MicControl Blog

Apple's Big Announcement: iTunes Live, Streaming, or Social?

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:21:53 PDT

On Wednesday, Apple sent out invitations to a special event on September 1st which featured an acoustic guitar with the sound hole in the shape of Apple's logo. While initial reports expected the majority of the event to revolve around Apple TV, I think it is safe to say we can expect a big music-related announcement coming from Steve Jobs. While rumors are circulating about everything from the iPod Game Center to the endless possibilites of Apple TV (a TV rental service IS expected to be announced), we think it's safe to say there's going to be a big music announcement.

Here are the most probable (music-related) rumors circulating about what this announcement could possibly entail:

Arrival of the iPod touch (fourth-generation) which will come with an all new redesign, front and rear cameras, FaceTime, Retina Display and the A4 processor. This is a very possible rumor but I'd like to think with all the hype being built around this announcement the past few days that it's going to be something bigger than that.

The cloud-based streaming iTunes music rumor has been circulating for a while now. Will Apple finally make some sort of announcement regarding a cloud-based service? I'm thinking probably not. While a fall release had been mentioned earlier it still seems a bit premature for this launch and sources are calling that highly unlikely.

Anyone remember back in May when Apple filed for the "iTunes Live" trademark? Can we expect something to come of that? Could this also create a billion more rumors? Yes. Maybe. Yes.

I think the most concrete rumor going around right now is that regarding a lightweight Web-based iTunes with a bunch of social features added to its service. A while back, Apple reportedly surveyed users about their thoughts on viewing friends playlists, recent purchases, current songs, etc. iTunes has been lacking for a while now in the recommendation and sharing department in a time when these social features and customized preferences are a necessity. Considering the possibilities that could come from integrating Facebook and Twitter into iTunes is actually a very cool, long overdue idea. Peter Kafka, who has made this assumption off of "informed guesses" from his insider sources, quotes one source:

“There’s a reason Steve Jobs calls it an iPod–he thinks you listen to music by yourself, on your headphones,” says a label executive. “But lots of people like to share music, and if this lets you do that, that’s exciting.”

Since Apple has always kept quiet on topics like these it looks like we'll have to wait until next week to actually find out what the announcement will be but until then what do you guys think/hope will be announced on September 1st? What future products would you like to see from Apple? Leave your feedback in the comment section!

Shazam Celebrates 10 Years With A Million New Users A Week

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:31:48 PDT

Happy 10th birthday to Shazam! The music discovery engine/music identification service celebrated its 10th anniversary with some huge news: one million new users are signing up every week. The big news means that Shazam is on the right track in order to hit its target of 100 million registered users by the end of 2010. CEO Andrew Fisher expressed the company's excitement: “Building the momentum so that Shazam is adding one million new users a week is an incredible achievement."

Previously, Shazam announced some other big numbers: Shazam is responsible for over a billion tagged songs and 260,000 downloads are purchased every day using Shazam's service. Not bad!

There are plenty of other music discovery sites and apps out there. How do you discover music? What are your favorite sites to find new music?

Does EMI Have A Place In The New Music Industry?

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:21:47 PDT

Once again EMI appears to be in trouble. After receiving a £105 million refinancing from Terra Firma, followed by plans to restructure the struggling label, EMI is now reporting some major losses.

In it's report to investors, EMI revealed a net loss of £512 or US $802 million in the year ending March 31, 2010. The company also wrote off another £602 million ($943M USD) in 2009-2010 and despite the cash infusion from Terra Firma still has £3 billion ($4.7B USD) in outstanding debt.

To make matters worse, EMI also reports they may be in need of another cash infusion as early as next year and the company will fall short of the banking requirements made by its lender every year until 2015.

Roger Faxon, CEO of EMI Group, put the struggling label's situation in a positive light: “There is a clear opportunity ahead for EMI as a whole to develop a structure and approach that recognises the realities of the music environment, and that truly delivers success for the creative talent that the company is privileged to represent. The operating performance we delivered in the year under review gives us a strong platform, and I’m looking forward to working with our great staff and artists to develop the business further.”

It's no secret the music industry is struggling but with numbers reported here its time to ask whether or not some of these major labels will ever be able to recover in the new industry. What do you think? Are major labels destined to become extinct or will they be able to make a comeback in the new industry?

Open Mic Interview with Oncue -Part 2-

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:55:18 PDT

Once again we got the opportunity to sit down with OnCue. We met up with OnCue a few weeks before and talked a little bit about his live show. The next week we were able to see him in action at the Hippodrome in Springfield, MA with a before and after interview. Check out Cuey talking about near death beer spills, somersaulting onstage, and the biggest reward as a musician: making music that people can relate to.

For more on OnCue check out:

OnCue's Website (includes downloads of previous mixtapes and previously released tracks)

OnCue on Facebook

OnCue on Twitter

Upcoming Event: Klezmer Music Festival

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:58:40 PDT

This weekend, from August 14th to August 18th, the Payomet Performing Arts Center will hold the second annual Yiddish Theater and Klezmer Music Festival in Cape Cod, MA. Five action-filled days of concerts, films, talks, bagels, coffee and readings of classic plays from the rich treasure trove of Yiddish theatre – 15 events in four towns over five days!

The Yiddish Theatre and Klezmer Festival brings together world class talent for a total celebration of the lasting and enduring soul of Yiddish culture. * From Tony award nominee Eleanor Reissa to Andy Statman, the world’s premiere mandolinist - this is one of the biggest and most unique Yiddish festivals in the country.

*All events in translation.

I was given the opportunity to speak with the creator of the event, to get his take on the roots of Klezmer music and what should be expected of the event:

Do the bands view their approach to music as from the secular or religious side?

