I've been reading recently about the dire financial position of EMI, losing billions of dollars in the last financial year.

It got me wondering how this might be impacting on artists like Crowded House that have been part of the EMI roster.

Peter Green mentions in his latest Famous for Sixteen Minutes blog that the Crowded House contract with EMI was due to end soon, if it hasn't already.

So does anyone know for sure if CH actually have a current recording contract?

I'm kind of surprised that there is no official information from EMI or any other record company about the new Crowded House release. Could this be because the band are in the process of negotiating a new deal with EMI or some other record company?

I know for the US the band was signed to ATO records for Time on Earth. But not sure if this was a one-off album deal or ongoing. There is no information on the ATO website about any upcoming CH album.

Maybe they could go the "Indie" route - and incorporate the name - Roundhouse

I've been wondering about this too. Is EMI's precarious situation - presuming the band does still have a contract with them - responsible for the delays and uncertainty about the album's release date? Or are these just par for Neil's course? I'm hoping, as always, that Gryph will have info for us ...

I know of another band that had their recording company go belly-up and it caused them to hook on with another label. It, of course, delayed the release date of their new cd at the time.

Given that no one on this board seems to know for sure if Crowded House have an existing record contract, including Gryph (quote from Famous for 16 Mins 'I think the Crowdies contract is coming to an end soon, if not already') then I assume that can only mean further delays in the release of the new album.

Maybe they'll pull a Radiohead and release it as a free download before the CD makes it to stores.

quote:

Originally posted by J.Buckley:
Maybe they'll pull a Radiohead and release it as a free download before the CD makes it to stores.

If they do that, I will see to it PERSONALLY that it backfires. I will buy TEN COPIES!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Sadly:

quote:

Originally posted by J.Buckley:
Maybe they'll pull a Radiohead and release it as a free download before the CD makes it to stores.

If they do that, I will see to it PERSONALLY that it backfires. I'll do the authorized download, sure, but then when it comes out in stores I will buy TEN COPIES!!!

Being a dutch cheapskate I will buy 100 free copies.

quote:

Originally posted by Longwhitecloud:
Maybe they could go the "Indie" route - and incorporate the name - Roundhouse

Wouldn't that be roundhead?

I think the same mistake has been made in a few news articles... I blame poor journalism.

I read as Longwhitecloud meaning putting part of the two names together

Crowded House + Roundhead

= Roundhouse

EMI actually had quite a good year last year apparently. Ironically Guy Hands (who Radiohead castigated for not being a 'music man') seems to have done a good job on the record/music bit whilst he has made a complete balls up of the finacial side (supposedly his strength) but paying far too much for EMI and being swamped in debt. I don't think any one is shedding any tears for Guy though.

I expect that CH don't have a record contract. It seems strange that an album that was being mastered in Sept/Oct still does not have a release date. I can only conclude that there is no record contract. A release date must be close though as I can't see CH doing a major tour of the UK without an album to promote. Maybe they'll just play Brighton and Nottingham when the album comes out!

I've often thought it would be interesting to hear the 'industry' talk between Neil and the Radiohead guys. I very much doubt any band will ever do a free download again (brilliant PR for Radiohead being the 1st but where is kudos for following)
but I do wonder if CH will end up on XL records. XL released the last Radiohead album and have just had a US number 1 with Vampire Weekend. XL is a hot indie label.

However the Neil's new manager is ex-sony (?) so who knows where CH will end up. Getting an ex-record label boss as your manager has to be a shrewd career move if you need a new label? I always thought that Neil actually has quite a shrewd business head (apart from splitting up CH at their peak) so I have no worries. I'm sure CH will be fine.

- could always play the album straight through on tour and sell the live recording?

quote:

Originally posted by Marcus C:

quote:

Originally posted by Longwhitecloud:
Maybe they could go the "Indie" route - and incorporate the name - Roundhouse

Wouldn't that be roundhead?

I think the same mistake has been made in a few news articles... I blame poor journalism.

"Wouldn't that be roundhead? "


Yes correct - DUH Me!!


"I read as Longwhitecloud meaning putting part of the two names together

Crowded House + Roundhead

= Roundhouse"

No - i made a general mistake - but that is a very very good idea Finngirl :-)

Awwww thanks but now I think of it, there is already a Roundhouse (entertainment company)


What about Crowded Head

not to be confused with Crowdy Head on the North Coast of NSW

"Crowded Head..." hmm....multiple personalities?

I think a label like NoneSuch (home of Wilco) could be a good fit for the Crowdies

Correct me if I am wrong but I was under the impression from reading something or seeing Neil interviewed that the contract with EMI was his contract, not Crowded House's contract. Time on Earth may have fulfilled a record that Neil owed EMI.

Similar to Jeff Tweedy's contract, not Wilco's contract, signed during the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot craziness, Neil is the contracted artist just like Tweedy is. John Stirrat or any other Wilco member was not on that contract with Nonesuch. Neil did mention or hinted at somewhere that this record could be the last under a major label. I interpreted that as Neil having one record left on his EMI contract. Unless Nick, Mark and Matt were added to an amended contract, it is Neil's contract.

Now the speculation (if I haven't already speculated enough): Is the group looking for its own contract so Neil can hold onto the next album owed for a solo project? Or has all EMI contracts been severed and the group/Neil is shopping around? I think the latter is more likely than the former.

As for North American labels, Nonesuch (Wilco), Yep Roc (Liam) and ATO (Radiohead) seem attractive to unique artists. These seem logical choices for the band.

It just seems natural that the next step for Neil is to have full ownership of his own label for OZ and NZ to complement his studio.

Oh, I wish I knew what was going on. The speculation is now killing me.

I prefer what Radiohead did. They didn't say much at all about a new album for ages, then one day out of the blue: "Oh, you can download our new album for free, if you want."

This is very frustrating. The album track listing was announced, and it seemed we were building up some momentum toward a potential March release. I got to know (casually) some new songs on Youtube, trying to save serious listening for the proper album.

Then, the bottom drops out. Nobody's talking. Who knows if the damn thing is coming out at all, at this point. And, not to beat a dead horse, but it's all oh-so-typical of Finn material. Gahhh!!!

the most significant thing about this discussion to my mind is that gryph has gone quiet and hasn't hosed it down ... only about a month ago we were all set for a release and tour and now suddenly it's gone ominously quiet ...