Manchester Orchestra goes big time
MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA: Tours in hot-ass vans pay off.
(Photo by Don Vancleave)
Manchester Orchestra hasn't been in Atlanta all year. Instead, the pop-rock band has been on one national tour after another â€" first as an opening act for Brand New, then as a co-headlining act with Colour Revolt.
For most bands, this means sitting in a hot-ass van, trying not to piss each other off. But Manchester Orchestra has built serious momentum through its road work. In June, it played a well-received set at Bonnaroo. Then RED Distribution, which is owned by Sony Music, decided to distribute its 2006 full-length, I'm like a Virgin Losing a Child.
Earlier this week, I was a judge at Open Mic Madness at Smith's Olde Bar (more on that later), and happened to be seated next to Jay Harren, former 99x (WNNX-FM) personality and current A&R man for Columbia Records. I asked him who he had signed lately, and he mentioned Manchester Orchestra. Turns out the band will record its third album for Columbia; in a unique twist, its second album (due in 2008) will be released through its independent label, Favorite Gentlemen, with distribution from RED.
If you don't know who Manchester Orchestra is, you can acquaint yourself through an April 11 profile I wrote here. Then you can purchase tickets for the band's next hometown gig. The group just announced its latest coup â€" an opening slot on the Kings of Leon and Black Rebel Motorcycle fall tour, which hits the Fox Theater on Oct. 9.
Not enough for you? On Sept. 6, Manchester Orchestra will make its television debut when it plays "The Late Show with David Letterman."