Our Digital Music

Major label layoffs have begun at Sony BMG and Universal’s Island Def Jam. Will they spread? The latest rumors center on Geffen and Columbia. This means more bands without support from their record labels too.
Nokia’s new “Comes With Music” for new cell phones features free music from Universal  Records, but comes heavily laden with restrictive DRM.  Cool idea – unlimited free downloads to your cell for a year after you buy it – but then they lock them down and won’t let you transfer the songs to other players or phones or burn a CD.
Nabbr launched a viral music video …read more

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The Talks -Teachers This brilliant Hull based rock’n’roll punk band have already played with The Specials, The Maccabees & Reverend & The Makers and made it into Chris Moyles’ Top Friends… Wearing skinny jeans and reggae influences with pride…
Out From Animals – The National Curriculum Getting into the final 12 of the UK’s Channel 4 Mobile Unsigned competition, Out From Animals have been described by judge Alex James of Blur as brilliant! Chaotic indie dance fusion with an attitude.
Rebecca Rothwell – Unexpected By comparison to the myriad of indistinct indie guitar bands she stands out, and …read more

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The now famous “pay what you want” for the newest Radiohead release is almost over. According the band’s web site:
The download area that is “In Rainbows” will be shutting its doors on the 10th December 2007.
A big thank you to everyone who came and downloaded the music. It’s been the most positive thing we’ve done and we hope you shared the experience with others.
The discbox will still be available from the w.a.s.t.e store until they have all gone. We then have no plans to make further stock.
For those of you who wish to buy In Rainbows in the usual way, …read more

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Just in time for holiday giving, download resale site Grooveshark is back with another 29 cent download sale.  The sale runs December 5 – 12 throughout Hannukahand on December 25th Christmas day.   Lots of hit and indie music with no limits and no strings (like DRM) attached.
There’s also an iTouch Myself for Christmas Contest
Invite the most friends to Grooveshark from Dec 1 – Dec 20 and win an iPod Touch.

1st Place iPod Touch + $200 Music
2nd Place iPod Nano + $150 Music
3rd Place iPod Shuffle + $100 Music
20 Runners-up T-shirt + $5 Music

SHOW YOU CARE AND SAVE SOME CASH
Want an …read more

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Free download Moody lets you easily tag the songs in your iTunes playlists with your moods. You can even tag a song to fit 2 or 3 moods.
Then when you want an fast mix for a party, candlelight dinner or just to put you to sleep; let Moody automatically do the work of creating an instant custom playlist to fit the your mood from your iTunes collection.
As the site says, “Like Wasabi to Sushi, Moody is the sidekick to iTunes, and boosts your iTunes experience.” Check it out and download it free here.

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Major layoffs have begun at Sony BMG and Universal and more labels seem likely to follow. (full story @ our sister blog Hypebot)
Why should you as a fan care?
It may mean less music to choose from. It certainly means some of the bands you love will be looking for new record labels and that some of the music that is released will get less promotion and exposure.
What can you do about it?
Support the bands you love. Go directly to their web sites, sign up for their email newsletters or RSS feeds and buy stuff. Go shows. Tell your friends. …read more

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Follow these links to our articles on saving money on CD’s, downloads, portable players and concert tickets:

Save Up To 80% on iPods, Zen And Other Top Portable Players
Find The Best Prices On CD’s & Downloads
5 Best (And Cheapest) Places To Buy MP3’s
Save Cash On Concert Tickets
Amazon Opens MP3 Download Store With Lower Prices
iTunes Lowers Prices On DRM Free Tracks & Adds Indie Product

Really need to save money on gifts? Check out these articles on grabbing free and cheap music on the net.

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Nominations are open for The First Annual Best Music Blog Awards. Nominate your favorite blogs here.
Universal CEO Doug Morris spoke candidly with Wired Magazine about the music industry and his lack of knowledge in dealing with file sharing and the rapid changes caused by internet. One cartoonist had a field day:
Major label group Warner Music announced a drop in profits and a major deal with the Frank Sinatra estate and his family.  WMG’s stock continues to take a beating.
Watch for a February Pepsi promotion giving away 1 billion (yes that’s a B) free tracks on Amazon. It seems that the …read more

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