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Has one major recently decreed that no new-artist deal shall exceed $300k for the first record? We figure that would look something like $175k for recording, $100k in artist advances and $25k for the lawyers.

WHEELS AND DEALS: CELEBRITIES GONE WILD!

Our A&R Columnist on the Virtues of TiVo, the Shrinking Deal-o and Where to Find the Ladies
by Rodel Delfin

Big Bowl Boobies—try saying that five times fast. Hey, it’s not every day that you see a superstar act bare her (or his) bosom in front of millions. So, we give it up to Ms. Jackson, who lives up to her “Nasty” rep. And we must add that shelling out for TiVo has definitely paid off. If you ain’t got a PVR yet, stop playing that Atari 2600, put down that Motorola brick phone and get with it.

Meanwhile, back in Tinseltown, the Blaze James/Peter Lewit-repped Coheed and Cambria rocked three shows in L.A. last week in front of a sold-out crowd heavy with A&R rollas, all of whom were jockeying for last-minute position. However as expected, the band had agreed to sign with Columbia Records since the band’s current indie home—Equal Vision Records—is distributed through Sony’s RED. Indeed, did the crowded field result in certain competing label reps bad-mouthing each other, even though they may soon find themselves under the same corporate umbrella?

The Howard Sadowsky-repped fan_3 signs with Thom Panunzio at Geffen, after a close race among three other suitors.

That loudmouthed, street-hustlin’, demo-tape pimpin’ Sean E. has closed a deal for Lo-Five, which signs with U.K.-based Music For the Nations/Zomba. The deal’s for European territory rights, which leaves North America open (for those of you who need me to draw you a picture), so you may want to check it out. The record’s done and a video’s in the works.

Has one major recently decreed that no new-artist deal shall exceed $300k for the first record? We figure that would look something like $175k for recording, $100k in artist advances and $25k for the lawyers.

Word on the streeet is that A&R reps from both coasts will be at the Midtown show at the Troub this Thursday.

The L.A. Times covered U.K. buzz act Franz Ferdinand last week. Check it out.

Now that ATO heavy/proud papa Michael McDonald has locked in management for Chrysalis act Ray LaMontagne, the label-selection process will kick into high gear. Rumor has it Ray's camp will probably narrow the field to three suitors before long.

On the A&R research tip, several label playas recently shared how bummed they are at the demise of MP3.com. The site’s value as the ultimate “Yellow Pages” for unsigned acts will be sorely missed.

Aside from February being Black History Month, it appears also to be the month for unsigned female acts. Here’s a list of estrogen-infused gigs currently piquing weasel interest: The Eric Foster White-produced Stephanie Quayle performs at the Gig this week on 2/5; Kristie DeLuca, represented by Alliance Management Group (the folks who manage rapper Nelly), is performing at the Knitting Factory in L.A. on 2/9; DeLuca’s set will be immediately followed by singer Kina, who is now out of her DreamWorks deal and a free agent; The Freddy Bastone-produced Ihsan will be holding an open showcase at Freddy’s Red House Studios in N.Y. on 2/11. With label suitors already in, expect this one to close soon; The John Sopkia/Rosemary Carroll-repped Regina Spektor performs a Valentine’s Day set at Tonic in N.Y. on 2/14; The Steve Sessa-repped Jessica Dobson plays the Hotel Café in L.A. on 2/16; and the Steve Stewart/Brian Klein-repped Paige performs at the Viper Room on 2/19.

Label exec Dave Parker heads to Machine Shop Records (Linkin Park’s imprint under Warner Bros.), where he’ll sign and develop new acts while spit shining LP singer Chester Bennington’s shoes.

BUZZIN': Porcelain.

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