Interpol and Interscope?
Posted March 21, 2006 — in Music News
Cartel (Militia Group) has signed a deal with Epic Records, Sire Records signed Armor for Sleep, and rumors claim that Interscope signed Interpol. Is Interpol a good signing? Hard to tell because the track record is sketchy. Sure they sold 400k+ records but the sales were mainly due to designer press. I can’t say the the songs speak for themselves. Jimmy Iovine (Interscope) is only interested in reaching the critical masses, which is the ultimate goal for any major record label president. As I said, the track record is volatile and I really don’t think Interpol can craft those type of songs that will convince 700,000+ music buyers. You never know, but based on the probabilities, I’m not placing any bets.
These indie-gone-major bands can go one of three ways.
1. the band changes their sound to hit mass appeal
2. the band doesn’t change their sound, flops and gets dropped
3. the band picks up a ton of steam but resents their new major for the way they’re portrayed and then jumps ship to go back to an indie, taking all their record buying fans with them
I only mention #3 because I recently spoke to one of these types of bands and they hinted that this was in their future. Given how well this band sells, it should be interesting. Can’t say I blame labels for trying to cash in on what is already selling (or being hyped)….but find your own bands. source: coolfer
2 comments for you.
1) I love the new website, well crafted
2) I’m actually not a fan of Interpol, BUT the band has not sold 200,000+ as you mentioned. both of their records have gone gold. so basically you have no idea what youre talking about.
Comment by Henry — March 22, 2006 @ 1:49 pm
Antics (9/24/04)- 420,212 scanned
Turn On The Bright Lights (8/20/02)- 424,587 scanned
Comment by AJ — March 22, 2006 @ 2:13 pm
interpol has already hit their commercial peak….joy division was never big stateside anyway. armor for sleep may very well hit 500k in due time, but the lifespan of these emo-type bands seems to be about 2 albums, so the odds are against sire.
Comment by jojo — March 23, 2006 @ 10:08 am
once again, you prove to be a dimwit. Gold status is not determined by scans, but rather by shipment. Both Records
shipped over 500,000 records. Therefore they have both been certified gold by the RIAA. would you like me to send you a link? again, im really not an interpol fan and actually dont think they can become a platinum band. But please check your facts. This site is great, and i hate to see it corrupted with false information.
Comment by Henry — March 23, 2006 @ 1:37 pm
ahhh…you’re correct. They should have just shipped a million and made it platinum.
Status aside, they have still scanned only barely above 400,000 (and have nearly 100,000 copies floating in the ether). If this band is going to a major, one would think their criteria would be a little higher? The goal is presumably to turn them into a platinum selling artist (or platinum shipping). Interpol are clearly not capable of that since they have been one of the most hyped bands in music for a couple years but the sales numbers reflect the point KOAR is making- people aren’t fully buying into it.
Fact of the matter is, Interpol is a fad band…and the fad is fizzling. If they wanted to jump on the bandwagon, it should have been to release Antics. I guess we’ll see though.
Comment by AJ — March 23, 2006 @ 2:35 pm
Middle America doesn’t care. Majors that scoop up indie bands that scan well are lazy.
Comment by K Dawg — March 25, 2006 @ 11:45 am
Interesting article, and I agree. I LOVE Interpol, but it might take a more open mind to listen than the current audience is willing to give. I would hate to see them go under and dislike the fact that they moved to a major, especially Interscope. Don’t get me wrong, upstreaming is not a bad thing, but it may be for this band. Matador is a good home for them and distribution as well as word of mouth have not been a problem. However, there is the possibility they can keep their status and Interscope is just longer arms to work with. I just hope I don’t see these guys on TRL.
Comment by Kristin Zeaiter — April 1, 2006 @ 9:32 am
Will be interesting to see how well the band “She Wants Revenge” does with their debut record…They might as well be Interpol.
THEY SOUND EXACTLY THE SAME…at least to me.
Comment by Dallas — April 9, 2006 @ 8:47 am