Music mission bangs drum in Japan
The News Review:
- Music mission bangs drum in Japan
- Now more than ever poor Gordon is needed in No 10
- Fair dinkum spirit
- Ex-tribal leader eyes county post
Music mission bangs drum in Japan
Guardian Unlimited – Jul 21, 2005
Many are already well known to serious music fans in Japan but are competing with local artists represented by powerful labels and talent agencies. Representatives of 30 British labels, including several independents, will take part in the trade mission, described by the BPI as the most serious bid to court Japanese record buyers for more than 10 years. Although Japan’s charts are dominated by home-grown pop, and girl and boy bands, British artists are well represented. Jamiroquai, Coldplay and Gorillaz all have albums in the top 20, and Oasis recently entered the charts at number one. While Canada, the United States, France and Finland actively promote their bands in Japan, British executives have traditionally taken a more laid-back approach. Nevertheless, the industry is waking up to the potential rewards of reaching out to Japanese consumers, particularly the key under-25 market. “There’s a massive demand for British music in Japan, but it can be a tough market to crack,” said the BPI’s international manager, Matt Glover.
Now more than ever poor Gordon is needed in No 10
Guardian Unlimited – Jul 21, 2005
He was even talking yesterday about “fellow travellers”. Where does this end?It’s unlikely that any of the measures mentioned above would have stopped the bombers. They were home-grown, they lived among us. This is not a matter of “giving in” to them; in any case, pulling out of Iraq suddenly would only increase the bloodshed now. The 25,000 civilian dead, many killed by extremist terrorists, many killed by American and British troops, would be as nothing to the slaughter that would follow a speedy withdrawal. But one day there will have to be a different approach from another British government. It will be more independent of Washington, more supportive of European policies in the Middle East, more ready to acknowledge the damage caused by the Iraq war – and maybe, therefore, it will have more authority in speaking to dissenting Muslim voices in this country too.
Fair dinkum spirit
The Age – Jul 21, 2005
This allows the price mechanism to work to indicate toproducers what the consumer requires. At present, existinglabelling laws enable the distortion of information from theproducer to the consumer. Why should anyone wish to deny consumersthe right to be properly informed?Barns may be right in arguing that “the hip pocket speaks louderthan patriotism on the supermarket shelves”, but our recent surveysshow that 95 per cent of Australians prefer to buy home-grownproduce. All that Australian vegetable producers are arguing is tolet the consumer make that decision. And the issue is not just about patriotism. Consumers know thatvegetables grown in Australia are produced and handled underconditions that are at world best practice. So there are broaderissues at stake in relation to quality, taste and hygiene that theconsumer can factor into a purchase decision when they know thecountry of origin.
Ex-tribal leader eyes county post
San Diego Union Tribune – Jul 21, 2005
"I definitely see it as a challenge. But then on the other hand, his name recognition isn't so positive right now," she said. "I think I bring my integrity and my love of the land and my love of the people. "And being a home-grown North County San Diego resident, I care about what happens to all of us. barfield@uniontrib.