DEALS
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BMG has acquired Dr Alban’s interests in his recordings catalogue, it already owning the label share in those tracks, which include, of course, ‘It’s My Life’. “The acquisition of Dr Alban’s interests means BMG now has control of the key works of three tentpole Eurodance artists – Snap!, Haddaway and Dr Alban”, brags BMG in its official statement. The music company’s Maximilian Kolb is “delighted” about the new deal, whereas Dr Alban is “THRILLED” about it.
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Absolute Label Services will manage the release of Shaznay Lewis‘s first solo album in 20 years, which is called ‘Pages’ and will be released on 17 May. “Working with Absolute on my album ‘Pages’ has been a liberating experience”, says she.
APPOINTMENTS
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BMG‘s Chief Content Officer Dominique Casimir is stepping down. She joined the current iteration of BMG shortly after its launch in 2008. “It has been an exceptional journey to have been part of shaping BMG’s story from almost day one”, she says. “We built something unique – a global company with a genuinely artist-focused spirit – and celebrated many milestones together. I am truly grateful for the possibilities I have been given and the amazing people I work with, but I have decided that it is time for something new in my life and career”.
DIGITAL
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Fairly Trained, the initiative that certifies generative AI companies which commit to only use licensed content as part of their training processes, has certified five more companies and projects: KL3M, Voicemod, Infinite Album, Lemonaide and Frostbite Orckings. A number of organisations representing creators and copyright owners have also come on board as supporters, including The Authors Guild, MMF US, SAG-AFTRA and ASCRL.
MEDIA
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The UK government has appointed a panel of nine independent experts to advise on the BBC funding review, and to “help evaluate the current funding model and assess alternative funding options”. The panel includes Times Literary Supplement Editor Martin Ivens; former Endemol UK and ITV Chairman Peter Bazalgette; former CEO of commercial radio trade group Radiocentre Siobhan Kenny; economist and journalist Frances Cairncross; former Channel 5 boss David Elstein; co-founder of Blue Zoo Productions Oli Hyatt; Director Of Communications for the Financial Conduct Authority Helen Bower Easton; broadcast journalist and former Director Of Communications at Ten Downing Street Amber de Botton; and Executive Chairman of investment and wealth management firm Dowgate Capital Lorna Tilbian.
ARTIST NEWS
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Joni Mitchell‘s music has returned to Spotify. She followed the lead of Neil Young when he began a Spotify boycott in 2022 in protest over the streaming service’s exclusivity deal with podcaster Joe Rogan, who had been accused of allowing COVID conspiracy theories to be aired unchallenged on this podcast. Young recently announced that his music was returning to Spotify because the Rogan podcast is available again on other platforms – including Apple and Amazon – so just boycotting Spotify doesn’t make sense. Mitchell has presumably applied the same logic.
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Paloma Faith is publishing a book called ‘Happy Place’ on 6 Jun. “Infused with Paloma’s characteristic humour and raw honesty about the challenges of IVF and the early years of motherhood, this book is a beautiful celebration of women’s work and the invisible load women carry”, says an official blurb. The book’s launch will be celebrated at an in conversation event at London’s Union Chapel on 12 Jun, info here.
GIGS & TOURS
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Cat Burns has announced tour dates across Europe for October, which will build on the release of her debut album ‘Early Twenties’ on 12 Jul. The tour will kick off in Amsterdam on 6 Oct and wrap up at London’s Roundhouse on 18 Oct. Tickets go on sale on 28 Mar.
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Foy Vance has announced a UK tour for November which will include a four night residency at the Grand Opera House in Belfast and then three nights at EartH in London. Each show will feature support from a comedian, with Shane Todd, Diana Doherty and Micky Overman among those set to appear.
RELEASES
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Girl In Red has posted new track ‘You Need Me Now?’, which features Sabrina Carpenter. It is from her upcoming new album ‘I’m Doing It Again Baby!’, which will be released on 12 Apr.
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Bugzy Malone has announced he will release new album ‘The Great British Dream’ on 10 May via B-Somebody Records. The announcement is accompanied by a new Daily Duppy which premiered on GRM Daily yesterday.
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Florrie will release her debut album ‘The Lost Ones’ on 14 Jun via BMG and Xenomania Records. Here is the title track.
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With Kojaque releasing a deluxe edition of his ‘Phantom Of The Afters’ album on 5 Apr, here is new track ‘London Lido’.
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SiR has released his eagerly awaited album ‘Heavy; featuring collaborations with Anderson .Paak, Ab-Soul, Ty Dolla $ign, Isaiah Rashad and others. Check out the video for ‘You’.
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Pearl Jam have released their latest single ‘Running’ from the upcoming album ‘Dark Matter’, which is set for release on 19 Apr.