BAFTA nominated CBBC show ‘Officially Amazing‘ returns to UK screens for a second series this February. As for the first series, all original songs and opening and closing sequences are composed, arranged and sung by the extremely talented Rob Castell.

We welcome Hill Valley High to our roster.

A 5-piece pop/pop punk group from Telford, England, Hill Valley High formed in 2006. Starting out writing tunes and playing shows around Telford and Birmingham, slowly but surely the band built up a local following. In 2009, through a Myspace campaign, Hill Valley High toured Brazil playing 10 sold out shows across the country.

So, we have said farewell to 2013 and already broken our resolutions for 2014. Except a few. We can guarantee that 2014 will see new music from @HAWKEYESBAND, @susheelaraman, @PeteWayOfficial, @_PeckhamCowboys, @hillvalleyhigh, @gunofficialuk, @starlingband, @LeonLour, @wizzywow, @cmacconiomaire, @dan_reed, @roesymusic, @MaxiPriest.

Interesting article by Ben Myers in the Guardian on December 02, BBC Sound of 2014: Where have the bands gone? Of this years shortlisted acts, 12 are solo artists with the remaining 3 being duos. As Ben states, “this list takes the middle path”. Following release of the list BBC News reported that “bands are out of fashion”.

UK electronic artist ‘Whitey’ has slammed a TV company for asking to use his music for free. Whitey bemoans the TV industry’s “culturally ingrained disdain for the musician” in an email to the production company, which can be seen in full here. Although not directly related, his comments echo those recently of David Byrne and Thom Yorke, concerning the availability and use of music.

Little Mix’s new single ‘Move’ is co-written by Maegan Cottone & Nathan Duvall, writers signed to Phrased Differently and administered by Wardlaw Music. ‘Move’ is the first single from the Little Mix’s second album ‘Salute’ and will be released globally on November 3rd.

Maegan has also co-written ‘Salute’ the title track to the new Little Mix album, together with the track ‘Competition’.

Respected musician David Byrne outlined his thoughts on the music streaming debate in an article for The Guardian, published on October 11. His summary, “The boom in digital streaming may generate profits for record labels and free content for consumers, but it spells disaster for today’s artists across the creative industries”.

Wardlaw Music artists Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri release their new album A Place Where I Can Go on September 30. They kick off a UK tour on September 25 in Newcastle, full details here.

The first single from the album, the beautiful ‘Sidesteppin’ (With A Soulman) is available now.

Wardlaw Music composer Pete Diggens, at The Aurophonic Workshop, has composed the music behind 2 current commercials for ‘Burger King’ currently running across the USA. Burger King asked them to come up with something ‘dreamy’, they did and Burger King loved it.

Promoting their new album ‘A Place Where I Can Go’, Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri take to the road this month details here

Dan Reed is on an acoustic tour of Europe, culminating in a headline appearance with ‘The Dan Reed Network’ at the ‘Enchanted UK’ festival on October 12.

Wretch 32’s new single ‘Doing OK’ featuring Jacob Banks is co-written by Abbas Shah talented guitarist & songwriter signed to Renowned Publishing and administered by Wardlaw Music.

Abbas also co-wrote the Jacob Banks track ‘Kids on the Corner’ that was recently synced in the Channel 4 drama ‘Top Boy 2’. Abbas continues to write with ‘Renowned’ artist Jacob, recently signed to Atlantic Records.

Debsey formed her first band Dolly Mixture in Cambridge in 1978 with friends Rachel Bor and Hester Smith while still at school. Championed by John Peel the girls were soon playing regularly in London where they became the darlings of the music press.

Earlier this month, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and his producer Nigel Godrich came out against music straming services, particularly Spotify.

As Spotify continues to grow into the Worlds #1 streaming site, so its detractors grow.

Wardlaw Music artist Jon Allen recently had 2 of his tracks synced on the FOX TV series The Goodwin Games. ‘Sweet Defeat’ was played on the 4th episode (June 10th), as we see the character Chloe go back to college to further her career as an actor. While having a chat with her friend at a restaurant, you can hear Jon Allen’s ‘Sweet Defeat’ playing in the background.

‘Joanna’ synced in the episode titled “The Box” and aired on July 1st.

Facebook’s decision last year to start charging to send updates to all subscribers has alienated some independent labels. Helienne Lindvall’s piece on Digital Music News looks further into the issue.

Music Think Tank has produced an interesting article on the issue of Streaming, comparing music to film and how the music industry, from writer, artists, record companies and music publishers, is looking to catch up.

Fresh from his writing and production credits on Chrisette Micheles ‘Better’ album, Wardlaw Music artist Wizzy Wow is back with his ‘Winners World’ mixtape.

Interesting article on Billboard.biz by Eriq Gardner on the song ‘Happy Birthday’ and a lawsuit filed declaring that the work belongs in the public domain and should not be copyright to Music Publisher Warner/Chappell Music.

Last week Apple announced the launch of iTunes Radio, one of the music industry’s worst kept secrets.