Personally, I think constellation (Godspeed You! Black Emperor's record company) wins this particular battle. (Or should I say "battle"?)
You impute "profit margin" as a motive for godspeed's dealings with record labels. This is defamatory nonsense, and precisely the opposite of the facts. godspeed's "profit margin" will not increase with constellation. Any of our distributors could have informed you that the CD retail price for Yanqui U.X.O. will be lower than godspeed's previous American CDs. That's because we'll be charging less for it. And because we'll be charging less for it, godspeed won't make as much money. As an aside, neither will constellation be making as much as the American label did and goes on doing with their first three godspeed CDs. But how charming to see Exclaim! - "Canada's Music Authority" (sic) - throw out this particular libel. 'Montreal rock group moves from indie American label to indie Canadian label in a blatant cash grab'. You idiots.
Constellation records are generally cheaper in my experience, by at least $5. I will confess that I didn't buy my copy of Yanqui U.X.O., despite the godspeed admonition inside the packaging:
Though godspeed is guilty of profiting from hateful chain store sales, we encourage you to avoid giving money to predatory retailers and superstores.
Which is all part of the gybe dance of trying to make money honorably, or with least amount of dishonor. (I know, boohoo. I respect the effort, personally.)
Now how about some tour dates? I promise to only shop at zulu records and Highlife!
Currently listening to: P.J. Harvey - Happy And Bleeding.
Posted by Bill Stilwell at December 10, 2002 11:56 PM