Abba tribute acts asked to shed “Abba” off their names

London, June 4 (ANI): Abba”s record label has asked the Swedish band”s tribute acts to change their names, saying trading off the name “Abba” is an infringement of the band”s intellectual property rights.

Lawyers for Universal Music in Sweden have sent legal notices to bands such as Abba Queens, Abba Mania and Swede Dreamz Abba Tribute asking them to change their names immediately.

But tribute musicians are unhappy with the move.

“We”ve been established for four years with the band name, working our way up from playing in pubs to theatres,” the Independent quoted Anneli Stockwell, a singer in the band Abba Queens, as saying.

Stockwell added: “If we have to change the name we”ll lose all that business and reputation. We”ve also spent a lot of money on backdrops and publicity already.”

However, a rep for Universal Music told The Stage: “We”ve had complaints from all over the world where fans feel they”ve been misled and we feel it”s our duty to protect the Abba brand from misuse.” (ANI)

Lil Wayne sued by producer over unpaid royalties

London, May 10 (ANI): Rapper Lil Wayne has been sued by the producer behind his 2007 hit single ‘A Milli’ over alleged unpaid royalties.

According to Vibe.com, producer Bangladesh, real name Shondrae Crawford, alleges he is owed 333,333 pounds by Wayne’s record label Cash Money.

And he is adamant the only way he will get what he is reportedly owed is by taking legal action.

“Cash Money don’t pay royalties. (Wayne’s 2008 album) Tha Carter III (is) his biggest album probably because of A Milli. You have to sue these guys so that they pay up…,” the Daily Star quoted him as saying.

“All the money from album sales goes to Cash Money. I get cheques from Sony for Beyonce, checks from different labels for different artists, it just comes to you.

“You don’t have to call them, sue them and all that junk. This is what you’re owed,” he added.

Wayne, 27, is currently also facing legal action from Pennsylvania-based rapper/musician Dirahn Gilliams over his Lollipop track, and from producer Jim Jonsin for royalty payments for his work on Lollipop.

And producer Darius ‘Deezle’ Harrison has also filed a multi-million pound lawsuit over royalties from Wayne’s track, Mrs. Officer.

The hip-hop star began serving a year-long sentence at New York’s Rikers Island prison in March this year after pleading guilty to gun possession charges. (ANI)

Justin Bieber recording next album in NYC

New York, May 7 (ANI): Teen idol Justin Bieber is set to record his next album in New York.

Bieber”s record label, Universal, has filed papers in Manhattan Supreme Court, seeking a judge”s permission to get its latest contract with the singer approved.

The 16-year-old signed the two-record deal in December and is getting a 400,000-dollar advance on the first CD, reports the New York Post.

The documents say that Bieber is “providing his services as a recording artist in recording studios located in New York City.”

In the papers, the records label also tells the judge not to worry — “the foregoing services rendered by the minor shall not, however, require excessive time as to interfere with the minor”s education and welfare.” (ANI)

Lady Gaga files countersuit against producer Rob Fusari

London, Mar 23 (ANI): ‘Poker Face’ singer Lady Gaga has filed a countersuit against her former mentor, producer Rob Fusari, claiming in it that he took advantage of her naivety as a wannabe pop star.

Fusari, who became romantically involved with Gaga, signed a production deal with the singer in 2006 and claims to have come up with her stage name, reports the Daily Express.

He also maintains he was instrumental in landing her a deal with record label Interscope, and held a 20 per cent share in his company with Gaga, Team Love Child LLC.

But he filed suit against her in New York last week, accusing her of failing to adequately compensate him for his shares in the firm once she gained worldwide recognition.

But Gaga’s lawyer, Charles Ortner, has blasted the allegations, claiming the pair’s agreement was “structured in such a way as to mask its true purpose – to provide to the defendants unlawful compensation for their services as unlicensed employment agents”.

On March 19, they took their argument to the Manhattan Supreme Court to ask a judge to declare Gaga’s contract with Fusari “void and unenforceable” amid claims he acted as an “unlawful employment agent”, violating various laws designed to protect employees such as “inexperienced recording artists”.

