The Sound08 competition is in full flow now and boy do I reckon the judges have their work cut out. We’ve seen some excellent entries already and it’s early doors still. Some top acts that have already caught my eye include Lanterns on the Lake and Lazy Hammock with many others that are thoroughly impressive… ...and unlike some sites, when we say we have XFM and Rock Ness involved, that means we do actually have XFM and Rockness involved.

You can check out the Rock Ness lineup to date here. Print it off and pencil your name in, or, enter Sound08 and you may not need the pencil…

...amazingtunes

DRM has finally met the beginning of its end, it seems, as Sony BMG has announced decisions to sell releases without the attached copyright protection software – the last of the ‘Major 4’ labels to do so. For over a decade now DRM has been employed as a means to control the digital distribution of music over illegal channels such as peer2peer communities like Gnutella, however DRM has long been lambasted by legitimate music fans and buyers who wish for the freedom to house their music, that they lawfully own, across multiple platforms – an option removed via the inclusion DRM.

While the anti-piracy intentions of the DRM efforts were good, in principal, this has fast become another antiquated means of copyright that more often than not affects mainly those who acquire the product legitimately, while pushing others towards the very same p2p networks that it intended to put an end to, as the consumers look for the freedom they should be entitled to over how they listen to their music. “DRM is like going into your local stereo shop and having to purchase a DVD player for each movie studio.” Stated one disgruntled blogger, while many more consumers were subject to great frustration when, in 2005, Sony BMG embedded a form of DRM in their CDs that, when played on a PC, left the machines vulnerable to viruses. DRM, I can guarantee, will not be missed.

So it’s good news for the consumer. Or is it?

DRM was one effort to stem the flow of digital information onto p2p networks, but in its wake lies suggestions of new efforts to cut the flow, though this time not to the p2p communities, but from them. Presumably unrelated, but linked none the less to the DRM story, the RIAA and IFPI are looking at other means to control file-sharing. New preventative measures are being suggested, this time at the ISP level with both said organizations – alongside the likes of NBC, Microsoft, and communications giants AT&T – discussing the practicalities and facilitation of ISP filtering. What this means is that your Internet Service Provider could soon be screening the files you are receiving, at network-level, in an attempt to find copyright infringing items. The IFPI and RIAA wants ISPs to exercise more control and responsibility by starting to block unauthorized music transfers, as well as block any BitTorrent traffic. Further encouraged measures could even extend to ISPs completely blocking access to any “specific P2P services that are known to be predominantly infringing and that have refused to implement steps to prevent infringement”

While taxation at an ISP level may be more appealing to some it has weighty repercussions with regards to worldwide implementation, and when viewed against a screening suggestion, ISP filtering seems far more executable in the short-term. It’s success is by no means a definite and based on a trial basis, can be replaced by a taxation method if it fails to work.

I cannot say i like the sound of this allowance of information moderation that could be handed to the ISPs that have, up until now, provided me with the wide-open information super-highway that I have come to love, but the power lies with the money and the money lies with the big-hitters.

Watch this space…

...amazingtunes.com

It Christmas time, the ceramic logs on my gas fire are glowing and the seasonal videos on YouTube are on back-to-back streaming. Bing and Bowie’s nearly convincing acting is quickly following by Jimmy ‘Prince Adam’ Saville giving us a little bit of Wizzard, before pulling out all the stops with Slade. You need a real big hitter to follow that, cue Shakin’ Stevens, then slow it down with Peter Auty – that’s the Aled Jones replacement to you and me. Keep the lights low for some Andy Williams and brothers, if only for the pullovers, before bringing it back to the 80s with Wham and Last Christmas. Find some space for a rendition of Carol of the Bells (a personal favourite) before pulling out the Home Alone dvd and sitting back with a glass of home-made mulled wine.

Have a very merry Christmas everyone, and best wishes for 2008 with love and festive cheer from all the staff at amazingtunes.

...amazingtunes.com

Google’s philanthropic arm – google.org – has been making the news recently over their endeavors to combat climate change and environmental issues. The initiative, focused around investing in other environmentally conscious companies as well as concentrating on their own R&D efforts for renewable fuel sources have led to the setting of an ambitious goal to generate a gigawatt of renewable electricity at a price cheaper than can be done currently with fossil fuels.

