WHEELS & DEALS: ARCADE FIRE, BE YOUR OWN PET, EVERY MOVE A PICTURE THIS WEEK'S BUZZERS

PUMP IT LIKE IT’S HOT: As expected, the Arcade Fire shows at the Troubadour in L.A. went into weasel overdrive. The band performed three sold-out sets over the weekend, and as label reps court the band, rumors continue to swirl that the group, for the time being, anyway, isn’t interested in signing to a major. Word on the street is that the Montreal-based rockers still owe an album to indie Merge Records, and that they have a very favorable split with their label (think 50-50). The band’s LP, Funeral, has sold over 60k already and is still selling roughly 7k per week. And with the great press and radio the band is getting, it would seem to say that Merge is doing their job. So if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, which is probably what the band is thinking. More than likely, we will revisit this derby a year from now just as we did with acts like Brand New and Interpol. Not to miss a percolating derby, publishers are also on the hunt for the band. Do pubcos stand a better chance at striking a deal? Stay tuned... Meanwhile, label reps were out for Nashville group Be Your Own Pet at their Echo show in L.A. last week. Seems like the band’s CMJ buzz is still in effect... A&R hitters are also checking out the Jason Reynolds-repped Every Move A Picture. For those following, they’re playing with big-buzz act The Bravery at Café Du Nord in SF on Friday (1/21)... Looks like Phish member Trey Anastasio has another solo album in the works. Word on the street is that the Bruce Flohr/Redlight-managed project will be looking for a label partner. That’s the skinny... The Skip Bishop/Bonnie Goldner-managed Cecilia has been garnering weasel interest of late. See Buzz/gigs (below) for their upcoming show... Is the Rock Kills Kid deal done? We hear it’s closing with an East Coast major... In the course of 48 hours, Boston-based act Damone exits their deal with RCA and signs with Island Def Jam. The quartet drove to NY from Boston to showcase for LA Reid and crew after their exit paperwork from RCA was finalized. IDJ A&R dudes Rob Stevenson and Jonathan Benedict get props for doing the deal... THANKS HIS LUCKY STARS: East Coaster Ron Burman not only missed the tsunami by a day while vacationing at a beach resort in India, but he was recently upped to Sr. VP of A&R at Roadrunner Records. And after two multi-platinum records from Nickelback and a new Theory of A Deadman record coming out soon, homeboy has a a lot to look forward to. Cheers!... BUZZIN’: The Classic Crime, Natalie, Daddy Yankee, The Everyothers, The Films and Armor for Sleep... Hit me up: [email protected]

BUZZ GIGS:

CECILIA THE BAND
Tue., Jan. 25, 8 pm, at the Mercury Lounge, NYC

EARL GREYHOUND
Wed., Jan. 26, time TBD, at the Troubadour, L.A.

OPEN HAND
Tue., Feb. 15, time TBD, at the Key Club, L.A.