Dave Matthews Band To Distribute Live Trax Album At Starbucks
Prepare to find a new Dave Matthews Band Live Trax release at your local Starbucks. Dave Matthews Band will release a new live compilation album thanks to the Starbucks Hear Music label. The CD will be available at Starbucks locations throughout the United States as early as the end of this month.
Why is this important?
Dave Matthews Band faces a shifting industry landscape where the importance of major record label distribution has taken a nose-dive. MusicToday, the company started by DMB's manager, Coran Capshaw, has grown to encompass many services normally handled by a label.
Dave Matthews Band is believed currently to be under contract with the RCA/BMG recording label. The last official statement about the recording contract status came in February of 2004. According to the New York Daily News, the band had been shopping around for a new label as of late 2002.
Continuing recording contracts between artists and labels often are renewed partially out of necessity and partially out of loyalty. However, with a successful direct mail Live Trax series, and a soon to be tested Starbucks distribution channel RCA may have less to offer the band.
Parallel to that Infuriating Band Radiohead
Radiohead fulfilled their six-album contract with EMI in 2003 with the album Hail to the Thief. (Dave Matthews is infuriated with the quality of their music) It took them three years after the contract had expired to reveal that they were without obligation for publishing their next record.
There has been much talk of how Radiohead will release their next album, including a recent spat of rumors suggesting it too would be out on Starbucks' Hear Music label. The rumor was so strong and made so much sense that the band's management finally had to step in and deny the possibility.
With at least a Starbucks-endorsed Live Trax album a sure thing, it shows that DMB is not worried about tarnishing its branding by affiliating with an oft-criticized multi-national. The choice is between independence with the help of Starbucks or a commitment to a member of the doomed RIAA, it may be about choosing the lesser of the two evils. See 7/26/07 Update.
After all, MusicToday sold out a controlling stake to the Clear Channel Entertainment spinoff Live Nation this past year. A deal like that can only be about two things: money and building a coalition powerful enough to take on a powerful foe.
Many thanks to Brian D. for the news tip and scan below. The scan is from a Starbucks' manager promotional manual currently on file at Starbucks locations. It reads:
Compelling music will fill our stores during the Summer 3 promotion with CDs that include:
- Love Letters from Ella featuring never before released songs from the great Ella Fitzgerald
- The latest release from our first debut band, Antigone Rising.
- A reggae CD celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Trojan Reggae
- A two disc Opus Collection CD from the legendary Grateful Dead.
- And another exciting release for Summer 3 is Starbucks Exclusive CD from the Dave Matthews Band featuring live songs from past tours, including hits like "Tripping Daisies [sic] and "Don't Drink the Water."
UPDATE 7/23/07: It is believed that Where Are You Going, Die Trying, #41, and Grace is Gone are also on the album.
UPDATE 7/26/07: A Starbucks employee is saying the release is on RCA/BMG and not Hear Music.
UPDATE 7/31/07: Here is the full, correct, tracklist. A press release about the compilation is available and also: "The backside shows the covers of the Live Trax albums from which the track was taken. 1 from each trax release. The inside left cover shows 2007 tour dates." Thanks to Josh and Brian D. for staying on top of this.
Nancies Vol 7
WTWE Vol 8
WAYG Vol 2
Die Trying Vol 9
#41 Vol 4
DDTW Vol 6
Grace is Gone Vol 3
Pantala Naga Pampa >> Rapunzel Vol 1
Tripping Billies Vol 5