This is a really warming commitment from a global company, though it initially all sounds a bit odd, and more so when you consider Google – an internet based company – work in a digitized medium, thus having minimal environmental impact from their main outputs. But that’s not to suggest they shouldn’t undertake these types of responsibilities, in fact, being at the heart of the distribution of information and a leading benefactor of advertising revenue they are in a considerably apt position to make a realistic difference. “It’s very hard to find options that aren’t coal-based or other dirty technologies,” said Google co-founder Sergey Brin, “We don’t feel good about being in that situation as a company. We feel hypocritical. We want to make investments happen so there will be alternatives for us to use down the road.”

So Google are doing something really positive on their side of the counter. It got me thinking about us, the consumers, and where our efforts should lie. While Google are paving the way with e-commerce, their success is aiding the generation of a growing issue with e-waste. As new technology rapidly replaces old, current computers, i-pods, digital cameras, monitors etc. become obsolete and one more feature of a landfill – shockingly up to 80% of e-waste from the U.S. is exported to impoverished countries. But thanks to the concerted effort of folks like the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and GreenBiz.com as well as greenpeace with greenmyapple.org us consumers have a myriad of places (via a simple google search none-the-less) to find out how best to responsibly discard our old electronic goods.

An e-waste guide:

- The green consumer guide – electrical goods

And here are a few e-waste collectors:

- A computer disposal and computer recycling company in the UK

- A free nationwide service for the collection, treatment and recycling of all obligated Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment

- One of the UK’s leading small-business IT recycling and disposal specialists

- Free iPod Recycling Program at US Retail Stores

- Computer monitor and television recycling

no excuses…

...amazingtunes.com

Prior to this morning I’d have probably had the same reaction to this as you’ve undoubtedly just had, which is “Who…?” (some of you may have also unwillingly thought of Suggs, but don’t let that little ditty get stuck in your head…). The “who?” was then followed by the curiosity of just how many days of the year can be assigned to a person or cause. But St. Cecilia is, rather appropriately, the patron saint of musicians, and today, the 22nd of November, is her feast day. A feast i’ll prepare in a moment…

My awareness of this has come about through the endeavors of former KLF frontman Bill Drummond and his efforts yesterday (and in the previous two years) to make the 21st of November No Music Day. Originally, he tells us, it was practically a personal affair with very little awareness, but it has began to snowball with BBC Radio Scotland supporting this years efforts, making yesterday a music-less day over the airwaves – for Scotland’s public radio at least. I myself unfortunately failed to adhere to the occasion, what with my laptop and headphones in front of me and a freshly acquired Moha! album I succumbed to temptation. I still however think that, impractical or genius, this day seems to make sense. It made me consciously think, and recognise, my ignorance towards the continual flow of music I feed myself. Then I thought about other music that crosses my path, in shops or in adverts, even the postman whistling his morning chorus. Music is an unavoidable aspect of our culture to the point where it’s presence is all but taken for granted. It has literally become part of the fittings of our society and while I question how possible it is to silence the harmonious elements around us, the effort of a days fasting can really go some way to helping our understanding and appreciation for this wonderfully expressive and meaningful medium.

It is no coincidence that No Music Day should fall on the eve of St. Cecilia’s feast day either. What a wonderful preparation for an overindulgence of music the 21st could be, and for this foresight I raise my beanie to Mr. Drummond. I do think it may be a little too ambitious to be fully realised, but even if it inspires just a moments consideration in folks for music in our environment it may be considered a success.

Back to the point at hand however in that today – the 22nd – is a day for music, and in light of this I have compiled a playlist of some really great songs from amazingtunes for you to lend an ear to (Click here). The styles vary and I’m sure there’s something for everyone in there – with no excuses as to why you haven’t clicked the link, what with it being the 22nd!

A quick mention goes out to Steve Mclaren, unlucky mate! At least we won’t have to go through the unimaginably painful process of deciding on a terribly weak and dull Official England Song for next summer’s European Championships. Like this… [video] ...if only you could see the look of contempt I’m now sporting after having just watched that.

...amazingtunes.com

...They all made me smile this week.

