Looking for something to fade the post-memorial day weekend blues away?  Why don’t you join us down at NYC’s Highline Ballroom for a night of music with Po and Mitsue, stars of VH1 hit show, “La La’s Full Court Life”? It’s pretty much the only thing that could make us look forward to Tuesday. Tickets are on sale now and details are below. See you there!

Donna Summer, known as “The Queen of Disco”, died May 17^th from breast cancer. She was 63 years old.- http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/donna-summer-queen-of-disco-dead-at-63-1007084552.story

Indie label Fool’s Gold announced on Thursday that they will be launching a premium digital subscription service entitled ‘The Goldmine’. Subscribers will have access to new Fool’s Gold music as mp3/WAV downloads, music selections from their back catalog, exclusive content, merchandise discounts and priority access to events.- http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/indies/fool-s-gold-launches-the-goldmine-premium-1007084352.story

Will.I.Am added as keynote speaker to the International Music Summit.-  http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/genre/dance/will-i-am-giorgio-moroder-danny-tenaglia-1007059152.story

Lady Gaga will no longer be performing her sold-out show in Indonesia due to protests by Islamic hard-liners and conservative lawmakers, who believe her sexual image and views will corrupt its youth. The concert would have been Lady Gaga’s largest show on her Asian tour.- http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/touring/lady-gaga-denied-permit-for-indonesia-stadium-1007056352.story

Jay-Z will headline and curate the upcoming two-day music festival, “Budweiser Made in America”, in Philadelphia.- http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/branding/jay-z-on-the-budweiser-made-in-america-fest-1007050552.story

- L.Blake

• TufAmerica are suing The Beastie Boys, Universal Music, Brooklyn Dust Music, and Capital Records for copyright infringement. The lawsuit claims that “Say What” & “Drop the Bomb” were illegally used on the Beastie Boys’ albums “License to III” and “Paul Boutique.” - http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/legal-and-management/adam-yauch-sued-over-beastie-boys-sampling-1006999562.story

• The relationship between brands and bands are growing stronger as major brands become more involved in the music industry from “breaking” artists to forming non-traditional partnerships. - http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/branding/business-matters-narm-ready-or-not-brands-1007016952.story?imw=Y

• The death of Adam “MCA” Yauch has caused an increase in album sales for “License to III”, resulting in a return to the Top 20. The Beastie Boys sold 55,000 albums last week which does not include digital downloads.- http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/genre/randb-hip-hop/beastie-boys-album-sales-surge-1-235-licensed-1007003572.story

• The second season of “The Voice” comes to an end with former back-up singer, Jermaine Paul winning the talent show.- http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/tv-film/the-voice-winner-crowned-in-surprise-finale-1007001152.story

• ShareMyPlaylist.com has launched a new app for iPhone & iPad users in which record labels and music users can submit their own music playlists to the site. This app provides users with an opportunity to discover and post up and coming artists.- http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/digital-and-mobile/sharemyplaylists-launches-ios-app-for-iphone-1006984552.story

- L.Blake

Record Store Day has come and gone once again, reminding us all why we fell in love with music in the first place. Now in its sixth year, the celebration has grown exponentially from an initial 250 participating stores to over 1700 today. Special edition vinyl releases have also skyrocketed from 10 artist’s contributions valuing 30,000 to 300 artists releasing 6 million worth of content (Forbes). Despite this growth, Record Store Day retains its personal feel.

This human touch that has been all but replaced by recommendation algorithms and online message boards remains alive and well inside record stores everywhere. Nothing beats chatting it up with fellow music lovers queued up outside your favorite store before a big release. The informal recommendations are priceless. Curation is and always will be at the heart of the record store experience. We’ve all stumbled upon a band or a track we cannot live without through a fellow customer or a register suggestion.

Record Store Day is about so much more than brick and mortar stores and vinyl records. The stores are merely a means to an end, what’s really worth celebrating are these cultural hubs throughout the world that have shaped not only our lives, but the lives of our favorite artists as well.

With its expansion into two weekends and full live stream coverage by YouTube, 2012 is undoubtedly Coachella’s biggest year ever. Highlights included the Weeknd’s US debut and performances by Bon Iver, Radiohead, M83 and Swedish House Mafia. However, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg closing out Sunday’s performances with the assistance of a holographic Tupac is what will drive conversation for weeks to come.

Sunday’s surprise guest performer has dominated social media talks, instantly becoming a trending topic. The conversation thus far has been polarizing to say the least, with comments ranging from utter blasphemy to the next big thing. The middle ground is almost nonexistent.

There is a very thin line between tasteful and disrespectful, which this performance carefully treads. One can easily see how this could quickly get out of hand with improper handling of artists that fans have come to love. Deceased artists performing with groups they would never share the stage with and ill-advised sponsorships are just a few places this could go horribly wrong. Knee jerk reactions aside, it seems we haven’t seen the last of holographic performances as Nate Dogg is rumored to perform alongside Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg next week.

-V. Graham

When it comes to blowout music festivals, the east coast often comes up short. The east is known instead for its smaller venues like DC’s 9:30 club, one-off tour stops at the Garden, and intimate showcases like CMJ’s Music Marathon. If you’re searching for the true festival experience it seems best to look out west. Until now that is.

Earlier this year, we were overjoyed when we received the news that Electric Daisy Carnival was stopping in New York on its road to Vegas. Now it appears the east coast has even more to be excited about with the arrival of the inaugural Firefly Music Festival in Delaware. Yes, Delaware. Firefly’s unlikely location actually makes perfect sense as it serves as a central location between many states on the east coast including New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, DC, and Virginia.

