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INDIE NEWS BEAT
May 3, 2004 Edition
* "Alida" - The Game on a Guitar
* RRadio Network's Survey 23
* Musical Magic From The Land Of The Rings
* Who's The UK's Most Played Artist?
* WCH Radio/Next Step Compilation CD Released
* Scoring Big With Music For Video Games
* AUSMUSIC International Music Business Conference
* Rise2Red, Gremlin UK And Kevin O'Hara
* Disc Makers IMWS Midwest Showcase Finalists
* Moby Donates Recording Equipment To Nursing Home
"Alida"
- The Game on a Guitar
 Got
Game Entertainment announced "Alida" for Mac OSX will begin shipping
to retail in May. The PC version will follow this July. The intricate
first person 3D graphical adventure game created by Australian musician
and artist Cos Russo is set on Alida, an abandoned island theme
park ten miles out at sea.
Originally
built and inhabited by a wildly successful rock band, the island
is actually a gigantic guitar, replete with wondrous and ornate
graphics, unique and bizarre locations.
When
the band split up, Alida was abandoned. But, now, several years
later, the band's manager suggests a reunion on Alida. Soon thereafter
band member Arin leaves for the island and is not heard from again.
Players must search the island for the missing musician and bring
him home.
"I
wanted to combine my love of music and games and so 'Alida' was
born," said Russo. "I believe I've created a game that is a total
sensory experience from the soundtrack to the sound cues used in
the puzzles - one of the true trademarks of the game - all within
the context of the very idea of what it would be like to live inside
a guitar."
Featuring
clever and thought-provoking puzzles, all backed by an entrancing
original music score, in their search for Arin, players will soon
find themselves lost in "Alida".
Source:
Over
2,000 Listeners Responded To RRadio Network's Survey 23
The
Audio Graphics network of independent online stations asked its
audience for thoughts about online radio's biggest problem, how
they are employed, and their influence in the purchase of office
imaging equipment.
Questioned,
"When listening to online radio, what do you consider to be the
biggest problem?"...
- 23.5% of responsdents said it was "finding a good station."
- 20.4% reported "connection/buffering time"
- 15% labeled Signal dropouts
The
next "biggest problem" was only mentioned by 8.6% of the crowd -
unidentified songs.
As
for those who are satisfied? 16.9% said "Everything is fine."
Respondents were also asked what they do for a living:
17.3% work in the technology sector
14.1% are professionals
8.7% report they are managers
8.5% are employed in the service industry
6.3% medical workers
5.3% professional support
5.2% work in retail, and
4.5% are in manufacturing
27.5% said they work in a category "other than" was listed.
With
its ability to target specific qualities, Survey 23 looked at the
influence carried by the online radio audience when it comes to
purchasing office imaging equipment.
Although
49.2% report a decision like that was totally out of their hands,
26.9% claim to "make the decision" or "share that decision." Another
17.7% said they were asked for their opinion, indicating companies
that make scanners, printers, and copy machines should look to online
radio as an advertising vehicle.
Source:
City
Canyons' David Steele - Musical Magic From The Land Of The Rings
 City
Canyons Records, an independent label based in Manhattan proudly
announces the signing of a multi-album agreement with UK rocker,
David Steele. Steele, whose album Underneath The Ice is being released
early this fall under the City Canyons Records imprint, comes from
a part of England--the village of Brill-- that inspired "Lord of
the Rings" writer Tolkien, and Steele's lyrics are, indeed, at times
darkly magical.
But
that's only part of the talented young Englishman's story. While
his tunes can be intense and haunting, as epitomized by the aptly
titled "Ghost," they can also thrillingly soar as does, for example,
"Rise Up". Whatever their mood, Steele's self-penned songs are firmly
rooted in reality, reflecting the hopes, the despair, the yearning
in all of us. And even at their darkest, Steele's music is never
chilly. His voice is warm and intimate--somewhere between Sting
and Bono--and wherever he takes you with his music, he's with you
every step of the way.
