Last week, jerky-loose and ball busting Austin trio White Denim premiered the first single from a four-track EP exclusive to RCRD LBL, the recently launched ad and label supported, free music download site. Aside from getting MSTRKRFTy with their vowel omissions, the joint venture between Downtown and Engadget/Gizmodo founder Peter Rojas will be indie in music focus too, partnering up with WARP, Modular, Kompakt, and others. Peter's energized about this, and it makes sense -- the guy loves tech (obvs), and he loves music. His idea is embrace and legally legitimize the way kids are obtaining their music (i.e. free on the internet) while monetizing the experience in a way that supports the artists (i.e. give 'em a cut of the money on the ads from RCRD LBL). The partner labels provide tracks, the RCRD LBL folks post 'em, write about 'em, and hey it's a blog so they'll be "pointing you to best of what else is out there on the web."
At least in its understanding and acceptance of how internet savvy people get their music, it's steps ahead of the labels (especially EMI -- both Macca and RadioEd seem pretty upset about the state of that sinking ship). But in this video interview, Peter talks about "the kind of people that use RCRD LBL" how they are the ones that are "the most engaged and most passionate about music." Maybe he means "the most engaged and the most passionate" about helping indie musicians make money (which we all agree is a very good thing). He also calls it "a tastemaker, early adopter audience." Hmm? Tastemakers and early adopters are in a constant state of music discovery, and will have their reliable resources for that. Not sure how much said subset will surf RCRD LBL, then; you can't avoid calling RCRD LBL what it is -- not an agenda-free filter (it's a site with a vested interest in promoting the tracks it's hosting), more of a record label in itself. Not exactly a pure fountain from which to drink, makers of taste. But we support the enterprise -- and more importantly, we support Peter's ambition in exploring and experimenting with new and reality-based models of music distribution.
As for the White Denim cut, you can grab the jittery lo-fi/fuzzy, syncopated sighs of "World As A Waiting Room" here, with a new EP track each month at RCRD LBL 'til February. As for White Denim the band, it's more than just balls they bust when playing live. They also bust cameras. From their CMJ set at Gothamist House (the fun starts around 1:40):
White Denim have a new LP out next year. Their Let's Talk About It is Gorilla Vs. Bear's second-favorite album of 2007.
