SFBM Reached #3 on Billboard Indy Chart, Good News! Options

[SJN1279]

I took this from the Michigan concerts website:

Their latest release Songs from the Black Mountain (2006) reached number three on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart.

I guess none of us bothered to check. So for an indy release, the album didn't do half bad. Live has in fact gone indy. A tour can probably only help the albums meet sales expectations.

Pretty cool!

[SJN1279]

I took this from the Michigan concerts website:

Their latest release Songs from the Black Mountain (2006) reached number three on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart.

I guess none of us bothered to check. So for an indy release, the album didn't do half bad. Live has in fact gone indy. A tour can probably only help the albums meet sales expectations.

Pretty cool!

This week it is #13 down from #8.

[Lively Chick]

Indy? Well that's what I was hoping for Nick. I think SFBM is a dead horse and I'm looking forward to the next "real" indy album from them where they have total creative control and make songs that they really want to instead aiming to create only pop songs.

[Heather]

I'm confused. How can an album be on an Indy chart if it was released by a major label? Have they rereleased it under an Indy label? And really, I hope this is the route that they choose for their next album. Really I think it was what they should have done to begin with. But then what do I know?

[SJN1279]

I'm confused. How can an album be on an Indy chart if it was released by a major label? Have they rereleased it under an Indy label? And really, I hope this is the route that they choose for their next album. Really I think it was what they should have done to begin with. But then what do I know?

The album ended up released on Red Ink Epic, with a lot of artists you never heard of before. Since it wasn't released under Epic records main distribution label, the release can be considered independent.

Once they moved the album to Red Ink, The River fell immediately from the Hot A/C charts. That is also why Mystery hasn't picked up at all. Red Ink has a really hard time getting its artists airplay, especially in the Hot A/C or pop formats. I would love to see Red Ink release Night of Nights to the rock format exclusively. I think it could get some decent airplay in a smaller format.

[Heather]

Well that makes sense I guess. But then not really. I guess I don't understand why they would have their cd released by a division of Epic that can actually be considered Indy instead of just realeasing it themselves on their own terms and using their own marketing team instead of relying on some record company that doesn't give a shit anyway.

So I guess I understand why it can be considered an Indy release but not why they would have chosen that route.

[SJN1279]

Well that makes sense I guess. But then not really. I guess I don't understand why they would have their cd released by a division of Epic that can actually be considered Indy instead of just realeasing it themselves on their own terms and using their own marketing team instead of relying on some record company that doesn't give a shit anyway.

So I guess I understand why it can be considered an Indy release but not why they would have chosen that route.

Epic originally was going to release the CD through its main distribution label. However, for reasons not totally clear, Epic moved the CD to Red Ink distribution sometime in March/April. The label pretty much left the album to die. I wouldn't think that Epic would keep Live around past SFBM, so whatever the band's next move is will be very interesting to see.

Heather I'm with you, if their next album ia released on a solid indy label that would be an awesome move for Live. They could make a CD on their terms and one that fits into a format they want. The fans would have to work hard to help promote it, but I think it would be very exciting.

[mfitz804]

How the hell does an album released on Sony/Epic qualify as an indie?

[FishOutaWater]

Epic originally was going to release the CD through its main distribution label. However, for reasons not totally clear, Epic moved the CD to Red Ink distribution sometime in March/April. The label pretty much left the album to die. I wouldn't think that Epic would keep Live around past SFBM, so whatever the band's next move is will be very interesting to see.

Heather I'm with you, if their next album ia released on a solid indy label that would be an awesome move for Live. They could make a CD on their terms and one that fits into a format they want. The fans would have to work hard to help promote it, but I think it would be very exciting.

I'm confused.

Did Epic sign them, hear SFBM and then abandon Live and SFBM by relegating them to their "indie" label?

Does this indicate that Sony didn't like what they heard on the album and said forget it?

Does this mean that Live is done with Sony and will move on after this album?

Is this a disappointing development for the band because they wanted to sign with a major record label and just got the old "heave ho" and the album flopped?

Did we just witness our favorite band go from a major record label recording artist to a somewhat obscure indie band?

How the hell can a band play their new single on American Idol with the most popular Idol contestant in front of 300,000,000 people and not have the single or album even hardly pop it's head above water?

That's pretty disturbing.

[beau99]

Let me clarify something.

RED is not their "indie" distribution company. While it's main focus is indie music, RED handles plenty of major label artists on labels owned by Sony. Other artists distributed by RED include Switchfoot and Chevelle, and neither one is most definitely not indie.

(Though it must be known that Switchfoot was promoted after the success of The Beautiful Letdown, and then left dead in the water.)

[SJN1279]

Let me clarify something.

RED is not their "indie" distribution company. While it's main focus is indie music, RED handles plenty of major label artists on labels owned by Sony. Other artists distributed by RED include Switchfoot and Chevelle, and neither one is most definitely not indie.

(Though it must be known that Switchfoot was promoted after the success of The Beautiful Letdown, and then left dead in the water.)

Songs from Black Mountain was promoted as an Indy album from March on. Albums that are on the Red Ink label can be considered Indy. As long as Live can get their music out to the people and still can play shows, I'm happy. So its all good.

[livefan1999]

As long as Live can get their music out to the people and still can play shows, I'm happy.

I agree. I don't care at all whether their music is released on a major label, an indie label or whatever. All I really care about is that they have enough of a sense of accomplishment each time they release a new album that they feel it is worth continuing to write new music and record it for release to the public. Also that they continue to tour and share their performances with us.

What I would like to know is how the album does in terms of total sales. Internationally. I know that in checking around, SFBM is holding its own on a number of charts. In Canada, it is still listed on soundscan as one of the top 50 alternative rock sellers in that country. On Amazon.com, it still holds a top 50 place in sales. While it hasn't been red hot, it continues to sell and I know SFBM sales have been better in some countries abroad. Is the total sales figure ever announced for a cd in terms of sales worldwide?

[seriakiLLa]

I don't know about the technicalities or details, but isn't it some sort of breach of contract, relegating Live to this Red Ink label?

[beau99]

I don't know about the technicalities or details, but isn't it some sort of breach of contract, relegating Live to this Red Ink label?

Nope, it's perfectly fine... considering RED Distribution is owned by Sony and so is Epic. Besides, RED isn't even a label.

This post has been edited by beau99: Jul 12 2006, 11:00 am