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HITS Daily Double
So what’s an industry leech doing in 100-degree-plus heat in the middle of the desert (besides barbecuing a weener) when he should be at home worrying about surviving the last days of the biz while working on that Starbucks application and practicing how to say "venti non-fat half-caf no foam vanilla latte" without screwing it up?

WHEELS CHUGS INTO COACHELLA AND LIVES TO TELL ABOUT IT

Vets The Cure, The Pixies and Kraftwerk Steal the Show, as the A&R Beat Goes On Back Home

by Rodel Delfin

AIN’T NO WAVES IN THE INLAND EMPIRE
Unless you’re talking about the dinky wave pool at Knott’s Water Park, of course. So what’s an industry leech doing in 100-degree-plus heat in the middle of the desert (besides barbecuing a weener) when he should be at home worrying about surviving the last days of the biz while working on that Starbucks application and practicing how to say "venti non-fat half-caf no foam vanilla latte" without screwing it up?

Well, as it happens, yours truly attended the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival over the weekend to see some classic New Wave acts, as well as a clutch of your modern day buzz bands. Oh, and to get wasted in the DJ tent with a bunch of stinky bohemian rave kids, of course. With the event’s mix of established acts and indie-signed emerging artists, could this desert event prove to be an increasingly important scouting ground for A&R weasels?

The fest has established itself as a hybrid of Lollapalooza, South by Southwest, Winter Music and the Magic clothing confabs for the West Coast. There were already a number of non-festival, off-site shows, parties and media events, and the growing media exposure will surely draw more corporate and label folks to this festival in the future.

One of the coolest parties we attended by far was the Jaguar X-type shindig held at the John Lautner-designed Elrod house—famous for the James Bond flick Diamonds Are Forever and a treat for any mid-century architecture buff. The afternoon party had DJs spinning next to the pool in the living room, which was pretty surreal.

But enough talk of parties. Which acts were A&R folks talking about? LCD Soundsystem left a lasting impression for many, and TV on The Radio, who reportedly performed at the URB after-party along with LCD, drew the attending weasel crowd. But it was vintage acts such as The Cure, Kraftwerk and The Pixies—reunited long enough to give the standout perf of the festival—that the kids seemed to be the most into. We’re in for next year, when hopefully we’ll remember not to take too many acid tabs in the blistering heat.

Meanwhile, the David Christensen/Jody Nachtigal-repped Bec Hollcraft has apparently been doing the label meet-and-greet thing. The 15 year-old singer/songwriter was developed by multi-plat artist/producer/songwriter Meredith Brooks. Stand by.

Lots of heat building on the Tom Sarig-managed Against Me! Word on the street is that a number of label folks are in pursuit, with some already busting out the checkbooks... Expect maximum weaseltude for the H.I.M. shows in Tinseltown this week. The report is that A&R reps have been flying to different cities on the band’s U.S. tour to spend some quality schmooze time with the group. Will more weasels jump into the fray? Rumor has it that three label frontrunners have already emerged from the pack. We’ll keep you posted.

Finally, ASCAP East Coast VP Harry Poloner announced last week the promotion of Jason Silberman to Director of Membership. Nice job Jason, but please tell Tom DeSavia that his Amish goatee went out of style six years ago.

BUZZIN’: Macrosick... Hit me up, suckafoo: [email protected]