A fascinating insight into the workings of major record labels and the RIAA over at the now-defunct (in its traditional form) Muxtape.

…on August 15th, I received notice from Amazon Web Services (the platform that hosts Muxtape’s servers and files) that they had received a complaint from the RIAA. Per Amazon’s terms, I had one business day to remove an incredibly long list of songs or face having my servers shut down and data deleted. This came as a big surprise to me, as I’d been thinking that I hadn’t heard from the RIAA in a long time because I had an understanding with the labels. I had a panicked exchange of emails with Amazon, trying to explain that I was in the middle of a licensing deal, that I suspected it was a clerical error, and that I was doing everything I could to get someone to vouch for me on a summer Friday afternoon. My one business day extended over the weekend, and on Monday when I wasn’t able to produce the documentation Amazon wanted (or even get someone from the RIAA on the phone), the servers were shut down and I was locked out of the account. I moved the domain name to a new server with a short message and the very real expectation that I could get it sorted out. I still thought it was all just a big mistake. I was wrong.

Over the next week I learned a little more, mainly that the RIAA moves quite autonomously from their label parents and that the understanding I had with them didn’t necessarily carry over. I also learned that none of the labels were especially interested in helping me out, and from their perspective it had no bearing on the negotiations. I disagreed. The deals were still weeks or months away (an eternity on the internet) meaning that at best, Muxtape was going to be down until the end of year. There was also still the matter of how to pay for it; getting investment is hard enough in this volatile space even with a wildly successful and growing web site, it became an entirely different proposition with no web site at all.

I suppose it was only a matter of time.

Screw you, RIAA. What am I going to listen to while I work at my computer now?

This is the best jogging album. Ever.

The Editor, John Surname, Ant Rogenous, Jeremy Sear, Prophet and Craig discuss:

* Computers, the English language, and the decay of society
* Music piracy and iPods through customs
* Greeks and anal sex
* Funniest things on the intertubes (read: A Western Heart)

** Because the dilithium crystals and the flux capacitor are broken, use only the “Play in popup” link or the “Download” link. **

 

 GrodsThink 26 (29 July 2008) [41:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Subscribe:   

Over a week ago the challenge was issued, and finally (a couple of days late, admittedly) here is the list of Muxtapes compiled by the GrodsTeam and GrodsReaders. I know that all the others put in the same amount of effort that I did (well, more like hours of agonising, drafting and re-drafting lists) so thanks to all. Make sure that you all take the time to enjoy the results.

UPDATE (25/7): I have added late-entry Muxtapes by Kate and Toaf, appended notes to Bron’s, and linked to Jeremy’s notes at his blog.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve spent all week shortlisting songs for my entry in the GrodsCorp Muxtape Challenge and it’s bloody difficult work. I think I’ve narrowed it down to about 20 or 25 tracks which is still well above the twelve song limit.

So just a reminder that you should use this weekend to finalise your Muxtape playlist, upload the songs to the website, and email your URL to grodscorp [at] grods [dot] com by Monday. (Wednesday at the absolute latest since Spock’s got an extension.) Feel free to include a few lines of explanation to go with your Muxtape and be sure to give me your blog’s URL for linky purposes.

Happy muxing!

Howdy, Grodsters. I’ve been quite busy and distracted this last week (as evidenced by my complete lack of posts) but I’ve been formulating a totally awesome plan for us all to get to know each other better. When you arrive, ladies can get changed in the bedroom, gentlemen need to put their keys in this bowl…

Just kidding. It’s the GrodsCorp Muxtape Challenge!!1!

What’s a Muxtape? It’s an online version of the cassette mix tapes that we all used to make in the 80s and 90s and share around with our friends. Remember how you used to spend ages agonising over song choice, sequence and duration restrictions, and then spend even longer fiddling with a dual deck cassette player’s pause and record buttons? Well Muxtape is much easier to use — you just upload 12 mp3 songs that are smaller than 24MB each and organise them into your desired sequence. Simple.

So the GrodsCorp Muxtape Challenge is to create a mix tape that best showcases you and your musical tastes. Either dip into your old favourites, upload new stuff that you’re into, or mix it up a bit. Just make sure the finished product represents you. Then email the URL of your Muxtape to grodscorp [at] grods [dot] com by next Monday (21 July) so I can reveal all GrodsReaders’ Muxtapes in the one post.

Garn then. Have at it.

When planning funerals today, the cosmically awful Bette Midler rendition of Wind beneath my Wings is thankfully OUT - and funky groovy hip rad mad toonz with a hidden or sarcastic message are, like, IN:

It’s unlikely a mournful sombre mood could prevail through a funeral rendition of Ding Dong the Witch is Dead. But this was a last musical message played at a final farewell in South Australia and it is part of an increasing trend away from hymns towards popular, rock and novelty songs, a leading funeral provider says.

