New York City to build affordable housing for musicians and artists

Feb 11, 2015

“New York has closed itself off to the young and the struggling,” Patti Smith said in 2010. “But there are other cities. Detroit. Poughkeepsie. New York City has been taken away from you. So my advice is: Find a new city.”

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is now seeking to dissuade young musicians and artists from taking Smith’s advice with a new housing initiative. During his State of the City address on Tuesday, de Blasio announced plans to provide 1,500 units of affordable housing reserved exclusively for low-income creatives.

The plan is to develop 150 units a year over the next 10 years, alongside a separate 500 total units of work space. Exactly where these units will be located is still being worked out, though one of two city-owned pieces of land will be chosen by December for the first part of the project. Overhauls of existing structures may take place, but most of the project is expected to be brand new construction.

Bruce Cockburn on God and Raccoons

Feb 11, 2015

In recent years, Bruce Cockburn’s spiritual odyssey has come to include Jungian-based dream therapy. “That’s what gave me the image of Christ as a collective animus,” he says. “But is he more of a collective animus figure than Buddha? I don’t think so.” The dream therapy has also led to an interest in neuroscience and the nature of consciousness. “The idea of God as the boundless, as an undefinable and in a certain way unapproachable being except by proxy, has a lot of validity,” Cockburn says. “That means sometimes he’s going to seem like a hallucination or a motivator of things we don’t really want to see. There’s a juicy element of chaos about that, and that’s where I tip over into ‘I don’t have a clue.'”

He continues: “Why are we different from raccoons? We believe we’re special, historically and by nature, but who knows how raccoons see things? In some universe, parallel to this one, raccoons may be running the place. That’s a nice thought. None of us knows shit from Shinola, and the people who claim they do know are grasping at straws – or worse.”

Via Rolling Stone

Jimi Hendrix’s “Third Stone From the Sun” outakes and laughter

Feb 11, 2015

Found on Jimi Hendrix’s 1967 “Are You Experienced” album, “Third Stone From the Sun” is mostly an instrumental, but includes brief spoken passages by Hendrix over the music.

Voice recordings of Hendrix and his manager Chas Chandler are heard at a slower speed. At normal speed, the dialogue includes

Hendrix : Star fleet to scout ship, please give your position. Over.
Chandler : I am in orbit around the third planet of star known as sun. Over.
Hendrix : May this be Earth? Over.
Chandler : Positive. It is known to have some form of intelligent species. Over.
Hendrix : I think we should take a look (Jimi then makes vocal spaceship noises).

In this version, though, a great time was had by all.

Love Boat vs. WKRP in Cincinnati on Family Feud

Feb 11, 2015

Amazing. They should bring this concept back, right after they do Battle Of The Network Stars.

http://youtu.be/udDCBsutHzA

Science And Music Experiment Remix Music Video Is Amazing

Feb 11, 2015

Musician and science geek Nigel John Stanford demonstrates the power of musical vibrations in his latest music video in which he performs mind blowing science experiments while creating huge music at the same time.

How Henry Thomas Got The Role As Elliott in E.T.

Feb 11, 2015

Casting Director Marci Liroff (‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’, and ‘Mean Girls’) recounts the story of how Henry Thomas was cast as the lead in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.’

…and here’s Henry Thomas’ audition tape:

Record Royalties Sourced for Canada’s Music Creators

Feb 11, 2015

Canada’s songwriters, composers and music publishers will collectively see a record amount of royalties from the public performance of their copyright works in 2014, according to early analysis by nonprofit SOCAN.

A snapshot of the preliminary¹ 2014 financial results for SOCAN – the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada :

Another record year for total revenue, $299-million was collected from domestic, international and private copying proceeds – a year-over-year increase of eight per cent from $276-million brought in during 2013, already a record setting year for SOCAN..
International revenue from Canadian-created music of $55-million , an increase of nearly eight per cent from 2013. This was another record for Canadian-made music performed outside of the country, following surpassing $50-million in 2013 for the first time.
Revenue of $20-million from Internet streaming properties, up from $3.2-million in 2013.²
SOCAN’s corporate net expense ratio was less than 10 per cent for the first time in the history of the organization, positioning it as one of the most cost-effective major music rights organizations worldwide.

