New York Musicians Index and Archive

NYU Study Shows…

Admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:08:21 +0000

…that the volume of blog posts featured on the Internet before an album’s release can significantly affect future album sales, and in turn predict sales for record labels. It is the first study to quantify the economic impact of user-generated content for the music industry. Via Yahoo

Coolfer’s Analysis: Bloggers carry a lot of weight.

475 Kent Street

Admin — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:19:29 +0000

Via Fractured Atlas: The NYC arts community has been stunned by the mass eviction of 200+ artists from their live-work spaces in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In a clumsy and chaotic process that began Sunday, January 20th, a host of city agencies including the Department of Buildings, the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire Department, and the Policy Department have forced an “emergency evacuation” of 475 Kent Street. To complain to the Mayor’s office, click here for contacts.

Style Wars Director Dies

Admin — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:27:52 +0000

Via Metafilter, Gothamist: Director of the legendary hip-hop documentary Style Wars, Tony Silver, died February 1, 2008, after battling an irreversible brain condition for several years.

Highlife Legend’s Funeral Today

Admin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:05:00 +0000

Via Reuters: TANI, Nigeria - Thousands of Nigerians gathered on Friday for the village funeral of Osita Osadebe, a legend of highlife music which fuses West African and Western styles, who sold millions of records during a career that spanned decades.

MTV President Stepping Down

Admin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:37:08 +0000

Via Billboard: MTV president Christina Norman has decided to exit the company at the end of the month, according to a MTV representative.

James J Fuld dies

Admin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:28:08 +0000

Via the New York Times: James J. Fuld, a New York lawyer whose love of music inspired him to assemble one of the world’s finest collections of first editions of musical scores, died at his home in Manhattan on Jan. 29. He was 91.

[…]

Mr. Fuld’s collection, which is being acquired by the Morgan Library & Museum, spans four centuries and includes first printings of popular and folk music, show tunes and classical works.

Shea’s Grand Finale

Admin — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:11:31 +0000

Via Brooklyn Vegan and Billboard: On July 16, Billy Joel will give the last ever concert at Shea Stadium.

Aretha Leaves Arista

Admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:04:35 +0000

From Variety: “Aretha Franklin will go the indie route with her next two albums, one of which is nearly finished and the other is on the books for an April recording session.”

Tata Guines Dies

Admin — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:21:07 +0000

Via BBC News: “Tata Guines, Cuba’s most famous percussionist, has died of a kidney infection in Havana. He was 77. Guines, whose real name was Federico Aristides Soto, died on Monday, Cuba’s state media reported.”

Adam Yauch’s Got News For Your Crew

Admin — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:19:21 +0000

Via Reuters: “Adam Yauch, of hip-hop group Beastie Boys, is launching Oscilloscope Pictures, an independent film distribution and international sales company.”