Interpol Jump to Majors, Begin Work on Third LP
In a posting on Interpol's website, the NYC gloomsters have revealed that they have begun work on their third full-length since 2004's Antics. The yet-to-be-titled LP will be the band's first after leaving indie label Matador for the big-league Capitol Records this past summer. The move came after the band switched over to Coldplay's management company, who are also signed to Capitol. The band had this to say about the recording sessions:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are now recording album 3. The studio is in NYC, and we're enjoying being local.
The atmosphere and the environs of a recording facility affect the sound and feel of an album in the subtlest ways.
And we are affected. And it is subtle.
Sounds great so far. But we'll be here for a while yet.
Expect Inerpol's third to drop sometime in late 2007.
Matador's Open Letter to Victory Records
One would assume that the shameless act committed by Victory Records of suggesting street team members hide merchandise by rival labels would inspire some severe malice from the victims of these acts of marketing sabotage. But Matador Records just finds it kinda funny.
To share the fun, Matador posted on their website a memo delivered to their street team. The letter is signed with the pseudonym Tony Matador, in order to shed any doubt that this is a direct poke at Victory chief Tony Brummell and his marketing strategies. Here is the letter in its entirety:
(FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY : Gerard, do NOT PUT THIS ON THE BLOG)
Dear Team,
Strong first day numbers for Yo La Tengos I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass, as expected, what with that fucking whirly-bird contest and all the good press we paid for. But before you dislocate your shoulders patting yourselvess on the fucking back, keep in mind that were still fighting a losing battle at the big boxes, where this album is still pretty hard to find.
Im expecting a progress report no later than 3pm today about what sort of mischief our regional kids have been up to in the past 24 hours. I thought wed made the point that hiding the new John Mayer, Black Keys and Mars Volta CDs wasnt merely some kind of rock biz sabotage mission, but could in fact, be framed as an us vs. them schism. Indie vs. major. Indie vs. other indie. Me vs. you. You vs. not having a fucking job. Please dont make me spell this out for you any further.
Im also told there is no stock at the Borders on Church Street. Enough with the excuses, already, its been five fucking years.
OK. Im off to lift weights. You can reach me on the Fuckberry. I want digital pix of those Black Keys and Mars Volta discs hidden in the country section, Im not kidding around.
You should be very afraid of me and I will kick your ass.
That was a joke, by the way. Youd better fucking laugh.
Tony Matador
Pavement Reissue Wowee Zowee
Pavement fans who after purchasing the "Slanted and Enchanted: Luxe and Reduxe" decided they wanted to buy all the albums again, rejoice. Pavement's Wowee Zowee will fight a whole new generation according to Matador Records.
Matador have redefined reissue treatment since Slanted was re-released four years ago. WZ is in the early stages with no official release date and no official tracklist. What we do know is this reissue will include a live concert from the original tour supporting Wowee Zowee and some rare material including alternate takes and unreleased material from the writing period.
Also included with the package is some 20 album covers by Steve Keene, the Bob Ross of mass production hand painting, and good friend to Pavement and many, many other bands.
It may not look like this.