GIMME A WRISTBAND » New Duran Duran album to be released on TapeModern?

New Duran Duran album to be released on TapeModern?
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October 28th, 2010Kitty Amsbry

While no official announcement has been made, Duran Duran’s facebook and myspace profiles have been updated to reflect a record label: Tapemodern.

Tape Modern is an already existing label, set up as a joint venture by Stephen Duffy and Nick Rhodes in 2002 purely to release The Devils’ Dark Circles album. Since then it has also put out Riviera F’s single “International Lover” (in 2004, which Rhodes produced).

A Duran Duran single for release on December 14 through Universal Music Group has been in the record release database for a few weeks now, and for whatever it’s worth, UMG’s artist roster on wikepedia was updated recently to add Duran Duran. Given that Simon stated earlier this year that they would be releasing the next album themselves, it’s all starting to make sense. It looks to me like they will be self-releasing on their own label, TapeModern and distributing through Universal. Or, they could just be screwing with us.

About the ‘TapeModern’ name: In 1999, Stephen Duffy came across an old tape recording of a live Duran Duran gig from 1979. A short time later, Stephen and Nick decided to re-record some of those original, dark and artsy (pre-Simon Le Bon) songs, using vintage analog instruments – but modern production techniques – to recreate the early Duran Duran sound. TapeModern. Come to think of it… isn’t that what the band says they have done with this new album by bringing in all the original instruments to create that classic Duran sound in a modern way? However, the truth is the title is a play on words, mimicking Tate Modern, the major modern art wing of the Tate group of British art galleries, which opened its doors in 2000 and is alleged to be the most visited in the world.

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Tags: All We Need Is Now, Duran Duran, Nick Rhodes, Stephen Duffy, Tape Modern, The Devils, Universal Music Group

20 responses to “New Duran Duran album to be released on TapeModern?”

ANON October 28th, 2010 at 10:26

What does Nathan Stack have to say about all this?

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Nathan Stack October 28th, 2010 at 11:03

What I have to say is that I am beyond excited about the new album (and, no, I have not heard any of it besides the few clips that have been posted online).

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ANON October 28th, 2010 at 11:10

So Nathan, why did you update the Duran Duran Facebook & Myspace pages to say “Tapemodern” under record label? What do you know about that?

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ANON October 28th, 2010 at 11:30

Yeah c’mon Nathan! You seem like a nice enough fellow, but you’re being much too coy and evasive. If you updated the sites, can you not at least confirm for us that this is true or not? Or were you just told to do it by the bosses, and not given any explanation?

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DDFAN October 28th, 2010 at 11:45

Yeah, Nathan! Tell us! Why did you update the sites?

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Kitty Amsbry October 28th, 2010 at 11:59

Now, now… please, let’s not hassle Nathan. I’m sure things will all soon be made crystal clear.

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meowmix October 28th, 2010 at 12:16

I think TapeModern will be an “in-house” label of Universal Records / Entertainment Group. Just like Geffen, Island, Mercury, etc. etc. etc. So if under the Universal Distribution / Label, the album will not be difficult to get, you should be able to find it at most stores in you area.

However there is one thing that comes to mind, maybe a small issue. I think we can all agree that we all are going to buy the album, some of us multiple copies, and hopefully a special edition (how could they not have one) when it comes out. Universal had started a pricing scheme that had a MSRP on the top of those sticky identifiers on the top of the jewel case, stating that the cost should be under 10 dollars. They were mostly doing this with new acts, however I remember them doing that with Hole, an established act.

How does this related to DD? Well I think it might depend on how Universal feels about the potential sales of the upcoming release. If they are confident, then there will be no MSRP, if they have doubts, we can probably expect a low price for the disc. Don’t get me wrong, low prices are always great, but they come with a drawback (especially with digital downloads) the band will get little in royalties, yes nothing new here.

It does trickle down though. Most acts these days are certainly not making money off downloads and CDs, and sales ranks are more for bragging rights. They are making most of their money from live performances, merchandising, and any sponsering they do. Remember last tours VIP package price outrage? I, and I’m sure others, would hate for that to happen again. I didn’t the last tour, even though my date was canceled. I and my brother just couldn’t afford the 500 bucks. We did during Astronaut tour for 300, which was doable, and worth it! When you add more, then you begin to debate than just pull out the credit card on impulse.

