I just spent the last 30 minutes trying to find a decent topic to focus on and honestly nothing particular grabbed me enough to rant/dissect, so here are a few interesting tidbits from around the web…

• Vivendi aka parent company of Universal Music Group aka largest label in the world announced their Q2′07 numbers and CD sales are down again (duh) but their digital music sales are up 49%. As predicted the music buying audience is focusing more and more on digital sales.
  Earnings: Vivendi’s Q2 Sales Up; UMG Down; Digital Music Up 49 Percent
• Russian authorities are pursing the head of AllOfMP3.com’s founder. The issue with AllOfMP3.com is based around was the site doing anything technically illegal. Many say no they weren’t according to Russian law and it was the American pressure that caused this issue. My big issue with AllOfMP3 was an ethical point of view about how they were not treating the artists fairly. As this article points out the “‘we’ll hold your money until you give us a call’ attitude” is the same for both AllOfMP3.com and SoundExchange, hmmm….
  AllOfMP3.com: Let The Prosecution And Persecution Begin!
• Music blogs… I am kind of getting obssed with them because they continually introduce me to new music. My current musical flavor of choice is Indie Rock, which we really, really want more of on FS. Right now one of my favorite blogs is Gorilla vs. Bear based out of my old hometown of Dallas. Niki introduced me to them when I was looking for new blogs and I love them because they helped me discover the brilliance that is Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent). I have tix to see here in August and I plan to do a full review of the show. Mmmm… guitar, make sure to watch the video!
  St. Vincent: “These Days” video and Sirius Blog Radio

That is all…

Michael Robertson, founder of Mp3.com and Linspire, has written a well thought out rebuke to Steve Job’s open letter to the industry. In a sense, Michael is telling Jobs to put his money where his mouth is and prove that this letter is not just political/media “posturing”. I think all four of Michael’s ideas are great options and really focus on making the customer’s music experience much better.

“My vision is that customers should be able to mix and match the type of computer, music software, retail option and music devices they want to use. No single company is the best in every product category so consumer choice ensures the best music experience.”

The good people over at Recording Industry vs. The People have added us to their Liberated Music list. The founders of the Blog, Ty Rogers and Ray Beckerman, represent the people that are being hounded by the RIAA for having music on the defendants’ computers. Ty and Ray are doing great work and are partnered up with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) which we all have a lot of respect for. Thanks guys!