow's recent claim that she would be working with Fleetwood Mac surprised a lot of people -- including the members of the classic rock group. Crow, 46, who's friendly with Mac's Stevie Nicks, told the AOL music website Spinner.com earlier this month that she and the band "definitely have plans for collaborating in the future, and we'll see what happens." "I think we were all a little surprised (Crow) was announcing that to the world with such certainty," Fleetwood Mac principal Lindsey Buckingham, 58, told Billboard.com with a laugh. "We have talked about the possibility of bringing another woman into the scene to kind of give Stevie a sort of foil and shake it up a little bit. (Crow) was certainly a name that has come up. We'll have to see." Buckingham said the group, which last toured in 2004, is considering returning to the road in the first half of 2009, possibly with some new material. He said that he has "a ton of new stuff" that could be used for a new Fleetwood Mac album, its first since 2003's "Say You Will."

McVie's vocal parts do kinda suit Crow, since both can't really hit notes beyond Soprano-like levels. But this news would probably get most people excited. Personally, I say "whatever".

Source: Reuters

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 25, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The real Temple of the Dog...

Caption: Chihuahua dog "Conan" prays with Joei Yoshikuni at the Shuri-Kannondo temple in Okinawa islands, southwestern Japan, Monday, March 24, 2008.(AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 25, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

...Straight. *Gasp* :)

This was a real press release by Warner Bros. Records and an ingenious way to promote the upcoming Accelerate (April 1st). For years, fans and casual fans of the band wondered about Stipe's sexual preference. Having this fake press release was REM's way of returning the joke. Check it:

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

BURBANK, CA--(Marketwire - March 21, 2008) - R.E.M.'s Mike Mills and Peter Buck announced today that they are both, after years of awkward speculation, heterosexual, or "straight." Singer Michael Stipe declared his relief, and acknowledged that this turn of events was welcomed news, congratulating their courage and candidness.

My favorite line was when Michael said, "Its time to step out of the fog...fag...fog...fa...fog."

This is part of Warner Bros. Records "Cutting-Edge Online Marketing Campaign" for Accelerate, the band's 14th studio album.

If you can't wait for April 1st to check out Accelerate, then go to iLike starting March 24th for the online debut exclusive. iLike will stream the album in its entirety for six days at http://www.iLike.com/R.E.M. The album will also be available for pre-order via iLike's retail links to iTunes and Amazon.com, with a digital version to feature bonus live tracks.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 22, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Five select U.S. cities will show the live-DVD portion of British band Muse's HAARP; which coincides with the April 1st US release of the CD/DVD edition by Warner Bros. Records.

Filmed at London's Wembley Stadium on June 17, 2007, the DVD captures the exuberant spectacle of the band performing in front of a sold-out crowd of nearly 75,000 ecstatic fans, while the CD features audio from the band's sold-out show on the previous night, June 16th. Both discs include tracks from their latest album, "Black Holes and Revelations," including Modern Rock chart hits "Knights Of Cydonia," "Starlight," and "Supermassive Black Hole." That came straight from the press release.

What's Muse and will you like it? Why don't you watch the video (Below) to "Knights of Cydonia" and you decide. I LOVE that video.

Here's a taste of what's on the live-DVD. The song being performed is "Supermassive Black Hole":

Here are the cities that will show HAARP on April 1st, 2008:

Seattle, WA:
April 1, 7 p.m.
Pacific Science Center Laserdome
2nd Ave North
Seattle, WA 98109
http://www.PacificScienceCenter.org

San Francisco, CA
April 1, 8 p.m.
The Clay Theatre
2261 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/SanFrancisco/ClayTheatre.htm

Los Angeles, CA
April 1, 8 p.m.
Vista Theatre
4473 Sunset Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 660-6639

New York City, NY
April 1, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.)
Village East Theater
181 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003

And on April 11 2008:

Boulder, CO
April 11, 8 p.m.
Fiske Planetarium @ University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309
http://fiske.colorado.edu/

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 20, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As first cited by Pitchfork, Goldfrapp will indeed make a stop over at the lovely (actually not) Burbank studios and pay a visit to Jay Leno. Remember last time the band performed on Jay Leno? Remember who the guests were on the show? One of them was Simon Cowell. Who remembers that awkward moment at the very end of the show when guests are supposed to shake hands with Jay and each other? Who remembers that weird exchange between Simon & Alison? I do. So did my mom, my brother and the rest of the US fans.

And while in L.A., they stop by the studios of KCRW and will jam on "Morning Becomes Eclectic" the next day.

And check out this promo video that Pitchfork posted. Alison & Will are once again featured in the fox & leaf people outfits. If you're high, then don't watch it yet. Ok? Because it may freak you out when you see a fox sipping tea.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 18, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Not to be outdone by Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead and Aniboom announce their online music video contest.

As reported in TV Week, the contest will award the winners a $10,000 prize to produce a full-length music video. Aniboom said the contest will be promoted on Adult Swim and MySpace, where fans can vote.

