WHEELS & DEALS: THE ACADEMY IS SWIMS UPSTREAM

UPSTREAM EXPERIMENT, PART TWO: Our recent chalupa on indie-major upstream deals spurred some of the homeboys out there to chime in about Los Lonely Boys on Or Music and Maroon 5 on Octone, which have undertaken upstream arrangements with Epic and J Records, respectively, and have reached platinum sales levels. In addition, both acts were recently featured in an L.A. Times piece about breaking acts that were below the hype radar. And while Octone and Or Music should definitely get the props for breaking such new acts in this climate, the indie-major deals that we’re focusing on relate to the very niche in which alternative music labels and indie acts have long been operating prior to any major label relationships. Me intiendes, vatos? So we’ll continue next week… Speaking of upstream deals. The big buzz show at the CMJ Music Marathon last week was from Fueled By Ramen act The Academy Is… Turnout by several labels was dwarfed by the presence of Warner Music brass including WMG N.A. Chairman/CEO Lyor Cohen, Atlantic Chairman/CEO Jason Flom, Atlantic Co-Chariman/COO Craig Kallman, Atlantic Prexy Julie Greenwald, Warner Bros. Chairman/CEO Tom Whalley, Sire founder Seymour Stein and Sire Prexy Michael Goldstone. Lots of chatter has ensued about the Crush-managed band in the past weeks over upstream rights. Insiders step up and share that the band signed to FBR prior to the label’s recent deal with WMG and so the band did not automatically upstream to one of the WMG labels. Talk on the street is that a deal with one of the WMG labels is nevertheless close to being done. Stay tuned… MORE CMJ CHATTER: So what were the other bands that rocked the NY confab last week that would make a pachuco’s lowrider hop up and down? Big turnout for Montreal band The Arcade Fire’s set was noted at the Mercury Lounge, for starters, while the ASCAP showcase featuring Army of Me, Foreign Born, Madison, The October, Melee and Lucero brought out a variety of label reps throughout the night. Early Man and UK band The Apartment lured label reps to both their shows as well. Other notable perfs attracting weasel heat included: Straylight Run, Be Your Own Pet, The Dears, Gym Class Heroes, The Others, Circle and Square, Ordinary Peoples, Giant Drag, Silver, Film School and Like Yesterday… BACK IN THE BARRIO: The Craig Averil-repped Shout Out Louds signs with Capitol. Too late to get on this one, holmes… On the pub tip, Chrysalis Music recently finalized a couple pub deals. Chrysalis boss Kenny MacPherson and crazy pub vato James Cerreta have signed WB artist Secret Machines. In addition, blues-infused indie band The Black Keys have also signed with the pubco… Finally, in case you haven’t heard, NYC street brawler Victor Murgatroyd has relocated back to the Big Apple where he gets jumped back into Arista/J as VP of A&R… BUZZIN’: Ellis, Republic, Shocknina, Summer Obsession and This Blue Holiday… Hit me up, foo, before I sick El Chupacabre on you: [email protected]

BUZZ GIGS:

NAYO
Thurs., Oct. 28, 8:30 p.m. at Temple Bar, L.A

UDORA
Tues., Nov. 2, 10:45 p.m. at the Whisky, L.A.

THE ARCADE FIRE
Thurs., Nov. 11, time TBD, at The Bowery Ballroom, N.Y.C.