According to the New York Post, Fusari’s attorney Robert S. Meloni hit back at the countersuit, dismissing Gaga’s lawyer’s argument as “one of the most ridiculous I’ve heard in 30 years” because the producer never pitched himself as a talent agent. (ANI)

MJ”s estate signs one of the biggest recording contracts in history

New York, March 16 (ANI): Michael Jackson”s estate has signed a sweeping contract with Sony following which the record label will have the complete rights to sell the Pop icon”s back catalogue and many of his previously unheard recordings.

The contract, for about 10 recordings through 2017, is expected to rake up nearly 250 million dollars in advances and other payments for Jackson”s estate, while offering a special high royalty rate for sales both inside and outside the US, says sources.

The deal will also enable Sony and the estate to team up for several lucrative licensing arrangements, such as the use of Jackson”s music for movies, TV and stage shows, and memorabilia.

“We think that recordings will always be an important part of the estate…New generations of kids are discovering Michael,” the New York Times quoted John Branca, an entertainment lawyer who is one of the estate”s executors, as saying.

He added: “A lot of the people that went to see ”This Is It” were families.

” ”This Is It” was one of the few films allowed into China. So we think there are growing and untapped markets for Michael”s music.”

The first recording under the new contract is the “This Is It” soundtrack, released in 2009, and Sony is now planning a new album of unreleased recordings for November.

Rob Stringer, chairman of the Columbia/Epic Label Group, a Sony division, said: “It”s not just a record deal.

“We”re not just basing this on how many CDs we sell or how many downloads. There are also audio rights for theater, movies, computer games. I don”t know how an audio soundtrack will be used in 2017, but you”ve got to bet on Michael Jackson in any new platform.” (ANI)

Lily Allen signs on to star in TV show on her life

London, March 10 (ANI): Singer Lily Allen has signed up for a TV show that will chart her journey from a pop singer to a shopkeeper as she prepares to open a designer clothes-hire store, called Lucy in Disguise, with her sister.

Camera crews are already following the singer as she puts things in place to launch her own record label.

“Lily was approached about the TV show and thought it would help promote her new ventures as well as letting people get to know her a bit better,” the Sun quoted a source as saying.

Her last foray into TV was her BBC3 talk show Lily Allen And Friends. (ANI)

MyBand.co.in launches digital store for local bands to sell music online

Mumbai, Aug 25 (ANI/Business Wire India): MyBand, the single largest destination for Indian music bands, announced the launch of its digital store today.

The digital store will enable all bands and artists to make available their owned content and enable online based transaction and sale of tracks from their released albums and yet to release albums, directly to the consumers.

It’s the dream of any artist – big or small to have a record label produce his album and make it available through physical distribution, the album available at all music outlets.

But the barriers are high and seldom have few made it to through the doors of the record label. With Bollywood music ruling the market with massive promotions on television it’s indeed a tough call for the labels also to promote independent musicians and bands.

MyBand digital store is a unique offering to bridge the gap between artists and the listeners who, can now download individual digital tracks or complete albums in simple clicks across various genres of music.

This provides the users / listeners an opportunity to cheery pick content of their choice, which available for downloads through MyBand digital store. MyBand Digital store provides users a unique online experience.

Speaking on the occasion Debashis Dey, founder of MyBand said, “MyBand Digital store is a platform designed on requests of Artists who we have personally met. At every occasion we have been told by Artists that they require a platform independent of Record labels and controlled by them. MyBand Digital store is a step closer to fulfill the artist requirement. MyBand Digital Store is flexible – the artists decide at what price he wants to sell his tracks or albums – the site only keeps a small percentage as management costs post the transaction is complete and acknowledged by the user.”

He also added, “That the online store should not be seen as a conflict of interest by the Music labels and wishes that more record labels are partnering Media Plus in order to provide online downloads of their existing catalogues”.

MyBand Digital store also comes at a time when all reports and studies indicate that online digital sales of music is poised to surpass physical sales.

Current analysis by IMI and Soundbuzz projects that the music industry will grow to Rs 4,100 crore in 2009 from Rs 1,450 crore in 2005. And this growth will be mainly driven by online and digital downloads, which will account for 88 per cent of the music industry’s revenues. This will also be accounted for, by mobile downloads in various formats.

MyBand.co.in is powered by Media Plus and is an advanced music community for Indian music bands to showcase their music and creations as also interact with fans friends and visitors.