“SOCAN is bringing in more while spending less to do it, resulting in record overall royalties for our more than 125,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members,” said CEO Eric Baptiste . “Creating music is difficult, complex and rewarding work, and so too is the job of finding where our members’ music is used in business domestically and around the world. While 2014 was another record year, the economic challenges faced by the large majority of our members and professional musicians in general are real, and it’s imperative that we find every penny that our members have rightfully earned for their work.”

In the recent past SOCAN has invested wisely in technology and talent, making intelligent business decisions, all designed to produce more value for its members.

Canada’s music creators are enjoying a surge in popularity around the world, resulting in a consistent rise in export music from international royalties – an area that SOCAN has identified as a growth priority and also in which it has sharpened its focus with the addition of Catharine Saxberg as Vice President, International Relations. The increase in international revenue is a gain of 41 per cent since the $39-million identified and distributed to members in 2007.

“Canadian music creators are beloved worldwide,” Baptiste added. “Ask anyone in the world to name a famous Canadian and they are very likely to mention a songwriter or composer.”

While collective revenues are up, so too are the challenges for Canada’s songwriters, composers and music publishers. More music is used in more public places for the benefit of more businesses than ever before. To license these uses efficiently, SOCAN has created eSOCAN for music users to license their establishment or activities easily and quickly. During 2014 eSOCAN use was up over 400 per cent and the company is planning further growth in 2015.

“Presto” is one of Pixar’s best short films

Feb 11, 2015

Presto is a 2008 American Pixar computer-animated short film shown in theaters before their feature length film WALL-E. The short is about a magician trying to perform a show with his uncooperative rabbit and is a gag-filled homage to classic cartoons such as Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes. Directed by veteran Pixar animator Doug Sweetland, in his directorial debut, this is one hilarious film.

http://youtu.be/a0DqCxYfeT0

Zakk Wylde Announces The Unblackened Tour

Feb 11, 2015

(New York, NY) – Hard rock legends BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, fronted by guitar icon ZAKK WYLDE, have announced the Unblackened tour. Originally performed as a one night only concert at Club Nokia in Los Angeles for a live CD/DVD release two years ago, the show will now make its way across the U.S. The show will feature intimate versions of some of the band’s most popular songs, as well as songs from Wylde’s best-selling solo album Book of Shadows & his Southern rock band Pride & Glory. “I always wanted to take Unblackened on the road, we just didn’t have the time until now,” said Wylde. “You can take a song that you’ve played thousands of times and rearrange it, and all of a sudden it’s something totally fresh. The attitude of the songs doesn’t change when we play them acoustically–the tunes are gritty regardless.”

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY has been on the road constantly in support of their latest release Catacombs of the Black Vatican. The band recently wrapped up a block of successful tour dates with HATEBREED and BUTCHER BABIES which took them across the States and Canada, followed by an electric performance at the 2015 annual SHIPROCKED CRUISE. Rocking on the high seas is nothing new for BLS as they have also participated in the inaugural MOTORBOAT CRUISE just last year.

Catacombs of the Black Vatican was released on April 8th, 2014 and debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and #1 on the Rock and Independent Charts. The chart topping LP was also hailed as one of the “Best Albums of 2014” by REVOLVER MAGAZINE. The new effort has accumulated critical praise with outlets like LOUDWIRE declaring “Wylde’s guitar playing has always been at an extremely high level, but the instrument that’s improved steadily over the years is his voice.” New Jersey’s AQUARIAN WEEKLY states, “This is Black Label Society at its finest!”

With cover appearances on the likes of both Guitar Player and Guitar World magazines and a first ever TV performance on Late Night with Seth Meyers following the release of Catacombs Of The Black Vatican, the presence of the band has dug itself deeper into the history of modern day rock music.

