Apple is making news on two fronts this week. They settled with the Beatles and now Steve Jobs is pointing the way toward a bit of a ceasefire in the inoperability wars among mp3 player manufacturers. But, in like most wars, Apple won't drop their weapons first. He does say that he thinks major labels abandoning the DRM system is the best way to get a "truly interoperable music marketplace." But, the country of Norway seems to think Jobs is passing the buck of blame off to labels.

Music Rising announced the sale of ten Epiphone Music Rising guitars signed by U2's The Edge. All proceeds will benefit Music Rising which raised funds for Gulf Coast area musicians. The group is now expanding with grants for musical instrument assistance to churches and schools in the region.

The Academy Is...will release their new record, Santi, in April. The record is produced by Butch Walker (All-American Rejects, Hot Hot Heat).
Streams: "We've Got A Big Mess On Our Hands" Windows / Real

The Barenaked Ladies tapped into the YouTube talent pool and got the creators of favorite YouTube videos like "Diet Coke and Mentos" and the "Evolution of Dance" to recreate their "YouTube moment" for the new BNL "Sound Of Your Voice" video. The video premiered on BNL's website. Their Barenaked Ladies Are Men hit stores this week and comes loaded with "UMIXIT" software and the multi-tracks to three songs ("Another Spin, "Angry People" and "One and Only"), allowing fans to re-mix, re-edit and re-create the BNL originals. BNL appears on Letterman on February 22nd.

Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records will put out the new record, Brand New By Tomorrow, from Money Mark. Mark, besides the Beastie Boys, has collaborated with Beck and Jack Johnson in the past. The record hits stores February 27th.
Mp3s: Pick up the Pieces & Everyday I Die A Little

Labels: Apple, Mp3s