NAPSTER OFFSPRING: Is turn about fair play? Offspring thought it was, and the band starting selling (unauthorized) Napster-logo tshirts, hats and other materials from their own website. When Napster found out they sued, then must have realized the egg on their face - this was exactly the knid of thing Offspring, and many other bands, had been complaining Napster was doing with theri music. Napster and the band have since setttled out of court (which must be an interesting piece of papare, not that anyone has released it). I'm sure that one band won't change their methods, but if we all started selling Napster hats...
MP3.COM GIVEAWAY: Possibly launched in an effort to avoid continued copyright infringement lawsuits, My.MP3.com (the MP3.com site that has received the legal ire of the RIAA) is giving away 10 free, full-length digital CDs to all of its almost 500,000 registered My.MP3.com users. The CDs, from 10 top-rated MP3.com indie artists and bands, is a great way to promote the bands (including John Bell Young, Tears for Beers and L.A. Carpool), and a great way to get some good publicity for a change for the site, but what about paying the bands? Giving away a track or two is common online, but the whole CD? It will be interesting to learn if the bands themselves get paid at all for the downloads, and whether or not they feel, after the promotion is over, that they gained anything from the experience (besides the common music industry-induced emotion of feeling used).
I WANT MY IMNTV: A new website and broadcast network, Independent Music Network Television (IMNTV), thru it's website imntv.com (as well as through an agressive media ad campaign), is soliciting indie music videos submitted by artists (only, no record companies invited). You can submit your video on any format (VHS, 8mm, DV, etc.), but if it's not on BetaSP they'll charge you $42 to tranfer (for broadcasting). Provided that your video is deemed to be of aceptable technical quality, they will then broadcast it on their own 24-hour music network via digital satellite, and on some major cable systems, including in LA. The only commercials on the network will be for their own label, which will offer to sign the better of the bands. The videos will also be broadcast on their streaming , Internet music network from their website, www.imntv.com, where you can go to fill out your video submission form and get more info.
GREAT AMERICAN RIFFAGE HALL: Riffage.com, having receltly streamed live concerts from San Francisco's legendary venue, The Great American Music Hall, must have had a REALLY positive experience, since they have now purchased the venue. One of the oldest halls of its knid, the Music Hall is now outfited with state-of-the-art webcasting equipment. Since 1907 the venue has hosted acts ranging from Duke Ellington, Santana, Dave Matthews, and The Grateful Dead (who have recorded albums there). A big purchase for what can't possibly be a prifitable company, but with investors ranging from AOL to BMG it must have very deep pockets.
GET ON FILM: LA indie film "Face the Music" starts shooting soon, and they're looking for indie bands to feature on their soundtrack, and has started a contest on their website for tracks. Go to www.facethemusicthemovie.com to print the entry form, which includes submission info. No info on the site, however, on if the production pays for chosen music, etc - I've submitted something to find out more, and will follow up in a future column.
GUITARISTS OR HORSES?: Website www.guitarwar.com is under the impression that guitarists are constantly involoved in gladiator-style battle to dominate all other guitarists, and to prove this the site is designed to be in permanent "competition mode," seeking combatants from all over the world. The press release from the site says "Guitar War is not for the faint of heart. Contestants are competitive. Judges are tough and everyone plays to win" (which is interesting, since the release was written before the site was launched, making wonder how they know any of this...). Entrants will compete by posting MP3 and guitar tablature enties to different competitions (Speed, Tapping, Chords, etc.). Prizes have not yet been announced, but, as the site says, "Guitar players are fiercely competitive and willing to go to any lengths to demonstrate superior skill." Fiercely upload your entry and try not to get hurt out there, guys...
RADIO FREE BRANSON: Radio Free Virgin (www.radiofreevirgin.com) is promoting itself as a "revolutionary online entertainment system," and is making available a player application, downloadable from the site, that is permanently "tuned" to Virgin's streaming network, giving listeners (broadband listeners, anyway) streaming "near-CD quality" audio with accompanying CD cover images, info, and click-throughs to the Virgin Megastore site (www.virginmega.com) to purchase. This free convenience, which anywhere else is called RADIO, has Virgin CEO Richard Branson gushing "Listeners are weary of the limitations imposed on them by traditional radio stations." By limitations, is he referring to that annoying radio tradition of playing a variety of artists from competing record labels?
LIQUID TIMECODE: The soundtrack to Mike Figgis' 4-way film "Timecode" is the first big studio release available, in its entirety, for digital purchase and download online. Encoded in Liquid Audio (a sound format of higher quality than MP3, with long-established copy-protection), the soundtrack features music scored by Figgis and Anthoni Marinelli, as well as by the artist Skin and the band Everything But the Girl. A free, promo download of Skin's single from the film, "Comfort of Strangers," is also available. Go to www.timecode2000.com for film info, or www.liquid.com (or any of their over 800 "Liquid Music Network" affiliates to find the audio.
NO DEATH YET: eStudio.com has produced a Shockwave music video parody of the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star," entitled (cleverly enough) "Internet Killed the Radio Star" (posted at www.shockwave.com on their own "channel" entitled, also cleverly enough, "Regurge"). The "music video," which is just another stiff shockwave cartoon, is billed as "Demonstrating cutting-edge technology/techniques," even though the same site also hosts shockwave versions of South Park cartoons, some posted for more than 2 years (and way more entertaining).
STRICTLY NOT CHEAP: Strictlybeats.com is an indie site showcasing hip hop acts. The service gives hip hoppers a webpage, designed from materials sent in by the artists, to showcase to Internet viewers and the music industry. Memberships are $149/year, and although many sites online are actually free, they also require some computer skills to join. With Strictly Beats you simply send in your photo, bio and three 30 second sound files and they do the rest. They seem to have their shopping cart technology together, and you pay upfront before any other submission info is provided, but you can email dbest@strictlybeats.com with any questions.
WEBTIPS: none this issue
© 2000 Music Connection Magazine.