Date Venue Location
Feb 11 O2 ABC Glasgow, United Kingdom
Feb 12 The Institute Birmingham, United Kingdom
Feb 13 Roundhouse London, United Kingdom
Feb 14 O2 Academy Bristol Bristol, United Kingdom
Feb 15 O2 Academy Leeds Leeds, United Kingdom
Feb 17 UEA Norwich, United Kingdom
Feb 18 Rock City Nottingham, United Kingdom
Feb 19 Manchester Academy Manchester, United Kingdom
Feb 21 Melkweg The Max Amsterdam, Netherlands
Feb 22 Ancienne Belgique Brussels, Belgium
Feb 24 Batschkapp Frankfurt, Germany
Feb 25 FZW Freizeitzentrum West Dortmund, Germany
Feb 26 Le Bataclan Paris, France
Feb 27 La Laiterie Strasbourg, France
Mar 01 Train Århus C, Denmark
Mar 03 Rockefeller Music Hall Oslo, Norway
Mar 05 Close-Up Båten Stockholm, Sweden
Mar 06 Nosturi Helsinki, Finland
Mar 08 Rock Cafe Sodom Tallinn, Estonia
Mar 09 Forum Palace Vilnius, Lithuania
Mar 11 B90 Gdansk, Poland
Mar 12 Club Studio Krakow, Poland
Mar 14 Z7 Pratteln, Switzerland
Mar 15 Les Docks Lausanne, Switzerland
Jul 18 Pistoia Blues Pistoia, Italy
Jul 19 Metaldays 2015 Tolmin, Slovenia
Jul 26 Universiada Hall Sofia, Bulgaria
Jul 27 Arenele Romane Bucharest, Romania
Jul 28 GARE SBB-CFF Bale, Switzerland
Jul 29 Fezen Festival Székesfehérvár, Hungary
Jul 30 Wacken 2015 Wacken, Germany

Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Alt-J, Modest Mouse and Hozier to Headline WayHome Music and Arts This Summer

Feb 11, 2015

Republic Live announced at a press conference earlier today that Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Alt-J, Modest Mouse and Hozier will be headlining at their inaugural music and arts festival, WayHome Music and Arts, which will take place July 24th – 26th, 2015 at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds, ten minutes north of Barrie. Additional artists announced for the line-up include: Bassnectar, The Decemberists, Passion Pit, St. Vincent, Girl Talk, Vance Joy, Future Islands, The Sheepdogs, Odesza, The Gaslight Anthem, Walk The Moon, Run The Jewels, Kaytranada, Hey Rosetta!, G-Eazy, Sylvan Esso, Danny Brown, Cold War Kids, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Big K.R.I.T, July Talk, Fucked Up, Timber Timbre, Thousand Foot Krutch, METZ, Alvvays, Yukon Blonde, Courtney Barnett, Sloan, Delta Spirit, Broods, How to Dress Well, SZA, Viet Cong, Com Truise, Bear Mountain, Evening Hymns, Lowell, The Highest Order, Dear Rouge, Chris Stapleton, For Esme, and Saxsyndrum with many more still to come. WayHome Music and Arts is a collaboration between Canadian entertainment company Republic Live and US promoter, AC Entertainment, co-founders and producers of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, the Forecastle Festival, the Big Ears Festival and many other events. All ticket offerings include a choice of tent camping or parking and will go on-sale to the general public on Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12 pm EST exclusively at www.wayhome.com with GA tickets starting at $209.99. A one-day only walk-in pre-sale for tastemaker fans is available on February 12th with GA tickets for $189.99 at the 12 key retail partners listed below.

“We couldn’t be more excited to finally launch the name of our new festival as the WayHome Music and Arts and announce this inspiring line-up,” said Shannon McNevan, Executive Director, Republic Live. “Sam Smith is one of the hottest and most exciting new artists in the world right now, so it’s awesome to see acts like him join Kendrick Lamar and Alt-J on our inaugural bill as Canada’s international destination music festival. It’s a testament to how great of an entertainment market southern Ontario is. A huge differentiator for any festival we do is the on-site experience and amazingly deep sense of community that people feel there. To that end, we’re including tent camping or parking with our ticket offerings to encourage people to camp out with their pals and really immerse themselves in the experience..”

