Youtopia, by Andrew MacLachlan, The Nexus (Camosun College) __in music battle royale By DonALD KENNEDY Nexus (Camosun CoL.ece) VICTORIA (CUP) -- Starbucks’ Hear Music record label is the adult- contemporary version of the Disney Music Group, and it won’t be long be- fore they’re lambasting Disney on the charts. The Hear Music label was launched in March 2007 and has already amassed an impressive roster of adult-contem- porary artists. They’ve brought Joni Mitchell out of retirement and made Paul McCartney more popular than Hilary Duff. McCartney’s Memory Almost Full, which was Hear Music’s debut release and McCartney’s highest charting al- bum in a decade, walloped Duff’s Dig- nity. McCartney finished over 60 spots ahead of the former Disney darling on Billboard’s year-end chart. But McCartney hasn’t been the only chart success for Hear Music. Joni Mitchell’s Shine sold more than double her 2002 release, Travelogue. Strangely, the same thing that’s been responsible for Hear Music’s early success — their commitment to adult contemporary — is what’s keeping them from reigning supreme over Dis- ney. Paul McCartney outsold the Jonas Brothers this year, but he was far from reaching Hannah Montana numbers. New Hear Music signee Kenny G is capable of reaching number one, but the label’s future dominance is likely to hinge on the success of their develop- ing artists. Starbucks’ recent union with Apple’s iTunes will aid in the marketing of Hear Music’s developing artists in a big way. More than 600 stores in Se- attle and New York already offer what Starbucks is calling the “now playing” STOP FAS T service. The service alerts customers : IN AT H&R BLOCK TAX PREP SPENDING ee accessing the iTunes store to what’s currently playing at Starbucks and info on other music the coffee chain is pro- moting. Access to Starbucks’ network is free for iTunes shopping only and no login is required. Starbucks expects to offer the “now playing” service in all its stores by the end of 2009. The success of Hear Music is likely to convince more corporations to sign exclusive distribution deals with art- ists and labels. This is good news for the artists and labels if they can find corporations that market to their demo- graphic. Would the Eagles have gone Students, come in for your tax preparation and get | triple-platinum this year if they weren’t 2 - 3 am selling exclusively through Wal-Mart? instant cash back in just one visit. | | Wo uld You like to doadte. some funds tp help out ouc local mar mat population? } Change, sir? No. You'll pfobably just spend it on Good for you for telling him off Your money should ge to Something worthwhile, No! They'll just spead it oa dcugs! The benefit for the consumer is the ease with which they can legally con- sume the product. Starbucks may never have the media presence of Disney, but it has something better — 10,684 come in today or call : stores in the United States. Starbucks se uae ' e coffee shops litter the landscape like no 1-800-HRBLOCK (472-5625) ahs other retail outlet and stalk consumers www.hrblock.ca es like ravenous wolf packs. Hear Music will be unstoppable once people start entering those stores to consfime new music as much as they do coffee. ' And when this happens Disney’s sales numbers will look anemic in comparison.