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A Conversation with Swan Dive (continued)
PM: Let's talk about the new Japanese deal. How did that come about?
BD: When we had finished the record, I contacted a few of our friends in Japan to ask for advice about who we might approach as far as a new licensing deal. And our friend June over there gave me three addresses. And one of those addresses was for JVC. And I e-mailed them and asked, "Would it be okay if we sent a copy of the record?" They said, "Sure. We know who you are. We'd love to hear it." And it was easy. I mean, we just sent it and six weeks later they said, "We'd like to put this record out."
PM: So they licensed it, right?
BD: Uh-huh. Honestly, I was really thinking that it was going to be a lot more difficult, and that maybe we'd had our time, and that we wouldn't get another license. Because sometimes when you lose a deal you're kind of marked. Another label doesn't want to take a chance on you. But I'm just basing that on what I know from my friends who've had deals in America. Maybe it's not the same in Japan.
So, yeah, we got a new deal. And they've been very nice. The only thing that's a little strange for Molly and me is--with the last label, with Sony, we got a chance to actually meet the people, and because of that, got to know them a lot better. So far, this has only been an e-mail relationship.
PM: That's wild.
BD: Yeah. So it's a little hard to--
PM: And did they hint at any plans to meet you in the imminent future, or not necessarily, or...?
BD: Nothing has really been discussed. The few magazine interviews that we've done have just been phone-ups. And JVC hasn't said anything about a tour, or a promotional tour. I think things have changed in Japan because there's been a steady economic downturn over the last few years, and they're a lot less willing than before to spend money on a western band for a licensing deal. It used to be automatic that they'd just bring us over for a promo tour.
PM: Right.
BD: But even talking to someone who's a lot more successful--like Ben Folds, who's done really well in Japan, I was talking to him and he said, "Yeah, things have really changed as far as what the Japanese label will do to promote my record." And he's at a whole different level, a higher level than we are.
PM: And will tour solo.
BD: Yeah, right. So they won't give him support to bring a band. He said he was playing smaller venues and things like that. So I think it's just across the board. I hope we get to go back to Japan, especially I'd love to go back with a full band, because we've never gotten to play there with a full band.
PM: How many would you count as a full band in an instance like that?
BD: Well, with this record, I don't know. I mean, it may be that we want to bring a band and two string players. So, God, it could be, I guess, eight or nine.
PM: Or, alternately, it could be the two of you and two string players.
MF: Uh-huh.
BD: Yeah, that could be.
PM: For a different look and a different sound. But yeah, as you say, neither looks terribly likely at the moment. I mean, their downturn has been catastrophic, and long running. So just that considered, it's amazing that a new deal came up, and it was a multi-album deal, right?
BD: Yeah, they want us to do three more, unless--
PM: Three more, a four-album deal.
BD: Unless this one totally tanks.
MF: [laughs]
BD: Which I don't think it will. I mean, in the first week we sold 1,400 records.
PM: Really?
BD: That's not bad for Japan. The single is getting play. And supposedly we're going to make some sort of chart entrance this week. We'll find out Sunday, they post it.
MF: With Clay Aiken.
BD: Yeah, right behind Clay Aiken.
PM: [laughs]
MF: I can't believe that guy sold five million records in a week or something. It's amazing. He was multi-platinum the first week.
BD: Five million albums.
PM: The power of TV.
MF: Yes.
PM: I've never heard one song of his. I've never seen the guy.
MF: I haven't, either. I don't know what's on the radio. I don't even know where to find him. But I'm not looking for him.
PM: I was surprised to see yesterday how many records Norah Jones has sold.
BD: Is it like eight million or something?
PM: No, it was eighteen.
BD: Oh, my God.
PM: Eighteen million records worldwide. I thought it was going to be like six, seven, eight million. But it's seven million in the States alone--7.8 million. I mean, that's just unbelievable.
BD: Yeah, wow. continue