“We’ve been talking with and getting to know the team at Republic Live for several years now and we’re excited that WayHome Music and Arts is at long last becoming a reality,” said Ashley Capps, CEO of AC Entertainment. “Our initial line-up clearly establishes WayHome as one of North America’s premiere music and arts festivals and provides a strong foundation to build upon for the future. The Burl’s Creek site is amazing – one of the best I’ve ever seen – and with four stages, over 90 acts performing across 3 days and a kaleidoscope of ongoing activities for festival goers, we’re focused on creating an unforgettable weekend for everyone.”

Tickets for WayHome Music and Arts will be sold in allotments, meaning that once the number of tickets allocated at the $209.99 price point sell out, the following allotment of tickets will be released at the next price point of $229.99. Fans are encouraged to purchase early to get the best possible price and organizers are anticipating a sold out event. Exclusive walk-in ticket pre-sales will take place tomorrow, February 12th, for one day only at the following retailers with full event GA tickets, including camping or parking, available for $189.99 prior to the public on-sale.

Retail Outlet Address Store Hours
Casbah Bar 18 Huron Street, Collingwood, ON 5pm – 2am
Doogies 37 Wyndham Street North, Guelph, ON 7 pm – 2 am
Blueprint Clothing 246 Princess Street, Kingston, ON 10am – 6pm
Howey Bros 57A Whitewood Avenue, New Liskeard, ON 10 am – 6 pm
Kahuna Surf Shop 175 Missisaga Street East, Orillia, ON 10 am – 6 pm
Top of the World Clothing 158 Rideau, Ottawa, ON 10am – 9pm
Flavour Fashion 383 George Street North, Peterborough, ON 10am – 6pm
Got Style 62 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON 11am – 8pm
Heel Boy 773 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON 10 am -9 pm
Northern Standard Trading Post 1662 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON 12pm – 7pm
Tiger of Sweden 56 Ossington Avenue, Toronto, ON 11am – 8pm
Loop 13 King Street North, Waterloo, ON 11am – 8pm

One GA ticket includes GA tent camping and full admission to all three festival days. One campsite is provided per group upon arrival and each campsite can hold up to 8 people, although 4-6 per site are recommended to optimize comfort. A GA ticket will also allow anyone traveling back and forth daily to park in the day parking area at no additional cost. VIP tickets, VIP Glamping, RV and Hotel Packages are also available exclusively at www.wayhome.com

Republic Live, in collaboration with Ashley Capps, AC Entertainment, co-founder of the Bonnaroo Music Festival, will be hosting WayHome Music and Arts at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds, just ten minutes north of Barrie, July 24th – 26th 2015. The festival will include headliners Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Alt-J, Modest Mouse and Hozier with an additional 80 plus artists performing over the 3 days. Republic Live is excited to be working with several key brand partners, who will be collaborating on the development of the festival experience. This includes Molson Canadian Live, a brand that has been a leader in defining and creating ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ fan moments at music festivals and events across Canada for over 25 years. Fans will also have the opportunity to connect directly with select Etsy artists and makers at an Etsy.com-inspired in-person marketplace. As one of Canada’s primary supporters of Canadian-talent, SiriusXM Canada, the country’s leading audio entertainment company, will be providing an on-site platform for elevating some of Canada’s favourite artists through performance broadcasts and special subscriber and fan experiences. The festival offers 4 stages, a variety of late-night spectacles and experiences, original art installations, fine international and local cuisine, an on-site farmers market, and more to inspire fans to explore their own creativity while giving them a powerful, unforgettable, and eye opening experience using music and art as a catalyst. All ticket offerings include tent camping or parking and will go on-sale to the general public on Monday, February 16, 2015 at 12 pm EST exclusively at www.wayhome.com with GA tickets starting at $209.99.