Basslines and Protest Signs is Brett Callwood’s column looking at the intersection of music and politics. This week talks about the return of the riot grrrls.
When the Redwalls recently performed on David Letterman’s “Late Show,” it wasn’t just a boost for the indie rock band trying to make a name for itself. It was also a point of pride for the band’s label – student-run MAD Dragon Records at Drexel University. “Everyone around the country could see something that we were working on,” said junior Amanda Melczer, 20. At a school more known for engineering and technology, Drexel’s music industry program is an emerging gem. It’s one of the most selective programs at the Philadelphia university, with close to 600 applications for 54 freshman seats,… Read more »
Sony, Universal and Warner Bros. have nothing to worry about, but a university known more for churning out engineers than hit music is starting its own record label. Drexel University’s MAD Dragon Records expects to put out its first CD – a compilation of eight or nine bands – next year. The student-run label will be an integral part of Drexel’s fledgling music industry program, which in only three years has grown from eight students to more than 150. Students will be in charge of artist development, production, recording, marketing, contracts and distribution, while MAD Dragon musicians – also students… Read more »
The Pet Shop Boys finished their ninth album yesterday. The as-yet-untitled release is due in March. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe turned fourteen tracks over to engineer Michael Brauer, who finished mixing the tracks on November 3rd. Brauer handed the tracks back to the duo who pulled eleven for the final product. Tennant and Lowe recruited former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr to play on nine of the album tracks, with Jodie Linscott (Elton John, Billy Bragg) adding percussion. The record will be the Pet Shop Boys first album of new material since 1999’s Nightlife. Earlier this year, the group’s first… Read more »
