« September 2006 | Main | November 2006 »
October 31, 2006
Building The Bridge In New Zealand for Music!
For those of you who are kind enough to read What's Out Next! on a regular basis you know my personal passion for the music business. It is with great pride that I announce that I made it to Auckland, New Zealand this week. (By the way, I do predict it will become a major music hub the way Los Angeles did in the 1950's and 1960's.
We are having an amazing time and if you wish to visit what many in the entertainment business are calling "The New California," you must come to New Zealand.
While my darling wife Laurie of 21+ years is happily joining me on this trip, I am meeting with my partner Noel Ferguson (pictured above), meeting with my banking and legal team and of course the "official Kiwi Immigration" Department.
Movie Capital Limited is now building the bridge to complete it's official launch before June of 2007, so watch out! (Maybe I should see, take a listen)!
This past year has been a year of living in faith and while the challenges have been many. . . each and every time, the end result has been so much better than I could ever have thought!
At the end of the day, you just have to roll with it baby!
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 09:57 AM
October 27, 2006
Nik Venet and Bobby Darin!
Brian Wilson (left) and Nik Venet (center) at his 60th Birthday at Fairfax Market with over 200 people attending in December of 1996!
The late producer Nik Venet had an impressive list of clients he worked with in his career including the Beach Boys, Tommy Sands, Jim Croce, Lou Rawls,Linda Ronstadt, Glen Campbell, and The Letterman. He had produced over 300 albums in his legendary career which spanned four decades. When asked in a interview who his favorite person to work with was, Mr Venet responded "Bobby Darin".
Nik and Bobby became friends when they were both at the Brill building in New York, sharing cramped office space.They worked together at Capitol records in LA when Nik produced him, the first being the single "If A Man Answers." Venet also produced Bobby Albums "You're The Reason I'm Living" and "Golden Folk Hits".
In an interview with WBAI radio New York in 1995, Nik was quoted as saying that Bobby Darin was "an amazing human being...a man of great talents, many many talents." He also said of Darin: "one of his careers was more than any artist would want today...he had three, four careers going at the same time..he was adventurous...Darin did it when nobody else was doing it, he crossed borders." Speaking of their time working in the studio together he said, "Nothing ever went wrong in the studio,we could do a bad cut and have a great time, we would redo it and have a better time." Of Bobbys multifaceted career,Venet said that Darin "baffled everybody, he always came out on top...he would take failure and study it, found out what went wrong,redo it and turn in into a win..nothing was ever lost on Darin...everything he did he honestly believed in....he did it all and he did it from the heart."
Mr. Venet was often quoted as saying "I think about Bobby once a day every day."As a tribute to Darins legacy, Nik, along with Dodd Darin and Jeff Bleiel were instrumental in bringing the Rhino Bobby Darin Box set "As Long As I'm Singing" to life,and Venet was still actively producing with his own Evening Star Records company.
Mr. Venet died of complications of Burkitts syndrome on January 2, 1998,but had never stopped working up until his last hospital stay. He still maintained a close relationship with Dodd (who spoke at "A Celebration Of Nik Venets Life" a memorial service held at The National Academy of Recordings Arts and Sciences a couple of days after his death.)
At What’s Out Next we tip our hat off to both Nik and Bobby! I should know because prior to hosting What’s Out Next, I partnered with Nik Venet to launch his last label in 1996, Evening Star! All I can say is take a bath!
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 02:58 PM
October 23, 2006
Politics, Music, John Lennon, P2P and 8,000 Law Suits!
The Mid-term elections in the United States have everybody pulling out their hair! True or true?
Need proof? I can provide it for you. Back on October 20th (just three days ago)....the following two headlines hit the wires in regards to the music business at exactly the same time!
The first head line was directly from the Wall Street Journal . . .
Record Labels Turn Piracy
Into a Marketing Opportunity
By JULIA ANGWIN, SARAH MCBRIDE and ETHAN SMITH
October 18, 2006; Page B1
A video clip from Jay-Z's live concert in June at Radio City Music Hall is popping up on all sorts of illicit music-sharing hotspots. But Jay-Z isn't upset.
That's because the rapper, at the request of Coca-Cola Co., agreed to allow distribution of the eight-minute clip -- which included promotions for Coke -- on the peer-to-peer sites, using technology usually used to thwart music pirates.
