Reprise/Warner Artist Johnathan Rice Update

Johnathan Rice had his upcoming record “Further North” produced by Jason Lader and Farmer Dave Scher. Past achievements include opening for Ben Gibbard (Death Cab) in May, a feature role in Walk the Line, and spelling his first name with two “Hs”. Ethan Mates (Linkin Park) did some engineering for him recently.

Actress/Singer Rebecca Pidgeon (David Mamet’s Wife)

Actress/singer Rebecca Pidgeon commands a role in husband David Mamet’s forthcoming Sony Pictures Classic flic Redbelt, a movie for which she’s also contributing Larry Klein (Madeleine Peyroux, Joni Mitchell) produced songs. Others in the film: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen.

Edwyn Collins and West Heath Studios

You’ve heard news of a recovered Edwyn Collins finally scheduling a Fall release for “Home Again”. Collins also owns West Heath Studios in London. Bernard Butler (of Suede) is currently there producing Sons and Daughters and 1990s.

Reunion: The Verve

The Verve reunion is on. The band confirms this at theverve.tv and Richardashcroft.com. Over in London, the band is taking studio time projecting a completed album in Fall ‘07. Several UK concerts have been booked for November including the London Roundhouse 11/8, 11/9.

A&R: Summerside

Here in NYC, Canadian indie modern rockers Summerside are currently finishing songs with producer Tim O’Heir (All-American Rejects, StellaStarr, Starting Line, Sebadoh). Rumor has it the band is chatting with folks on the major label circuit.

A&R: The Noises 10

Producer Eric Valentine (Good Charlotte, Third Eye Blind, Maroon 5, Nickel Creek) has indicated he will cut a record for Charlotte, North Carolina indie band The Noises 10. Presumably talks have stalled between the band and Valentine’s own Columbia Records/RED venture (w/ producer Tony Berg?), but future showcases are now scheduled for other label execs (Charlotte’s Visulite Theatre on 6/30, upcoming L.A. show TBA).

A&R: Meese

Denver indie band Meese just completed more demos with producer Aaron Johnson. Aaron produced The Fray’s “Cable Car” demo prior to their Epic signing in addition to being credited on their multiplatinum debut. You recall he recently signed on with The BK Entertainment Group for industry representation. Seemingly, Meese is doing the pseudo, electro-rock sound with a general salute to emo meets Death Cab/Radiohead. They are supporting The Fray on several tour dates this July-August.

Another Record From The Mars Volta, Kitchenware Picks Up Karima Francis

Revolt Media lets us know that The Mars Volta will self-produce a new record before the end of ‘07. A fourth quarter release is expected (Universal).

In other news, Kitchenware (Sony-BMG) added UK girl Karima Francis to its roster which also includes popular band Editors.

Yet again in the UK, The Ting Tings continue their music biz sweep – watch BBC filmed Glastonbury gig.

Transgressive Records UK Signed Iron & Wine

Transgressive Records UK signed Iron & Wine. “Shepherd’s Dog” album will hit England at the close of 2007.

Downtown/Atlantic Signed Spank Rock, Studio News: The Dillinger Escape Plan

Pitchfork writes Cold War Kids, Gnarls Barkley label Downtown/Atlantic signed Spank Rock.

Blabbermouth writes Steve Evetts (producer) is making a new record with The Dillinger Escape Plan

Morrissey Could Sign To Warner Bros

Take some time to browse the NME article on the possibility of Morrissey signing to Warner Bros.

A&R

We prefer the dark, earthy litter of a previous A&R pick: Texas Tip

It’s come to our attention that South Carolina’s The Working Title have just signed on with L.A. based Verse Management. They departed Universal at the close of last year and continue to tour incessantly.

New York’s Marathon Management (The Stills, Young Love, Priestess) informed us that they now rep producer Gus Van Go (Priestess, The Stills, Surefire).

Lastly, keep you ears on UK singer Ruth Galliers for a label signing. Currently, she’s hob-knobbing with other Sony/ATV writers to produce fresh material.

Natalie Imbruglia Compilaton September 10, New Album Spring 2008

Unconfirmed reports say that multiplatinum artist Natalie Imbruglia will put out a “Compilation” set September 10 (Brightside/Sony-BMG) followed by the new Ben Hillier produced album spring 2008.

News: Eric Stenman & Marc Hudson, Saves the Day, Men Women & Children

Enharmonik Studios in Sacramento will host recording by Saves The Day. The producers are Eric Stenman and Marc Hudson.

Men Women & Children exit the Warner family. This leaves them label-less.

All Access reports producer Jack Ponti’s Merovingian label is now paired with CO5 Music. This new alliance will benefit from the promotional auspices of Caroline/EMI. Merovingian alone recently put out the latest Kittie record and together with CO5 will embark on the launching of New Orleans’ Supagroup.

