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?
Their site says that they’re signed to Bomber Records. It’s their own “vanity” label, but it isn’t like they really need one now, do they?
Their own label gives them the business structure they need, but it’s not like they’re signed to EMI. It amazes me that so many people insist upon the past to create the future.
Well, the first question the industry asks is -“who do they sound like”? If they are original, extremely talented, and unique in their music and lyrics, they will scare off 99% of the labels. They are looking for sound alike and look alike acts that they believe won’t be a risk. The problem is, that mentality drags music to the bottom, and music culture — certainly in our culture — suffers a serious blow. Far to many extremely talented people fade into anonymity and despair because of the industries inability to recognize and foster great talent. It’s not the 60s. Back then they took chances, and many of those chances gave us a music explosion that has never been duplicated. How many hot acts from the late 60s would get noticed in today’s climate?
They have defied the industry standards by always doing it their own way. Scott, I share your frustration with the lack of mentions by the industry. Especially Lefsetz who is constantly insisting that a.) there is not good music out there, b.) there are no new acts capable of filling an arena like the old days. c.) pretty much insinuating that everyone out there is a hack. (except his new latest infatuation Adele which he considers to be the “new” business model? because they didn’t over-market the album?
I am in awe of Dispatch’s firm commitment to their direct to fan success. They were doing this long before it was an industry catch phrase. So many other amazing musicians exist out there with very sustainable careers without the help of labels. (The entire folk genre has been direct to fan for decades!) They’re just not “famous” (for lack of a better word).
I recently went to one of the three sold out shows in Boston. I was in the fifth row center… surrounded by a bunch of teenagers! How do did that happen?? They hadn’t toured in almost 10 years! (or put out a record for that matter.) Amazing! Their relationship with their fans has been and always will be the key to there success and I felt it in that arena. They have even transcended a specific generational demographic. They are a force to be reckoned with and the fact that no one in the industry knows/talks about it, is in itself a phenomena. Thanks for your great blogs!