Mike on MSR Options

[HAARP]

from www.mikeshinoda.com


FORT MINOR fans have asked me, "What's up with Styles Of Beyond? Aren't they signed to Machine Shop? When is their record coming out?" The answers are long and complex, but the short version is this:

S.O.B.'s record was supposed to come out years ago. Due to a variety of creative and non-creative decisions by S.O.B., Linkin Park, Machine Shop, and Warner Bros., we held back in order to work on the record and the release plans. After months of hard work by the group, we ended up finishing what we feel is a great record, entitled "Reseda Beach."

Warner Bros., however, wasn't as thrilled about the record as we were. They weren't committed to spending a healthy budget on it; they intended to limit the hours and funds spent on its release. We felt that limiting the attention put on the record would basically cut its legs out from beneath it, and it would never get a chance. There was a lot of disagreement between everyone about this topic, but it essentially became a stalemate.

With that said, we've come to a few decisions. Firstly, due to ongoing differences between Warner Bros. and Machine Shop's views on the creative and non-creative aspects of our albums, we will be putting Machine Shop Records on hiatus until another time. We're not angry with WB. We had always hoped that MSR could be an artist-driven label with special attention on the best creative ideas and good music; until we see eye to eye with our partner, we can't see how it could be a productive relationship. Machine Shop will still promote projects (like Linkin Park) with our marketing branch, but the artist development / record label part of the company are going to hibernate for a while. The market is too tough and the intentions and ideas of the two entities are too different for it to be a productive situation at this time.

Secondly, we worked out a number of other options for the Styles Of Beyond, and WB has generously agreed to let them explore options elsewhere. S.O.B. will likely be releasing the album independently. Look forward to more info about the record as it materializes, at http://www.myspace.com/stylesofbeyond. My bandmates and I believe in the group, and wish TAK, Skully, Cheapshot, and RYU all our best. You'll see more about S.O.B. here one this site as their project progresses.

And lastly, some great news: in the meantime, RYU of Styles Of Beyond has been working with some mutual friends (including Apathy and Scoop DeVille, among others) on a new project called The Get Busy Committee. They just finished a new song and video for a new song called "My Little Razor Blade." Here's the world-premiere of the video and song...enjoy!

This post has been edited by SouthernGirlAM: Mar 28 2009, 01:55 PM