This week in the industry we’ve seen global data and royalties powerhouses partner to provide greater access to information, a new patent filed in Austria for HD Vinyl which could revolutionize production in the coming years and we have a look at the policies in WA, SA and ACT that champion live music.
IFPI and SoundExchange Grant Greater Access to Industry Data
International trade body for the recording industry, IFPI and global collective management organization SoundExchange has teamed up to provide greater access to data for industry professionals with their ISRC Search Site.
ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the standardized identifier for recorded music allowing for each individual track to be recognized, accounted and eventually monetized. IFPI manages the ISRC system globally under the appointment of the International Organisation for Standardization.
The ISRC Search Site will provide access to recordings data, enabling recording artists, rights owners and music services to identify data associated with their recordings, hopefully increasing transparency and efficiency in the handling of data about recordings.
This provides the opportunity for artists to better understand the success of their pieces, and more clearly track what record labels, management and those who distribute royalties across the industry are doing.
“The ISRC Search Site will give a new level of accessibility to help musicians, performers, managers, music publishers and many others understand where their music has been used whilst also facilitating more accurate reporting by users of digital music,” said IFPI’s Chief Executive, Frances Moore.
Moore continued predicting the quantity of data would grow moving deeper into the digital age and the ISRC Search Site would cut through the noise providing better communication throughout the music ecosystem.
“We eliminate friction through better more efficient technology solutions, so creators in the music community can focus on the music,” said SoundExchange President and CEO, Michael Huppe.
Check out the website HERE.
HD Vinyl Patent Set to Revolutionize Production
Austria based Rebeat Digital has submitted an EU-wide patent with Joanneum Research for a High Definition Vinyl. The technology could significantly reduce the cost and time required to produce a vinyl record within the next three years.
The process involves computer generated, 3D-based topographical mapping combined with laser inscription technology and a ‘pulsed high-energy Femto-laser’ burning the audio directly onto the stamper to more efficiently produce a new product.
“We adjust the distance of the grooves, we correct the radial/tangential errors, and we optimize the frequencies. You could say we ‘master’ the topographical data, which is a totally different approach,” said Rebeat CEO, Guenter Loibl on the process of creating HD Vinyls.
The HD Vinyl disc will play on all currently manufactured turntables, however enhanced features will be better realized on upcoming, HD-compatible turntables.
The entire process could see a reduction of 50 to 60 per cent in stamper related costs with the time required to produce a new piece of vinyl down by 60 per cent.
What this means for the music industry is that artists from all stages in their careers will be able to jump of the vinyl wave that’s taken the global and see more profits from it, presuming the wave is still going in three years.
SA, ACT and WA Policies Champion Live Music
While Queensland and New South Wales dominate headlines with their industry suffocating lock-out laws, all isn’t to fear as other states across Australia pass policies that champion live music.
In South Australia this February the Live Music Office, Musitec and MusicSA proposed a live music ‘BYO liquor licence’, allowing for one-off shows in unusual spaces, without the strict regulations necessary for licensed premises. Following these changes the South Australian premier announce a three-month, music industry led review dedicating to reducing redtape.
“Live music is an important part of South Australia, contributing more than $260 million to our economy and supporting more than 4000 jobs… We want to make it easier for venues to host live music and eliminate unnecessary red tape,” said South Australian premier, Jay Weatherill.
November last year saw Music ACT and the Live Music Office released Cool Little Capital – ACT Action Plan a 25-point plan for Canberra’s live music sector recommending the development of ACT live music policy, the establishment of a live music committee and the reduce of red tape for live music events and venues.
“The national success of local musical talents such as SAFIA and Peking Duk has given our music scene great exposure, and I’m excited by the emergence of Canberra’s local talent,” said Chief Minister of the ACT, Andrew Barr show his support for the music industry in February last year.
Finally earlier this month saw the Western Australian Government and West Australian Music (WAM) establish an official roundtable dedicated to live music, arts and culture.
“[I am] excited by the opportunities this presents for collaboration between the music sector, hospitality, industry and government,” said Policy Director of the Live Music Office, John Wardle.
The Round Up
The City of Sydney is supporting national roundtable that will bring together peak music and government bodies to strengthen Australia’s contemporary music industry.
Musitec signed an agreement with the Berklee Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship to develop a program that will allow South Australian students to explore, develop and commercialise their ideas through international research and collaboration.
WAM announced their 2015 nominees for its Song Of The Year Award. For more information click HERE.
The Queensland Music Design Awards held its second annual event this week awarding the visual creatives of the Queensland music industry well deserved recognition. Congratulations to all finalists and winners. For more information click HERE.
ARIA Singles Chart
1. Lukas Graham – 7 Years
2. Twenty One Pilots – Stressed Out
3. Hilltop Hoods Feat. Montaigne & Tom Thum – 1955
4. Flume Feat. Kai – Never Be Like You
5. Charlie Puth – One Call Away
6. Flo Rida – My House
7. Daya – Hide Away
8. Sia – Cheap Thrills
9. The Chainsmokers Feat. Rozes – Roses
10. Kilara – Gold
ARIA Album Chart
1. The Cat Empire – Rising With The Sun
2. Molly (Soundtrack from the TV series)
3. Kendrik Lamar – Untitled Unmastered.
4. Adele – 25
5. Hilltop Hoods – Drinking From The Sun, Walking Under Stars Restrung
6. Tonight Alive – Limitless
7. Urthboy – The Past Beats Inside Me Like A Second Hearbeat
8. Hillsong Young & Free – Youth Revival
9. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – This Unruly Mess I’ve Made
10. Coldplay – A Head Full of Dreams
AIR 100% Independent Singles Chart
1. Flume Feat. Kai – Never Be Like You
2. SIA – Cheap Thrills
3. The Rubens – Hoops
4. Joel Adam – Please Don’t Go
5. Sia – Alive
6. Vance Joy – Fire And the Flood
7. Marcus Marr & Chet Faker – The Trouble with Us
8.Flume Feat. Vince Staples & Kucha – Smoke & Retribution
9. Sia – Chandelier
10. The Temper Trap – Thick As Thieves
AIR 100% Independent Album Chart
1. The Cat Empire – Rising with the Sun
2. Urthboy – The Past Beats Inside Me Like A Second Heartbeat
3. Sia – This Is Acting
4. Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I just Sit
5. Elizabeth Rose – Intra
6. Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear
7. The Jezabels – Synthia
8. Hein Cooper – The Art of Escape
9. Cub Sport – THis Is Our Vice
10. Methyl Ethel – Oh Inhuman Spectacle
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