WHEELS & DEALS:
THE MONKEYS ARE MONEY

IT’S AN INDIE ROCK ’N’ ROLL WORLD: It’s a clear sign that the majors do not have a good report card in selling 0-100k units on a new act when a big buzz band decides to forgo the major label route and stay on their indie regardless of the cash that’s being thrown their way. This is the case with Domino Records act the Arctic Monkeys. And what we’re seeing is that there appear to be two signing philosophies currently in play at the majors—some A&R folks recently shared that they are only looking to sign acts that have a tour base and have sold, say, 50k albums or more, even though the band may not have the songwriting capabilities for that hit song. Other A&R execs prefer to sign acts who are great songwriters and have star potential, regardless of whether they have a base. The latter group argues that the major label business has always been about hit songs, and that’s never going to change. ANYWAYS, BACK TO THE MONKEYS: The band just released their first record on Domino and consider a major label partner for their second release. As you may recall, the Domino-Epic U.S. arrangement for Franz Ferdinand allowed the indie to sell the first 50k or so albums, and Epic picked it up thereafter. However, word from the Arctic Monkeys camp is that they want to create a solid foundation in the U.S., and they felt that Sony went a little too fast with radio with Franz the first time around. Meanwhile, AM’s debut album sold nearly 120k in the U.K. on the first day of release. Not too shabby… We hear that the year-long Be Your Own Pet signing saga may be coming to an end. Word from folks in the U.K. is that the group is reportedly signing with Universal Music via Ecstatic Peace Records, owned by Sonic Youth band member Thurston Moore. We hear Ecstatic Peace recently made an arrangement with Universal since Geffen was looking to re-sign Sonic Youth… Word on the street is that the Vice label has renewed its deal with Atlantic… You may want to catch Joe Purdy’s last show of his January residency at the Hotel Cafe this weekend (see buzz/gigs). Buzz builds as several of his tracks have been getting prime placement on hit TV shows such as Lost and Grey’s Anatomy. His new album, Only Four Seasons, is out next month… Lots of chatter about a signing pecking order at Warner Music Group. Insiders share that Lyor and crew are giving Atlantic the leg up over the Bunny if both are competing to sign the same act… Meanwhile, is the talk of one label head stepping down soon to be confirmed with a formal announcement?… Lastly, former TVT A&R hitter Josh Freni heads over to join Jason and crew at Virgin… BUZZIN’: Juan Carrera, Great Glass Elevator, Ron Fair, David Bendeth, Young Dre and David Ford… Hit me up: [email protected]

BUZZ/GIGS:
EVALINE Fri., Jan. 27, TBD, Roxy
JOE PURDY Sat., Jan. 28, 11 p.m., Hotel Café
FROM FIRST TO LAST Tue., Jan. 31, Blue Note, Columbia, MO