Avoiding the heavier topics I would usually approach with blogs, this week I want to document everything musical that has made me smile over the past seven days. After excitedly waiting, and subsequently missing the postman, i managed to collect my Sigur Ros DVD – Heima – from the Post Office and can highly recommend it to any post-rock and progressive music fan. With great delicacy the Icelandic collective seem to effortless create beautiful movements of sound, supported by the superb cinematography and editing that makes this DVD a series of epic tracks that could stand alone each as music videos in their own right. The band come across with great modesty and articulation, and my flat-mate has since realised she’s actually a massive Sigur Ros fan…

Following my many blogs that make mention to Sir Paul McCartney and Thom Yorke – in negative and positive lights respectively – I had a little smile this morning when i read that Yorke had snubbed a collaboration request from the not quite so green and liberal McCartney. “I asked Thom to do a duet” Said McCartney “but he said he couldn’t because he only felt happy working on his own and Radiohead’s material.” Not to worry Paul, I imagine Starbucks is not a regular haunt for Thom and the boys anyway.

But my biggest smile of all was reserved for stumbling across a long since archived letter from Elvis to the then President Nixon. While i don’t hold any prejudice against political stance, even in the musical realm where political agenda often seems predetermined against the liberal nature of musicians, to see such right-wing discourse from the King did make me chuckle. Wanting to help America combat things like the drug-culture, the SDS and – now this did make me laugh – “the hippie elements” Elvis went so far as to make suggestions that he be made a ‘Federal Agent-at-large’ in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. No chance of him going undercover really though was there. You can read the letter here and other relevent documents regarding their correspondence and meeting here if you do so wish.

...amazingtunes

The Times this week has reported findings that Google’s revenue from it’s advertising services have overtaken that of ITV1’s (in the third quarter of the year). ITV1 accounts for 90% of ITV’s ad revenue and it’s the highest earner from ads amongst the commercial channels in Britain. It’s an even more impressive feat on Google’s behalf when considering that coverage of this years rugby world cup by ITV would have generated unusually large amounts of advertising income.

What it means is that Google – an internet service – is now well on target to be the largest benefactor of advertising in the UK – with predictions for them overtaking ITV plc during 2008. I’m not writing for the financial times though, and there is underlying implications to this incredibly lucrative and fast growing business. Google, Microsoft and Yahoo have all purchased online ad firms in recent months and the trend is fast moving towards personalised and social advertisement, where the trackable nature of internet usage lends itself towards tailored advertising toward individuals. This is already causing concern in the US where privacy advocates wish to ensure a ‘do not track’ list comes into operation, protecting those on it from receiving tailored adverts from companies looking to shape their marketing to online habits (similar lists have worked for phone advertisers, and an opt-out, i strongly feel, should be created). The thought of my online habits being analysed as a means to undermine and extend my consumerism is a dark area in my eyes, and i worry how far companies will go without conscience in order to increase revenue. Obviously, in theory, the tailored advertising on the internet would be quite pleasant, with relevant products and services being literally put in front of you. However, in our consumer generation, driven by debt and lending, and where people find identity from the things they purchase, the lack of morals many companies tend to exude when targeting an audience (or person!) generates some concern over how detrimental an effect tailored adverts could have on people.

But then, i must take a step back. The advertising on amazingtunes.com is Googleads, and here the ads are relevantly compiled from the content on the page. What’s more is, when (and it is a when, not an if) peer2peer replaces the current antiquated copyright system for music distribution, and the commercially run p2p services employ the tailored ads with regards to their music fans, the music you like and want will be put in front of you before you even know you want it. And of the advert you have to view while the track downloads… well they’re just showing you the tune you’ll be grabbing after this one.

...amazingtunes.com

My ears pricked up today when I stumbled across a story that appears to have dipped under the radar somewhat. It is suggesting that Denmark’s IFPI (International Federation of Phonogram and Videogram Producers) is willing to succumb to peer-to-peer downloading, and in return they will suggest a fixed monthly fee charged to all ISP users.

