jenniferhudson

Capitol/EMI/Astralwerks/Virgin/Warner/RIAA - more news from the front lines

First a record contract, now an Oscar

I shed a tear twice during the Oscars last night – first during Jennifer Hudson’s acceptance speech, and then during Ennio Morricone‘s. But I still couldn’t help feeling like a cynical bastard earlier while watching the heartwarming (CNN?) pre-show special on American Idol loser-turned-Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson – specifically the part where she talked about landing a real life record deal.

I’ve been following the rumors surrouding the mess that is Capitol Records right now, and the related scandal that is the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Here’s the latest….

From the comments:

inouk was dropped from astralwerks last week.

And Bill from Sound Team wrote in the other comments:

us being on a major was never quite right. a very bad fit.

feels great to be free again.

Entertainment Weekly reports on Elvis‘ daughter..

With the recent merger of Capitol and Virgin Records, one artist that won’t be joining the new roster is Lisa Marie Presley. ”Capitol just folded, but I got out right before,” she told us at the Clive Davis party, where she came as Pink’s date. ”I’m free and it’s a nice feeling.” Label or not, Presley is preparing to start on her third album next month and has been writing with husband Michael Lockwood, who produced her last effort, 2005’s Now What? But there’s no timetable yet, she says. ”I’m going to take my time.”

And from Brooklyn band The Explosion

Hello one and all!

We are writing you from the dead of winter here in Park Slope Brooklyn, with a long over due update about the Explosion and our record, Bury Me Standing. As some of you may know, the record label that we have been working with for the past 3 years, Virgin Records, has decided not to release our new album, and release us from our contract. To some that may be bad news, but to others (who know about the perils of major labels) know that it is not such a bad thing. The good news, is that we have gotten the record back from Virgin, and are in the process of finding a label that may put it out. We will keep you updated. Thanks to all of you who have been writing (over and over again) to find out what is up with the record. We hope to have it out ASAP. Thanks again you all!!!! xoxplsn

Moby doesn’t mention anything out of the ordinary:

c-oh, in case you wonder what i’m doing with myself these days, i’m working on my next record. as always i have about 400 songs that i’m trying to narrow down to the 20 or so that will comprise the next record. i don’t know when the record will come out, september, maybe? but september’s a tricky time to release a record, cos EVERYONE puts out records in september. so suddenly my little record is competing with the heavy hitters. so we’ll see. maybe september’s the right time to release a new record. maybe it’s not. i’ll keep you updated(in my clueless way).

In the meantime the RIAA is going after Wi-Fi

If the RIAA has its way, you could be prosecuted if hackers use your home wireless network for things such as downloading copyrighted music or sending spam. Once again, the entertainment industry needs to be stopped.

And the RIAA is going after college students. Ohio University alum be proud:

Copyright Infringement Complaints from the RIAA
School 2005–2006 2006–2007
Ohio University 232 1,287
Purdue University 37 1,068
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 421 1,002
University of Tennessee-Knoxville 153 959
University of South Carolina 204 914
University of Massachusetts-Amherst 365 897
Michigan State University 418 753
Howard University 604 572
North Carolina State University 242 550
University of Wisconsin-Madison 125 513
University of South Florida 276 490
Syracuse University 181 488
Northern Illinois University 3 487
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 199 473
Boston University 164 470
Northern Michigan University 146 457
Kent State University 112 424
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 93 400
University of Texas-Austin 113 371
North Dakota State University 204 360
Indiana University 160 353
Western Kentucky University 128 353
Seton Hall University 5 338
Arizona State University 177 336
Marshall University 154 331
     
Total 4,916 14,646

Ohio University responds.

Boycott the RIAAGizmodo says let’s boycott the RIAA in March.

“Firstly, I encourage everyone to purchase music from unsigned bands and bands on independent record labels. There are tons of great artists out there, many of which you’re probably already a fan of, that have nothing to do with the RIAA. Buy their records at eMusic, an online store that sells independent tunes in beautiful, DRM-free MP3 format…”

At least it’s not all bad news

Defendant Debbie Foster of Oklahoma was granted attorney fees in Capitol v. Foster, a RIAA copyright infringement lawsuit. The case is RIAA’s biggest setback to date.

The Foster case followed a typical pattern for RIAA lawsuits. The Internet subscriber, Debbie Foster, was the first one sued. After discovery her daughter was identified as the likely downloader and then also sued. Debbie Foster countersued as an innocent party. RIAA dropped the suit against the mother, while it continued against the daughter….

Stay strong.

Also
* Association of Independent Music Preps Emergency Meeting After Gut Splits
* ‘Shocked’ Ministry of Sound Quits AIM Over Impala, WMG Pact
* EMI moving to Jersey City
* EMI (to Apple): DRM stays
* RIAA Continues Its Quest To Sue As Many Potential Music-Swappers As Possible

Previously
* more Capitol/EMI/Caroline/Astralwerks rumors
* Capitol Records dropping lots of bands
* Maybe RIAA lawsuits help pay Paris Hilton’s ‘tour’ expenses
* Limewire sues RIAA!
* “DJ Drama Arrested In Mixtape Raid”
* David Byrne Radio vs. The RIAA
* “Thoughts on Music” – A Letter from Steve Jobs