Other funeral ceremonies have been accompanied by the blaring rock tones of Another One Bites The Dust, Stairway to Heaven or even Highway to Hell.

Personally, I think I’d go for American Pie. It’s so long that it would drag the whole thing out painfully; it harks back to my mispent youth of country pubs and cover bands; and the lyrics would leave everyone scratching their heads about why the hell I chose it. All of these things would make me happy in the afterlife (if I actually believed in such a thing).

What would Grods-plodders go for?

Frenzal Rhomb guitarist Lindsay McDougall has been shafted by the Australian music industry association, who told him it was recording his interview for one reason and then used it for another. Here’s McDougall on the industry’s lame attempt to shame kids into not downloading music by suggesting that they’re ripping off artists rather than actually cutting into the bloated profits of the record companies who rip off artists.

I think it’s bullshit, I think it’s record companies crying poor and I don’t agree with it… you don’t make money from the record, the record companies make the money from the record. If they can’t make money these days because they haven’t come onside with the way the world is going, it’s their own problem.

Pwned.

And here’s “artist” and “musician” Anthony Callea’s manager throwing his support behind the campaign to stop something that will never, ever have any impact on Callea’s sale(s).

This video is a unique view on the changing nature of our industry. It’s tremendous to see artists given the opportunity to provide a balanced first hand account of the music business as they see it.

The Editor, John Surname, Ant Rogenous, Jeremy Sear, The Happy Revolutionary and Craig discuss:

* Sin tax
* Whingeing musicians
* Chair sniffing
* Wilson Tuckey vs. Bill Heffernan in the GrodsThink naked cagefight

** Because of the pernicious lack of Brendan Nelson bashing in this episode use only the “Play in popup” link or the “Download” link. **

 

 GrodsThink 14 (29 April 2008) [32:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Subscribe:   

Kevin’s weekend-long suggestion box seems to have brought the reform-for-its-own-sake boffins out of the closet: there’s been talk of changing everything, from the Constitution to the flag. Now some are talking about scrapping Advance Australia Fair as the national anthem, even though we’ve only had it officially for a tick over 30 years.

Like many blasé Aussies I’m indifferent to the anthem - I’m not passionately stirred by it but nor do I loathe it. It seems to stack up well against most other national songs. I’ve certainly appreciated it more since Julie Anthony’s stirring rendition of at the Sydney Olympics (viewable on the You Tubes). Changing it would open up one of those ridiculous hornets’ nests: where talkback radio is flooded with blue-rinsers and Valium-happy housewifes; where RSLs buzz and thrum like someone has put Viagra in the cheap beer; where everyone wants a say on something about which they ultimately don’t give a shit. We’ve got enough to do and can do without all of that, thanks. 

What the hell do these change-monsters want to have as our anthem anyway? Grodsophiles may have better suggestions but some could be:

• The Seekers’ I Am Australian?
• Men at Work’s Down Under?
• Keri’s favourite Chizzle tune, Khe Sahn?
• Hot Chili Woman by Noiseworks?
• Something from Chuck A. Spear’s Pernicious Minds setlist?

This was GrodsCorp’s most contentious poll ever with about 200 comments generated over two threads arguing about The Beatles‘ music and their legacy. But stats is stats and GrodsReaders have overwhelmingly declared that The Beatles are hot.

Click on the cover for the music.

Welcome to Flavour Country.

It’s a big country.

And don’t forget to visit 100% accurate http://www.iainhall.com.

A debate (of sorts, because yelling “YOU’RE SHIT!” at each other isn’t a debate) has been raging in another comment thread about The Beatles. It all started when the work of Lennon/McCartney was unfavourably compared to the work of Silverchair’s Daniel Johns. So let’s set the record straight.

Poll closes COB Wednesday.

UPDATE (4.45pm): Bron has pointed out in comments that she’d like to vote ‘hot’ and ‘not’ based on old stuff/new stuff thinking. I’ve added this option to the poll for others who are facing the same conundrum.

Opposition “leader”, Brendan Nelson, has given a long and sick-inducing interview to The Age about his love for motorcycles and guitars. He gives us a hint about his musical taste (or lack thereof).

“I like all kinds of music (except) rap or hip-hop,” Nelson says. “I’ve been working through Rolling Stones covers, Pink Floyd, I’m a Slim Dusty tragic … At the moment I’m learning (Bon Jovi’s) It’s My Life.”

So over to you, GrodsReaders. When Nelson has finished learning the shitty chords to shitty Bon Jovi’s shitty It’s My Life what should he learn next?