The unusual alliance demonstrates a new tack being taken by the music industry to deal with the challenge posed by widespread music piracy. For years, the industry has been suing individual downloaders and file-sharing services, hoping to discourage the practice. In a tactic little known outside the music industry, record labels have also started to hire outside companies to plant "decoy," or fake, files on the sites. (One such company, ArtistDirect Inc.'s MediaDefender, says it has deployed decoys for as many as 30 of the top 100 Billboard songs at any given time.) The decoy files frustrate users because they fail to download even though, thanks to the companies' technical expertise, they often claim the top spot in search results for a tune.
On the same exact day the following news story hit my email from Reuters . . .
Music industry in 8,000 new file-share lawsuits
Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:23 AM ET
By Kate Holton
LONDON (Reuters) - The music industry has launched a fresh wave of 8,000 lawsuits against alleged file-sharers around the world, escalating its drive to stamp out online piracy and encourage the use of legal download services. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the world's music companies, said on Tuesday the new cases were brought in 17 countries, including the first ones ever in Brazil, Mexico and Poland. The trade group said more than 1 billion music tracks were illegally downloaded last year in Brazil, the largest market in Latin America. Record company revenue has nearly halved in Brazil since 2000, IFPI said. IFPI has said some 20 billion songs were illegally downloaded worldwide last year.
The industry has now filed about 18,000 lawsuits in the United States, the largest market for music sales, and 13,000 in the rest of the world. The legal proceedings involve both criminal and civil suits and are aimed at "uploaders" -- people who put copyrighted songs onto Internet file-sharing networks to offer to music fans without permission. The IFPI said many of those targeted for legal action were parents whose children had been illegally file-sharing. Others facing law suits included a laboratory assistant in Finland and a German parson.The group added that more than 2,300 people had already settled their case for illegally file-sharing copyrighted material with an average payout of 2,420 euros ($3,034). John Kennedy, chairman and chief executive of IFPI, told Reuters in an interview he was encouraged by the group's progress, although he said the fight against online piracy would be an ongoing battle.
Hey man, if John Lennon were here he would say just Give Me SomeTruth!
Released: September 9, 1971
Produced by: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Phil Spector
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 07:17 PM
October 19, 2006
Watching America!
William Kern and Robin Koerner, Co-Founders of Watching America.com
Each and every day at What's Out Next, we look at the latest trends in Music, Technology and Buzz. I must admit that I was fasincated to find the best new independent media site out there. What is it? It is called: WatchingAmerica.com
For the first time in a long time....I am able to read a web site that simply and magically translates the news from Newspapers from around the world. Over the past few days, I have had some amazing and inspirational conversations with Robin Koerner who is only 30 years old and is the Co-Founder!
At What's Out Next, we predict big things for Robin and William.
The big power of their web site is that they have over 30 translators working away each day to simply bring you the news. Guess what? The sight is non-political, so you the reader get to make up your own mind!
I asked Robin his next steps and he said “Simply to Let me go....and I'll make the miracles happen with my media company”. Look out for them, they are on their way to being HUGE!!!
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 12:39 PM
October 18, 2006
Paul and Linda McCartney!
Over the past few days I must admit a certain saddness when I think about Paul McCartney. Back on June 8th of this year my wife and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and yes we have known each other for over 21+ years. Now think back to when you first saw Paul and Linda McCartney together. Do you remember it? If you were a hard core Beatles fan, you were upset about the union. To be blunt, I never was. In my world I watched my Mom and Dad who were married for 48 years.
For a man and a woman to find love, to have children and to build a life together is a great gift. I remember watching Paul age as his precious Linda passed away in 1998 of complications from breast cancer. The cancer had spread to her liver and as a result of complications she died in Arizona on the McCartney Ranch.
Family life was very important to Paul and LInda and they happily raised 4 children during their marriage and took them on the road many many times.
Yeah, I saw Paul and LInda McCartney perform in Los Angeles in the early 1990's when Flowers In The Dirt came out. Of course Flaming Pie is still a favorite. In fact, on that record you can tell just how happy Paul was in those days.
When Linda passed on, I remember how sad Paul looked. I also remember this talented and deeply troubled man going into seclusion for over a year.
Keep your chin up mate, it's going to be okay! For us at What's Out Next our take is to just give Paul some space man!
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 07:15 PM
2006, The Magic of Movies and Music!
The most important ship that you board in life is called a relationship. In any entertainment deal people bring three things to the table! Talent, Resources or Capital! From 1915 until right now the Santell Family Has been directly involved in the motion picture business. All of my cousins are in the film business and even Marion Davies was my Dad's Godmother so it's all in the family!