Taking place July 20- 22 in Dover, Delaware, the festival will bring together The Killers, The Black Keys, and Jack White as headliners. Other artists scheduled to appear include John Legend, Lupe Fiasco, Passion Pit, and Tinie Tempah.

Click below for more information on Firefly Music Festival.
http://fireflyfestival.com/

-V. Graham

The digital age hasn’t just changed the way we listen to music; it has changed the way we perceive it as well. As a culture we’ve grown to feverishly search for new artist after new artist to stay ahead of the curve. The prevalence of social media has amplified this with “trending topics” which last just a few hours. The current conversation can pass you by in an instant.

The blogger culture is one of the best examples of this as they actively seek out the newest music around. One such site Hype Machine, takes it as far as showing only the freshest tracks that have never been blogged about before on their front page. This constant search for the next big thing has a tremendous effect on upcoming artists. It’s made it easier to get noticed but much harder to stay relevant. One look at Billboard’s Top 25 Tours in 2011 will show older established acts still dominate the touring scene. U2, Bon Jovi, and Take That round out the top three. The last two Rolling Stone issues featured Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen on the covers, respectively. Are artists with that kind of staying power a thing of the past?

How do you hold on to an audience when that initial excitement wears off? Constant reinvention (think Madonna), entrepreneurship (think Sean Combs), and social leadership (think Lady Gaga) are some of the many paths music icons have taken. In each case the artist forms a connection with fans much deeper than music. Looking at music in this broad sense is the first step towards building staying power in the digital age.

-V. Graham

Who would have thought the next killer accessory would be headphones. Since early 2009 premium headphones have been flying off the shelves. Today the list of celebrities with headphone lines run a veritable who’s who of the music industry (Dr Dre, Lady Gaga, 50 Cent, Ludacris, RZA, and David Guetta to name a few). Sales show no signs of slowing down either as the market share of premium headphones literally doubled in 2011, equaling more than $342 million in sales (via The NPD Group).

Premium headphones have always sounded great, so why the recent surge? What we are seeing is not a fad but a change in the music culture. Price alone should be enough to discourage consumers as even the most inexpensive pair will run you upwards of $100. However, today you are more likely to see a young adult wearing a pair of custom headphones than a chain. Headphones are cool now and cool exists in a place wholly unaffected by price (i.e. Jordan sneakers).

There have been three factors key to the success of premium headphones. Below we break them down.

The Look
While sound quality increased modestly throughout the years, Beats by Dre’s arrival in 2009 saw for the first time effort put into the aesthetics of headphones. Not only did they sound good, they were sleek and distinctive. The signature red cord is now almost as recognizable as Apple’s pearl white buds.

Positioning
Frankly put in years past, if you weren’t in the music business you had no interest. Recent ad campaigns have targeted the average listener not just the engineers. Skullcandy’s latest campaign uses supermodels like Kate Upton in an attempt to reach an even larger audience.

Perfect Timing
Premium headphones came at time when music playing via ipods was beginning to wane in favor of smartphones. This meant a decrease in personality as smartphones generally look the same. Custom headphones picked up right where ipod’s myriad of colors left off.

-V. Graham

SXSW has come to a close, ending little over a week’s worth of parties, performances, and discussions. Highlights included Jay-Z’s blowout performance, the return of Fiona Apple, and Bruce Springsteen’s keynote address.

The environment was electric as creative minds from all sides of the music and tech industries came together to discuss the current state of their industries, discover what’s (and who’s) next, connect offline and just enjoy each other’s company. The spread of ideas was palpable and for many it was a reminder of why they chose their career paths in the first place. From rousing performances from newcomers like Pond and Alabama Shakes to Miike Snow at the Hype Hotel and Young Money’s blow-out concert, it was the perfect place to inspire and be inspired.

A taste of the sights and sounds of this year’s SXSW Festival can be had here.
If you missed out, make it a priority next year.

With SXSW kicking off this week, music festival season is in full swing. Blowout events like Ultra, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo are unforgettable musical experiences. Friends and memories made there last a lifetime. Packed arenas, amazing artists, and an electric party scene keep regular attendees coming back again and again. For new comers, the whole affair can seem a bit overwhelming at first glance, but with some prior planning a great time can be had. If you are a first timer planning on attending a fest or two this year, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

The Earlier the Better
Purchase your event badges/tickets, book transportation, and secure hotels months not weeks in advance. Festivals sell out far too quickly to be a spur of the moment decision.

Expect the Unexpected
Everything can change in a heartbeat. Rain gear is not an option. It’s a necessity. Events start late, change venues and performers, and even get canceled with very little notice. As a general rule of thumb always have a plan A, B, and C.

Sunny Skies Ahead
Prolonged exposure to the sun is the quickest way to the EMS. A hat, sunscreen, tons of water and some shady breaks will keep you going all day.

A Regular Christopher Columbus
Odds are your in an unfamiliar state, a good map will be your best friend. Study it, learn it, and keep it with you at all times. Also, use a physical map as nothing quite eats up a phone battery like GPS.

Driving Miss Daisy
Don’t drive if you don’t have to. Traffic will be insane. Parking will be nonexistent. Streets will randomly be closed. Check out the local options for public transportation and event shuttles in advance.

Honorable Mentions
Most unnecessary – Heels/nice sneakers
Most useful – Earplugs
Most forgotten – Toilet Paper

Most importantly have fun!!!

-V. Graham