Capitol supposedly setting loose more musical free agents

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Capitol supposedly setting loose more musical free agents

February 21, 2007 10:48 a.m. by John Zeiss

If labels keep shedding bands like this, ESPN is going to have to set up a musical draft special like the one they do for the NFL every year. Wonder if Mel Kiper knows as much about rock music as he does about promising college prospects. Coming on the heels of V2 folding and thereby setting the White Stripes, Moby, and others adrift, Brooklyn Vegan reports news from singer-songwriter Kevin Devine that Capitol Records is starting to hack away its old growth in advance of its merger with Virgin. Devine says he's definitely out, and starts rumors swirling that Fischerspooner, the Dandy Warhols, the Vines, Sound Team, Shout Out Louds, and others may be given their walking papers soon.
If you were a label head, who of those would you go fishing for?
Also wonder what this means for rumors that have been circulating here in L.A. for a while now that Capitol's iconic offices are set to be turned into condos?

Posted in: CAPITOL RECORDS , LABEL NEWS

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8 Responses

February 21, 2007 at 11:18 a.m.

China

Where'd you hear this rumor about Capitol's building becoming condos?? No way could that happen - I used to talk to someone at Capitol and he's mentioned that they got the occasional bomb threat because that building was so famous. They couldn't possibly make that a living space.

February 21, 2007 at 11:19 a.m.

John Zeiss

I remember coming across the rumor in various places like the Weekly and the Times.

February 21, 2007 at 2:07 p.m.

Dave Park

The Vines I think still sell fairly well although not nearly what they did with their first album. I really dislike their music though so I wouldn't sign them.

February 21, 2007 at 2:57 p.m.

Matthew Gasteier

I heard that those rumours were addressed and flatly denied. But it was definitely around.

February 21, 2007 at 3:53 p.m.

John Zeiss

I'd take the Dandies. Come Down and 13 Tales are really solid albums. Their last couple has been more hit and miss.

February 21, 2007 at 4:11 p.m.

China

I'd be horrified if the condo rumor was true. L.A.'s been gradually turning into a giant upscale living space.Oh, and even though their time's probably close to over, I'd take the Shout Out Louds. It'd be like pretending I own a little piece of Sweden.

February 22, 2007 at 3:57 p.m.

Nicole

The building is not being turned into condos. Capitol is selling the building but will be taking out something like a 30 year lease from the new owners. I would take the Shout Out Louds and the Dandy's........not b/c i think it would be a wise investment but just because I like them!

February 22, 2007 at 11:25 p.m.

» Sparklehorse another new musical free agen

[...] Brooklyn Vegan reports news from an “anonymous yet reputable tipster” that, as part of the ongoing Virgin/Capitol merger negotiations, Astralwerks, who has agreements with both labels, may be scaling down their roster. The post claims that Sparklehorse is definitely out, and goes on to speculate that Astralwerks probably won’t keep any of its American acts. Here’s to hoping the news of getting axed doesn’t hit Mark Linkous too hard.            [...]