ContentSphere - Music & Media in an Online Culture - Culture

Zoe.LeelA - Lush Electronic Soul From Berlin

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:31:22 +0100

Sometimes, things simply happen. There are a few coincidental moments which start a whole chain of terrific encounters. Now, if this leads to discovering new music, it gets a full-fledged Mike-Masnick-“connect with fans” experience. Somewhat surreal, yet very real.

It’s been about two weeks ago when I received a tweet from netlabel Rec72. They recommended an artist to me, Zoe.LeelA - in particular because of ContentSphere’s Creative Commons focus.

To be honest, I get a LOT of recommendations, links, or artist followers via Twitter. And I really like that. I follow each and every person back who’s in the music business. That’s the premise. But I don’t have the time to check back all music (which is a shame).

Luckily, I did this time.

Zoe.LeelA’s EP “Queendom Come” went straight into my playlist. Sure the guy (or girl) from Rec72 doesn’t know my likes and dislikes… but he aimed into the blue and hit exactly.

It’s electronic music, spiced up with a grain of hip-hop, and a good deal of soul. Let me put it that way. Where Sarah Fimm tends to be more percussive, Zoe.LeelA’s tunes have that melodic hook that keeps stuck in your head. It’s one of that rare occasions you are glad they do.

Apart from Sarah Fimm, it is (at times) that Ladytron comes to mind, or Charlotte Martin’s “Stromata”. Or even Massive Attack’s “Mezzanine”.

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Recommended Music: "Ambient Circle" (Germany)

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:23:00 +0100

CC-BY-NC-ND by Ambient Circle

Today’s act I’m going to introduce to you is no band. Neither it’s a solo artist. You might call it a project. And it sure has developed in a way not expected.

Ambient Circle is a collective of various participants located in Germany’s North-Rhine area. Every now and then, they get together to play electronic music sessions. They are entirely focused on electronic ambient music, and it’s just twelve sessions they did so far. This includes public and private sessions.

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all2gethernow: Documentation is here.

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:23:51 +0100

Finally. Editing of videos, compiling all material and statements took more time than expected. But it’s - almost - done.

Unfortunately, most statements are available in German only. Yet some of the sessions were held in English.

I’m still missing the sessions on collection societies and DIY marketing, the latter featuring Amanda Palmer and Georgia Wonder. Though one video I’m sure you will enjoy: Amanda Palmer live at Münze Berlin (almost 80 minutes).

Right now, the documentation on Vimeo lists 59 videos. This includes statements from participants right after panels they were involved in as well as full videos of some sessions. Much thanks to the guys from PeopleZapping as well as to Jens Best who was heavily involved into editing the videos. Btw, these videos are the result from our webcasts - please don’t expect HD material shot with the best and most expensive equipment you can find at Amsterdam’s IBC.

Also, you might browse the Flickr group mainly featuring pictures by Robert Eysoldt, Karola Riegler, Sim Sullen and Gaga Nielsen. The type of copyright licence depends on the photographer and the picture.

Farbwerte - Lohnenswerte Perspektiven auf SchwarzRotGold

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:40:00 +0200

Es gibt Tage, die ich bevorzugt ohne Medien im Innern meiner Häuslichkeit zubringe. Karneval. Silvester. Abseitig dieser schaurigen Tage kann man entweder der Natur frönen oder sich als unauffälliges Café-Inventar in wunderbar umtriebigen Stadtdschungeln genüsslich dem Menschenstudium hingeben. Nicht so an diesen aufoktroyierten Tagen, die stets im Marketing-günstigen Bundling mit Emotionspaketen einschließlich Nicht-Echtheitsgarantie daher kommen.

Warum der Artikel? Warum heute? Warum innerhalb eines Medien- und Musik-fokussierten Blogs?

Wir schreiben den 3. Oktober, Tag der Einheit, diesmal 2009. Wenn der Tag (glücklicherweise) auch nicht eine solch ausgeprägte Eventcharakteristik hat wie die oben genannten, so tragen die geliebten Medien mit Sondersendungen, MovieFilmFilmMovies, Kurzserien, Dokumentationen, Performances, Ratespielen und Leipziger Allerlei doch das ihnen Mögliche dazu bei.

Ein Tag zum Zurückziehen. In die eigene, solipsistische Welt.

Gäbe es da nicht Veranstaltungen - und hier finden wir wieder den Bezug zur Site-gemäßen Umgebung - die tatsächlich Anlass, Kultur und Charakterstudien zusammenführen. Auf angenehme Art und Weise. Und mit der Option, neue Blickwinkel zu finden.

Farbwerte - eine Ausstellung, geöffnet vom 02.-11.10.2009 in Berlin. Ort ist interessanterweise die ehemalige Staatliche Münze Berlin, wo Reichsmark, DDR-Mark, D-Mark und Euro geprägt wurden.

