Musicians Sign Open Letter Demanding Clearance for Campaign Songs

Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone:

The letter calls for major political party committees in the U.S. to “establish clear policies requiring campaigns to seek consent of featured recording artists, songwriters and copyright owners before publicly using their music in a political or campaign setting.” […]

The letter’s signees include the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Sia, Regina Spektor, R.E.M, Lorde, Blondie, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Rosanne Cash, Lionel Richie, Pearl Jam and Green Day.

Why Didn’t Lorde Perform at the Grammys?

Lorde

Jem Aswad, writing for Variety:

Sources close to the situation tell Variety that the Grammys approached Lorde about performing with other artists but not solo; one source says it was part of a tribute to the late Tom Petty involving his song “American Girl” (which would have been an odd fit for the New Zealand-born singer). Lorde declined.

That source added that the other Album of the Year contenders — all of whom are male — were offered solo spots performing songs from their respective nominated albums.

Ally Coalition’s Jan. 24 Talent Show Lineup Announced

Bleachers

Melinda Newman, writing for Billboard:

Grammy album of the year nominee Lorde, Kacey Musgraves, Bleachers, Shamir, Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner of The National and Britt Daniel and Alex Fischel of Spoon have all signed on for The Ally Coalition’s 4th annual Talent Show, to take place Jan. 24 at New York’s Town Hall.

Bleachers’ Jack Antonoff will curate the Grammy week event, which will also feature comedians Aparna Nancherla and Phoebe Robinson, with more artists to be named.