New York Magazine Broaches 'The War On Leaks'

OiNK, indie labels & the influence of MP3 blogs are all discussed.

Artists mentioned include Beirut, Bloc Party & Animal Collective.

Read the entire feature here.

MP3: Amy Winehouse - Some Unholy War [alt link]

Posted on 7:25 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Today In WTF: iTunes Accidentally Leaks Bjork's 'Volta'

Woops! Someone's getting fired.

Bjork's much-hyped new album, Volta, found its way onto the iTunes UK store on Sunday evening for five hours (a full two weeks before its official release). Those lucky enough to be searching during that particular gap of time are now the proud owners of the LP.

No word from Bjork's camp and/or label just yet, but it goes without saying that they are less than pleased with this turn of events...

Old school Bjork MP3: 'I've Seen It All' (feat. Thom Yorke)

Posted on 8:09 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Wilco Stays Composed Despite Album Leak

Via Billboard: In what is becoming something of an unfortunate tradition, Wilco's new Nonesuch album, "Sky Blue Sky," has leaked online, more than two months prior to its May 15 release date.

The group's 2002 album "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" was online for nine months before it was eventually released in stores, and 2004's "A Ghost Is Born" also hit the Internet well before street date. In the latter instance, Wilco fan site Justafan.org asked fans who had downloaded the album early to donate money to Doctors Without Borders, a fund which eventually grew to $15,000.

"There's probably some good argument to be made that it will prevent a few people from buying the record," Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy told Billboard yesterday (March 8) at the band's Chicago loft. "But there's also the idea that I believe is true for us, which is, it's people listening to our music. We feel very proud of our record and we want people to hear it. Ultimately, that's the goal," he continued. "I think most people will do the right thing and support us and buy the record, even if they have downloaded it." "Frankly, I would like to have people get a head start on knowing the material before we come to whatever town they live in," bassist John Stirratt added with a laugh.

When was the last time you heard or read about a band expressing happiness regarding a leaked album? Perhaps the band is just being pragmatic.

MP3: Wilco - Poor Places (via Sorrowful Moon)

Posted on 11:28 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Patrick Wolf: Not A Fan Of 'Skipping Noises'

Yesterday, Patrick posted the message below on his MySpace page discussing the recent leak of his latest album and his ambivalence towards us hearing it before its official release of February 26th (UK).

Here are the highlights:

Dear universe

This is so boring to have to write, but I guess it is the only place it will make any impact, I just read an email "review" of my new record that mentioned "annoying skipping noises" on the song "finale". now. thankyou very much for thinking I am the kind of person that likes to use glitches and cut ups, as I have in the past in some of my productions. But no there are no annoying skipping sounds in the finale of the magic position.. You are indeed listening to the bad quality leaked version of my album that is travelling around the internet right now on everyones computers.

It is so funny because I intentionally worked around very pure hi fi sounds for this album, I banned myself from distorted beats or glitches or bitcrushing all my audio to death, i was into making paradise music. I guess at mp3 level or whatever it is people download at these days its not likely you get to hear what I hear when I sit at the mastering suite with my headphones on full of joy.

Half of me says.. hooray.. the revolution starts now.. free music for everyone let them eat cake! but then the other half of me says, I have just spent a year and a half of my life creating and nurturing something that I want to share with the world that unfortunately meant I didnt have the time to be a cocktail waiter anymore. Anyway, I was just sad when I found out not only was my recent work was being heard in the wrong way.. at bad quality and worst of all skipping too....

Be wise my lovely people!
xx patrick

Posted on 10:52 AM / 0 comments / Read More