What's Out Next for 2006? Well, for yours truly Mitch Santell, it's the formation of Movie Capital, Limited in Auckland, New Zealand with a wholly owned subsidiary in the United States. The company will focus on Motion Picture Soundtracks. The company will help to get both Grammy Award Winning as well as new artists to get their songs into films.
If you want to know more, write music and want to see it placed in a film or have other resources to share, please email me directly at: moviecapital1@yahoo.com.au
The company is committed to bridging the gap between music and film. As a composer, there is no fee up front for you to list your composition with us and we will accept it in either "printed sheet music form," an attached mp3 or WAV file. Before the end of this month we will have the new web site up and running.
My family has been active in the film business since 1915 and if you look up Alfred Santell, you will see the over 70+ Motion Pictures that he Directed, Wrote, Produced and Participated in . Alfred Santell worked with my Grandfather Martin Santell. My Great Uncle is listed in the top 100 Directors of all time because of his successful transition from Silent to Talkies. My great grandfather was a silent film composer and that is what inspired the launch of Movie Capital, Limited and Movie Capital, Inc. My Great Uncle and Grandfather played a direct role in launching the careers of David Niven and Red Skelton.
Since we started to sign "composers" and "songwriters over the past 10 days, we have already secured over 3,275 Compositions from over 40 composers! Plesae email now if you want to be included in this. We all know the power of music and film!
Hey man, it's the simple things that are great, so don't put me into Thomas Crown Affair.
The Thomas Crown Affair Premiered on July 27th 1999 and starred Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. Produced with a budget of 48 Million Dollars making 69 Million Dollars in the USA and over 124 Million Dollars World Wide. The titled track heard here "The Windmills Of Your Mind" beautifully written by Michael Legrand, Marilyn Bergman and Alan Berman and performed here by Sting!
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 05:10 PM
October 16, 2006
Next? Ringtones Need A License!
According to Susan Butler at Billboard........
The Copyright Office has decided that compositions used for ringtones may be subject to a compulsory license. The decision is a victory for record labels that want to offer ringtone operators the master rights and publishing rights as one package.“This decision injects clarity into the marketplace -- clarity that will help satisfy fans’ hunger for the latest hits from today’s best artists by affording record companies and ringtone providers the ability to move new offerings quickly and easily to consumers," says Steven Marks, executive VP/general counsel for the RIAA. "Ultimately, we’re all seeking a vibrant mobile market. This decision helps us further that goal.”
Last month, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) referred the question about ringtones and compositions to the Copyright Office for a decision. The CRB wanted to know whether compositions used for ringtones -- monophonic (single melody line) or polyphonic (melody and harmony) -- or for master ringtones (taken from a master recording) fall under the compulsory license provisions of section 115 of the Copyright Act. If so, the CRB would determine rates through its rate-setting proceeding. If not, then publishers would be free to withhold permission to use the compositions unless labels or ringtone providers negotiate a license and a royalty rate for each use.
Under section 115, anyone, like a record label, may obtain a mechanical license or a digital phonorecord delivery (DPD) license to record and distribute "phonorecords" of compositions that were previously recorded and released in the United States. The rate is set by statute, which is periodically adjusted through a copyright tribunal proceeding.
In its 35-page opinion, the Copyright Office concluded that ringtones and master ringtones are "phonorecords" under copyright law. As a result, delivery of ringtones by wire or wireless technology makes them a digital phonorecord delivery.
As long as the ringtones are merely excerpts of a larger musical work or from a preexisting sound recording, then the composition used for the ringtone is subject to the compulsory license, the decision says. For the composition to fall under the compulsory license, the ringtone may not recast, transform or adapt it -- or include additional material -- in such a way that it becomes an original work of authorship (i.e., a derivative work). If it does, then a license must be negotiated with the copyright owner.
"We are disappointed in the Register's decision, which could hurt songwriters significantly and represents an unprecedented broadening of the compulsory license for musical works," says a National Music Publishers' Assn. spokeswoman. "Of particular concern is that copyright owners who have negotiated ringtones licenses in the free market for years will now be subject to government regulation. We see no justification for this, and are currently reviewing our legal options."
The decision also makes the portion of a composition that has been recorded only as a ringtone subject to a compulsory license as well. "If a newly created ringtones is considered a derivate work, and that work has been first distributed with the authorization of the copyright owner, then any person may use the statutory license to make and distribute the musical work in the ringtone," the opinion states.
Briefs from interested parties arguing what statutory rates should be for ringtones and other formats are due to be filed with the CRB in mid-November.
At What's Out Next, we say "hey man, give this a go!" Who knows dear friends, a legal license may very well be the last DJ you'll ever need.