Currently copyright is going through a rocky spell. The new age of digital mediums and digital distribution, giving access across a global network, makes any sort of authoritative control previously had over media now near impossible to maintain. What new iterations and add-ons there are to previous copyright laws are fast becoming archaic and unrepresentative – or rather too inflexible – for the water-like movement of creative material over the internet. DRM (Digital Rights Management), thought to be at one point a means of distributive control, has fast become old hat, with folks like EMI and iTunes removing it from their mp3s. This is compounded by governments wanting to support DRM-free media to ensure fair play and competition in the industry, allowing other companies to compete with mp3 devices like the iPod where previously iTunes’ tracks would have not been compatible. Personally I am an advocate of relaxed copyright laws. I would rather see levees attached to the ISP users – like with Canadian blank recording media – with the money going towards folks like the PRS and the MCPS and then distributed accordingly. This however will place a large emphasis on government opinion to bring about a utility bill style charging system, much like your TV license or water bill that allows unlimited access and accumulation of all music. Obviously this is all very outlandish but the big, bold point to this move toward the rebuttal of copyright, in favour of fee driven all-you-can-download systems is that it is here instigated by those who are instrumental in the development of the product to which the copyright laws relate, and this could signify a foreseeable end to the current copyright saga.

There are obviously flaws, like the extent to which this can be controlled outside of a home environment – where ISP users are less likely to be individuals. And how far and how easily fees can be instigated and coherent on a global scale, but I believe it’s a step in the right direction for modernising the availability and circulation of audio media.

On a lighter note, I read that Britney Spears’ friends and family are urging fans to boycott her latest album until she has straightened herself out. It’s lovely to see the circle around her wanting to soften the blow of the inevitably small number of record sales her poor attempt at a resurrection will create, by pretending they made it so. Such altruism…

...amazingtunes

The music world may be becoming diversified with a vast array of acts and music styles, but there’s still space it seems for Spinal Tap-esque rock profanity on an unprecedented scale. Irish stadium rockers U2 are in the planning phases of building a skyscraper – yes, a skyscraper! – in the dock-lands of Dublin. Initial shock was soon replaced by bemused laughter when I read the proposed name, The U2 Tower (that’s a shame…) and i was further dumfounded to read that the main purpose of this venture will be 2-bedroom apartments for around £1.5m a pop. The worryingly astute business minds of this band however are not so Spinal Tap, with previous maneuvers like the sly movement of funds to Amsterdam for tax evasion purposes, following the end of a tax exemption on musicians’ royalties in Ireland. (It doesn’t take a global economist to realise that third world debt will cost the richer nations in the form of taxes, so when Bono decides to exempt the bands large fortune from taxation I’d like to think, should he get his way and these nations cancel the debts, U2 will soon reinstate their money). There has been an array of investments made by the band and a private equity fund investing more than £1billion in various profiting ventures, from computer games to magazine publications, and in 2005 the band made earnings of £141million – making them the worlds most profitable. Something tells me Bono is in it for more than the music, but maybe i just misinterpreted his want to make poverty history.

...amazingtunes

With all this talk of music in the ‘post-Radiohead era’ you’d be forgiven for thinking that recorded music and, more specifically, the major labels are in a state of disrepair. However, on closer examination i believe it appears there are plenty of places for the guys in ties to, rather distastefully i might say, place their artists’ next releases and still earn plenty of money. The product placement it seems may change but the music will always reach the fan, and looking at the distribution and methods of the latest wave of free music to be offered it’s not difficult to see that, although this current trend has been predominantly outside of the major labels’ releases, the approaches are nothing beyond what the majors could achieve, and probably on a far greater scale. Prince gave his album away in a weekend newspaper from which he probably received a comfortable pay packet, since the business would undoubtedly be very profitable for the paper – not to mention the pre-tour attention it would have drummed up. Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell and Joss Stone – amongst others – are getting payed while having their music given away for free with cups of coffee at Starbucks with much the same strap-to-a-product approach. Starbucks can earn plenty of extra revenue through the increased custom generated by such PR stunts. And this week stories have been circulating about the Spice Girls selling their (greatest hits?) album in the Victoria’s Secret lingerie chain stores, while in the meantime literally strapping themselves to the product by partaking in a fashion show where they’ll be modeling the risque line of clothing available from the stores.

