Amy Winehouse @ Bowery Ballroom - March 2007 (more)

A spokesman for Amy Winehouse says the singer won't perform in the United States next month, as had been planned.

Spokesman Chris Goodman said Monday that Winehouse isn't going to the Coachella festival in Indio, Calif., in "light of current legal issues."

Winehouse was charged with assault last week for allegedly attacking a fan at a London party in September. The singer is due in court next week.

Being charged with a crime often makes it difficult for people to get U.S. visas. [Billboard] (thx Tye)

That is probably the least surprising news ever announced in history. In related news, "2009 is the 50th anniversary of the founding of Island Records, arguably the most prestigious record label in the history of British music. To mark this milestone the label is collaborating with Island founder Chris Blackwell to arrange the Island 50 festival." A week of live shows is planned in London, and Amy Winehouse is on the bill. More details below...

Continue reading "Amy Winehouse out of Coachella, in for Islands's 50th Fest"

After an unusual three-year turn in the corporate suite, Jay-Z, the rap superstar, said Monday that he would step down from his post as president of Def Jam Recordings, one of the world’s best-known record labels. [NY Times]

Ultragrrrl recently left her position at Universal too.

Also....
* Jay-Z & Beyonce may or may not be married.
* Jay-Z is opening a hotel in Manhattan.
* DJ Skee mashed up "American Gangster" with the Godfather (American Godfather)

Ultragrrrl's apartment, 4th of July 2007 (CRED)

......Stolen Transmission started IN MY BEDROOM as an indie label putting out hand made cds of bands that me and Rob believed in. We werent funded back then, and we were really happy. We did everything because of how much we loved music. Now that I've had my experience with Island/Def Jam, I know how to actually run a label, and I helped set up 9 amazing releases from Permanent ME, the Oohlas, Monty Are I, Bright Light Fever, the Horrors, Schoolyard Heroes, PlayRadioPlay!, Innerpartysystem, and the Photo Atlas. I'm so fucking proud that my label went from me and a bunch of interns sitting in my bedroom smoking and watching degrassi and eating guac i had just made to me sitting in meetings once a week with JayZ and now it'll just go back to being run from my apartment again. We plan on continuing with Stolen Transmission and are really excited to be returning to our indie roots.

I'm also glad to say that the Stolen Transmission party is coincedently starting in a new venue tonight! That means no more Angels & Kings, and now we're going to the Hanger Bar (3rd street btw B and C), which is also more aligned with the vibe the party hand when the label was run out of my bedroom. This is all very very exciting for me........ [Ultragrrl on Absolute Punk]

Via Idolator: "Island Def Jam Lays Off Staff, Cuts Ultragrrrl's Label Loose"