There is a Literal Music Cock Fight Going on Right Now

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

I’m usually more of a catfight kind of girl, but this one is too good to pass up. Apple is going head-to-head with the US Copyright Royalty board over a proposed increase of the royalty rates Apple pays to the artists whose music they sell via iTunes. Both of them are swinging their big sticks mightily, but in the end, who shall win? Time will tell.

Should the US Copyright Royalty Board win, Apple representatives have said they’ll have no problem shutting down the Apple store — which is responsible for 85% of all online sales. The USCRB could fiesably attempt to rely on Amazon or MySpace, but who’s to say they’d goo along with the demands of the copyrighters?

But here’s the thing. They’re fighting over pennies — literally. Apple pays $.9 of the $.99 they charge to the artists. The US Copyright Royalty Board wants to see this raised to a whopping $.15. In response, Apple said they’d much prefer to pay 4.8 cents. A statement released by Apple Vice President Eddy Cue claimed any increase in the royalties would cause the Apple store to operate at a loss, which is why they would be likely to close the store.

Considering music sales were down across the board in the United States in September [this may have something to do with that pesky “economic collapse” we’re facing], now might not be the best time to have the most-trusted and most-used legal downloading service/store close down. Especially since iPods are still the #1 MP3 player and many of the other stores online don’t have iPod compatible files. Of course, Apple knows this, which is why they are playing so tough. Like I said, cock fight.

Honestly, as much as I love my iPod, I’d love to see someone else come in and maybe make things a bit more competitive. There’s no way I am buying music off the new MySpace — they can’t even keep passwords secure, there’s no way in hell I am giving them my debit card information — but who knows? Maybe there is someone who can slay Apple. Or maybe Apple really is the best.

Still, I don’t see how they can’t operate if they give artists $.15 per $.99 download. How expensive can it be to run the Apple store?

New Valencia Video — With Bonus Max Bemis!

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

I have been a fan of Valencia for quite some time, and while it seems their jump to major label Columbia didn’t work out so well for them, in terms of video budgets, they did a great job on their own. The video, which has tons of Warped Tour stars in it, is really cute and the song “Holiday” stands a decent chance at being a “hit,” at least in our world.

And of course, there are many reward appearances towards the end of the video, but I assure you, none made me squeal to the extent that EPB’s chosen superstar Max Bemis did.

It’s things like this video that make me wish I could experience something like Warped Tour, but being anything but a summer girl, it will never happen, unless they move it to a more reasonable month like April or October.

Anyway, enjoy the video… because it’s awesome.  And check out the band’s new album, which is out next Tuesday.

New Reggie and the Full Effect Video

Posted by pixie | Filed under Uncategorized

This one is too good to not post. It’s probably my favorite video since Every Time I Die’s “We’rewolf.” Anything that is the story of “Dracula’s bachelor party,” and features Frank Iero as Frankenstein is awesome by me. And the song, “J-Train”? It’s really good. I’m actually surprised because I don’t usually enjoy Reggie and the Full Effect, but this song is pretty rocking — especially the chorus. I can see this being a Fuse hit, and am pretty sure I am in need of the album now.

Okay, enough babbling from me — time to watch a cool video!