It won’t be long before Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Burger King, Waterstones, in fact any major distributor of disposable, single-serving or high-demand products strikes a deal with the majors allowing the big-wigs to strap music to a suitable product. The only uncertainty is whether they will have the gumption to give tracks away for free or the greed to want more on top of the endorsement. Hopefully they will think sensibly, knowing if a track is given away for free the product will sell better and more money will be available to get back to the label. This major labels and free tracks scenario does however mean sob stories for the bands who will have to understand they cannot earn as much from the label who “just can’t afford to pay the same rates as previously now the album will be given away for free” despite the millions from Pepsi or Cadburys. What’ll be next, Barry White’s back-catalogue free with Durex? Chris De Burgh with cans of Red Bull?

The question is, what product then will your tunes be attached to?

...amazingtunes.com

As Bob Dylan miraculously prophesised back in 1964, (albeit with quite the wait!) “the times they are a-changin’”. It’s Radiohead’s turn to cause a storm this week after releasing their latest album, In Rainbows (10th Oct), with the added fact that it’s digitally downloadable (solely on their own site – someone should have told them about amazingtunes.com)... at whatever price you want to pay.

I’ll rephrase that…

Like a donations style offer, you specify the price you would like to pay (including £0.00) and then simply download the album – pay-as-you-please. This is a massive turn-about in music for a massive band that could quite easily have gone down the regular routes in utmost comfortability and earnings, however there appears a recognition from the boys that the industry is now greatly affected by the introduction of digitized media and the internet. As David Bowie predicted in 2002, music will flow like water through the digital channels and no band, big or small, can alter the flow. Obviously, Radiohead find themselves in a position to feasibly buck the trend, Bill and the B-flats’ 4-piece blues band down the local CIU club aren’t going to earn quite the same amount of pennies as Thom Yorke and the lads at their next live show, and I would imagine Radiohead aren’t about to run to the bank manager in need of a loan for their next album. But the implications of a band the size of Radiohead snubbing the usual routes of labels and executives is a good indication to the swing recorded music is facing.

They are not alone either, The Charlatans have struck a deal with XFM to give their album away as a free download exclusively on the XFM music website, starting with the new single on the 22nd Oct and the album following early next year.

As music, retailed as a product, becomes easier and easier to obtain, it’s perceived value has to decrease. And that combined with the ever increasing variation of music available on digital mediums, from signed and unsigned acts for next to nothing or even in many cases for free, labels cannot place the same extorted value on a few hand-selected recordings they wish to filter through to us. As a consequence, the recognised acts have started to realise they cannot expect the same return for a thin plastic disc as they could have 10 or 20 years ago, rather now they must gear themselves towards tours and gigs, turning away from music as a product. It’s exciting stuff, though I find it all begs the question, what are the major labels going to do about it?

(I’d like to think these leeching corporate identities we call major labels would take a leaf out of Richey Edwards book (once of the Manic Street Preachers) and slip off into obscurity now they’ve had their little foray with the music industry. But they’ll probably take a leaf out of Sir Paul McCartney’s book and go endorse a mug of coffee or a Big Bertha Burger so they can slap their name and free download on the litter that encases the totally unrelated product.)

...amazingtunes.com

While perusing the internet this week I came across a couple of stories regarding a study, published last month in the JECH, that has released findings that pop and rock stars, in accordance with popular opinion, do indeed die younger. Looking at a sample of North American and English artists from 1956 to 2005 some alarming patterns were uncovered. Particular findings, like stars are 3 times more likely to pass away within the first 5 years of fame than the general population, are sobering indications to the detrimental effects of ‘rockin’ out’ for a living.

In light of this, here is the definitive list of the 10 things a rock star must be sure to cram in to his, potentially short-lived, existence before ‘another one bites the dust’:

1)Raid the stage of a high profile awards ceremony, preferably during the climax performance, and pull a moony, sure to show those ‘square’ business men and record executives that the creative nature they’re hiring you for isn’t ill-found.

2)Carefully place a large object, ideally a car or a grand piano (though there are many other options), into a large vessel of water. A swimming pool would be the favourite here, but i would also recommend the pond of a large estate or a city river at the album launch party hosted by the label on an expensive yacht.

3)Punch a photographer. An easily attainable rock star maneuver, though you must ensure at all times not to consider the consequences of your acts.

