February 19, 2009 Issue
ASU’s Split Rail Records Signs Rising Local Band Major Magick
Boone quintet Major Magick signed to ASU’s student-run Split Rail Records last week. The band will release their debut album in April.
Last week, ASU’s student-run Split Rail Records added Boone-based rock-soul-fusion band Major Magick to their growing stable of artists. The band was signed on the strength of their performance at a Split Rail-sponsored battle of the bands at the Dragonfly Theater last November, beating out Hope Massive and the Major Sevens for the coveted label slot.
“[I’m] excited to work with them,” Director Music Industry Studies program Kim Wangler. “They’re a great band.”
The bumpy negotiation process between the band and the label lasted more than a month, resulting in two contracts: one for recording and a separate one for publishing rights. Split Rail obtains all profits from publishing and CD sales until expenses incurred while producing the album have been recouped. After that, profits from CD sales are split 50/50 between the label and the band.
During the last several months, Major Magick has been making waves in the High Country music scene. The band, which consists of lead singer Stephon LaMar, drummer Nate Osborne, bassist Cody Adams, keyboard player Mike Runyon and guitarist Kyle Rozich, has been making the rounds at all the local clubs including Murphy’s, the Dragonfly Theater & Pub, Legends and others.
The band hit the recording studio on Sunday, February 8, to begin sessions for their debut album. According to Derek Cohen, head of Split Rail public relations, the label hopes to complete the recording process by mid-March and release the album in late April.
A CD release party is already in the works and will take place at the Dragonfly Theater & Pub on Saturday, May 2, where the band will play the new disc in its entirety.
Split Rail Records signs and records approximately one new band every semester. The label is currently taking submissions and applications for distribution deals for bands that want more exposure and marketing opportunities. Bands interested in signing in the future are welcome to submit demos and can also submit music for the MEISA festival and ASU’s Battle of the Bands at Legends, both of which will be held this spring.
For more information on Split Rail Records, click to www.myspace.com/splitrailrecords. To hear music by Major Magick, click to www.myspace.com/majormagick.
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