The contest begins today, with the winner to be chosen by members of Radiohead. More information can be found at http://aniboom.com/radiohead.

Who's next? R.E.M.?

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 17, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Its been reported that Ola Brunkert, former drummer of uber Swedish pop band ABBA, was found dead in his garden in Mallorca, Spain.

Photo: Reuters/Roger Schederin/Ringside Events/Handout

The spokesman said Brunkert hit his head against a glass door in his dining room, shattering the glass and cutting himself in the neck. He managed to wrap a towel around his neck and left the house to seek help, but collapsed in the garden.

A neighbor found the body of 62-year-old Ola Brunkert on Sunday evening at his house in a coastal area outside the eastern town of Arta, a Civil Guard spokesman told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

This is a terrible way to go.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 17, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Nine Inch Nails just keeps on raising the bar with Ghosts I - IV. Recently on their website, Trent says "Thank you" to all who have downloaded, bought, ordered, ripped and shared Ghosts I - IV. Step one has been a success. On to step two - the visual aspect of the music. Here's an excerpt from the posting on the site:

This record began as an experiment with us using sound as a means to describe visuals. Early in the project we thought it would be interesting to see what the community could create / collaborate on as a reaction to the music we were making. We wanted to keep the canvas as blank as possible for you, hence the lack of descriptive song titles and the primarily textural artwork and packaging.

They have collaborated with YouTube to host a "film festival" of sorts where the community will utilize music from Ghosts I - IV to make visual projects that they produce and upload.

The concept is for you to take whatever tracks you feel inspired by from Ghosts and create what you feel should accompany them visually. You will be able to see all of the submissions, and a team of us (including me) will be sorting through them and setting aside ones we feel are exceptional. Eventually (within a couple of months?) we will present a virtual "film festival" with me and some special guests presenting selections of your work.

How cool is that?

Speaking of which, remember when I wrote about how we won't know results of how Ghosts I - IV will do in terms of sales? You probably saw this posted elsewhere but to re-cap, NIN earned $1.6 Million since the March 2 release online. Apparently over 800k transactions occurred during its first week and that includes download digitals, physical and pre-orders.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 16, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

An Australian woman, Karen Lee Cooper, pleaded guilty to manslaughter when she told the court that she never intended to kill her husband.

Apparently, Cooper was drinking at home when her husband told her to take the Springsteen CD out of the player. Apparently he doesn't like Springsteen. She on the other hand, was drinking and doesn't want to be told what to do. So she stabbed him with a kitchen knife and ended the arguement. Now she will be serving eight years in an Australian prison for killing her husband...by accident.

Jump here for the trite confession.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 16, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, maybe spoof is too strong a word to use in this case. Maybe tribute is the best word? When I first saw this video, I was crackin' up all over the place. I just couldn't stop laughing.

It turns out that Seventh Tree has made Gold status in the UK. Wow. Quite an achievement for an album Alison thought no one would care to buy. You see, leaks do seem to work.

Anyway, back to Rex the Dog... so it turns out that the second single will be "Happiness" and will be released April 17th on CD, LCD, 7" picture disk and download.

Here's the cover art for the "Happiness" single:

Can any of you make out what she's doing? I thought Alison is trying to show off her aerobic skills. But I could be wrong.

So here are the track listings:

CD
1. Happiness - Single version
2. Road To Somewhere Acoustic Version

Maxi CD
1. Happiness - Beyond The Wizards Sleeve Re-animation
2. Monster Love - Goldfrapp vs. Spiritualized
3. Eat Yourself - Yeasayer Remix

7" picture disc
A. Happiness - Single version
B. Happiness - Metronomy Remix Featuring The Teenagers

Yeah, you read that right - Spiritualized as well as The Teenagers, Brooklyn's Yeasayer and Beyond the Wizards Sleeve. But no Rex the Dog. As it turns out, their remix of "Happiness" was rejected. Thus, this video came about:

Coincidentally, Spiritualized will release their forthcoming album Songs in A&E (get it *wink*) on May 26. So it makes perfect sense for Goldfrapp fans to buy the new Spiritualized album. Cross-promotion is a beautiful thing, especially if its from another top notch band like Spiritualized.

As for The Teenagers, I totally dig that t-shirt that says, "Being a teenager is not a crime" with two horses running on opposite ends of the shirt. Beautifully tacky.

I like Yeasayer for the sheer fact that on their MySpace page, they say that their influence is Enya with Balls. Yeah.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 14, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rumors about Goldfrapp performing at Coachella were confirmed 3/11/08 with the official posting on Coachella's site. Jump here for the rundown.

In addition, Aphex Twin, Kate Nash, Serj Tankian, Redd Kross and Adele have been last minute additions to the lineup.

And then check out the new "luxury camping" offered by Coachella. Here's a description:

The comfort packages feature air beds with sleeping bag and pillows for each camper. Beyond the sleeping accommodations, campers in this special area will enjoy larger camping plots with more privacy, as well as access to upgraded amenities including deluxe showers and restrooms, complimentary breakfast buffet and adjacent parking.

