EMI isn't exactly in the good books with their artists, which is why it's baffling that it would go ahead and release a single without informing the band that recorded it. Or at least that's what Art Brut think.
A news item called "Single Release?" on the band's website is questioning the validity of EMI's release of Art Brut's "Pump Up the Volume." In his expected droll voice, front-man Eddie Argos reveals that the band never gave permission nor knew about the label's plan to release the song, taken from their second album, It's A Bit Complicated. (And in case you're wondering how EMI has the right to do such a thing since Art Brut are not technically EMI artists, they are signed to Mute outside of North America, which is partially owned by EMI.)
The posting reads:
Attention, the Internet!! It seems Art Brut have accidentally released a single. Yes, the rumours are true. But how could this happen, you may ask? Why were we not informed? Why was it not available in my local record shack, thrust pride of place along side the latest View recording? Well, my friends, pick up any thread of incompetence and it will usually lead you to a record company. That's right, it seems EMI have decided to release Pump Up the Volume without informing either the band or myself, making any kind of wide scale promotion rather difficult. Adding to this curious new marketing stratagem of discouraging sales, EMI have chosen to make the song available via download only. So no luck in the record shacks either.
As you may notice below, there is indeed a video for the single featuring the band looking spiffy. Well, Argos goes on to explain that the footage was borrowed from a performance of theirs recorded in Australia, and then bedazzled into a promo video by the creative hounds at EMI.
Argos added: "However, there is a video! Again, curious, as it is accompanied by what could quite possibly be the opposite of marketing but nevertheless it is available for your viewing pleasure. Recorded live for Australian television, no less."
A news item called "Single Release?" on the band's website is questioning the validity of EMI's release of Art Brut's "Pump Up the Volume." In his expected droll voice, front-man Eddie Argos reveals that the band never gave permission nor knew about the label's plan to release the song, taken from their second album, It's A Bit Complicated. (And in case you're wondering how EMI has the right to do such a thing since Art Brut are not technically EMI artists, they are signed to Mute outside of North America, which is partially owned by EMI.)
The posting reads:
Attention, the Internet!! It seems Art Brut have accidentally released a single. Yes, the rumours are true. But how could this happen, you may ask? Why were we not informed? Why was it not available in my local record shack, thrust pride of place along side the latest View recording? Well, my friends, pick up any thread of incompetence and it will usually lead you to a record company. That's right, it seems EMI have decided to release Pump Up the Volume without informing either the band or myself, making any kind of wide scale promotion rather difficult. Adding to this curious new marketing stratagem of discouraging sales, EMI have chosen to make the song available via download only. So no luck in the record shacks either.
As you may notice below, there is indeed a video for the single featuring the band looking spiffy. Well, Argos goes on to explain that the footage was borrowed from a performance of theirs recorded in Australia, and then bedazzled into a promo video by the creative hounds at EMI.
Argos added: "However, there is a video! Again, curious, as it is accompanied by what could quite possibly be the opposite of marketing but nevertheless it is available for your viewing pleasure. Recorded live for Australian television, no less."
