Dutchman's Blog

Sony and Universal have announced a change to their singles release policy in the UK.

The two majors will introduce their ‘On Air, On Sale’ plan from February 1 in response to the changing music market, BBC Newsbeat reports. After this date their songs will be available to purchase as soon as they are sent to radio stations.

Universal Music UK chairman David Joseph said: “On Air, On Sale is good news for any music fan and exciting for our artists, who can now go into the studio knowing they don’t have to wait weeks, or sometimes months, to see the music they have created go on sale.”

He added that the changes were being introduced because “we live in an immediate world”.

Britney Spears has pushed forward the UK release date of her new single ‘Hold It Against Me’.

The track, which premiered earlier this week and was immediately released in most countries, was originally due to be put out in the UK on February 20.

However, the Dr Luke and Max Martin-produced song will now be available to download on January 17 because of “overwhelming demand”.

Her UK publicist tweeted: “Retweet this if you love Britney’s ‘hold it against me’! The UK itunes release is now monday 17th Jan due to overwhelming demand! (sic)”

(more…)

Kylie Minogue’s collaboration with Taio Cruz has been snubbed by Radio 1 in favour of an alternative version of the song.

The station, which currently has Cruz’s new track ‘Higher’ on their B-list, has playlisted the US mix of the track instead, which includes rapper Travie McCoy.

The song, which was co-written and produced by the ‘Dynamite’ star, was originally intended for Minogue’s latest album Aphrodite, which topped the charts in July last year.

Minogue recently announced 16 North American tour dates as part of her ‘Les Folies’ world jaunt.

‘Higher’ is released on February 7.

Billy Bragg has claimed that major record labels are the single biggest threat to music.

The singer-songwriter is a member of the Featured Artists Coalition and a long-standing critic of companies that pursue fans who illegally share music.

Quizzed on the biggest threat to music today, Bragg told The Guardian: “Major record labels, for persecuting young people who download music for free.

“What they don’t understand is that they use downloads to sample stuff that they later buy. Can you see why I might not think it’s a good thing to arrest people for listening to my songs?”

(more…)

Avril Lavigne has revealed that her new single will be accompanied by a 3D music video.

The singer, whose new track is called ‘What The Hell’, has recorded a promo using 3D technology, which she described as “awesome”.

In a behind-the-scenes video posted on YouTube, Lavigne said: “3D motherf**ker! It’s like you can touch it!”

The teaser clip shows the ‘Girlfriend’ star performing the track at a gig with a live band.

‘What The Hell’ is released in the UK on January 17.