WHEELS & DEALS: WILL HOT LAVA EXEC FLOW TO A RIVAL LABEL?

A&R WHEELS ARE SPINNIN’: Lots of changes going on in the weasel world. The recent departure of Atlantic Co-CEO Jason Flom has folks speculating on his next move. Meanwhile, lots of chatter in A&R circles as to what will happen to the Lava staff—most notably Lava’s senior A&R exec/department head Andrew Karp and marketing exec Lee Trink. Word on the street is that Karp—who has an impressive signing resume that includes Kid Rock, Simple Plan and Uncle Kracker—was in negotiations with WMG to renew his contract prior to Flom’s abrupt exit. Apparently, phone calls are now coming in from label suitors who are interested in Karp. We’ll keep you posted… Meanwhile, in case you haven’t heard, Columbia prexy Steve Greenberg has been making A&R hires at the label. Urban A&R player Mike Lynn, who on the West Coast, was formerly at Aftermath Entertainment, where he worked with acts such as Eminem, 50 Cent, the Game, Eve and Busta Rhymes. As part of the deal, Lynn will sign, develop and produce artists for joint release on Sony Urban Music/Columbia and Lynns’ own imprint, Big Ego Entertainment. Additional East Coast hires include Steve Yegelwel, who was previously at Greenberg’s label S-Curve; former Atlantic A&R rep Nick Cassinelli; Maria Egan, who comes from Nettwerk Management; Beka Callaway, who comes from BMI; Benjamin Simone, who comes from Deston Songs; and Maureen Kinney, who was previously at Universal Records. And expect some West Coast hires to go down in the near future… Lots of buzz building down under for ass-kicking rockers Airbourne. Barrister Craig Averill will be handling the legal duties in the U.S. Our pals in Oz land are telling us that Australian labels are going gaga for the rock band. Seems like it could be a similar situation to what went down with Jet a few years ago. Expect some U.S. label folks to be making the 17-hour flight Down Under in the immediate future… Big weasel turnout for the Steve Sessa-repped/Steven Melrose-managed the Gun Shys. The band reportedly packed club Moscow last week in front of a number of label reps. Stay tuned, as this one will probably close soon… Lastly, keep your eye on female songstress Lucy Walsh. Yes, she’s the daughter of Eagles band member Joe Walsh. Her Dave Cobb-produced album is apparently perking weasel ears, so get on it if you’re lagging. The young Walsh is repped by Beverly Martel, the sister company of Worlds End. Looks like Sandy Roberton and Andrew Brightman have stuff cooking; as they’ve had a string of signings with the Rock & Roll Soldiers (Atlantic), The Strays (TVT) and Candace (Maverick)… BUZZIN’: Pulse Recordings, Brad Smith and Christopher Thorn… Hit me up: [email protected]

BUZZ GIGS:
FIXER Thurs., Aug. 25, 9:45 p.m., CBGB
THE BLOOD ARM Wed., Aug. 31, TBD, Troubadour
GOLDSPOT Thurs., Sept. 8, TBD, Troubadour