Hard News by Russell Brown

Some encouraging signs with this announcement. Would be good to see FN get on the front foot and get some new signings and not be seen as a 'legacy' label. I imagine there'll be a balance of new and old releases. Though what a legacy! Talking of the Chills, there must be a whole suite of buried classics, live or studio recordings that are just itching to see the light of day.

Oooh, shiny shiny downloads. Flying Nun now sell FLAC (forgive me if this is old news). I'm excited. And $52 worth of music richer! Best of all, according to the download window in 5 minutes I'll be able to listen to it! Jiggling in anticipation!

Good to see the label doing new and interesting things. But also being able to buy some of the more obscure music is good, even if it's just one track on a compilation (WSSOES are still a fave, and Starless Road, and... you know, maybe it's not such a bad thing that the selection is currently a bit limited)

Oooh, shiny shiny downloads. Flying Nun now sell FLAC (forgive me if this is old news).

News to me too. And WAV downloads too -- at only $12 an album. This suggests they haven't been very successful at getting us to pay attention.

What other things on Media3 this week, Russell? I am bringing up another vanload of students on Thursday. Won't let them stray down Symonds Street this time.

What other things on Media3 this week, Russell? I am bringing up another vanload of students on Thursday.

There will be national standards ...

Just to note that I took out a sentence in the post about there not being a deal with the Chills.

I gather that although it’s taken a long time settling, there is now a new deal between Flying Nun and the Chills.

Good to know.

What I want to know is, where the bloody hell is the second Street Chant album ? it was supposed to've been out ages ago.

Grant - I would like to know as well.

Grant – I would like to know as well.

Lolz. Emily says she's going to watch Media3 on demand. You could give her a shout-out ;-)

Would be good to see FN get on the front foot and get some new signings and not be seen as a ‘legacy’ label.

Amid all the news around the Universal-EMI merger, I read somewhere that legacy rock is a serious – serious – source of income for labels today. With the freedom of digital, dads (and mums) are free to stock up on the favourite tunes of their youth. I mean, the $100+ tickets for Morrissey aren’t aimed at miserable teens.

My big wish for Flying Nun is to get more old music videos online, digging out the old video tapes and getting stuff digitised. The Flying Nun YouTube channel is pretty good as it is, but the tug-o-DRM with Warners results in weird occurrences, like Bike’s much loved “Save My Life” video being hosted on the official Flying Nun YouTube channel, but it’s been geoblocked for NZ audiences by Warners. Not to mention all the Headless Chickens videos are (mainly) only available on the MTV Australia website (not NZ, oddly). That’s fine, except Warner artist Annie Crummer used to have all her videos on MTV until one day they disappeared, suddenly leaving a massive hole in the online archive of her videos.

There will be blood.... Thanks, Russell

My wish is definitely for the reissues........early headless chickens, early bailter space, maybe early everything!

My wish is definitely for the reissues........early headless chickens, early bailter space, maybe early everything!

Indeed! If they sort out the contracts issues, I'd like to see reissues of Able Tasmans, Birds Nest Roys, Snapper and the Skeptics. And in CD or LP form, if possible.

(I know I really should accept good digital versions, but for some reason, I still like stuff I can hold and put on the stereo too.)

I hope the semi-partnership with Arch Hill works out, it sounds like it's probably the best option for getting more stuff out there. And like Grant, I really hope that new Street Chant arrives soon. Been hanging out for that for ages- along with the Transistors' upcoming LP.

skeptics - forgot about that one! CDs and vinyl are still the relevant medium for me, I just haven't embraced the digital downloads at all.

There is a Bailter Space track (and one from Opossum) on the cover-mount CD of the latest Uncut mag (which really is no replacement for The Word !)

Agreed. I left pretty much all my NZ albums in storage in Ngauranga when I skipped the country, figuring I'd be back soon anyway, so why worry? Three years on almost, I really miss those tunes ... wish they were more accessible.

The goods new (for me) is that I got an email back from Matthew @ the nun saying that yes, FLAC conversions are ongoing and three of the four albums I was considering getting the stupid plastic trinket versions of are up now as FLAC, the other one he's missing a track from but expects to have it on Friday.

Friday! I have to wait until Friday! Waaaaah!

FLAC

what no, Eight Living Legs or Lesser Speckled Gottliebs?

what no, Eight Living Legs or Lesser Speckled Gottliebs?

There aren't that many places you could make that joke and expect anyone to geddit.

what the Dickens...

There aren’t that many places you could make that joke....

I was playing to the choir
no bleak house music here...
I have no great expectations
and this is not so much Gin Alley
as a Rumba Bar humbug, pip pip
and all that, eh wot...