(cue desconstruction by King about how boring they are and how we should all be listening to Arthur's Magic Water Flute or something)

The question is how much do (did) you think it's worth?

You'd have to pay me...

Turin Brakes are one of my favourite, favourite bands.

hi, it's Tim,

This is an email I hoped I would never have to send.

As you probably know, in July of 2007 we had to block usage of Pandora outside the U.S. because of the lack of a viable license structure for Internet radio streaming in other countries. It was a terrible day. We did however hold out some hope that a solution might exist for the UK, so we left it unblocked as we worked diligently with the rights organizations to negotiate an economically workable license fee. After over a year of trying, this has proved impossible. Both the PPL (which represents the record labels) and the MCPS/PRS Alliance (which represents music publishers) have demanded per track performance minima rates which are far too high to allow ad supported radio to operate and so, hugely disappointing and depressing to us as it is, we have to block the last territory outside of the US.

Based upon the IP address from which you recently visited Pandora, it appears that you are listening from the UK. If you are, in fact, listening from the US, and are denied access from Pandora on or after January 15th please contact Pandora Support: pandora-support@pandora.com.

It continues to astound me and the rest of the team here that the industry is not working more constructively to support the growth of services that introduce listeners to new music and that are totally supportive of paying fair royalties to the creators of music. I don't often say such things, but the course being charted by the labels and publishers and their representative organizations is nothing short of disastrous for artists whom they purport to represent - and by that I mean both well known and indie artists. The only consequence of failing to support companies like Pandora that are attempting to build a sustainable radio business for the future will be the continued explosion of piracy, the continued constriction of opportunities for working musicians, and a worsening drought of new music for fans. As a former working musician myself, I find it very troubling.

We have been told to sign these totally unworkable license rates or switch off, non-negotiable...so that is what we are doing. Streaming illegally is just not in our DNA, and we have to take the threats of legal action seriously. Lest you think this is solely an international problem, you should know that we are also fighting for our survival here in the US, in the face of a crushing increase in web radio royalty rates, which if left unchanged, would mean the end of Pandora.

We know what an epicenter of musical creativity and fan support the UK has always been, which makes the prospect of not being able to launch there and having to block our first listeners all the more upsetting for us.

We know there is a lot of support from listeners and artists in the UK for Pandora and remain hopeful that at some point we'll get beyond this. We're going to keep fighting for a fair and workable rate structure that will allow us to bring Pandora back to you. We'll be sure to let you know if Pandora becomes available in the UK. There may well come a day when we need to make a direct appeal for your support to move for governmental intervention as we have in the US. In the meantime, we have no choice but to turn off service to the UK.

Pandora will stop streaming to the UK as of January 15th, 2008.

Again, on behalf of all of us at Pandora, I'm very, very sorry.

tim_signature.jpg

-Tim Westergren
(Pandora founder)

THAT'S IT! Brilliant!

Crazy.  I've got to get hold of the whole thing...

Have already tipped Pete off about this as I know he is a fan but thought I would bring it to the attention of the masses.

Turin Brakes are one of my favourite, favourite bands. I particularly like the first couple of albums, wasn't a huge fan of the last album 'Jackinabox' which went all poppy, mainstream and silly. They're much better when they're a bit moody, bluesy and introverted. Imagine my joy then when I started listening to their new album 'Dark on Fire' which is really them going back to what they do best. Worth a listen if you're partial to a bit of acousticy, dreamy, folky musing with a couple of Doves-esque anthems thrown in for good measure. Top stuff.

[attachmentid=314]

Drew has had to return to Barcelona for work so I now have a spare Radiohead ticket.

The gig is on Sunday the 29th of June at the Lancashire County Cricket Club. Doors open at 4pm and Bat for Lashes are supporting. The ticket costs £48.

Dan and my house mate Kris (who some of you have met) are also going.

Let me know if you are interested.

so it will not be a problem if anyone else wants to come.

I want to go. Do you think I can make it there and back quickly enough to go to work the next day?

It's worth bearing in mind that the lyrics don't have to be works of poetical genius for a song to achieve kingly favour; I can't understand any of the lyrics of '99 Luft Ballons' (apart from the title obviously) but still enjoy the vocal line, and hence the song, immensely. It's more that I focus on the tune that is sung than the rest of it.

While my listening experience may, therefore, be like standing outside in the snow, peering through a window at a cosy fire rather than curling up in front of it, I am at least wearing a good coat and so am happy with my lot.