For those of you that may be unaware, amazingtunes.com recently decided to bite a very large, music shaped bullet and launch a national radio station. While I can’t tell you how a bullet can be shaped like music, I can enlighten you a little further on the ins and outs of what we’ve called Amazing Radio.

Broadcasting throughout Britain on DAB digital radio (and online) we’re now providing the world’s first, and only, dedicated unsigned radio station. All content that reaches the airwaves is uploaded to amazingtunes.com by you folk at home – not a label in sight – with the artist still keeping 70% of the revenue.

We’ve well and truly wandered off the beaten track here and to a larger extent we’ve a relatively unknowing view of where the station will be a year or so from now. There’s a good reason for this though; it is our aim to place the power back in the hands of the people that actually listen, to heed suggestions of the fans and artists and provide the listener with a democratic service that evolves with the wants of those that tune in. How refreshing…

The music industry is by and large a closed shop, far too incestuous to be fair and far too quick to dismiss anything brave enough to buck the trend. It’s fair to say that we’re not really the most compassionate of people here at amazingtunes.com when it comes to our view of the current industry – an antiquated machine, rusted up cogs that churn to the same sounds, insistent on ignoring the digital era and patronising the awakened listener with their rotisserie-like flavour of the week. Even those organisations supposedly representing the artists – such as the PRS – somehow manage to tread on the toes of the listeners.

To this ends we’ve tailored Amazing Radio to provide something a little more real – to offer something that will strike a chord with genuine music fans and first time listeners alike. You may not be aware for example, but Amazing Radio stands outside the cumbersome grip of the PRS. Listening to Amazing Radio at work, or in the shops, doesn’t require a PRS license. This is certainly radio for the people by the people with no hurdles, no advertising, and most importantly, a constant flow of great new music.

Having just taken off air the last of the test transmissions we’re now airing the first scheduled shows. Have a listen and see what you think. Then tell us. What do you want to hear? Let us know what you like and even more importantly, what you don’t like and let’s ensure that as we move forwards we’re all singing from the same, innovative and ethical hymn sheet.

amazingtunes.com

You can follow the Amazing Radio blog here. Keep up to date on our progression behind the scenes and let us know what you think. Your feedback to date has been brilliant. Both inspiring and informative, so please keep it coming.

The vote for copyright extension has gone in front of the European Parliament with the majority of MEPs voting in favour of extending copyright for music recordings to 70 years.

Originally intended to be an extension to 95 years, the revised decision will create the foundations for the European Council to vote – with the said European Council also needing to approve the decision before it becomes instated.

The last time the decision got this far the UK – and 11 other countries – voted against the extension deciding there was little in the 12-page deal that would truly benefit the artists and creatives who would license their recordings in this digital age.

The UK has since revised its considerations and is now reportedly ready to agree to the legislation.

In other copyright news the lawyer representing one of the Pirate Bay founders, Peter Sunde, has called for a re-trial in the case that saw the four founders of the file sharing network Pirate Bay sentenced to one year in jail and £2.4 million in damages to various musical outfits.

• Sweden tackles piracy

On the day of introducing a new law to tackle online piracy Sweden’s internet traffic dropped by a dramatic 33%, reports suggest.

The new policy coined the IPRED law works in a similar vein to that which was suggested for Britain’s internet service providers, where the ISPs have to reveal the details of those who are sharing copyrighted material.

While the dip (from 120Gbps to 80Gbps) suggests a dramatic impact for the new law many experts believe this is only an intermediary process before numbers climb back up. Christian Engstrom, vice-chairman of the Swedish Pirate Party, noted that “it takes people a few weeks to figure out how to change their security settings so that they can share files anonymously,”.

• Keane impress with 3D show

Melodic pop band Keane have breached new boundaries by streaming a gig from the iconic Abbey Road recording studios on Thursday night. While the concept of streaming a gig may not be all that new the twist was that the whole show was done in 3D.

Claims from the band that they’re the new Pink Floyd may be a little over zealous, but they’ve certainly produced a novel idea sure to crop up again in the future.

…amazingtunes

• UK government “no” to current plans for copyright extension

The UK government has aroused indignation from music industry bigwigs after they voted against a revised copyright extension on sound recordings.

Seeing that while the proposed deal would certainly benefit the rights holders of the material, there is little in the 12-page deal that would truly benefit the artists and creatives who would license their recordings in this digital age.

While the UK government’s decision has been met by consternation from senior industry figures, the move has been praised by the Featured Artists Coalition for “recognising that the proposed extension of copyright term in recorded music does not deliver real lasting benefits for artists or consumers.

The music industry, and in particular the recording industry is going through something of an evolution. I don’t want to bore you with the things you already know, but digitization has single-handedly forced the framework of the current distribution model to become obsolete and a race is ensuing to find new successful models of ensuring the sale and subsequent worth of sound recordings.

A key event in the industry calender which focuses on this matter is Midem (short for March

• Oasis have been knocked off their pedestal by moderate rockers Keane as the pop-rockers’ new album, Perfect Symmetry, goes straight into the album charts at number one. Oasis’ latest offering, Dig Out Your Soul, has slipped to number two while Kings Of Leon are still going strong with their album Only By The Night which is close behind at number three.
  All you Oasis fans can check out some amazingtunes artists who are influenced by Oasis here.

• Peter Kay has caused some controversy by releasing a satirical single targeting the multitude of reality TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing and The X-Factor. His tune, The Winners Song, performed by spoof reality show winner Geraldine McQueen has gone to number two in the charts ahead of last years X-Factor winner Leon Jackson.
  All of us at amazingtunes wish the best of luck to Laura White who is amongst the last ten in this years X-Factor finals. Some of her own songs are uploaded onto the site and can be listened to below. Laura White’s profile

• As the major labels look to branch out into alternate income streams – in the wake of the downtrend in physical sales of music – Sony BMG has announced it is about to venture into band merchandise through an exclusive deal with global rockers AC/DC.
  For all you AC/DC fans you can get you fill of classic rock from amazingtunes here.