I spend a LOT of time at music industry events. Â And I spent a lot of time in college as a music business major. Â And I grew up in Boston. Â So when I see a band that’s doing everything the industry’s leading voices are recommending, I (at least…) pay attention. Â The bizarre twist is that NOBODY else is paying attention — except the fans! Â The band is Dispatch, and they’re not on a label, but they’re selling out arenas all over the place. Â They’ve got a killer website and totally nail the whole direct-to-fan concept. Â Oh yeah, they’re not using Topspin. Â One other thing – they’re the only indie band in history to sell out –3– nights at Madison Square Garden.
Strangely though, the mass (music) media seems to ignore them. Â Rolling Stone barely gave them a mention with the recent tour announcement. Â As far as I’ve seen, folks like Bob Lefsetz aren’t exactly lavishing them with praise.
For those who still remain unaware, Dispatch formed in ’96 up in Middlebury, VT. Â They broke up in ’02 with a farewell concert that drew over 100,000. Â Brief reunions in ’04 and ’07 (3 sold out nights at MSG), all leading up to a reunited band and new music in 2011. Â Sold out concerts from Boston to LA.
Did I mention they’re not signed to a label?
So while the industry goes gaga for Gaga, and heaps endless praise upon Adele, Dispatch is who we should be looking at. Â Fortunately for the band, their fans already know this. Â Why doesn’t anybody else?