That
music, featuring Steele's own superb guitar work, is distinctive,
utterly his own, but if one were forced to make comparisons, one
could put him somewhere between Coldplay and David Grey and be in
the ballpark. Steele has been on the verge of the musical stardom
for years, having played out regularly in the Oxford area and in
London, and having toured with David Essex but this album is Steele's
strong attempt to break through the ice and bring him, through this
City Canyons' release, the kind of attention that his musical and
songwriting ability deserves.
George
Michael Revealed As Most Played Artist On British Radio
George
Michael has been revealed as the artist to have most dominated the
British radio airwaves during the last two decades. He picked up
the PPL Award for the Most Played Artist on British Radio in the
last 20 Years today at the Radio Academy's annual 'Music Radio'
conference, before a music and radio industry audience in Central
London.
The
full Top 10 of most played artists
1. George Michael
2. Elton John
3. Robbie Williams
4. Kylie Minogue
5. Bryan Adams
6. Madonna
7. Phil Collins
8. Cliff Richard
9. Mick Hucknall
10. Paul McCartney
"I
can't believe it. I've only made six albums in 22 years so I don't
know how this happened. I'm the luckiest writer on earth," said
George Michael on picking up his award.
Source:
WCH
Radio/Next Step Compilation CD Released
 WCH
Radio in association with Next Step Promotions has released their
1st compilation CD. The CD features the music of 12 indie artists
from around the world.
Bob
Baker, author of the "Guerilla Music Marketing Handbook", says,
"The WCH Radio compilation proves that independent music is alive
and well. The 12 self-directed artists featured on these tracks
have taken control of their careers and are creating great music.
What an excellent collection!"
WCH
Radio & Next Step CEO John O'Day stated that this has been a great
project, with great artists from beginning to end, and would not
have been the success it was without them.
Source:
Scoring
Big With Music For Video Games
On
Saturday, May 22, 2004, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Los Angeles
Music Productions (L*A*M*P), UCLA Extension for Entertainment Studies,
and the Film Music Network will present "Scoring Big with Music
for Video Games," featuring top composers, audio directors of major
manufacturers of video games, games agents, and more! The event
will be held at Cinespace, a trendy venue located at 6356 Hollywood
Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.
The
event will cover all major business, creative and technical aspects
of this mysterious industry. Panelists and speakers include:
* Jeannie Novak, founder and CEO of Indiespace.com and accomplished
games author. She is currently establishing the first games development
major at UCLA.
* Tommy Tallarico, CEO and founder of G.A.N.G., the Games Audio
Network Guild. Tommy Tallarico has scored over 200 video games,
and is one of the most famous games composers in the world.
* Bob Rice, CEO of Four Bars Intertainment (FBI), the world's largest
music provider for the gaming industry. Four Bars Intertainment
(FBI) represents some of the most talented music composers in the
world.
Source:
AUSMUSIC
Presents: International Music Business Conference
For
any significant success and growth for Australian music product,
we must look at increasing our music business interests overseas.
The first step is information.
"Of
the world's top ten music markets, only two saw growth - Australia
was up 5.9% in value" and sale of mobile phone ringbones now account
for 10% of all international music sales. The international music
industry is changing and Australia's music industry must also change
to capitalise on the current market.
From
the logistics of building International music markets to the impact
of the free trade deal upon local artists and business, AUSMUSIC'S
International Music Business Conference will provide an important
meeting place for everyone in and around the music industry.
Panels
of practicing industry professionals covering a range of current
industry topics and perspectives will provide information relevant
to professionals and students of all levels.
Speakers
include David Vodicka, (Rubber Records), Frank Rodi & Scot Morris
(APRA,), the Dr Dick Letts (Music Council of Australia), Grant Gillies
(Mushroom Publishing) and many others. Federal MP Chris Pearce and
Steve Cross will deliver the opening Keynote Address on "The Importance
of Music as a Social and Economic Force in our Society", from Remote
Control Records along with perspectives from artists and consumers.
