May The Suits You Wear Not Be The Law Kind!

It seems that we always hear about lawsuits in the entertainment industry. We hear about an artist not obtaining the writes for a sampling another song. We hear about movie studios not obtaining the proper licenses to use certain songs in a film, and we even hear lawsuits for companies using certain artists to represent them, without seeking approval from the artist. It seems that many people in the entertainment industry are wearing suits, well lawsuits!

In September, Lady Gaga announced that a Nevada-based company was trying to use her fame to market cosmetics and jewelry. Lady Gaga sued them for trying to trademark the names “Lady Gaga” and “Lady Gaga LG” without her permission. She believes that many of her fans would be tricked into believing that she is affiliated with the company. Although the trademark was not approved she is still suing them for unspecified damages. I agree that it is wrong for the company to use Lady Gaga’s name for their advantage without her permission. It is like trying to sell a Toyota car by convincing the customer it is sponsored by Mercedes.

Lionsgate is currently being sued for not obtaining the proper licenses over a song in the Lebron James documentary. Songwriter, Mason Hall, is suing over his song “We Ready,” which was used as part of the documentary without his permission. The first thing that Mason Hall needs to do is prove to the judge the song used in the film is truly his. If the judge accepts the lawsuit, Hall is asking for an injunction against further damages, and wants the distribution of the film to stop. If the song in question is truly Hall’s song, then I believe he deserves to be compensated. Any songs used in films require a synchronization license. I believe Lionsgate is a big enough company to know the process of obtaining the synchronization licenses, and making sure they obtain the correct ones.

Bruno Mars sues Bug Music to get out of his publishing deal. In April, Bruno Mars’ sent Bug Music a notice letting them know they had not yet done anything about their option to extend their agreement. Bus music had 10 days to send a written notice in return to extend their agreement, but they sent it a little too late. This lawsuit shows that if you want something done and if you want to keep an artist you must actually do your work on time! I think that Bug Music responding to Bruno Mars’ notice at a much later date is a bit of disrespect for Bruno Mars. He is currently a major artist, and if Bug Music wanted to keep him aboard, they shouldn’t have waited until it was a little too late. I do believe he should be released from his contract.

Lessons can be learned from all three of these lawsuits.

1. DON’T use an artist’s name without their permission.
2. License all songs CORRECTLY!
3. DO your work on time! 

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A Much Needed Dose Of Positivity

There are moments in our lives that we feel that everything around us is going wrong, and we feel that there is nothing we can do to fix it. From a very early age, I discovered something simple that no matter what I was going through, it would make me happy. This of course is: MUSIC.

Music is something powerful that in a matter of seconds into a song, it can alter your mood. It can make you happy, sad, angry, and even feel loved. Music can also change how you feel about a situation, and even provide you with a much needed dose of POSITIVITY.

These past week has been a bit crazy for me, but I’ve created a playlist on Spotify that has helped me through it. I want to share with you all the top three songs that can help alter your mood.

• Breathe – Telepopmusik – Listening to this song was a morning and afternoon routine for my sister and I. Whenever we drove to and from work (we worked at the same office) we listened to this song. The lyrics simple: “Another day here, just breathe.” I think we forget to just stop and breathe. We are consumed by life’s crazy-ness, and we don’t stop to take care of ourselves. WE ARE FRAGILE and MUST BREATHE! Make it your routine to listen to this song and take a few minutes to breathe. 

•  Such Great Heights – The Postal Service – There is something about the first few notes in this song that just puts your heart at ease, and makes you stop for just a second. Then the song start and their voices and the lyrics take you on an happy journey that you just can’t help but bop your head and feel happy. You might just want to play it and dance around to the beat! (You should all click on the hyperlink and do this now! Go ahead! I’ll wait a minute or two!

• Hoppipolla – Sigur Ros – The English translation of the title of this song is “Jumping in a puddle.” When was the last time you jumped in a puddle? Probably when you were a kid and thought it would be fun to get everyone around you wet! This song just builds. Close your eyes as you listen to it, and let it take you away to a world full of endless possibilities! A world where all your worries are gone, and you are set free! A world that only you can make it a reality! Be inspired!

If you would like to listen to a few of the other songs that I find help bring positivity to my life, check out my playlist on Spotify. Now, go and make your day a positive one!

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The People We Foster

There are times when we listen to a song, and instantly get captivated. We don’t even know what the song is saying, but we like how it sounds. There are times that a song seems so happy, but when you pay close attention you find that the song, is the complete opposite than what you thought. This happened to me with this particular band.

I first heard of them, when I received an e-mail saying that they signed with the company I work for, and it included a playlist with their CD. I immediately downloaded it, and I felt like I was hearing something familiar yet so unique. To be honest I didn’t even pay attention to the lyrics, which is something that I normally pay attention to, but there was no doubt in my mind after hearing the first single released by this band, that it was a happy song. Boy was I wrong. Listen for yourself:

The band is Foster the People and their first single was “Pumped Up Kicks.” I will talk a bit more about the band in a few sentences, but right now lets talk about the lyrics to “Pumped up Kicks.” Does it not sound like a happy song? Did you listen closely? Well here are the lyrics to the chorus: “All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you’d better run, better run, outrun my gun. All the other kids with the pumped up kicks, you’d better run, better run, faster than my bullet.” Ok, so how many times it take you to actually realize what they are saying. The song’s happy feel hides the dark lyrics away, but even with the dark lyrics this song is still amazing.

Foster the People has become one of the most well known bands of 2011.  Their music is becoming a phenomenon. Yes, I don’t feel scared using that word to describe them. They are currently being featured as the number one single and album on Spotify, and three of their songs have been featured in major commercials. I truly believe we can expect great things from the L.A. based band, Foster the People. Now sit back, relax, and listen to some music.

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