Breaking records, that’s what. And it’s working.
The label that Madonna built is now hotter than her Kaballah class, with two of the Top Four albums on this week’s chart, including the Deftones’ new self-titled album at #2 and the Matrix Reloaded soundtrack at #4 (both Maverick/Reprise). The company hasn’t had a streak like this since the ’90s heyday of multi-platinum superstars Alanis Morissette, Candlebox and Prodigy.
Partner Guy Oseary, who started at the label when he was 16, exults: "I’m just thrilled for the people I work with. We’re getting into a groove, but I don’t take anything for granted."
Oseary is pumped about the release of singer-songwriter starlet Michelle Branch’s sophomore album, Hotel Paper, hitting stores June 24. The first single, "Are You Happy Now?," was #2 Most Added at Pop radio and Most Added at Hot Adult. The chanteuse’s Meiert Avis-directed video premiered on MTV as part of the network’s "Spankin’ New Music" special this week. She’ll perform the song Thursday (5/29) on TRL from MTV’s Beach House. Branch’s debut, The Spirit Room, has sold 1.8 million OTC in the U.S.
"She’s really shown what she’s capable of on this record," says Oseary. "The video is haunting. I can’t wait for people to see it."
Sacto-based Deftones’ new, self-titled CD is their fourth after three gold-selling discs and two Grammy Awards. The label’s setup has been energized by Alternative and Active Rock radio’s acceptance of the first single, "Minerva." The group’s releases have sold more than 4 million units worldwide, and they’ve performed before more than 3 million as headliners. This summer, the band embarks on the "Summer Sanitarium" tour with Metallica, Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit. The momentum seems to have coalesced into mainstream acceptance for the band, who are also on the label’s Matrix Reloaded soundtrack.
Maverick has released both Matrix albums, with the latest two-CD set fueled by the film’s record-breaking $135 million first-week box office. The album includes the first single, P.O.D.’s "Sleeping Awake" and fresh tracks from Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Rage Against the Machine, new Maverick band Unloco and a Paul Oakenfield remix of the Dave Matthews Band’s "When the World Ends."
The second disc sports composer Don Davis’ score and enhanced bonus material, including access to a trailer, previews of The Animatrix and footage of the Enter the Matrix video game, as well as a cheat code.
Concludes Partner Ronnie Dashev: "We let the music speak for itself and it spoke volumes. We put out terrific product the consumer wanted, proving all those bells and whistles aren’t always necessary."
Adds Oseary: "This place is my heart and soul. I think what we’ve accomplished as a small label in the current marketplace is remarkable...almost as remarkable as the fact you bozos are still around."
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