Jim Carrollon music
The global economic slump is giving the digital radio sector a bashing. Lately there has been a stream of bad news stories, with several high-profile UK companies either pulling the plug on existing digital stations or shelving launch plans.
Channel 4 has announced a shutdown of its digital radio division, citing a collapse in advertising revenue as the reason why it would not be progressing with its proposed three digital radio stations.
C4 is a partner in the 4 Digital consortium. Another member of that group, Bauer, was next to the punch with grim tidings. Later this month Bauer will close down Mojo, a digital music station spin-off from the magazine of the same name, again due to a fall in advertising revenue.
While Mojo enjoyed good listenership figures, commercial realities have forced Bauer to concentrate on other stations in its stable, such as Q, Heatand Smash Hits.
The Irish digital radio sector may also feel the pinch. RTÉ's trial digital radio services began back in Mach 2007 and five digital stations will continue in business from December after the initial trial period ends.
However, the audience who can actually listen to indie music on 2XM or dance music on Pulse on a dedicated DAB digital radio set will continue to be limited to well under half the population.
At present, only those living in the greater Dublin, Cork, Limerick and north- east areas can actually tune in to these stations.
In a statement, RTÉ said it "intends to roll-out DAB digital radio to 56 per cent of the population over the coming three years". But no firm commitments or schedules were given and it will become increasingly difficult for the station to find the cash needed to finance this roll-out.
With RTÉ sources saying that digital radio is seen as an "easy target" in the station's ongoing quest for cutbacks, it may be a while before there's a snazzy new radio set in every home in the land.
Wolves at the door in 2009
The demise of the record label is still a long way off, especially those labels still run by genuine music fans.
Besides putting on live shows around the city, Dublin's Skinny Wolves are also in the business of releasing records, with three key releases due between now and year's end.
The pick of the bunch is We Are Men. The new single from Cap Pas Cap goes on release on November 28 with remixes from Jape, Decal and Thatboytim. Lets hope an album is on the CPC plans for '09.
Skinny Wolves are also releasing Sangles Redux, a round-up of early recordings from Houston band Indian Jewelry, and a split single featuring Effi Briest and Telepathe, the latter one of many people's tips for 2009.
Christmas crackers
You may be trying to avoid the "C" word for a little while longer, but some people are already compiling lists and checking them twice. The 12 Nights to Christmas festival sees a host of Irish and international names gigging and DJ-ing in various venues around Dublin.
Acts on this Christmas run include David Holmes, Hot Chip, Lee "Scratch" Perry, DJ Vadim, Mixmaster Morris, A-Skillz and the Lost Vagueness performers.
The festival runs from December 12th to 23rd. www.12nightsfestival.com
Quote
"I felt like it was my vote that put him into office"
President-elect Obama will be glad to hear that it was all thanks to P Diddy