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 06:54 PM
October 15, 2006
From Beatles To Wings!
There is an emotional high (natural please) that comes from holding a Long Playing LP. Sitting in my garage is over 300 albums in mint condition from my Dad's day's in the music business. Do you remember the heart ache we all shared when the Beatles broke up? Man, it was like the Pope had just died and there was never going to be anyone to replace him.
We devote this post to one of my favorite "Beatles" Paul McCartney who happily transitioned from The Beatles to form a band with his wife Linda McCartney called Wings!
Paul's rise to stardom started very simply with his first single "Another Day." Paul's first "real" solo album was a true solo effort, since he plays all of the instruments. The album was recorded in Paul's basement in Scotland, which by this time had been converted into a studio (resembling Abbey Road's studio #2).
A fast succession of singles and albums followed with most critics and fans recognizing that Paul was back in full "Beatle form" with the 1973 release of Band on the Run.
Like you, I loved Band On The Run! The album that has the warmest memories for me was the 1975 Release of Venus and Mars! The track Rock Show (which launches with the Venus and Mars Intro) is pure Heaven! Just Listen What The Man Said!
Another interesting fact about Paul McCartney is that he actually had a syndicated radio show at one time but decided that the "music biz" was where it's at! If you get a chance, check out Paul's newest album called "Chaos and Creation in the backyard! It will blow your mind!
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 03:55 PM
October 14, 2006
The Story of Warner Brothers Records!
Warner Brothers, as a company, goes back to 1918, when four brothers (Jack, Albert, Harry, and Samuel Warner) opened their first Warner Brothers studio. They incorporated as a production and distribution entity five years later under the name Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc. In 1944, they purchased Leon Schlesinger's cartoon studio, Looney Tunes, and became the owners of Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and the rest. The Warner Brothers animation division then churned out high quality cartoons, comic books, and shorts for decades, until it was closed in 1963. Meanwhile, Warner Brothers continued to be one of the big Hollywood players in the movie industry.
Following the lead of MGM, who started a record label in the late 1940s, and Paramount, who established ABC-Paramount in 1957, Warner Brothers formed its own Warner Brothers Records as a division of Warner Brothers Studios on March 19, 1958. The office was located above the film studio's machine shop at 3701 Warner Blvd. in Burbank, California. The President of the label was James B. Conklin. Directors of A&R were Harris Ashburn, George Avakian and Bob Prince. The Warner Brothers label initially recorded pop, jazz, classical, spoken word, folk and gospel.
Over the years, it had not bothered Warner Brothers too much that they didn't have a record company, but it was in early 1957, when Randy Wood's Dot Records signed Warners' movie star Tab Hunter to a recording contract, that the Warner Brothers brass started seeing red. Wood could sign Hunter because although his Warner Brothers contract was exclusive, Warners had no record label. In fact, the timing of when Warner Brothers started their record label was very much linked to their getting their star's recording contract away from Dot. Hunter, who by his own admission could barely sing at all, was coached by Wood to make a few passable records which were major hits in 1957, while Warners steamed. When Warner Brothers finally got their record label off the ground in 1958, they reclaimed Tab Hunter, who made several albums for the label and had a few singles in the mid-ranges of the charts, although nothing like the success he had had with Dot. In fact, Tab Hunter's "Jealous Heart" [WB 5008], which only made #62 on the charts, was the only chart record Warner Brothers had during its first year, 1958.
On the album side in 1960, comedian Bob Newhart scored a #1 album with The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, the success of which started Warner Brothers to look around for other comedians to sign to record contracts. Eventually, Warner Brothers would become one of the most successful in the comedy album genre, with stars like Allan Sherman and Bill Cosby also becoming household names by 1965.
The early 1970s saw the Warner Brothers label grow to the major label it had always aspired to become. New artists included rockers Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Grateful Dead, Ides of March, Alice Cooper, and the Faces. On the more acoustic side, there was James Taylor, Seals and Crofts, Dion, and America. Also added were soul bands Tower of Power and Malo as well as pop/soul singer Dionne Warwick. By 1973, Warner Brothers was firmly ensconced in a leadership position in the music industry, and that is where they remain today.
As we continue to educate you all on some of the history behind the music biz, we want to thank Mike Callahan who wrote the original WB Records Story. Of course at What's Out Next we say it may all be black water!
Black Water, Produced by Ted Templeman and released on WB Records in 1974 from the album "What Where Once Vices Are Now Habits!"