4)Perk up a tour by wrecking your hotel room. Fire extinguishers and mini bars should be your focal point, alongside televisions and windows, so work from there. It is often good to try and combine this with point 2, since a swimming pool will be readily available.

5)Swear on day time television. While not difficult to achieve with a high enough profile, bonus kudos will be gained if it’s a Saturday morning show on national television.

6)Challenge, better still, demand, the lead singer or guitarist of a rival band to a bout of fisty-cuffs. He’ll obviously never be as hard or extreme as you, and it comes with the added benefit that the larger the audience you make this proposal to, the less likely it is that you will actually have to go through with the bout.

7)Apply a small amount of paraffin or lighter fluid to your guitar body and when you hit that orgasmic face melting solo spark a lighter. Be sure to position yourself at the front of the stage, get down on your knees and, with your eyes shut, passionately gurn, altering your face contortion with each pitch bend. Ideally have a roadie with a fire extinguisher to the side of the stage, though point 4 may have back-fired here.

8)A simple trick sure to guarantee a cult status is to remove the head, via an oral maneuver, of a small rodent or animal. Be aware that whichever animal you choose will affect the said cult status, and that vegetarians and animal rights activist should not be one of your key demographics.

9)Take heed in the fact that nearly all of life’s relationships will eventually dissolve and release a tasteless solo album, safe in the knowledge that your band is nothing without you. After all, you’ll earn way more money with a reunion tour if the rest of the band do get the hump, so the risk is a non-entity.

10)Finally, outlive the drummer. Easier said than done, this is a good guarantee that you weren’t the one to ‘go’ in this band, and it means you can go on to reap the [financial] rewards of the autobiography, the many compilation albums, the Sotheby’s auction of band memorabilia, and obviously that reunion tour.

...amazingtunes.com

Global Rotation – Summer Farewell

This tune nostalgically reminds me of a more sophisticated, cleaner version of the type of music heard on the Commodore Amiga in the early 1990s. Cheerful and summery, I would recommend listening to it while drinking a cocktail such as a singapore sling or a strawberry marguerita. But unfortunately I can’t do that in the office.

Yaporigami – Velvet

This is a track for all fans of the likes of Autchre, Bogdan Raczynski, and Venetian Snares. Delicately scatty synth lines harmonise behind erratic breakbeats that move in an out of the track as if the song is breathing it’s progression. The production gives a great balance towards the energy of the beats against the melody, pushed back in the sound stage. While it could be said the song becomes a little cluttered at times this seems to add to the release of tension when the upfront beats and sounds drop-off. An overall great track.

Belle Humble – Maraschino Cherry

From the first note to the last this acoustic tune, comprising simply of guitar and voice, dances around with a wonderfully buoyant energy. Lyrically very strong, the topic, phrase and style fluently moves with the guitar, incurring thoughts of a modern [Bob Dylan] Subterranean Homesick Blues, for the romanced folk. This is definitely one of the most pleasant tunes I’ve come across in recent weeks.

Sweet Jane – Take Me Home

An strong Brit-pop/Indie air moves around this tune, with definite likings toward giants such as Oasis and Stone Roses. Not looking to confuse matters, the straightforward nature of the track looks to drive it onward, a powerful drum beat with a full compliment of sound from the back-line easily filling the sound-stage. A strong sense of importance on the production of the vocals comes through and this ultimately creates that textbook Brit-Pop sound.

...It appears the industry really is having a shake-down.

To all those fans of the ‘Material Girl’ it will be common knowledge by now that speculation is rising over Madonna’s future with Warner Music Group. With 2 album releases left on her contract with WMG – her career-long label – her attention is now moving towards a more suitable representative, with seemingly more impetus being placed on the live shows and world touring. Speculation surrounds a new deal with venues and promoters company, Live Nation, which seems to hint at a growing disillusionment with diminishing record sales amongst major artists and labels. This all comes soon after Sir Paul McCartney signed to the Hear Music label of Starbucks, the coffee house chain, via which his music could be fronted to a captive audience within the Starbucks stores. Starbucks have gone on to strike a deal with Steve Jobs’ iTunes, granting it’s customers free access to the iTunes stores, via which they can purchase the likes of McCartney’s releases from the coffee house chain – in effect bypassing the current fall in solid state media sales. I have yet to see a hint as large as this that the major labels are in a downward spiral. When a, albeit glorified, promoting agency and a major coffee chain can out-maneuver and out-earn the major labels through their better placement amongst the market place – essentially modeling themselves towards where tomorrows money lies – i would speculate that, unless the majors soon spark into a frenzy of adaptive activity, a shift in the housing of popular artistes maybe just around the corner.