A&R: Five Star Iris. Remember we posted one of Alan Schaefer’s bands (Another Man Down) about 10 years ago? He’s an Atlanta native that’s still trying to rock out with his newest group Five Star Iris. But it appears A&R doesn’t work like it did in the “old days”. If it did, a label like Universal would’ve already been taken by the commercial adds at Salt Lake City commercial KENZ-FM. You may notice that the band has a “Best Buy” unsigned feature alongside two very mediocre sounding acts.

Radiohead Leak, Faithless Free

NME and others report that a suspicious medley of new tunes by Radiohead are showing up here.

NME also reports that popular touring outfit Faithless are now free of Sony-BMG (aka label-less).

Pitchfork reports that UK act Go! Team will put out their next album through Sub Pop (N. America)

A&R: Texas Tip

This 21 year old Texas indie girl is frighteningly gifted with a prodigy’s sense of storytelling. It’s no surprise that grapevine intel by the usual industry suspects will lead to her inevitable discovery over the next few weeks.
[audio:http://garysavelson.com/audio/texas tip.mp3]

Shout Out Louds Signed in N. America, Australia, Western Europe..But No UK Deal

Swede band Shout Out Louds exited Capitol Music Group in early ‘07 only to re-sign with major indie Merge for N. America and Dew Process (Australia). This past week, when we asked manager Filip Wilén about the band’s UK plans, he simply commented,

We have not yet decided what to do in the UK. So no solid release plan there yet.

Matthew Good, “Hospital Music” Due July 31, First Single “Born Losers”

After spending most of his career consulting producer Warne Livesay (Midnight Oil), Matthew Good is back with the self-produced “Hospital Music” available July 31 (Universal Canada). He remains a raving political activist yet a formidable songwriter and lyricist amassing two Juno awards and multiplatinum status over the last 12 years. Test drive “Born Losers”:
[audio:http://garysavelson.com/audio/Matthew Good-Born Losers.mp3]

Dido, Still in Studio With No Official Release Date

On June 12, 20+ million selling artist Dido posted news on her forthcoming album (Sony-BMG) succinctly explaining that it’s,

Not quite finished but getting there

Prior to this, when we directly asked her manager Hayley Chilton to confirm details on the record’s producer (Jon Brion), engineer, mixer, and scheduled release, she kindly responded,

We’re not sure on all of this yet….it’s still not finalised I’m afraid

Producer Tchad Blake and Kula Shaker

Tchad Blake is behind Kula Shaker’s (Alvar Music/Sony) forthcoming “Strangefolk”. Mentioned earlier, Blake also mixed Suzanne Vega’s newest. Test the Kula Shaker tune “Great Dictator”:
[audio:http://garysavelson.com/audio/Kula Shaker-Great Dictator.mp3]

A&R: Pico and Producer David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman)

Unsigned Nashville act Pico cut a fresh full length with producer David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman). It’s been suggested that a number of credible labels have taken a sincere liking to the new material.

Cherry Lane Publishing Signed Mick Mars and Dilana

Cherry Lane Publishing signed Mick Mars (admin deal) and Dilana (co-pub deal). Motley Crue’s Mars is known to have co-written the Shakespearean stylings of “Dr. Feelgood” and “Girls, Girls, Girls” while former CBS television Rock Star contestant Dilana has, er….., written no hits at all. The future will tell..we reckon.

Producer Mike Denneen, The Click 5, Chris Braide, Trevor Horn

Atlantic Records’ The Click 5 has a new record June 26 produced by Mike Denneen (Aimee Mann). Returning with a new lead singer, The Click Five’s current single is a co-write tapping the pop talents of Chris Braide (Clay Aiken). Incidentally, Chris performs in supergroup The Producers which features mogul producer/musician Trevor Horn.

Radiohead Inches Towards Completion

Radiohead is inching towards completion of their new record (here). Reportedly, fans can expect a big surprise when it comes time to announce the album’s means of promotion & distribution.

Producer Matt Bayles and Forward Russia

Over at Seattle’s Red Room Recording studio, producer Matt Bayles (Mastodon) is cutting a new record with Leeds, UK band Forward Russia.

A&R: Rock Stars’ Talentless or Talented Kids

Unsigned:

Alexa Ray Joel (Billy Joel’s kid)

Nile Marr (The Smiths’ Johnny Marr’s kid)

Coco Sumner (Sting’s kid)

Samantha Ronson (Foreigner’s Mick Jones’ step daughter)

Powderfinger “Dream Days at The Hotel Existence”, Aussie #1 and Platinum

The Rob Schnapf produced “Dream Days at The Hotel Existence” by Powderfinger is an Aussie #1 this week with platinum accreditation to boot.

The Band Formerly Known As The Darkness..Update

The band formerly known as “The Darkness” (Atlantic Records) is completing a new album in Norfolk, UK. Says Ed Graham in a blog,

I’ve just been having a listen to some finished tracks and they’re sounding great. Everyone down here has been working hard – it won’t be long now before everything’s finished and ready for mixing.

The Police Rolling Stone Cover, June 28 Issue, Nostalgia..

The Police Rolling Stone cover, issue due this week (June 28). Nostalgia..at its best.

