Well, as some of you know Opulent Records is a new indie label that came about from my passion for finding talented bands that I feel should be enjoyed by the masses. Starting in booking, then management and now developing Opulent Records, I am very excited about our upcoming journey.
A little over a year ago I asked an Indianapolis, IN music writer who the top 5 bands were in Indy. I did the same in other regional cities in hopes of finding that one band that would just blow my mind.
One of the bands brought to my attention was an indie rock group out of Indy by the name of Extra Blue Kind. The story of this band was not only impressive but their music was fantastic! As it were, Extra Blue Kind had won a major contest in Indy for a commercial radio station where they were setup in a studio with some top producers, the songs that came out of that ended up getting commercial airplay as well as earning the band opening slots for bands like Creed, Stone Temple Pilots, Chevells and others. It was also cause for the band to draw in interest from major labels and managers from all over...the band turned it all down. Yes, what most bands strive for for years landed in EBK's lap and they turned it all down. They felt they were being groomed for something they didn't feel right about. It just wasn't them.
This had built not only my respect for the band as musicians but with their undeniably great songs I had to see them. Could this band play for 5 people in a small bar and rock the house? I set them up a showcase in Cincinnati, OH where they performed at the Mad Frog (one of the best places in Cincinnati to see a band for the first time in my opinion). I didn't tell a soul about the show.
EBK took the stage and there was noone but me and a few other people. They played like they were in a stadium arena full of thousands. It took my breath away. I simply had to sign this band and tell the world about them. To make a long story short it took some time to earn the bands trust and we finally sealed our marriage (without a kiss).
Now, after almost a year in preparation the album, The Tide And The Undertow has been completed and now available online at CDbaby, Itunes, Napster etc and will hit store shelves in January.
In July we began EBK's national college radio campaign that earned them a Top 20 add slot as well as a Top 200 CMJ position that lasted a couple of months. EBK also made their LIVE national TV debut on G4TV's Attack Of The Show. Things have been going well.
Now, the band has been touring the region to get their feet wet for January where they will hit the road in full force. This tour will be supported with a national music video campaign for their video "Make Yourself Useless" as well as a national specialty/trendsetter radio campaign that we hope may evolve into commercial airplay.
We have high hopes for this campaign and we it's the time we have all been working towards. Myself from the grassroots of booking into where I am now with the label and the band with their start as a local band, declining the interests of the majors and signing with a nobody who believes in them as much as their friends and family.
What will happen?
How far will the determination of a group of independently minded individuals take us?
We will soon see.
I wish Extra Blue Kind nothing but greatness to come as I know they are too good for even me.
Together, I feel we will make some noise...can you hear it yet?
Extra Blue Kind on Myspace