That takes "roughing it in tent city" to a new level.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 12, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's Friday... Enjoy your weekend with this para para dance...

I gotta get me those cowboy boots.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 07, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday, news broke all over the wires about Bjork successfully pissing off the Chinese government and "hurting Chinese citizens feelings" when she screamed out "Tibet! Tibet!" after performing "Declare Independence". Thanks to speaking her mind in a Communist country, the Chinese government retaliates by further scrutinizing future performers who plan to include China in their touring itinerary. How strict will the Chinese government go, no one knows. Let's assume that they just get banned or censored.

Photo: AP

This is how Associated Press describe the picture in their caption:
Pop singer Bjork, of Iceland, performs at her solo concert in Shanghai Sunday, March 2, 2008. Icelandic singer Bjork has ignited criticism from Chinese fans after she declared 'Tibet! Tibet!' to end a passionate performance of her song 'Declare Independence' during a concert in China. The outburst, at the finale of Bjork's Sunday night concert in Shanghai, made audience members uneasy, by publicly touching on Tibetan resistance to Chinese rule, and set off complaints online.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 07, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By now, you have already heard (or read) about Nine Inch Nails' latest Ghosts I - IV. Taking a page straight out of Radiohead's playbook on mixing free with paid downloads, Trent Reznor goes several steps further and offers other price points with interesting value-added bundles. Digital Music News had a headline that read, "NIN Injecting Steroids into Radiohead Model" which is actually true. Apparently, the site was down Monday and then went up again today. "Not enough beer at the party," was what Reznor wrote on his site when it was down. It then pointed to other sites that offered the album while the site was going through maintenance.

The model is what I'm going to talk about. The music, well its NIN, what did you expect? Alright, Ghosts I has nine tracks of instrumentals which can easily find places in film, TV and video games.

Where the model and price points are concerned, this is what you get for the price you pay:

Price Point 1 - Free; you get nine tracks of instrumentals plus a pdf of the artwork/photographs as well as wallpapers, avatars and digital pics in various sizes. Tracks are DRM-free and of high quality at a bit rate of 320 kbps(not 128 kbps like shitty Apple iTunes).

Price Point 2 - $5 download of Ghosts I - IV; you get all 36 tracks in a variety of digital formats including the 40 page pdf. Same as above.

Price Point 3 - $10 2xCD Set; you get the physical discs as well as an immediate download of all 36 tracks in a variety of digital formats. The two audio CDs come in a six panel digipak package with a 16 page booklet. The CDs will be shipped April 8, 2008.

Price Point 4 - $75 Deluxe Edition Package; you get Ghosts I - IV in a fabric slipcase which contains two audio CDs, 1 data DVD with all 36 tracks in multi-track format, a Blu-Ray disk containing Ghosts I - IV in high-definition 96/24 stereo which is accompanied with a slideshow. This package ships out May 1, 2008 while all 36 tracks are available for immediate download in various digital formats.

Price Point 5 - $300 Ultra-Deluxe Limited Edition Package, SOLD OUT. Only 2500 were made available. What did it have that people would shell out that much money? According to Digital Media Wire, it had a four-LP vinyl set, limited to 2,500 copies signed by Reznor himself; in addition to what the $75 Deluxe Edition Package was offering.

Back when Radiohead launched their experimental pay-as-you-go service, Reznor was closely following the reactions to the marketplace as well as fan reactions. Once the band's contract with Interscope expired last October, Reznor felt confident that now is the time to try and make a go with self-distribution. Its pretty obvious that Reznor placed a lot of thought into the price point system as well as the value-added bundles and packages. We won't know until maybe next month if this system worked. My gut feeling says "yes" because the value-added bundles were actually attractive as the price increased. And not only that, the bundles didn't diminish in value, they were becoming competitive, piling on one more piece of attraction that can make the consumer pay more just to get that added product.

Where Radiohead had set the blueprint, Nine Inch Nails has raised the bar on standard. More bands should follow this approach and try to match or beat what Nine Inch Nails has offered to the market. Of course, each band is different with different needs. Self-distribution only benefits bands and musicians that already have a strong fan base and are established worldwide. It would be difficult to pull off what NIN did if a new unknown band was just starting out. I can't imagine a band like Maps or Black Kids doing this. Black Kids already offered free downloads off their EP on a promotional scale but that's all. But, its not hard for major labels to try and emulate what NIN just did. It really is just a matter of time before a major label (maybe EMI) will follow NIN's example.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 04, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Curious to know what the live show might look like this time around? Check out Goldfrapp's latest performance on The Jonathan Ross Show. Hopefully you catch it before the rights police take it down.

This version has been edited for your curiosity and enjoyment.

This version is just the performance:
Goldfrapp, Happiness, Jonathan Ross Show BBC 1, 29/02/08

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on March 01, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)