Source:
Rise2Red,
Gremlin UK And Kevin O'Hara
Gremlin
UK has joined with Rise2Red, a recording company with fresh views
for the unsigned. Rise2Red is a new recording studio in Inverness,
the Highlands of Scotland, close to Rail, Air and Coach terminals
in the capital.
"Having
been working in promotions and tour management, it seemed a natural
decision to join up with a studio where expertise is the keyword"-Aaron
Sneddon.
Rise2Red
is headed by Graham Gillanders. Graham worked with the production/
writing team behind Atomic Kitten and OMD learning his trade from
Andy McCluskey former OMD front man and Atomic Kitten creator with
over 55million record sales to his name. Graham has moved studio
from London to Inverness but liases directly with Andy on all recordings
carried out at the new studio , and with it he should bring on a
great change, and challenge, to the music industry Scotland, and
indeed the UK.
Now
working to bring talent and culture to the Scottish Highlands, the
studio has found its first potential chart topper-locally. Kevin
O'Hara, vocalist, instrumentalist and,director of Gremlin UK, has
been working with Graham to produce a single which touches every
heart that listens to his haunting voice.
"It
felt the right thing to do, with the new studio, and Kevin's vocal
and instrumental experience, we know we can make a hit"- Aaron Sneddon.
Source:
Disc
Makers Announces Six Finalists For The 2004 IMWS Midwest Showcase
Disc
Makers, the nation's leading independent CD and DVD manufacturer,
has announced the six finalists for the Independent Music World
Series (IMWS) Midwest showcase. From over 1,000 submissions, TAXI,
the industry's leading A&R company, selected 100 semifinalists.
From this list, the editors of Billboard magazine selected the six
finalists who will perform at the IMWS Midwest showcase event.
The
artists chosen to compete for over $35,000 in music gear and prizes
are: the Full Flava Kings (Tulsa, OK), Nadir (Westland, MI), Rebel's
Advocate (Iowa City, IA), Shipwreck Union (Grosse Pointe Farms,
MI), The Etiquette (Milwaukee, WI), and The Its (Chicago, IL). The
IMWS Midwest Showcase will take place on May 13th at The Elbo Room
in Chicago.
"Independent
artists keep the music industry energized and thriving," says Tony
van Veen, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Disc Makers. "The
IMWS is one of the ways we at Disc Makers recognize their talent
and effort, and reward the artists for their hard work. The IMWS
gives indie artists the opportunity to network with industry pros
who can help them expose their music to an even wider audience.
We are delighted to again join forces with our sponsors to support
independent musicians in the Midwest."
Source:
Multi
Platinum Recording Artist Moby Donates Recording Equipment To Nursing
Home
The
Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF) at Beth Abraham
Health Services, a skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation center,
announces the grand opening of the Music Has Power Club Recording
Studio. With the support of music therapists, this studio provides
a medium for creativity and rehabilitation. Using equipment ranging
from electronic drums to devices that translate movement to sound,
patients have the opportunity to advance their physical, cognitive,
and emotional goals through composition, performance and self-expression.
According
to renowned music therapist and Director of the Institute, Dr. Concetta
Tomaino, "With the addition of the recording studio, we've been
able to assist patients in many areas, from recovering speech to
regaining physical function." Adding, "through the commitment of
people like Moby, we are able to further our mission by expanding
our services to include a recording studio dedicated to awaken hidden
creative talent, while meeting rehabilitation goals through an innovative
approach."
Well-known
pop recording artist Moby joined the Institute board in 2003, after
visiting Beth Abraham and observing the work firsthand. Realizing
that he could make a difference, he immediately arranged to donate
recording equipment that he no longer needed. "I am gratified to
see the work of the Institute expanding, and proud to have been
able to make a difference," says Moby. "The work that is being done
at Beth Abraham is remarkable."
Source:
 Provided
by the MusicDish
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It 2004 - Republished with Permission
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