Producer Ben Hillier and Sparkadia

Producer Ben Hillier (Doves, Blur, Elbow) spent May completing an album with Sydney, Australia band Sparkadia. They are signed to Boundary Sounds (Australia) and Ark Records (UK).

The White Stripes “Icky Thump” New Leak? Entire Album Download

The White Stripes “Icky Thump” has a new leak? Not the one broadcasted at radio…album in its entirety here.

ILG/Warner Music, The Demotion Label

Down used to be on Elektra Records prior to its Atlantic Records/Warner integration. So, wouldn’t Down being deferred to the Independent Label Group/Warner be a demotion according to the Warner structure? Silverchair ended up on ILG as well, but this follows monies acquired from their ‘kicking to the curb’ by Atlantic/Warner.

A&R: The Jazz Tip

It appears Columbia/Sony-BMG is interested in signing this young Northeast jazz singer. Can you guess who it is? She’s developed quite the press kit by second quarter ‘07. A bit of Norah Jones + Nina Simone, yea?
[audio:jazz.mp3]

Correct, it’s Melody Gardot

A&R: Producer Trevor Kustiak and In My Coma

Producer Trevor Kustiak (both Evans Blue records) is working with unsigned Toronto act In My Coma (signed to his label The Pocket Recordings). Trevor records at The Pocket Studios which he co-owns with Mike Turner (formerly of Our Lady Peace). In My Coma is currently looking for a drummer.

Teddy Geiger, Billy Mann, Silverchair

Silverchair chooses July 24 for a U.S. release date (Eleven/ILG/Warner). Ironically it was Atlantic Records/Warner who axed the band from its roster only for the Independent Label Group/Warner to inherit the new album produced by Nick Launay, mixed by David Bottrill.

Columbia Records’ Teddy Geiger has scrapped June tour dates to work on his new movie The Rocker directed by Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty). Rainn Wilson (The Office) will also appear in this film which focuses on former Beatles drummer Pete Best. Come September, expect Geiger’s new record “The March” (co-produced with Billy Mann).

Producer Dan Muckala

Producer Dan Muckala is completing an album with INO Records/Columbia band The Afters. Other INO Records artists: Skillet, P.O.D.

Producer Jay Ruston

Engineer-mixer-producer Jay Ruston has his name on two noteworthy projects as of late. He produced/mixed the forthcoming album from The Donnas. The band will announce their new label home shortly since departing Atlantic Records. Jay also gets mixing credit for TVT Records act The Polyphonic Spree due June 19 (producer, John Congleton). The Polyphonic Spree formerly recorded for Hollywood Records.

Mixers: Tom Lord-Alge, Randy Staub

Mixer Tom Lord-Alge did the latest from Drop Dead, Gorgeous (producer Ross Robinson), Motion City Soundtrack and Mae (producer Howard Benson). Randy Staub more recently worked with Coheed & Cambria, Enrique Iglesias and Stanfour (Universal Germany).

More News From Transgressive Management/Publishing

Transgressive Managment client Johnny Flynn goes to the Vertigo/Universal label (UK).

Absentee (Memphis Industries Records) sign to Transgressive Publishing.

Scruffy Bird Management’s Foals and Young Knives Produced by Dave Sitek/Kieran Hebden and Tony Doogan, Respectively

Scruffy Bird Management’s Foals recorded with Four Tet’s Kieran Hebden and are scheduled to complete material with TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek this summer. The Young Knives have been paired with Tony Doogan. Both Foals and Young Knives are on the Transgressive Records label.

Dennis Herring, Pharrell Williams, Jacknife Lee Credited On The Hives

Producers Dennis Herring, Pharrell Williams, and Jacknife Lee are credited on the next Hives record.

Rachael Yamagata Due Fall, Unsigned Jessie Baylin Opening For Dolores O’Riordan

The Mike Mogis produced Rachael Yamagata album (Sony-BMG) is reportedly delayed till fall ‘07.

Unsigned L.A. girl Jessie Baylin will now be opening for Dolores O’Riordan in July. This follows her tour dates with James Morrison.

A&R: More Female Singer-Songwriters Slow to Market

It’s unclear whether Maverick/Warner signing Lissie has exited the label in an effort to finally release a full length of new material. It appears Arkansas model/singer Ivy Levan (Capitol Music Group) has been tied up in the studio for quite a while. She’s utilized producers/writers The Wizardz of Oz throughout the process to complete her forthcoming album. Atlantic Records band Halestorm also consulted Wizardz of Oz and are about to choose a record producer to record with as early as this summer.

Mercury Records U.S. Roster Includes George Simon Stanford

Mercury Records U.S. has put artist George Simon Stanford in production with Brian Malouf. George was previously under the Epic/Sony roster before recently segueing to Mercury. Some of his new material has been recorded at Brian Malouf’s Cookie Jar Studios in Studio City, CA while the remainder has been done at Sage and Sound Recording, Hollywood. Darryl Thorp assisted on this project as well. If you recall, George was previously in the Philadelphia band Townhall.