Wilco Form New Record Label, Announce Live Dates

Posted on Jan 27th 2011 5:52AM by Benjy Eisen
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Ebet Roberts, Redferns

In a move that's been anticipated for years, Wilco have finally pulled the trigger on forming their own record label. To be distributed and supported by ANTI- Records, Wilco's new in-house label, dBpm Records, will release all of Wilco's future recordings, as well as other selections from other artists down the pike.

"This is an idea we've discussed for years," says band leader Jeff Tweedy in a statement released to the press. "We really like doing things ourselves, so having our own label feels pretty natural to me. And, to be working with ANTI-, a label that has its roots in a label that was started by a punk rock guy to sell his own records, seems like a perfect fit for us."

Wilco manager Tony Margherita, who will helm the label in its Easthampton, Mass. headquarters, says that this was something the band had been working towards for the last 15 years. The partnership with ANTI- came on the heels of working with them last year on Mavis Staples' record 'You Are Not Alone,' which Tweedy produced and performed on.

"As we reached the end of our last deal, it felt like it was time for a change," says Margherita, in the press release. "And the one thing we were certain we did not want to do was to sign another traditional recording agreement."

While there's no hard news of the label's first release just yet, Wilco has announced a short run of live dates in May, which will be highlighted by an appearance at the New Orleans' Jazz and Heritage Festival on May 5. Tweedy, meanwhile, will head out on his own for a six-date solo stint before then, beginning in Toronto on March 22.

Watch Wilco Perform 'I Am Trying to Break Your Heart' Live