MyBand also promotes artists through their various gigs and events across select venues in India. (ANI)

Swedish newspapers threaten to boycott Britney’s gig over restrictions

London, July 11 (ANI): Swedish newspapers have reportedly threatened to boycott pop princess Britney Spear’s concerts in Stockholm, if restrictions imposed on the press are not scrapped.

The country’s top four dailies-Dagens Nyheter, Svenska Dagbladet, Expressen and Aftonbladet-have said that they will not send their photographers to the show if certain conditions on how the images can be used are amended.

The current contract reportedly disallows newspapers from publishing pictures from the show that the concert’s organizers deem unflattering.

At the same time, if any picture is apparently favorable, the contract says that Spears’ manager be given ownership rights to it.

It also bars the papers from reselling the pictures, and publishing them more than 30 days after the concert.

Swedish media believe that the demands are ridiculous.

“The next step would be to tell critics they can’t write anything critical,” the Telegraph quoted Roger Turesson, the photo editor for Dagens Nyheter, as saying.

However, local representatives of Spears’ record label Sony BMG have refused to answer phone calls seeking comment.

The event in the Swedish Capital is scheduled for July 13. (ANI)

MJ’s new songs not to be released anytime soon

London, July 10 (ANI): While sales of Michael Jackson’s earlier albums have boosted in the past few weeks, the new music recorded by the late King of Pop before his death is not expected to be release anytime soon, revealed president of his record label Epic.

Jackson had been working on new music for several years with hip-hop and R and B stars like Will.i.am, Ne-Yo and Akon.

“We just want to pay our respects to Michael. We don’t want to be seen to be jumping on any bandwagon associated with his death,” the BBC quoted Amanda Ghost as saying.

In an interview with BBC 6 Music, Ghost said that “the appetite is definitely there” for new material.

“If we do release anything of unreleased material, it has to be fantastic and it can’t damage in any way his legacy or his legend and I won’t let that happen at Epic.

“I have no idea when it’s coming out, but it will come out on Sony/Epic. We haven’t made any decisions because we just want to be respectful for his memory and not be seen in any way as trying to cash in,” she added.

In fact, the release of new music could also be delayed as legal negotiations over his estate continue.

Bruce Swedien, a producer and engineer who worked on ‘Off The Wall’ and ‘Thriller’, has said that he believed Jackson was working on instrumental music as well as a pop album. (ANI)

Jacko wanted ‘One Day In Your Life’ played at his funeral, says pal

Washington, June 30 (ANI): Michael Jackson’s former producer has revealed that the King of Pop wanted 1981 tune ‘One Day In Your Life’ to be played at his farewell ‘concert’.

The track was recorded by Jackson for his 1975 album Forever, and he himself thought if would make a great tune for his funeral, reports Contactmusic.

The song’s co-writer and producer, Samm Brown recalls, “It’s a very prophetic song. The lyrics are very deep and Michael even told me, ‘This would be a good song for my obituary or my funeral.’”

Brown insists the song was always one of Michael’s favourites: “He liked using that part of his voice. He had incredible range but he liked that sound.”

He adds, “Michael was such a perfectionist and he had a lot of stuff that he didn’t use. I know for a fact that Motown (record label) has a deep vault and I would say there are 100 or more tracks sitting at Motown alone.

“Plus there will be somebody in his (Jackson) camp who will want to release all of the lost tracks he recorded – dating way back to the 1960s. There’s huge money to be made off of these recordings, and this is the way of the music business – it’s still a business.” (ANI)

Marilyn Manson lashes out at record bosses for censoring new album

Washington, June 26 (ANI): Shock rocker Marilyn Manson has lashed out at his record label bosses who tried to censor his new album ‘The High End Of Low’ because it features a song called ‘Pretty As A Swastika’.

The 40-year-old singer, real name Brian Hugh Warner, says it is “shocking” that guns are more readily available than his album.

Manson said that he can’t understand the controversy surrounding his new album and why his record company pushed for censorship.

“It’s shocking to me that it’s easier to buy a gun at Wal-Mart than it is to buy my record. And it’s entertainment, it’s music, but that doesn’t mean it has no value,” Contactmusic quoted him as telling Spin magazine.

