12.8.11

Indie Dispatches: Will the Grammys see an indie upset repeat? + more…

Bon Iver gets multiple Grammy nominations including Best New Artist

Grammy schmammy.  In reality, the indie world doesn’t care as much as most of the music business about the yearly Great Grammy Circus, viewing them more as a self-serving and back-slapping exercise by the major labels.  Though that doesn’t stop a wry, mocking grin appearing when a number of independent acts end up being nominated in some of the major categories.  And even more so, like the 2011 awards, when a certain set of Canadians stole away with the Album of the Year prize, prompting more than one ‘Who is Arcade Fire?’ comment.  And while it may be a long shot, with the Adele juggernaut holding pole position, who knows if next year we might be hearing a chorus of ‘Who is Bon Iver?’  In fact, those rumblings have already begun, with Justin Vernon et al smashing the party with four nominations, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year (no, we don’t really know what the difference is either…) and Best New Artist. Mind you, considering the album almost topped the charts the week of release, proving that independent doesn’t necessarily imply marginal any more, there could be seen an element of logic to the nominations.  So kudos to Jagjaguwar, who likely stumbled into their gate-crashing, and also a tip of the cap to Glassnote, a label so ubiquitous with their success and sales levels that you almost forget they’re an independent, for clutching a couple of nominations for Mumford and Sons.  Further afield in those infinitely less sexy categories, Best Folk Album was littered with indies, including Sub Pop’s Fleet Foxes, for their sophomore album Helplessness Blues, along with The Civil Wars, Gillian Welch (Acony) and Steve Earle (New West). Wilco’s latest through dBpm/Anti popped up in the Best Rock Album finalists, and of course there were the Best Alternative Album ratings, that garnered a nominations for My Morning Jacket’s Circuital, along with the latest from Radiohead and the omnipresent Bon Iver… In other news, it seems a few weeks back we somehow we missed the fact ATO Records won the derby to sign hotly-tipped southerners Alabama Shakes.  For a label that was rumored to be winding down not all that long ago, they seem to have been busier of late, also signing the highly rated singer songwriter Caitlin Rose over the summer.  Both artists look to have their debut releases for the label due in the first half of 2012.  And another album due in the early part of next year that had the internet all abuzz this week, is the new solo record from former Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan.  After what has seemed like years in limbo, involved with various collaborations (Isobel Campbell, Soulsavers, etc) and appearing as a guest vocalist on a slew of other records (Queens of the Stone Age, etc), the info about Blues Funeral, due through 4AD on February 6, was news for rejoicing.  In typical Lanegan fashion, the first track released as a free download from the album is entitled “The Gravediggers Song”.
- Cool Hand Luke

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02.15.11

Roundup: Grammy Bumps, Pandora’s IPO, Apple Makes Streaming Moves & More

Mumford sells 31K on Grammy day

While Glassnote Entertainment’s Mumford & Sons didn’t walk away with a Grammy award Sunday night, they did see a huge bump in one-day sales for their debut album Sigh No More. It currently is sitting atop the iTunes album chart at #1. Other winners and performers from the night, which saw the largest ratings for the award show in over a decade, are also getting a sales spike in the wake of the event… As anticipated, Pandora filed for an IPO last Friday seeking to raise $100 million, making it the first Internet-music company to go public since Napster went bankrupt in 2002. In filing, it was revealed, among other things, that the company spends half of its revenues on acquiring content, a fact that AllThingsDigital’s Peter Kafka points out, isn’t a bad thing… Reports over the weekend have Apple considering the possibility of turning its paid MobileMe storage service, into a free “locker” for personal memorabilia such as photos, music and videos – reigniting talk of the company’s move into offering a streaming-music function. Meanwhile today, Apple announced the launch of a content subscription system for music, videos, newspapers, magazines and other forms of content, which will work similarly to app purchases, except that customers choose their type of subscription. As for what it might mean specifically for music, Evolver.fm points out; on-demand subscriptions like MOG, Rhapsody, Napster and Spotify, and the paid version of interactive radio services such as Last.fm, Pandora and Slacker, can now charge you for a subscription right within iTunes, with the same convenience for you — and the same loss of revenue for them... Radiohead has announced details about their new album The King of Limbs, which will see a digital release this weekend, a month ahead of a physical release via XL Recordings. The band’s co-manager explains to Music Week the reason behind not releasing the new album in the same manner as In Rainbows… Former EMI Music A&R prexy Nick Gatfield has been named President Of Music Division for Sony Music UK, reporting to Chairman and CEO Ged Doherty… And does Guy Hands really want to double down and make a bid for both Warner Music and EMI?

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06.23.10

Indie Dispatches: Interpol’s Return to Matador, Original Signal in Trouble? & Labels Act on Active Child

Interpol parts ways with Capitol, set to release new album on Matador

Cementing the fact that 2010 is going to be a blockbuster year for independent artists, was the news last week of the impending release of a new record from Interpol. The album will be self-titled and is the New York band’s fourth full-length release. The interesting twist to the story is that the group has decamped from their major label, Capitol, returning to their original home on indie-label Matador Records, who will release the album on September 14th.  Those keeping score may recall quite the melee in 2006 as a slew of major record companies tried to sign the band, with Capitol ultimately winning the derby and releasing the band’s third album Our Love to Admire. But the stay proved to be an unsuccessful one, with figures showing the earlier Matador albums greatly outselling the Capitol release, leaving the two to part ways after just one record. As to whether this is an ominous signal for other indie acts that have recently signed to major labels, such as Band of Horses and James Mercer (of The Shins), only time will tell.

The independent arena itself is not free of travails however, if rumors of the demise of Original Signal Recordings prove to be true, it will leave a number of high profile indie bands looking for a new home. Best-selling Swedish group, The Sounds, Kill Hannah, and Ingrid Michaelson are just three of the acts that had their music released via the NY-based label, and who could now be highly sought after free agents.

Finally, it appears that L.A. combo Active Child currently has at least five independent labels vying to ink the band, with suitors including heavyweights Vagrant, Glassnote, and XL. Active Child is centered around choirboy-turned-indie-musician Pat Grossi, who is also noted for his harp playing on stage. The group was among the buzz acts to come out of SXSW this year, and they recently released an EP, Curtis Lane, on Filter Recordings.

- Cool Hand Luke

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