Dub dot dash

Other radio stations are biting us
The March issue of Metro features an article on Radio 95Bfm and the increasingly stiff competition it is facing from low power FM stations like Base FM.

"The rise and rise of the low power radio station is putting pressure on the original alternative radio source, bFM. Simon Farrell-Green charts the battle for listeners, advertising dollars - and credibility".

Slave and Otis Frizzell, the breakfast show hosts on Base (and ex BFMers) say that the station is doing well (an estimated 10,500 listeners) saying that "we're big at the prison" - Otis. "That's on two watts of funk and hiphop power. If we had a bigger frequency, it would be game ovaaa" - Slave.

"Look beyond the loopiness of Bfm's commercials, and you'll find a sophisticated media organisation with 17 full-time staff. Many are now wondering whether its anti-mainstream badge has simply become a market position" Article is called "All other radio stations are sh*t?"

Having some inside knowledge of both stations (as a former Bfm DJ of 8 years standing, and as a Basefm dj for the past year), I think the article does a good job, scratching the surface of what must be an annoying irritation for Bfm - that they no longer have a clear-cut monopoly on media irreverance in the Auckland radio scene. It's still a vital station, but the sands are shifting.

OSCARS LIVE: check the Oscars site, click on Video, and they are playing a live feed from the Oscars Press Room backstage, very entertaining. SF Chronicle updates results live too.
UPDATE: via Stuff.co.nz: "New Zealand's Taika Waititi misses out for Two Cars, One Night but should win an award for best nominee reaction shot when he pretended he was asleep when they said his name."


TAKING LEAVE
(Via No rock n roll fun) "The following has been puttering around online today; it's interesting reading, as it appears to be a genuine 'i quit' from a member of staff at Warners:

Today is my last day of working for the Warner Music Group after five years of hard work for very little recognition and a an absolutely laughable salary, considering that the Warners group used to be one of the mightiest record labels in the world and has one of the greatest unexploited catalogues left in the business. However since your acquisition of the Warner Music Group last year there is probably more exchange of information of what is actually happening at any level in this company than at a deaf, dumb and blind convention.

We understand that you took on a huge task to turn around the ailing, forgotten division of AOL Time Warner, but informing the already morale-drained staff (via a third party) that the bonuses that the top five executives took individually equal more than 20 times my total lifetime salaried income (assuming I started at 18 and retired at 60), is somewhat more than insensitive. If you want to make us feel like maggots., you succeeded.

Paul-Rene Albertini gets paid $4 MILLION in total ?? Hello !!! ? The only deals we are all aware of have all LOST money. Walt Disney Records? unrecoupable - it's still more than $15 million in the hole. Milan Records ? A French turkey. Need I go on? What deals has this guy done that actually MADE money? Lyor Cohen - to give his due, he did what he did at Def Jam, hope it works out for Warners.

He should do ..at $5 MILLION. A nice lifestyle guaranteed.

Rhino Records? Since the new order was imposed, Rhino, once the envy of every record company catalogue division has been DECIMATED. Everyone of any value and integrity has been sacked and the catalogue is being whored out to every tin pot reissue cowboy label. We understand you need the money, but only having eyes on the short-term, easy money is not very STRATEGIC

$50,000 license fees for heritage artist repertoire? Big deal, Rhino records as was, would convert that into $500,000 onto our own bottom line. As you are well aware, catalogue assets are going to become BIG business in the next 10 years (quite distinct from digital downloads).

We should be investing more time , money and MANPOWER to exploit the best catalogue repertoire in the world, not starving it into oblivion for the sake of a short-term buck.

From the vicious rumour-mill that has replaced hard fact in this company, we know that Warner is either being leaned down for sale or set for taking over another three-letter-named label (EMI), with the inevitable blood-bath that will follow. I am saddened that I am leaving.

Music is my life; but I am also relieved that I get to leave the company before everyone I know and value for their knowledge, dedication and love of music gets shuffled out of the door. You would not believe the dedication for this company that exists at grass-roots level, and though we are the little people - we ALL make a crucial difference.

Yours Sincerely,
Carlos Anaia

Genuine? Possibly. Carlos Anaia was one of the names who was credited with putting together WEA's Word of Mouth and Future Vintage compilations. Even if it's not an actual resignation, it would be an interesting hoax with a fascinating commentary on the company."

Coolfer adds.... "A source (you've gotta love anonymous sources, eh?) has told Digital Music News that Waner Music Group has been unable to have its balance sheet certified by an outside auditor. Edgar Bronfman must be cursing those ethical bean counters and remembering the good ol' days before the Enron and Arthur Anderson scandal. You can't have an IPO if you can't get those finanical statements in working order.

DMN also has for us a few of the company's $21 million of executive bonuses. Bronfman cashed in a $5.25 million bonus on top of his $1 million salary. Lyor Cohen got $5.24 on top of $1 million. Those two bonuses alone were greater than the company's operating profit."

CURTIS MAYFIELD - Mayfield: Remixed - The Curtis Mayfield Collection. Remixes by Grandmaster Flash, Ashley Beedle, Eric Kupper, King Britt, Mixmaster Mike and others. Audio samples here. Links don't match the audio titles listed, so do some homework. This just makes me want to hear the originals, but will give it a listen when it drops. Out March 15.

More later.