“But it’s just ironic that they can sell a CD in a store, and they won’t put the title ‘Pretty As a Swastika’ on the cover, but at the same store they’ll have ‘Valkyrie’, for example, which has a Swastika on the cover. Now, I’m not even using the symbol, I’m using the word, so the record company sort of created a new curse word, by default, for me,” he added. (ANI)

Chris Brown’s ‘Not My Fault’ not about Rihanna, says rep

Washington, June 25 (ANI): A representative for Chris Brown has slammed reports that the singer posted a song online about his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.umours started making rounds after a new set of tunes recorded by Brown appeared online – with one of the tracks, ‘Not My Fault’, apparently hinting at the row on the eve of the Grammy Awards in February (09) that left Rihanna battered and bruised.

However, a spokesperson for Brown’s label, Jive Records, has denied that the songs were recorded around the time of the attack or after the court case on 22 June (09) – insisting they are old demos.

“Countering misleading reports of ‘new’ Chris Brown music: there are no ‘new’ songs from Chris Brown currently being promoted by Chris or his record label,” Contactmusic quoted the rep as saying in a statement.

“There are several old demos circulating that are being falsely promoted as new material from Chris,” the rep added.

Brown has been sentenced to six months community service, five years probation and ordered not to go within 50 yards of Rihanna. (ANI)

Barbra Streisand taking up jazz in first studio album in 4yrs

New Delhi, June 24 (ANI): After four years of releasing her last studio album, Barbra Streisand has finally joined hands with Canadian jazz singer-pianist Diana Krall to come up with her latest venture-’Love Is The Answer’.

Her record label Columbia Records has revealed that the album is Streisand’s first full-length collection of new studio recordings since 2005′s ‘Guilty Pleasures’, and her first album since ‘Live In Concert 2006′.

Last year, the singer-actress was preoccupied with the U.S. election campaign, reports the China Daily.

But this year, she said that having a new president in the White House has provided her time to relax, and she could get back to making music again.

“‘Love Is The Answer’ presents the artist as a cabaret and jazz singer of emotional clarity, depth and maturity,” said Columbia Records, a unit of Sony Corp, in a statement.

On the new album, Streisand works for the first time with Grammy-winning Krall and her quartet of guitar, bass, and drums as well as songwriter Johnny Mandel, whom she has worked with on her 1993 ‘Back to Broadway’ album.

Although the album is set for a September 29 release, the song titles for the album have yet to be announced. (ANI)

Jay-Z may join Warner Music Group after Def Jam split

New York, May 28 (ANI): Rapper Jay-Z is likely to ink a deal with Warner Music Group after his recent split from Def Jam.

If successful, it will make him one of the richest and most powerful men in the music world.

According to well-placed sources, Jay Z has been taking top-secret meetings with his old pals and former managers Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles.

The conversations have included giving Jay his own record label at WMG, tentatively to be called the Carter Music Group.

“Jay knows Lyor and Kevin from back when they all worked together at Def Jam, and he obviously wants to work something out with his friends,” the New York Daily News quoted an insider as saying.

“He wants to get the dream team back together. There have been a few whiffs of a reunion in the past, but only now – and very privately – is something finally starting to happen,” the insider added.

Another source said, “This is big in hip hop. These are three of the most powerful men in music, who might be working together, and there’s no question the success they’ll have as a team will be huge.”

“Jay-Z, Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles are all brand names. They’re the industry’s heavy hitters, and the combination would bring them a lot of attention. They would be unstoppable. Jay himself is the most successful rapper-turned-businessman out there,” added a music-biz insider. (ANI)

Jay-Z steps down as CEO of Def Jam Records

London, May 23 (ANI): Jay-Z has stepped down as the CEO of Def Jam Records.

According to RapRadar.com, the 39-year-old star has revealed that he is now “a completely independent artist” after buying out the remainder of his contract.

“Working with Doug Morris and LA Reid has been a unique and fulfilling experience and I respect them immensely,” the BBC quoted him as saying.

“Doug and I spoke directly and had one of the most unique ‘negotiations’ ever.

“I thank him for allowing me to be a completely independent artist. Not every artist can say they own or are given the opportunity to own all of their music,” he added.

Jay-Z had remained with the label after stepping down as CEO last year, and struck a deal worth a reported 150million dollars with concert giant Live Nation, which includes touring, publishing and albums for the next decade.

