PRS for Music has announced the launch of Amplify, a new electronic music initiative aimed at encouraging dance music producers to register their works with the collecting society.

The new project has been set up to urge dance music publishers, songwriters and composers to ensure their music is registered with the organisation so they can earn the correct amount of royalties. Read more about the initiative here.

London Elektricity and Ash who heads up Songs In The Key Of Knife’s publishing activities are quoted on the PRS website…

“I’ve been writing music for people to dance to (and listen to) since 1986, and I will never forget my first PRS for Music pay cheque, it meant the world to me as a writer. PRS for Music are there to look after our interests, so it’s important to join. Four times a year, a varying amount of money comes into my account. You can’t always bank on how much you’ll get, but sometimes you might look at your statement to find that a TV show in Sweden used one of your b-sides as a theme for a game show – and earned you a few thousand in the process. Its fun seeing what’s been happening to your music, and which countries are playing your tracks. Get on it.” London Elektricity

“PRS for Music is a vital part of any songwriter’s career, regardless of genre or stature, and is an integral part of our daily business as a publisher. Dance music producers, like any songwriter, can earn publishing income through a wide range of different sources and PRS for Music, in conjunction with a good publisher, will help songwriters understand and earn money from these increasingly important revenue streams.” Ash Howard, Songs In The Key Of Knife Publishing

Included in the article are interviews with John Truelove (chair of the group), Mark Lawrence (PRS), Adrian Kemp (Ninja/Just Isn’t Music) and our very own Tom Kelsey. Among Tom’s pearls of wisdom, he talks about our new artists and their attitude towards the admin and business side of music. “At a label like Hospital we try and instil the right mindset into our artists as soon as we sign them”. He goes on to say “A lot of new artists come into the scene with a real entrepreneurial attitude. Sometimes they just need a bit of help and guidance with how to direct that energy”.

If you are a PRS member, you can read the full article in the magazine. There are plenty more features and interviews on the M Magazine website, so check that out too.

“I really loved the first Epic Mickey game, it’s much harder than it looks! So being given the chance to collaborate on this new game was an amazing opportunity to do something really creative with some iconic characters and a video game with a really loyal fan base. The music in Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is really interesting as it’s a musical, a first for video game soundtracks so I’m thrilled to bring a bit of the Drum + Bass sound to the party.”
Check out the remix here.

Huge congratulations to Netsky for winning Best Dance Act and Best Male Artist at the MIA’s (Flemish Music Industry Awards). Selah Sue, who features on Netsky’s album “2″ with the track “Get Away From Here” scooped 3 awards for Best Album, Best-Selling Artist and Best Female Solo Artist, so congratulations to her too!

Watch Netsky Live! perform at the awards show…

Full list of nominees and winners here… http://www.redbullelektropedia.be/awards2012

Read more about Tom Metrik on his writer page… KeyOfKnife.com/Writers/Metrik

You can also “like” Metrik on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

Other artists in the grade 8 exam include Muse, Aretha Franklin and Biffy Clyro. So if you’re a budding drummer about to sit your grade 8 drum exam, have a go at playing “Billion Dollar Gravy” by London Elektricity – oh and good luck!!

60 second Olympic countdown:

Goal of the month:

The reason? High Contrast was employed, along with Underworld, to write and produce some of the music for the opening ceremony and athlete’s parade. We are incredibly proud of Lincoln.

For more info, head over to his blog highlycontrasting.com for more.

You can purchase the tracks as part of the official soundtrack album for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games here.