Independent Labels Battle for Unattached Trail of Dead
01/21/2008 -- by merlin

NEW YORK, New York (AP) -- A slew of independent record labels have been fighting day in and day out for the signature of recently re-indiefied rockers ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, as they look to snap up the detached veterans to a recording contract before the competition.

The ferocious bidding war between the independent labels started almost immediately after Trail of Dead walked away from their contract with major label Interscope Records.  Trail of Dead manager Asif Ahmed recently told reporters he received no less than six inquiries from interested labels within the first half hour of the initial press release announcing the breakup.  "They started calling right away," revealed Ahmed.  "Everyone [in the band] was initially caught a little off guard.  We certainly weren't expecting such an immediate response."  Ahmed also revealed several official offers had been tabled for the band to consider.  "We have had more than a few offers from indies, but nothing is final yet.  The guys want to make sure they take the time to carefully read and consider everything before making a decision.  At this point, there's no need to rush it.  A lucrative contract may seem enticing at first glance, but when you read the fine print it could turn out to be just as bad as the one we had."

Freelance music journalist Stewart Black feels the bidding war can only help Trail of Dead's chances for success.  "I've seen it before, time and time again.  Bidding wars can help bands get the most out of their contracts," said Black. "Concessions labels were unwilling to make before will once again be in play if there's competition and they're pushing to move themselves to the front of the queue."  Regardless of the money involved, Black thinks some labels are in a better position than others.  "I don't think they'll sign for another major.  Interscope ruined the chances of that.  Matador, Merge, Sub Pop, my sources say they've all made offers for the band.  Who knows which will come out on top.  Merge Records is obviously a front runner because of the mutual bit of history they have together.  Of course Trail of Dead could shock us all with the next album and pull a Radiohead."

"In the end, whatever they decide, I can't see how they'd be any worse off than they were before.  The only way to go is up."

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