Former Smithsonian Folkways Chief , Richard James Burgess, to Lead A2IM Indie Music Org

 A2IM, the American Association of Independent Music, has named Richard James Burgess as its

new CEO. Burgess, who most recently headed up all business aspects of the non-profit Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, brings a unique set of qualifications for guiding A2IM's growing membership, as Independent labels step into prominent leadership roles within the music industry. Membership has grown by nearly 20% in the last two years, and now comprises 382 label and 171 associate members.

"Richard James Burgess is the best man to lead the next decade of growth for the Independent community. Burgess brings a unique perspective as the business head of Washington, DC--based Smithsonian Folkways, the venerable independent label that has roots dating back to the 1940s. Independent labels have a vital role commercially and culturally, and have introduced virtually every new music genre in the last century. Independent label musicians today range from the yet-to-be-discovered rural singer-songwriters or rock bands playing local clubs to the world's biggest stars like Adele and Taylor Swift." - Tom Silverman, TommY BoY

"This search called for a unique, diverse set of skills: experience generating business in the indie space, first-hand understanding of indie labels' needs, a strong command of current rights debates, and comfort with both digital partners and the artist community. Burgess's wide range of credentials made him stand out." - Martin Mills - Founder and Chairman, Beggars Group

Lake Street Dive Signs to Nonesuch Records

Indie pop group Lake Street Dive this week signed to Nonesuch Records, which will release the band's label debut album in early 2016. The four musicians, who are currently on a USA tour, met as students at New England Conservatory. USA Today recently said of them, "The group is built around the powerhouse alto voice of Rachael Price, which sports traces of Amy Winehouse and Bonnie Raitt. That instrument is supported by the strong, smart songwriting and gorgeous harmony singing of band mates Bridget Kearney, Michael ("McDuck") Olson, and Michael Calabrese." Further details about the album and its release will be announced shortly, as will further tour dates.

The band was created in 2004 by Minneapolis native Olson and named after an actual neighborhood of seedy bars in his hometown; all four members contribute equally to songwriting. A casually made video featuring the group performing a cover of Jackson 5's "I Want You Back,", previously a Graham Parker hit,  shot on a street corner, first brought the band wider attention; its YouTube views are well over three million. Shortly thereafter, T Bone Burnett invited Lake Street Dive to perform on the Another Day, Another Time concert at New York City's Town Hall. The New Yorker said of that night: "I can't imagine then, that Lake Street Dive; a quartet led by an amazing young singer, Rachael Price, won't be getting some air time soon," and Rolling Stone called the band "unexpected showstoppers."

photo: Danny Clinch

U2's The Edge Reflects on New Orleans' Music Rising Charity

10 years ago Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, leaving behind a trail of destruction that The Edge of U2 would soon witness firsthand during a visit to New Orleans’ hard hit 9th Ward. Moved by the devastation suffered by the local musical community, Edge teamed with legendary producer Bob Ezrin, Gibson Guitars, MusiCares and the Guitar Center Foundation to provide immediate aid to the musicians whose lives and livelihoods had sustained the most damage when the levees broke. In short order, efforts including donations of net proceeds from the sales of Gibson and Epiphone Music Rising special edition guitars and the providing of musical instruments to professionals whose gear was destroyed in the storm were implemented. In a PSA at the time, Edge explained the helplessness he would have felt in the face of such overwhelming loss as Music Rising replaced thousands of instruments in what would ultimately be the first phase of its still ongoing and continually expanding mission.

Reflecting on the 10-year journey of Music Rising, The Edge commented: Music is at the core of these communities. It’s an essential part of their identities, their hearts and their lives. So when these centers of musical culture are damaged, getting the music going again is a crucial part of the healing process.

With Music Rising, we and our partners continue to do everything in our power to help support this centuries old music culture so it can do its magic for many generations to come.

Music Industry Moves to a Friday Street Date on July 10, 2015

The shift to Fridays as the music industry's global release day for music cds, vinyl and digital will begin on July 10, 2015.  Friday will be the new Tuesday beginning this summer, when the worldwide music industry begins putting out new releases on most music buyers' paydays. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the British-based organization that acts as a music-biz United Nations, announced that the new plan would go into effect this summer.

The organization is saying that the change will benefit the industry as a whole, since it would reduce piracy (since albums very often come out before the USA internationally), allow artists to focus their social-media campaigns and, using the words of the IFPI's statement, "re-ignite excitement and a sense of occasion around the release of new music." The decision, which had been in the works since at least last summer, came after the IFPI talked with artists, unions, labels and retailers. It also cited consumer research that suggested Friday and Saturday were the days people would be most interested in buying new music.

The Music Business Association, an organization that represents USA music retailers, as well as firms such as Spotify, Rdio and many international music stores have stated their support of the initiative.