In this issue: Megan Washington joins the PPCA board, Record Industry sales drop,#NotON Violence against women campaign picks up speed, Channel [V] launch new channels, Timmy Trumpet and Savage kick goals with "Freaks", DMA's release debut EP in the USA, who was signed this weel, plus the ARIA charts.
MEGAN WASHINGTON JOINS PPCA BOARD AS ARTIST REPRESENTATIVE
Megan Washington has joined the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) board as an artist representative after successfully participating in the Artist Representation election process.
As an artist representative, Washington will act as a part of the PPCA’s representation of thousands of Australian artists when their music is used in public. PPCA CEO Dan Rosen was thrilled with Washington’s appointment to the board. “Megan’s contribution to Australian music is highly respected by the industry and we are thrilled to have someone with her wealth of experience and vision on the PPCA Board.”
Washington herself is looking forward to her involvement on the board. “I look forward to working together with the PPCA board and management team to ensure that we continue to create an environment in Australia, where artists and rights holders get fair value for the use of their music.”
GLOBAL RECORD INDUSTRY SALES DROP
Strong growth in streaming revenues couldn’t stop the recorded music business’s official worldwide income dropping under US$15bn for the first time in 2014.
New statistics from the IFPI show that overall global record industry revenues dipped by just 0.4% last year, from $15.03bn to $14.97bn. Another first for the industry in 2014 was that digital and physical music consumption contributed the same proportion of total revenues for the first time (46% apiece), pulling in around $6.85bn each.
Global subscription streaming revenues rose 39% to US$1.57bn in 2014, and now make up 23% of digital revenues globally, up from 18% in 2013.
MUSIC INDUSTRY MAKING NOISE TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
The grassroots campaign #notON has continued to spread and gain momentum through out the Australian music landscape in an aim to put an end to violence against women.
With support from artists such as Courtney Barnett, Violent Soho, Hermitude, L-Fresh The Lion, Alpine, Bad//Dreems and Lurch & Chief, the campaign is quickly gaining traction through out the community to strongly convey the message that violence against women is simple #notON.
CHANNEL [V] LAUNCHES FIVE NEW DEDICATED MUSIC SHOWS
This week, Channel [V] have started programming five brand new music dedicated shows on Channel 801, each dedicated to a specific genre every weeknight.
The weekly programming format is as follows:
• Mondays are INDIE centric. Indie lovers won’t have to leave the house on Monday evenings, with the best of guitar-driven gems, tunes anchored by drum machines, glassy vocals, junk-shop synths – plus all the other crunchy left-of-centre sounds birthed in garages and bedrooms around the world.
• Tuesdays are now POPPED, a show covering all the best pop ear worms, plus all the biggest tracks and hottest acts from around the globe.
• Wednesday is the night for Rock and Hardcore lovers, with Bert McCracken taking you through the best of the genres in his show THE REVOLUTION.
• Hip Hop, RnB, Soul, and rap fans will be right at home on Thursday nights with THE CONNECT. From new collaborations, to the dopest beats, slow jams and party anthems to hot new bangers, The Connect will set you up for an hour which is so on point, you’ll be wishing every day was Thursday.
• Friday Nights are now home to THE BIG MIX featuring MESSED UP WITH GENERIK. From 7pm, your night will be started with the best party tracks, before Generik takes over at 9pm with the best in new dance tracks, with guest DJs weekly.
TIMMY TRUMPET AND SAVAGE GO 5X PLATINUM WITH "FREAKS"
Having been in our ears for a year now, Ministry of Sound signees Timmy Trumpet and Savage’s track “Freaks” has gone 5x Platinum, making it the highest selling in Ministry of Sound Australia’s history.
With both artists set to release new singles in the upcoming months, “Freaks” shows no sign of slowing, with close to 20 international licenses secured and the track currently sitting in the top 25 of the worldwide Shazam chart.
DMA'S RELEASE SELF-TITLED EP IN THE USA AND UK
Sydney’s DMA’s are set to release their self-titled EP on May 19th in North America via Mom+Pop Music, and Infectious Records in the United Kingdom.
On the back of their growth and exposure in Australia, the Sydney trio have been receiving air play in the US market from the likes of KCRW, KEXP, and The Current, and as a result are set to tour the USA, UK and Europe from May to August.
LADY GAGA TO RECEIVE ICON AWARD AT THE 2015 SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME GALA
Six time Grammy winner Lady Gaga has been acknowledged for her song writing prowess and will receive the first ever Contemporary Icon Award at the 2015 Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on June 18th in New York.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame Contemporary Icon Award has been initiated in order to celebrate a songwriter-artist who has attained an iconic status in pop culture; and a result of hits like “Poker Face”, “Bad Romance”, and “Born This Way”, Lady Gaga is a worthy recipient.
LOVE STREET MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED
To be held at Shadow Electric, Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne on the 25th October of this year, the Love Street Music and Arts Festival promises to be an exciting event in support of local independent musicians, artists and producers.
The program will be a line up of indie folk, country and roots bands, interweaved with an eclectic arts program of dance, puppetry, spoken word, circus, performance art and projection.
SIGNINGS THIS WEEK
After touring nationally last year with Giraffage on the back of the strength of his Soundcloud uploads, Fremantle’s Leon Osborn has signed with Perth’s Pilerats Records, and has subsequently releases new single “You Were Gone”.
Pittsburgh band The Gotobeds have signed a worldwide recording deal with Sub Pop Records. Having released their debut LP Poor People Are Revolting in 2014, Sub Pop were quick to sign the band to the label.
Having gained praise and glowing reviews about the debut from NPR Music, Terminal Boredom and Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the band have just completed a tour of the United States.
USA act U.S Girls (AKA Illinois artist Meg Remy) has signed with labels 4AD and Remote Control Records. Following the signing with the labels, U.S Girls has shared new track “Damn That Valley”, which has scored itself a coveted ‘Best New Track’ feature on Pitchfork.
Singer-songwriter Sarah Belkner has announced intimate shows in Sydney and Melbourne following the release of new single “Humans” and her signing with 123 Agency.
“Humans” marks a stunning return from Belkner. The track is brought to life by haunting vocal arrangement and soul-drenched lyrics over an exquisite bed of indie-pop, down-tempo, electronic rhythms.
NSW artist Hein Cooper has announced his signing with the UK’s Primary Talent (Basement Jaxx, Django Django, Noel Gallagher), and France’s Uni-T (Angus & Julia Stone, Chet Faker).
It’s been a big week for the South Coast native, having gained airplay on Triple J, while also his single “The Art of Escape” got remixed by Byron Bay locals Tora.
ARIA CHARTS
Singles:
1. See You Again – Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
2. Lean On – Major Lazer ft. MO & DJ Snake
3. Where Are You Now – Skrillex & Diplo ft. Justin Bieber
4. Runaway (U & I) – Galantis
5. Do You Remember – Jarryd James
6. Want To Want Me – Jason Derulo
7. Wasn’t Expecting That - Jamie Lawson
8. Bills – LunchMoney Lewis
9. King – Years & Years
10. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Albums:
1. Spirit of the ANZACS – Lee Kernaghan
2. Glitterbug – The Wombats
3. Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Soundtrack
4. X – Ed Sheeran
5. In The Lonely Hour – Sam Smith
6. 1989 – Taylor Swift
7. Title – Meaghan Trainor
8. Hozier – Hozier
9. To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar
10. Chaos and the Calm – James Bay