Friday’s Music Brief: Band Metrics, More Networking, UK Independents Day, Dada Free & More

It's a holiday here in the US, but that doesn't keep the news from happening or me from writing about it.  Also grinding it out today (and all last night) are Duncan Freeman and his Band Metrics crew.  Congrats to them on a their new features and private beta expansion.  And don't forget to stop in and say hello as our Hypebot online networking party continues.  You'll find a wonderfully diverse crew there already.

HYPEBOT FEATURES:

• Music analytics firm Band Metrics expands private beta
• Video: All Amanda Palmer All The Time
• What If There Were A Coolness Rating?
• Drake Redefines D.I.Y. Success With 300K iTunes Downloads In 2 Weeks
• Video: Michael Jackson Comeback Promoter AEG Discusses Cancellation
• GET INVOLVED: Hypebot's Online Networking Party Continues

MORE MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS:

• July 4th marks the start of the second annual UK Independents Day indie music celebration.
• More on the Sony IODA hookup: Sony Buys Part of the Long Tail (Epicenter)
• Mobile Firm Dada Cuts Staff  (Billboard)
• How the net saved live music. (Sydney Morning Herald)
• If you're in the UK or is some how lucky enough to have a Spotify account, Chris Anderson's new offering "Free: The Future of a Radical Price" is up an audiobook a week prior to release.  I've been reading an advance copy and it really broadens the discussion on the power of free (goods, services, music, etc.) and how to make it work.
• Andrew Dubber inspired a short but (I think) important post "Music As Lone Works Of Genius vs. Music As Culture" on the MIDEM(Net) blog.