INTERPOL SIGNS WITH CAPITOL

The label capped a pretty good couple of months by inking coveted N.Y. indie-rockers Interpol, one of the most sought-after groups for the last few years.

Interpol’s two previous albums, 2002’s Turn on the Bright Lights and 2004’s Antics, both on leading independent Matador, marked them as one of the most promising groups on the scene, selling almost a million in the U.S. alone, with the former at 438k and the latter at 435k in domestic sales.

The group is now part of highly regarded Dave Holmes’ prestigious client roster, which includes Coldplay, who have experienced a great deal of success with Slater and Capitol. That band’s last album, X&Y, has sold almost 3 million in the U.S.

The band was the object of eager major-label attention for some time now. Interscope’s Mark Williams was one exec considered to have the inside edge, but it’s Slater and A&R exec Ron Laffitte who nab the rights to the coveted group for the Tower.

The coup follows the chart-topping debut from LeToya, the breakthrough of critical darling Corinne Bailey Rae and R&B girl group Cherish, as well as the upcoming release from rap star Chingy, who has the #1 single at Urban radio in "Pullin' Me Back."

Slater and company are rapidly turning the Hollywood & Vine landmark into a most valuable property.