New studio album or not?, Contrasting articles Options

[SJN1279]

Ed recently said in a Boston interview:

“Sure, there’s that weird realization like, wow, making records isn’t really important anymore,” Kowalczyk said. “But then you begin to see the rest of the picture. For instance, I’d like to start releasing EPs. I mean, why spend a year on the arduous process of making a 12-song cycle when you can just release the few good ones you’ve got right now?

However in a recent interview it was that that Live would release a new studio album in 2008. Which is correct?

[AgentK7]

Ed recently said in a Boston interview:

“Sure, there’s that weird realization like, wow, making records isn’t really important anymore,” Kowalczyk said. “But then you begin to see the rest of the picture. For instance, I’d like to start releasing EPs. I mean, why spend a year on the arduous process of making a 12-song cycle when you can just release the few good ones you’ve got right now?

However in a recent interview it was that that Live would release a new studio album in 2008. Which is correct?

I'm not sure even Live knows what they want to do right now. I'm guessing some sort of record contract would change their opinion on things. Maybe if the self-released CD does really well they'll do another one (hahaha, with real rarities next time?)

[Badman]

They have to do another album. It's in their blood to make albums. It just means that if the digital thing goes over well then we could see more of it in the future. I just hope that if they DO put up old rare stuff people don't pirate it otherwise they won't make a profit and won't release new (old) stuff. It's only 99 Cents.

[Kymra]

Wait, now I'm really confused. Isn't Radiant Sea the new album? Why didn't he mention that?

[dangum]

Wait, now I'm really confused. Isn't Radiant Sea the new album? Why didn't he mention that?

Yep, Radiant Sea is the new album. Ed does mention it in the article. Here's a the full thing:

***********

What do you do when the industry that made you your millions begins to self-destruct?

Simple. Accentuate the positive.

Pennsylvania alt-rock quartet Live, which plays tomorrow at the Bank of America Pavilion with Collective Soul, has enjoyed a career that’s shadowed the arc of the music industry’s demise. At the height of the alternative boom, Live’s 1994 “Throwing Copper” sold 12 million copies. Come 2001 the band’s fifth release, “V,” didn’t even reach 500,000 in sales.

But Live frontman Ed Kowalczyk, guitarist Chad Taylor, bassist Patrick Dahlheimer and drummer Chad Gracey have remained calm. They see the industry’s decline as an opportunity.

“We’re free now,” Kowalczyk said by phone during a morning walk along a Delaware beach. “Our last record (2006’s ‘Songs From Black Mountain’) was a one-off deal with Epic. Getting involved with another label is way down the list of importance from where it used to be since there are so many other opportunities for us to explore. This is a new frontier. Regarding sales and money, it’s always been more important to us that the music maintains its intensity.”

Live will mark its freedom with a privately released collection of bootleg-style rarities titled “Radiant Sea.” The compilation, which includes two new songs, is available exclusively online and at shows.

“Sure, there’s that weird realization like, wow, making records isn’t really important anymore,” Kowalczyk said. “But then you begin to see the rest of the picture. For instance, I’d like to start releasing EPs. I mean, why spend a year on the arduous process of making a 12-song cycle when you can just release the few good ones you’ve got right now?”

Kowalczyk admits that Live has defied the law of averages by staying together for more than 20 years, commercial success or not. Remarkably, none of its members have felt the need to puruse outside projects.

“Live has always supported my creative vision so completely,” he said. “To me it seems pointless to go record something else. It’d just be more work.

“We formed at the age of 13, which is unusual. But I think starting so young helped us better weather the problems that plague other groups later on. Stepping out into the world as a band in your teens, it’s painfully obvious there are no guarantees and I think it helped preserve some humility. By the time we made the cover of Spin, our musical personalities were firmly established and our roles were clearly understood.”

One thing that keeps Live’s fans tuned in and turning out for shows is Kowalczyk’s mysterious, philosophical writing. It’s landed him an enlightened, guru-like image, but he’s not necessarily comfortable with that role.

“I’ve always reached in and reached deep,” he said. “Most kids go through some spiritual exploration in adolescence and I just happened to be doing it in public. The message translates as, ‘If you wanna join me on my freaky trip, please feel free.’

“Just don’t ask me if I know something that you don’t. I’m not a preacher or a teacher. But there’s definitely a journey of self-discovery in there.”

Live, with Collective Soul, at the Bank of America Pavilion, tomorrow at 7 p.m. Tickets: $25-$40; 617-728-1600.

http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/...ticleid=1032732

This post has been edited by dangum: Sep 23 2007, 11:30 pm

[Existentialist]

I've said for a while that there won't be a new proper album in the foreseeable future. There will be new material, though.

[AgentK7]

Wait, now I'm really confused. Isn't Radiant Sea the new album? Why didn't he mention that?

I guess it depends on your definition of "album". 2 new songs with a bunch of live tracks from previous fan club releases to me is a single with a lot of padding.

If Ed wants to release EPs I'm all for it, but let's define an EP as at least 4-5 original tracks (which I believe is the unofficial definition, and perhaps an official one by U.K. standards for singles).

[AgentK7]

They have to do another album. It's in their blood to make albums. It just means that if the digital thing goes over well then we could see more of it in the future. I just hope that if they DO put up old rare stuff people don't pirate it otherwise they won't make a profit and won't release new (old) stuff. It's only 99 Cents.

That's why I never understood why they didn't release old b-sides and such officially. They know fans like them and they have to know they're traded around a fair bit on the internet. Allowing this to continue without a commercial option just cut into future sales.

[Badman]

Wonder how much it costs to put a song online? I wonder how many songs they have to sell before it's all profit...

[dangum]

Wonder how much it costs to put a song online? I wonder how many songs they have to sell before it's all profit...

The cost would be minimal.

It depends of what deal they arranged with MissingInk (the company hosting the mp3 and providing the payment facilities)

[Hoodstock]

I'm not sure even Live knows what they want to do right now. I'm guessing some sort of record contract would change their opinion on things. Maybe if the self-released CD does really well they'll do another one (hahaha, with real rarities next time?)

First step - find a major label that want's a "90's alternative rock" band. I don't think they can get stores to carry their self released material.

[Bob]

First step - find a major label that want's a "90's alternative rock" band. I don't think they can get stores to carry their self released material.

Roadrunner Records. They're perfect. They've got Nickelback, Stone Sour, Megadeth, Dream Theater and a lot harder bands.

The problem, to me, is that Live is not a "90's alternative rock band" anymore. They're more AC "light rock", especially if Beautiful Invisible and Radiant Sea is the type of music they're going to go towards.

Maybe they can get on Atlantic. I think that Matchbox 20 is the closest rock band that fits with Live. I suppose Collective Soul fits in that bill too. They're on El Music Group, according to Amazon, which seems to be their own label.

The only problem with Live only releasing music through the website (either electronically or via CD) is that there's no marketing to the outside world. Getting singles out would be difficult and there would be hardly any in-store marketing push.

Then again, how is that different from the marketing push on the last album?

[Existentialist]

I'm fairly certain they won't be signing with a label....in fact, I think they're very relieved that they don't need to work with one anymore.

[Wambangalang]

I'm fairly certain they won't be signing with a label....in fact, I think they're very relieved that they don't need to work with one anymore.

you act like you're so on the "inside". Are you ed?

if so, get back to work!

[Existentialist]

We already figured out that you're Ed.