As for the slightly more modest world of unsigned music and amazingtunes.com things are just as exciting (relatively!). After a sizable amount of early media coverage over the weekend for ‘tunes on both television and paper, an influx of new talent and expectant ears have fallen upon the site. I’m trying my hardest to get through everything that is being uploading, fully impressed by the array of styles I’m hearing, though my penchant for breakcore dance music and doom metal is still to be fully realised…

I’ll leave you with one of the more unusual tunes that has been uploaded over the last few days titled ‘Maybe It’ by Jazz Headburn. An open soundscape of a track, akin to Four Tet with hints of Aphex Twin’s Drukqs, and even some early Jaga Jazzist. Enjoy…

And if you want a bit more Madonna...

...amazingtunes.com

A machine that foresees chart success is here… Cue applause..?

While I may have in the past speculated about a machine capable of churning out music, it always seemed more from an Orwellian-like disenchantment with the industry, too ready to turn art into cash, than a genuine expectation. But an enterprising software developer, Mike McCready, has created a program (Platinum Blue) that, by looking at the underlying mathematical aspects of a track, can tell Mr. Record Exec. what he needs to do to that track to see chart success. I am troubled somewhat by the prospect of unwittingly hearing music cross examined by algorithms – GM music. I also wonder if Aphex Twin’s Windowlicker, or Zeppelin’s Black Dog would have passed this test, ultimately built on trend and correlation toward previous success, but then, this is the media environment we now lend ourselves to. Whether it’s a spell or grammar check in a written document, or admiration of the fractal imagery generated by my computer, technology is applicable to and, more to the point, incomparably good at taking human traits further.

I do however think it is a blessing that the unsigned artist doesn’t yet have access to this commodity. Fortunately I can still listen to my stash on amazingtunes in complete trust that here are tunes as fertile and organic as my mums vegetables (and long may this lack of access for the unsigned population continue). As testament to the virtues of untainted music that has both rock and soul in its most purest, un-Platinum-Blued form I’m going to recommend you listen to Rock and Soul by The Blend (It also happens to be one of my favourite tunes on amazingtunes…) so go check it out.

On a final note, since i went and brought my mother’s vegetables in to the equation, i will leave you with Mr T’s views on mothers=.

...amazingtunes.com

After a month that saw Led Zeppelin announce a reform for a one off gig in memory of the late Ahmet Ertegün, the Klaxons winning the mercury prize for their album Myths of the Near Future, and John Martindale reach number one on the official amazingtunes charts with his track The Electro Show, I’m left wondering what other surprises the world of music could have in store.

On the surface all is well, however i do wonder how many tickets for Zep will go to corporate hospitality, and how convenient it was for the industry execs to pick their winner for the mercury prize, but boy did i enjoy The Electro Show. It’s purchasable, and Mr. Martindale will be the main benefactor to the score of 70%, and our website won’t crash while people are trying to get it…

...amazingtunes

It’s pretty simple. We think the people who love music should decide on what’s good (not record labels and marketing departments); and the people who make the music should get the cash (not record labels and… well you get the idea). We call it fair trade music. You can call it what you like� that’s the point, you’re in control.

Have a go and let us know what you think.

About us

We hate the major record companies. (Doesn’t everyone?)

These record companies rip off musicians. They love money more than music. Plus, they have no taste. Happily, these record companies are dying. No-one needs them any more.

We love music

Many of us are musicians. None of us could survive without music. But we don’t judge music; anyone can put their stuff here. You decide if it’s any good.

We believe in fairness

Let’s get rid of the rip-offs. Listen to a whole track, free. If you buy it, 70% of the cash goes to the musicians (after bank charges and taxes). We know a bit about technology

We spent thousands of hours building the best thing we could think of. We promise to keep improving it.

So, we launched amazingtunes.com

No middle-men: just you, the music, and a fair deal for all.

This is just a sample article so you can see what it looks like.