STATES of INDEPENDENCE * * * * * * * slrchEnemy I-Octane CENTURY MEDIA - VP RECORDS- QUEENS, N.Y. LOS ANGELES TAD'S RECORD -MIAMI

Death metal act Arch Enemy once released an album called "Wages of Sin." But for this Swedish five -piece Sing -jay I- Octane (born going the independent route has proved anything VICTORY but bad math. Formed in 1996 and led by singer An- Byiome Muir) ascended to gela Gossow since 2000, the band has released eight Móg BORSTAL EAT studio albums, with all but its debut ( "Black Earth ") dancehall reggae's upper Los RECORDS - handled by Century Media -a Angeles -based LOS ANGELES indie that specializes in metal, hard rock and hard - After spending a de- echelon in July 2010 with core acts and has offices in the United Kingdom, cade releasing its Irish punk full- lengths on Europe and Australia. SideOneDummy and his performance at Jamaica's It lacks the financial muscle of a major, but Cen- (according to Nielsen tury has helped the heavy touring act generate more SoundScan) racking up 1.9 million album sales, Reggae Sumfest. Now heavily in demand on the North than 400,000 album sales in the United States, ac- Flogging Molly decided cording to Nielsen SoundScan. Its most successful to form its own imprint, American and European reggae circuits, I- Octane's fu- Borstal Beat Records, album, 2005's "Doomsday Machine," peaked at No. for latest album "Speed 12 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart and has of Darkness," released sion of hauntingly sung vocals with rapid -fire rhymes, as sold 108,000 copies. The self-managed group's latest May 31 with distribution through Sony RED in studio set, "Khaos Legions," debuted at No. 13 on North America. heard on hits including "Bloodstain" and "Lose a Friend," Independent Albums and at No. 78 on the Billboard Drummer George 200, following its June 7 domestic bow. Schwindt admits that the move has led to reaffirm dancehall's significance as a vehicle for compel- "Being your own master is very satisfying but also more legwork from very challenging," Gossow says. " Indie labels don't the band, but having ling commentaries and praising Jah, despite its infamous a clearer voice in the have the buying power majors have ... Being on a marketing rollout for major label means more exposure and most likely "Darkness" has been vulgarities and gangster imagery. more sold product. You have to work it 10 times as a blessing. Flogging Molly's desire to release hard with an indie label." a special edition of the I- Octane has digitally released his singles on various On the plus side, being independent grants "max- album and focus on imum freedom in regards to our music, art, band promoting one single resulted in "Darkness" Jamaica -based labels and licensed tracks to dancehall presentation, where and when we tour," says Gossow, being offered as a vinyl who believes that, in the long run, sidestepping the LP with a code for a free compilations released by reggae independents Tad's Re- digital download, and major-label setup is more sustainable. "Bands who first single "Don't Shut know what they want and how to do it are better off 'Em Down" clocking in cord and VP. Currently unsigned, he's considering of- signing to an indie label," she says. "If you're willing at No. 39 on Billboard's Alternative Songs to work hard without the fast, big bucks -do what chart. "We now have fers regarding the intended October release of his debut we do and walk the walk." -Richard Smirke more creative control," Schwindt says. "So if we wanted to spend the album, "Crying to the Nation." money on an alterna- tive radio campaign, we "I have invested heavily in the I- Octane brand, financ- could do that without being told 'no. "' While initial sales for ing videos, publicity, even managing myself, so it's a great Flogging Molly's "Dark- ness" (39,000 copies sold in its first week) accomplishment reaching this far on my own," I- Octane have almost mirrored those of 2008 album "Float" (48,000 first says. "I won't sign a deal just to get an advance. Promo- week), Schwindt be- lieves the real impact tion is more important because it brings more shows, of the self-release will result from the band's emphasis on interna- tours and a wider fan base." -Patricia Meschino tional distribution. With a reputation as raucous road warriors, the vet- eran artists have seen their crowds grow dur- ing the group's current world tour by focusing ?'O p INDEPENDENT' on promoting the new album in Western Eu- rope and Scandinavia. SOCIAL AR'tISI'S "We're starting to see an impact at the live POS. ARTIST CHARTED TITLES IMPRINT/LABEL shows in particular -in 1 CHRISTINA GRIMMIE Unsigned Germany and in Swe- den, we've had the big- 2 TIESTO Musical Freedom gest crowds we've ever 3 JAMIE LYNN NOON DashGo played for," Schwindt do says. As the group 4 TYLER WARD 1 Unsigned walk 3 and Peace prepares to perform at 5 BOYCE AVENUE Lollapalooza in August, 6 DEADMAUS Mau5trap/Ultra and kick off a North the walk." American trek in Sep- 7 DJ BL3ND Unsigned tember, the drummer 8 WATSKY 1 Unsigned says the group enjoys Angela Gossow, 9 REBECCA BLACK 1 Rebecca Black/Ark Music Factory "going the DIY." Arch Enemy -Jason Lipshutz 10 RADIOHEAD 1 XL/Ticker Tape/TBD

18 BILLBOARD JULY 9, 2011