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 02:54 PM
October 13, 2006
Stereophonic Sound!
Stereophonic Sound (1958), Quadrophonic Sound (1968) & Surround Sound (1992)!
Ah! The one and only blessed and wonderful sound of stereo on vinyl! In 1958 we were introduced to the stereo effect on records, which consisted of two separate channels recorded in the same groove known as stereophonic. Just as the use of two eyes creates a perception of depth, the effect of musical presence is achieved by stereophonic. This is facilitated by recording sound with two appropriately positioned microphones and playing it back on two separated loudspeakers. A stereo recording provides two separate signal channels as oscillations perpendicular to either one or the other of the faces of the record groove. The monaural pickup is replaced by one with two coils, which sense the motion of the stylus at right angles to each groove wall; the inside wall is used as the left channel and the outside wall the right.troduced by Phillips Electronics eventually replaced them. However, the quadrophonic sound has made a come back in the form of surround sounds which include 5 speakers.4 channels leading into the 5th speaker. Its a new name given to the Quadrophonic sound!!
There is not much to say about the quadraphonic sound recorded on discs. The birth of the Quadrophonic sound came about in the late part of the 1960's and great things were predicted for it's success in the U.S. market. The Quadrophonic disc had four channels, as compared to that of the Stereophonic discs which had two. The two extra channels were often used to reproduce ambient sound four rear left and right speakers. This innovation on records never really caught on with the buying public, and it was doomed to die a natural death because commercially it was a complete failure!! Though it faired slightly better on 8 track recorders that was not too successful either as the cassette tape machines in introduced by Phillips Electronics eventually replaced them. However, the quadrophonic sound has made a come back in the form of surround sounds which include 5 speakers.4 channels leading into the 5th speaker. Its a new name given to the Quadrophonic sound!!
Surround Sound was born in 1992 and is Quadrophonic sound another speaker. More than ever before, the record labels are releasing CD's in DVD format thus allowing more content.
At What's Out Next we think the next thing will be Podphonic Sound! To me this sound like a roundabout!
Roundabout (Track One from Fragile Released on November 1, 1971 by YES).
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 12:04 PM
October 11, 2006
Watch Your Ears!
We all know how much we love the newest Apple iPods. There is one challenge though and that is that you must watch your ears! At What's Out Next we suggest strongly that you use traditional "headphones" and not the Apple product. According to the Associated Press, "We're seeing the kind of hearing loss in younger people that's typically found in aging adults,'' said Dean Garstecki, an audiologist and professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill
These little headphones tend to block the sound out so that the listener tends to turn up the volume too loud. Using a traditional headphone causes less hearing damage. According to the host of What's Out Next, Mitch Santell, "my view is to listen to your iPod through regular speakers or via your car speakers. This lowers the chances of hearing damage. Also, listening at a lower level allows you to listen longer.
A regular pair of Sony or Bose Headphones will do the trick! The big culprits aren't the devices themselves, but the tiny "ear bud'' style headphones that the music players use. "Unfortunately, the earbuds are even more likely to cause hearing loss than the muff-type earphones that were used on Walkman and portable CD players,'' Garstecki said. And other studies have shown that because the tiny phones inserted into the ears are not as efficient at blocking outside sounds as the cushioned headsets, users tend to crank up the volume to compensate.
"I have an audiologist friend at Wichita State University who actually pulls off earphones of students he sees and asks, in the interest of science, if he could measure the output of the signal going into their heads,'' Garstecki said. Often he finds students listening at 110 to 120 decibels. "That's a sound level equivalent to measures that are made at rock concerts,'' said Garstecki. "And it's enough to cause hearing loss after only about an hour and 15 minutes.'' A study done by Australian researchers last summer found that about a quarter of iPod users between 18 and 54 years of age listened at volumes sufficient to cause hearing damage.
It's the time of the season to save our hearing!
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 07:49 PM
October 09, 2006
First, There is A Moutain!
In 1969 at the ripe of 12 years of age, I remember my Dad bringing this record into Marty's Music. Donavan: the man, the legend! This guy sounds as cool in 2005 as in did in 1965. The guy is a legend and according to John Lennon, "Donovan is as important and influential as Bob Dylan and we are ... listen, the man's a poet."
With all the changes going on the music business, all I can say is that first there is a business model and then there isn't! Everyone is scrambling for the final answer. Who will win? I think the consumer....because when we want our music we want it now and we won't wait! For us at What's Out Next our take is There is a mountain!
Copyright © Notice. All Rights Reserved
Posted by mitchsantell at 01:21 PM