Hypebot’s New Music Business Briefing For Wednesday, December 13th, 2006

> A look at the increasing number of indie bands that are ignoring major labels and going the D.Y.I. online root. (LA Times)

> Sony Studios tries to compete in the D.I.Y. era with budget pro mastering for indie acts. (AOL)

> 14 more have lost their jobs. The end of the year downsizing continues as the Verve jazz label gets folded into  Bruce Resnikoff’s re-issue imprint Universal Music Enterprises. They clain they are stills signing new acts, however. (Variety)

> Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Songs Of The Year (Rolling Stone)

> Famed music journalist Robert Christgau is back via MSN. (MSN)

> Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertugen is seriously ill. (Reuters)

> Major label act Jason Mraz is offering a digital only live release powered by Musicane via his website only.  (here) The format give the artist control to sell only the full album at a price greater than the $9.99 allowed at iTunes and other download stores as well as avoid the costs associated with a physical release.

> GIRLS GO HOME! The music industry is still a boys club. (LA Times)

>A Forrester study shows that iTunes and other download sales are flat leaving some in the industry to wonder what the future holds. (Register UK) Please don’t say ringtones.