So if Universal / TapeModern are able to pull of the promotions well, make decent sales, then maybe the shows wont be so pricey, AND the band can at least get a decent share of profits, if only a few bucks a piece for each CD (not MP3) sold, and who knows how much more after a live show.

While the single will do well on it’s own, they will also need to focus on club play, which surely isn’t new for the band, but getting the right remixers/DJs to do it will have to be done carefully on their part. Whether they are looking to do trance versions, house, electro, electronic, or any version of the new single, it would be helpful to look at who are the big DJs these days, and that is were digital downloads player a better part. Beatport would be an excellent place to host thier remixes.

Not long ago Felix Da Housecat was reminicing on Twitter about having met Duran Duran, Nile Rogers, and Bryan Ferry together in London, and what a blast it was. If that isn’t a sign that Felix is familiar with their music then I don’t know what is. Felix is known for adding a great electroclash vibe to mixes, and is known well in the elctro scene. For those unfamiliar with Felix Da Housecat’s work, a great song to sample would be his Silver Screen Shower Scene track. Nice!

Sony has long been struggling as a company, as a whole, remember they also own CBS TV, and they have their fair share of in house labels, not to mention they have thier electronics, movies, video games, music an more. The problem in that with them all being seperate departments they all where not individually taken care of with the attention it deserved. There was even a story on 60 Minutes on Sony has been struggling. A good point, I still don’t own a PS3, costs too much.

Sony still holds up well, maybe not as best as it could be, but for a band to be in Universal territory shows that they are teamed up with a real powerhouse. If you are out in the shops, look at the top sellers and see what labels they are on, and who distributes them, and chances are you’ll see Universal somewhere on the packaging.

If all this turns out to be true, then may work out very well for the band, possibly the fans too.

Oh, with an appearence of the Scissor Sister member (I can’t spell her name right) on the new album, that group is on Universal.

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- MissNovemberTuesday October 28th, 2010 at 18:48
  
  @meowmix – I like your comment. Do I know you? You sound like a DDM regular. Are you on my FB friends?
  
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  - meowmix October 29th, 2010 at 14:26
    
    Hello MNT, I don’t often hang out on the DDM message boards. I did on occasion. I don’t think were on each other’s facebook pages… I’m Juan from TX. I’ll look you up if you are under the alias you have.
    
    Isn’t Kitty so cool? She is!
    
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Kitty Amsbry October 28th, 2010 at 12:24

Very thoughtful comment, meowmix… thanks!

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Christian October 28th, 2010 at 13:05

Nothing on http://www.universalmusic.com yet.

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Nathan Stack October 28th, 2010 at 13:32

I was told to make that update. I didn’t ask for further explanation.

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Nathan Stack October 28th, 2010 at 13:36

I honestly don’t know any more details.

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Kitty Amsbry October 28th, 2010 at 13:52

Nathan has now been untied from the chair and released from the interrogation cell. Run, Nathan, run!

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DDFAN October 28th, 2010 at 13:55

Thank you Nathan. We appreciate your answer(s). To have you answer my question makes me feel strangely closer to DD, so thank you for that, as well.

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Nathan Stack October 28th, 2010 at 13:57

But what if I have Stockholm Syndrome?

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- Kitty Amsbry October 28th, 2010 at 14:02
  
  In that case… perhaps you should stay here with me where it’s nice and safe.
  
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Harmony Sledge October 28th, 2010 at 14:36

I’m absolutley thrilled about the new album!
Cannot wait to hear it!

Way to go Duran Duran!

Duranie Forever

-Harmony Sledge

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MissNovemberTuesday October 28th, 2010 at 18:49

Thanx Kitty for the heads up. And everyone lay off Nathan. (I got your back.) ;-D

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paulo November 15th, 2010 at 18:31

I think this album it will be a big success!!!
It’s very good what i heard.
If the Tape Modern is represented by Universal it’s OK they are very well distributed all over the world, so we can find easily the album in every record stores.
I believe it will be a top 5 hit in the UK and top 10 in the US.
I have no doubt it will be an international smash hit!!!!!!!!!!

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