Barry Weiss Leaving Sony for Universal Music Group

Ben Sisario of the New York Times reports that Barry Weiss will be leaving Sony for Universal in April, and is expected to run Universal’s East Coast operations.

Click here to read the full article.

SongCircle (NYC) Launches 5th Annual Songwriting Contest, $25,000+ In Prizes Plus SongCircle EMI Contract

The recently launched independent music development and A&R community SongCircle Music (formerly The New York Songwriters’ Circle) is accepting entries for its 5th annual songwriting contest.

The SongCircle’s contest has developed a reputation for discovering aspiring artists, and has helped launch the careers of previous grand prize winners Kate Voegele (Interscope), Company of Thieves (Wind-Up/Sony), Mieka Pauley, and Reed Waddle.

In this year’s contest, contestants will compete for over $25,000 in cash and prizes for the best original songs which includes a recording, publishing and full label services joint venture agreement with SongCircle Music distributed by EMI, cash awards up to $10,000, guitars from Gibson and Martin, studio sessions with a top record producers, and more. Deadline for submissions is October 31st, 2010.

The songs will be judged based on structure, melody, lyrics, uniqueness and performance/presentation.  The Top 12 finalists will be invited to perform live in front of a panel of music industry judges from major publishers, booking agents, record companies, producers, and media executives at the City Winery in New York City on November 18 and 19th.

The contest is open to all premium level members of the SongCircle community, except where prohibited by law. Premium members can enter songs for free as a feature of their paid memberships.

SongCircleMusic.com offers two premium level memberships as well as a free membership that is open to all; however, free members may not enter any songs in the Contest. For official contest terms go to http://www.songcirclemusic.com/contest/terms/.

Recording Sweet Spot: KMA Music

Facility Name: KMA Music

Website: www.kmamusic.com

Location: The Brill Building, Midtown, Manhattan

Neighborhood Advantages: There are amazing views of Times Square here, a great selection of food, and our studio is located in a landmark building.

Date of Birth: 2007

Facility Focus: Tracking and mixing!

Mission Statement: “Bringing the music back to the Brill.”

Clients/Credits: 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Birdman, Black Thought, Bow Wow, Bravo TV, Britney Spears, Cash Money Records, Claude Kelly, Clipse, DJ Clue, DJ Khaled, DJ Swivel, David Cook, David Foster, Demi Lovato, Duro, Eric Hudson, Estelle, Eve, Fabolous, Fantasia, Flo Rida, G-Unit, G-Unit Records, Geffen Records, George Clinton, Ghostface Killah, Gloria Gaynor, Gym Class Heroes, Honor Society, Ice Cube, Interscope Geffen A&M, Island Def Jam Music Group, J Records, J-Cole, J-Lo, Jamie Foxx, Jay Sean, Jay-Z, Jazmine Sullivan, Jennifer Hudson, Jeremih, John Legend, Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks, Joss Stone, Justin Bieber, Kelly Rowland, Kristin Chenoweth, LMFAO, Little Steven, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Mos Def, Nas, Nelly, Nick Cannon, Paul Simon, Phil Ramone, Rihanna, Roc Nation, Sean Paul, Sesame Street, Shaggy, Snoop Dogg, Sony Music, Sting, Swizz Beatz, T.I., The Neptunes, Tiesto, Twista, Universal Motown, Universal Republic Records, Warner Bros. Records, Whitney Houston, Wyclef Jean, Yung Joc

Some of our recent credits include: Mixed: “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys from The Blueprint 3, “Do You Remember” by Jay Sean ft. Sean Paul & Lil Jon from All or Nothing,  “Throw It In The Bag” & “My Time” by Fabolous from Loso’s Way,”Baby” by Ghostface Killah from Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City, “Bittersweet” by Fantasia, “Work Hard Play Hard” by DJ Tiesto, “Who Dat” by J. Cole, 12 out of 16 tracks on Fabolous’ Loso’s Ways, 11 out of 14 tracks on Jay Sean’s All or Nothing. Recorded and Produced “Worth It” by Whitney Houston from I Look To You.

Key Personnel: David “Roz” Rosner – Studio Manager , James M. Spano – Asst. Studio Manager, Casey R. Flynn – Chief of Operations

System Highlights: We have a lot on hand, including AKG C12 VR, API 3124, Avalon 737, Digidesign Control 24, Digidesign Icon, Focusrite Red 7, Griffin G 1.5, Griffin LFE 18”, Lexicon 960L, Logic Pro 9, Neumann U87, Pro Tools HD 8.0, SSL XLogic E Signature Channel, SSL XLogic SuperAnalogue, Sony C-800G, Tube-Tech MP-1A, Teletronix LA-2A,, Universal Audio 1176, Yamaha Disclavier 6 Grand Piano

Distinguishing Characteristics: We are a boutique studio with a vibe like no other.  Our entire facility has panoramic views of Times Square.  KMA was designed by famed studio designer, Fran Manzella (The Palms Studio, The Barber Shop Studios, Sterling Sound) who built our flagship A room around his very own Griffin monitors.  This is why clients such as Duro and DJ Swivel (Jay-Z, Jay Sean, Nas, Mariah Carey, Fabolous, Mary J. Blige, T.I., Britney Spears, The Neptunes, Ludacris, The Beastie Boys, Diddy, Ashanti and Will Smith, etc.) choose to record and mix their projects in our extremely quiet and sonically accurate rooms.

The building is on fire, you only have time to grab ONE thing to save, what is it? Our tech, Casey R Flynn haha… and the hard drives!

Rave Reviews: Our sound, our service, our staff, the views of Times Square, the vibe and the stripper pole (always a conversation piece!).

Most Memorable Session Ever: We’ve had many memorable sessions at KMA, but probably the most notable session was with the legendary Paul Simon and Phil Ramone while recording Paul’s single “Questions for the Angels.”

Session You’d Like to Forget: N/A!

Dream Session: We can’t narrow it down, so pick one for us: The Rat Pack, Michael Jackson,
Van Halen, U2, Johnny Cash. [SonicScoop selects ALL OF THE ABOVE laying down a slammin’ version of “We Want the Funk”.]

– David “Roz” Rosner, Studio Manager KMA Studios

Anna Rose (NYC) Releases “Nomad”, Executive Produced by Bruce Botnick

Singer/Songwriter Anna Rose released her new album Nomad this week on Sony/Red Distribution/White Pony.

Rose worked with the legendary producer Bruce Botnick ( The Doors, Love), who Executive Produced the 12-song collection. Billy Sullivan co-produced along with Rose.

An engaging live performer, Rose brings the best attributes of her shows over to Nomad – a loving vocal delivery, layers of highly satisfying acoustic guitar and keys, and smart lyrics.

Brooklyn-based, Rose kept plenty of the album production work in and around NYC. Tracking locations included Starr Ridge Studios in Brewster, NY, where Rose worked with Alex Salazman, and Carriage House Studios in Stamford, CT working with Brendan Muldowney. Mastering was by Mark Wilder of Sony Music, NYC.