I believe all of the klezmer music that we are featuring is a marriage of secular and religious. Likewise, Yiddish theatre integrates these things, they are both central to the fabric of Jewish life as expressed in most Yiddish theatre.

Is all Klezmer rooted in folk or are there derivations like electronica or punk?

There are many new bands, with a lot of young musicians, taking klezmer in exciting and different traditions. Klezmer, according to one of its main practitioners, is an "organic" type of music that has evolved from many different areas and traditions. There's rock, hiphop and punk, yes. Hopefully we'll bring one or two representatives of these new "schools" of klezmer to Payomet next year! I am especially interested in Yiddish Princess, or the acoustic version, Yiddish Princess Unplugged.

Is there an american influence on Klezmer or is it deeply rooted in eastern european music?

Totally American influence. Witness Andy Statman who performs at Payomet next Wed night. He found his Jewishness through music and in one of the pioneers of modern American klezmer, marrying it to bluegrass. Is Andy's klezmer "Jewish roots music," or "Amerian roots" or "American Jewish roots?" Who knows, but it's beautiful and soulful and satisfying whichever label one applies.

Is there a traditional time signature for klezmer?

I'm not expert enough to answer this question. I believe klezmer evolved over many centuries and rose to its modern-day heights in the 19th century, subsided for a while, and is now being rediscovered. Hope that helps.

Is the lyrical content primarily in English?

Yes, lyrical content primarily in English, or if in Yiddish, does not require language-knowledge to appreciate.

With its roots in folk, story-telling is a given. But what sort of stories are told through Klezmer? Is there a subject matter or moral principle that is woven through all klezmer music?

I am not expert enough to answer this question. I can say this, though: the music is derived from everyday Jewish life, and told stories of that life which encompassed moral principles at its core.

Is there a specific style of Klezmer that will be showcased throughout the festival?

No one specific style.

Here is the event itinerary as written by Kevin Rice:

This Saturday evening we awaken the lower Cape to the coming festival with a prelude consisting of the screening of the award-winning film, "Yiddish Theatre - A Love Story." That event takes place at the Wellfleet Public Library on West Main St., Wellflleet.

The remaining 12 events are produced over a 4 day period, from Sunday, Aug 15 through Wednesday, Aug 18. All of these 12 events take place at Payomet Performing Arts Center on Old Dewline Rd (off So. Highland) in North Truro. Payomet is located in a state of the art tent with audience seating on risers, and sophisticated sound and lighting setup. It is an intimate venue and over the last twelve years has become known as the nexus for exciting performances and strong social values. Concession booth offerings are often influenced by the event (New Orleans Festival = Po Boy sandwiches and Jumbalaya) and so for the Yiddish Theatre and Klezmer Music Festival, the audience will be able to purchase fresh New York bagels, knishes and rugelach before between and after shows.

The festival consists of a daily schedule featuring:
4:00 PM Readings of Yiddish Theatre Classics
6:30 PM Talks or Films
8:15 PM Music Concerts
(you should have fully detailed schedule per Deb)

The music is to die for and the readings are of plays that are RARELY staged. And, for my money, the talk to be given by Nahma Sandrow at 6:30PM titled "The Ultimate American Theatre Was Yiddish" will be a combination of thrilling and educational. Nahma is a light who shines on the Jewish and Jewish cultural community, emanating but not limited to New York City. Her talk would, ideally, be broadcast throughout the world.

The Festival is totally accessible for non-Yiddish speakers. All readings are in translation.

Western Wind's concert on Sunday, Mazal Bueno, in Ladino, the language of the Spanish Jews, will be their debut on Cape Cod. They are known and very loved in New York and perform regularly in western Massachusetts in the summer.

Eleanor Reissa is a star of Yiddish theatre in New York and is bringing her hit show, Hip, Heymish and Hot "direct" from the city to our fest in North Truro. Eleanor is also the former Artistic Director of the Folksbiene Theatre in NYC. Reissa, who is a Tony Award nominated director, sings songs that tell of a young woman's personal journey into the unique soulful culture that blends Yiddish and English through folk songs, including classics of the Second Avenue Theatre.

Isaiah Sheffer is famous for his National Public Radio show, Selected Shorts, and in New York City is well-known as the Artistic Director of Symphony Space. He grew up in the culture of Yiddish Theatre and on Tuesday, August 17, he will bring his "Yiddle With A Fiddle" to the Payomet stage. Sheffer's show features him, as well as Eleanor Reissa and 6-time Emmy Award winning Lanny Meyers on piano. "Yiddle With A Fiddle" will feature six fully staged musical numbers from Sheffer's adapatation of the movie by the same name.

Andy Statman is considered one of the leading clarinetists and mandolinists in the world, and father to modern American klezmer, rooted in and re-inventing this hasidic musical tradition.

The festival has struck a nerve, the need for people to experience and celebrate the lost tradition of Yiddish theatre and to revel in the delight of klezmer. In the future we will build on what we've accomplished to date, and continue to include new performers who bring contemporary versions of this unique culture to life.

I, Kevin Rice, developed an interest in Yiddish music and theatre through my own reading (my field of study was Russian Language and Literature) and through friends, and through my wife, a nice Jewish girl from Brooklyn, and Rabbi Padall who married us. And, finally, a tip of the hat to my mother in law, Adrienne Freedman, who continues to regale me with stories of attending Yiddish theatre as a little girl in the 1930s.

Best way to find out about festival is to go to payomet.org or call box office at 508-487-5400 (open daily 5-9PM)

[image credit: Christoph Giese]