He has since created a new record label, and has been working on a new album, Blueprint 3, with Kanye West since 2008. (ANI)

Winehouse axes ‘emotionally painful’ UK comeback gig

London, May 23 (ANI): Amy Winehouse has cancelled her comeback concert in the UK, claiming it was too “emotionally painful” for her to perform.

The troubled singer was slated to take to the stage at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire on May 31 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Island record label.

But the 25-year-old, who is trying to kick her drug addiction in St Lucia while facing divorce proceedings with hubby Blake Fielder-Civil, was reportedly struggling to cope with emotions and decided to pull the plug.

“Amy is regretful about having to do this but she needs to close this chapter and start a new one,” the Sun quoted a source from her camp as saying.

Her management recently apologised for the revocation, promising fans a full refund for their tickets.

A source added: “Amy is really upset about missing the dates as Island have been so good to her. Amy understands a lot of people will be disappointed.”

The Rehab hitmaker, earlier this month, had shocked many after giving a shambled performance at St Lucia’s jazz festival, during which she could barely stand as she guzzled drinks, forgot her words then burst into tears as the crowd jeered.

The source added: “Singing the songs she sang in St Lucia has brought back too many painful memories. She just can’t face it.”

The Grammy Award-winning star had reportedly landed in the hospital for the third time in three months following another booze bender in the Caribbean.

A pal said: “She is drinking like a lunatic and there was no way she’d be ready to perform. She still has too many demons to fight. It is such a shame.” (ANI)

Rihanna upset over alleged nude photo leak

New York, May 11 (ANI): Although it has yet not been established whether the nude pictures leaked online feature Rihanna or not, the entertainer and her people are fuming.

Rihanna’s record label Island Def Jam Music Group is bent upon finding the culprit behind the leak, and is currently cracking down at least one website for posting the pics.

The gossip website says that though the letter along with the nude pics does not state that the photos are of the 21-year-old Rihanna, it reportedly does not deny it either, reports The New York Daily News.

The leaked photos in question show different parts of a woman’s nude body in a bathroom, and two of them show a partially clothed woman who looks very much like Rihanna, although her face is partially concealed.

Though the ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker is known for her trademark tatoos, none of the photos depict any.

This is not the first time that Rihaana has landed in such an obdurate situation, for she recently hit the headlines when her battered face photos were leaked online. (ANI)

Exhausted Lady Gaga ‘given one-month off’

London, Apr 30 (ANI): Record label bosses have given exhausted Lady Gaga a month off to recuperate, it has emerged.

The singer has been running from country to country in a bid to promote her album and thus was left exhausted.

Therefore, her management has scrapped a string of commitments to give GaGa, real name Stefani Germanotta, some desperately needed time to recuperate.

“Stefani has been working relentlessly since last summer. She has criss-crossed the globe on numerous occasions promoting her album The Fame and the pressure has now started to get to her,” The Sun quoted a source, as saying.

“At a recent show in Atlanta she nearly collapsed on stage the day after a particularly wild night out. Her management have spotted the warning signs and do not want her going off the rails. They’ve scrapped all her commitments in August to give her time to get her head straight,” the source added. (ANI)

Nicole Scherzinger to quit Pussycat Dolls?

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Melbourne, April 27 (ANI): Nicole Scherzinger is reportedly planning to quit The Pussycat Dolls to focus on her solo career. /pp
Rumours are abuzz that Scherzinger, who is dating F1 ace Lewis Hamilton and is by far the highest-profile – and most ambitious – of the Pussycats, is planning to leave the group at the end of their tour, reports Herald Sun/pp
The singer is said to have already quit the girl group but will make the announcement of her departure once they complete their touring commitments. /pp
Scherzinger’s plans to move on from the group became apparent after the group’s version of Jai Ho was released under the name Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger. /pp
Their record label, Interscope, has refused to comment on the matter. (ANI)/p

Pink Floyd to sue record label over royalty payments

London, Apr 21 (ANI): Rockers Pink Floyd are planning to take legal action against their record label EMI over pending royalty payments.

The ‘Another Brick In The Wall’ hitmaker band will be suing the label because it miscalculated royalties owed to them from their back catalogue, reports The Daily Star.
The band, which has been in collaboration with the label since 1967, is seeking undisclosed damages.

Meanwhile Pink Floyd is also a member of a body called ‘Featured Artists Coalition,’ which demands more power for the artists. (ANI)