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Lots of chatter as to what will happen in the coming weeks at the label that Richard Branson started, particularly in A&R. It’s expected that Flom will make some additions to the department.

WHEELS & DEALS:
JASON GETS HIS GROOVE ON

Look for New Boss Flom to Give Virgin’s A&R Department an Extreme Makeover
By Rodel Delfin

HE AIN’T NO 40-YEAR OLD VIRGIN: But as the new Chairman of Virgin Records America, Jason Flom is already said to be getting his groove on at the label’s New York offices. Lots of chatter as to what will happen in the coming weeks at the label that Richard Branson started, particularly in A&R. It’s expected that Flom will make some additions to the department. We reported numerous changes to the A&R staff a few weeks ago; with the exit of several execs, including Josh Deutsch and Dean Serletic, only a very small staff is in place. And only two senior A&R execs are left—David Wolter on the East Coast and producer Josh Abraham on the West Coast... Meanwhile, lots of buzz coming out of the U.K. surrounding Domino Records (home to Franz Ferdinand) act the Arctic Monkeys. Despite rumors circulating that the band has made a deal with a U.S. label, we hear that it is not the case. We’ll keep you posted, as this band’s single, “I Bet That You Look Good on the Dance Floor,” is currently at the top the U.K. singles chart… Big weasel turnout at the McQueen gig at the Viper Room on Monday. Reps from Columbia, Geffen, Epic, Capitol, Virgin, Hollywood, Atlantic, Interscope and Chrysalis Music, among others, were out representing. And folks were rocking out to the all-female rock band from the U.K. We heard and saw flashbacks of the Runaways. Meanwhile, label folks stuck around for the Nico Vega and Sierra Swan shows… On the Rockstar: INXS front, the management derby for finalist Marty Casey has closed, with veteran manager Doc McGhee taking on the duties. Casey, who is a native of Chicago, was previously in the Lovehammers, who were a Wheels fave a couple years back… On the Lava/Atlantic front, we hear A&R player Andy Karp will stay at Atlantic in a high-level A&R position, but marketing whiz Lee Trink has left the company. Industry insiders expect that Trink may join former boss Flom at Virgin, but is there also a West Coast major that has been aggressively courting the marketing exec?… SPEAKING OF VIRGIN FOLKS: Former Virgin A&R exec Lynn Oliver is now at BMI, based in Atlanta. Oliver was one of the A&R execs that Matt Serletic brought over to Virgin from his Melisma label… Finally, with the changes going on at alternative radio, and with rock releases that succeed at Top 40 as the only rock acts that reach platinum sales, what are the new benchmarks for rock releases that are deemed successes for major labels? Has rock transitioned only to niche markets? We’re curious to hear your thoughts… BUZZIN’: Saves the Day, Jason Reynolds and the Tender Box… Hit me up: [email protected].

BUZZ GIGS:
THE ARK
Thurs., Oct. 27, 9 p.m. @ Pianos, N.Y.
BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB Tues., Nov. 15, 9 p.m. @ CBGB’s
ARCTIC MONKEYS Fri., Nov. 18, TBD @ Spaceland

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