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all2gethernow at Berlin - a Review (albeit from inside) #a2n

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:47:00 +0200

The concept was to create an event for the creative people. For consumers. For social media geeks. For IT people. For anyone whose interested in discussing the changes in music and culture. It was intended to be a convention for anyone to collectively work on the current situation - all2gethernow.

The first installment of all2gethernow aimed at finding first steps towards solutions - we didn’t expect Harry Potter to attend and make Lord “Where’s the artist’s money?” Voldemort go KA-BOOM. Also, confrontation gets no one nowhere. Starting out, it’s great to get people from different sides talking to each other. To motivate. To initiate. To help people participate.

But, no matter what, a2n will be compared to Popkomm.

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Amanda Palmer: "I'm a weirdo..." #a2n

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:58:00 +0200

Still listening and watching surprise guest Kim “Vermillion” Boekbinder opening the set, there was another sound that made people turn their heads by 100°.

It’s been surely bizarre: Imagine the almost naked architecture of an industrial building’s hall from 75 years ago, and a vaudeville figurine in lingerie playing her ukulele right below the ceiling up on an open stair.

With a quiet yet growing voice she started. No mic at all. Not that she was in need of one.

“I’m a creep… I’m a weirdo…”

This has to be the most haunting and emotional interpretation of Radiohead’s “Creep” I ever heard. While playing, singing, and feeling the song Amanda slowly climbed downstairs with the grace of walking on a huge show stairway and went over to the stage.

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all2gethernow: Amanda Palmer's going for it again - at Berlin! #afp #a2n

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:10:48 +0200

[Most recent update from 09/24: Review of Amanda’s concert (incl. appearance of Neil Gaiman).]

Here’s the latest & hottest & absolutely stunning terrific update on all2gethernow: None other that Amanda Palmer, legend of DIY marketing comparable only to Trent Reznor, is coming to all2gethernow. We are in an absolute frenzy she’s willing to do a Q&A session as well as a one-off gig. A kind of impromptu one. True AFP style.

[Update: Going to Berlin?]

For anyone who’d like to go to Berlin to see Amanda but don’t know how, here’s two options. First, you might become a member of all2gether’s mixxt community and search there. Secondly, there’s The Shadowbox Net to hook up with like minded people to share cost of travel.

[Update w/details on location, time etc.]

Date: 17 September 2009

Location for both Q&A session and concert:

Münze Berlin, Molkenmarkt 2, 10179 Berlin. Map (look for #camp)

Details Q&A Session:

Time: 17:45-19:15
Room: “Zählwerk”
Ticket: 1-day only / 12 EUR (incl. access to all #camp sessions on 17 Sept - that includes Wim Wenders, btw)
Tickets available here.

Details on Gig

20:30 - [doors open]
21:00 - Siva. (http://www.myspace.com/sivaofficial)
22:00 - Voltaire
23:00 - Amanda
01:00 - [closing]

Entry for the concert only: free, donations for the artists welcome. Any donation goes directly to the artists.

Retweet heavily - and don’t you dare to NOT be there…

During the Q&A session, she will be joined by Georgia Wonder from UK, another act who chose DIY marketing. Georgia Wonder’s folk goes rock goes pop you can enjoy on Thursday afternoon. It’s worth a listen… you won’t come across a voice like Stephanie’s that often in these casting days.

all2gethernow: 10 weeks of work, 12+ presentations, 50 sessions, no budget.

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:03:29 +0200

The number of exhibitors was said to be low. Due to online piracy.

This is what Dieter Gorny, CEO of German Body of Music Industry (BVMI) told the public when Popkomm (founded by Gorny), Germany’s most important and one of Europe’s largest music business conferences was cancelled on 19 June.

Then, Jana Herwig, addressing Berlin’s music scene blogged from Vienna: “Can’t you do anything about it and make it happen yourself, bottom-up style? #unkomm”. She coined the hash tag paving the way. By 7 July at the founding meeting, all2gethernow was born.

It took us little more than 10 weeks to prepare for an event including festival, barcamp and conference on exactly the same date Popkomm 2009 should’ve been taking place. There’s two camp days packed with about 50 sessions and the conference presenting 12+ speaker slots.

Not everyone was able to fit an appearance into his personal schedule that quickly.

