Old-school Drake (Photo: The Internet)
HOT
We’re No. 1!
The good news? America is No. 1! The bad news? We’re No. 1
out of all the countries in the world for illegal downloads. The worst
news? According to the study published by the BBC, we’re risking moral
shaming and punishment from the recording industry (of some sort; see
below for the ever-shifting approaches) by downloading the music of
softball rapper Drake more than anything else.
WARM
Does This Make Them ‘Fartcore’?
Indie Pop band Passion Pit is doing pretty well, amassing a
big following and putting out its major label debut this summer.
But
the band is suffering some backlash lately thanks to its music’s
appearance in gastro-destroying fast food giant Taco Bell’s
gotta-be-disgusting “Doritos Locos tacos.” Major labels apparently help
their artists out so little, they literally have to find second jobs at
Taco Bell. Singer Michael Angelakos told radio station KROQ that it was
“an amazing opportunity,” while also suggesting he allowed it because he
has family struggling financially. Wonder if that’s why the band also
took part in Taco Bell’s 2010 “Feed the Beat” campaign, which, as KROQ
reported, gave touring bands like Passion Pit $500 gift cards to use
during their travels. Touring bands + $500 worth of Taco Bell (which is,
what, five years’ worth of meals?) = very smelly tour busses on our
country’s highways.
COLD
Filesharing Mayhem
Many say the recent ruling that a Minnesota woman must pay $220,000 for sharing music online could be the final lawsuit brought forth by the RIAA in America against an individual. Internet Service Providers are now working with the recording industry to instate a “six strikes” rule, whereby the ISPs will warn suspected “pirates” gently five times, then yank their Internet service. But then came word that BMG, which manages rights for artists like David Bowie and Foo Fighters (among numerous others), called bullshit and, according to Hypebot, will continue to pursue copyright infringers for pay-offs — though they’re only looking for $20 per infringement. Meanwhile, according to NME, Metal label Century Media plans on taking to court 7,500 Metal fans for illegally downloading albums by Iced Earth and others. A page from the old Metallica playbook — when in doubt, sue your fans into submission.
We gotta get some fans to sue.