Nevertheless, all2gethernow amongst others features

Melvin Benn (Director of Festivals // Mean Fiddler)
Amke Block (CEO // Audiomagnet)
Julie Borchard-Young (“The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD”)
Andrew Dubber (NewMusicStrategies.com)
Jim Griffin (Choruss)
Paul Keller (Project Lead // Creative Commons Netherlands)
Laurent Kratz (CEO/CoFounder // Jamendo)
Gerd Leonhard (MediaFuturist.com)
Alexander Ljung (CEO/CoFounder // SoundCloud)
Tim Renner (CEO // MotorEntertainment)
Kilian Steiner (Director/Legal Advisor // GEMA)
Wim Wenders

This event has no budget but great sponsors. Anyone of us is in it for the matter.

all2gethernow - a new music and culture convention.

all2gethernow: Invitation for Press Conference on 01 Sept in Berlin

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:15:51 +0200

Dear all,

holding the role of the curator of Forum I (“Collection Societies & Rights Management”), on behalf of all2gethernow e.V., I’d sincerely like to invite you to take part in our press conference in Berlin on 1st Sept. respectively alert you to Berlin’s upcoming

all2gethernow

-

a new music and culture convention

16.-18. September 2009

Due to the fact that the invitation for the press conference mainly addresses German visitors, I’d like to forward you to the event’s website for more information.

Basic facts for press conference:

Host: all2gethernow e.V.
Date: Tue 01 Sept. 2009, 11:30am
Location: Meistersaal am Potsdamer Platz, Köthener Straße 38, 10963 Berlin, Germany

Please register for participation at presse@a-2-n.de.

The programme will be online shortly. In Germany, you can get a copy of the printed version with Berlin magazine “Tip” on 2 Sept.

Don’t forget to join our community/wiki where you are able to suggest your own topics and discuss prepared sessions – even if you won’t be able to participate in person.

Tickets (at prices unbelievably low I might say) are available on the ticket sales page.

Thanks for your attention – and I’m looking forward to see you in Berlin. If you’re coming to all2gethernow don’t hesitate to contact me.

Cheers

Wolfgang Senges

Die gute Tat der Piraten - von Kolja Reichert

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:42:41 +0200

“The Pirates’ Good Deed” (© Kolja Reichert) wurde im Original unter dem Titel “Die gute Tat der Piraten” veröffentlicht in “Der Tagesspiegel” vom 26.07.2009. Übersetzung ins Englische von Wolfgang Senges. Übersetzung und Veröffentlichung auf ContentSphere.de mit der freundlichen Genehmigung von Kolja Reichert.

Bitte beachten: Anders als die meisten Artikel auf ContentSphere.de wurde die Übersetzung veröffentlicht unter einer “Alle Rechte vorbehalten”-Lizenz von Kolja Reichert.

Deutscher Artikel: Siehe “Der Tagesspiegel” vom 26.07.2009.
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GEMA Round 2: Tie Your Artists Down by Membership

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:41:25 +0200

I promised to, so I’m delivering. One thing to start with: This whole GEMA (Germany’s collections society) apparatus of rules, conditions and rates really is complex. If I get anything wrong - be it either to GEMA’s advantage or disadvantage - please tell me and I’m going update my article. Email me or simply post a reply below. I gladly will stand corrected.

I don’t know what it looks like with ASCAP et al. - I can’t imagine it to be worse than here.

First off, everybody being a member of GEMA who wants to address any of his problems with GEMA in court runs into an essential problem. Legally, it’s a registered society. That implies at least one important aspect: Any action by GEMA is based upon its members’ voice which means you - as its member - authorise GEMA’s actions.

But let’s take a closer look.

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Germany's GEMA: Resistance is (not) futile

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:25:00 +0200

I don’t know whether this one has hit US shores already - or if there is any other country that knows about it. But there’s something going on in Germany.

Again, it’s about licensing. We already had our share of GEMA within the past few weeks (see Rapidshare and Jamendo). Read about it at ContentSphere, or do it over at TechDirt. GEMA, Germany’s only collections society, still is surprisingly entertaining (if you’re into cynism).

But, there’s some uprising fresh breeze, and it’s coming from Germany’s most southward located town: Sonthofen.

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Into the Void of Popkomm 2009: all2gethernow! aka #unkomm

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:08:47 +0200

As you are reading this, it is old news that Popkomm 2009, (still) Germany’s most widely known music conference, has been cancelled.

Originally, I intended to go (and I really hoped to see Andrew Dubber over there) yet I began to hesitate as soon as I read the Preliminary Programme 2009 as of 11 May.

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Cellonaut: Upcoming Projects and Online Experience

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sun, 31 May 2009 09:34:21 +0200

Today, it is the second and third part of my interview with Wolfram Huschke aka Cellonaut I present you with.

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Lawrence Lessig: An Endangered Species Called Culture

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:17:15 +0200

CC-BY-NC by Lawrence Lessig

After publishing the most recent article on Dubber’s pitch for Popkomm, I once more browsed Lawrence Lessig’s “Free Culture” (Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 1.0 Generic License). Actually, I happened to find a metaphor he used that perfectly fits my comment on ContentSphere which I’d like you to think about (see “Free Culture”, p. 211-212 (both Penguin paperback and PDF editions):

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