Dan Auerbach Speaks About "Ultraviolence" Label Issues

[Linethic 77]

Lana Del Rey's new album, Ultraviolence, qualifies as a radical statement from a pop star in 2014 – it's mostly produced by Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach, who relies on electric guitar and other live instruments, and none of its eleven tracks sound much like a potential radio hit. And as Auerbach reveals in Rolling Stone's new Del Rey cover story, her major labels (Interscope and the U.K.'s Polydor) were initially resistant to the idea of releasing it.

 

"There was a lot of bullshit I'm not used to," Auerbach tells senior writer Brian Hiatt. "The label says, 'We're not going to give you the budget to extend this session unless we hear something.' And we send them the rough mix and they fucking hate it and they hate the way it's mixed. And it's like, 'Thanks, asshole.'… I think Lana put her foot down. Maybe it's normal for her, but it's not normal for me.  Really rubbed me the wrong way.  I got really defensive because I thought it was bullshit.

 

"The story I got told," he continues, "is that they played it for her label person and they said, "We're not putting out this record that you and Dan made unless you meet with the Adele producer. And she said, 'Fine, whatever.' And she was late to the meeting, so while they were waiting, the label guy played what we recorded for the Adele producer and he said, 'This is amazing, I wouldn't do anything to change this.' And here's the kicker: Then all of a sudden, the label guy said, 'Well, yeah, I think it's great, too.'"

 

Del Rey acknowledges a six-week period this past spring when Ultraviolence was in limbo. "I mean, I think there were people they wanted me to work with," she says. "I don't know who they were. When I said I was ready, they were like, 'Are you sure?'" She laughs. "'Because I feel like you could go further.'"

 

"I had heard about some back and forth regarding the music," responds Interscope chief John Janick.  "But from the moment I met Lana, I've been of the mindset that she has an instinct that is pretty dead on and as an artist, she is fully formed.  She knows her vision and her audience, and it's up to us to follow her lead on that."

 

"On this album, in my opinion, you didn't want her to try to do something," adds Janick's predecessor, Jimmy Iovine. "I felt she hit a bull's-eye. Everybody's saying to me, 'We need a single,' calling me from Europe. I said, 'You don't need anything.' It's a very coherent body of work, and thought any other conversation was a distraction."

 

In any case, the album debuted at Number One in June, selling 182,000 copies – and Auerbach is now a huge fan of his collaborator. "Every criticism that I'd ever heard about her was proven wrong when I was in the studio with her," he says. "From how great the songs were to how confident she is as a musician to her fucking singing every song live, with a handheld microphone and a seven-piece band. I mean, get the fuck out of here, who does that? Nobody does that, there hasn't been a number one pop record that was recorded like that in forty, fifty years."

 

Source: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/how-lana-del-rey-fought-to-get-her-radical-ultraviolence-lp-released-20140718

[Sitar 22,210]

 

"The story I got told," he continues, "is that they played it for her label person and they said, "We're not putting out this record that you and Dan made unless you meet with the Adele producer. And she said, 'Fine, whatever.' And she was late to the meeting, so while they were waiting, the label guy played what we recorded for the Adele producer and he said, 'This is amazing, I wouldn't do anything to change this.' And here's the kicker: Then all of a sudden, the label guy said, 'Well, yeah, I think it's great, too.'"

 

This must be how Black Beauty came about...Maybe that's why she gave it the bonus track snub

[Creyk 11,699]

Daamn...he is in the music business, he could know that "the Adele producer" is called Rick Rubin

[LiamViljoen 908]

:toofunny: :toofunny: :toofunny: :toofunny: :toofunny: :toofunny:

:toofunny: :toofunny:

:toofunny: :toofunny:

[leaked_version 10,499]

Daamn...he is in the music business, he could know that "the Adele producer" is called Rick Rubin

And least you should know that it was not RIck Rubin he was talking about So much about knowledge.

[Lad 8,801]

Daamn...he is in the music business, he could know that "the Adele producer" is called Rick Rubin

The "Adele producer" is actually Paul Epworth, who produced Black Beauty

[HelixSpirals 28]

Daamn...he is in the music business, he could know that "the Adele producer" is called Rick Rubin

But Adele has also worked with Paul Epworth, who produced Black Beauty. Maybe that's who they were talking about?

 

But wow, that's a lot of drama It's great that it got put out without being changed though! I hope this whole album makes some of Interscope really realize there's no point trying to change Lana's music.

[Guest Dot]

I don't get it. What song is he actually talking about? West Coast or Black Beauty?

[Mind Melt 10,095]

This was pretty interesting to read.

 

I just love that they were so hesitant to put it out, and in some cases it did better than BTD. Never doubt the queen.

[Wilde_child 490]

Lana finally getting the recognition she deserves. Ultraviolence will change the Music Industry. Lana is gonna go up up up... Mark my words.

[Angel Forever 146]

Unfortunately record labels just care about how much it will sell. Lana has a very consistent idea of her art project, she's not a typical radio artist. And UV is a body not a bunch of singles put together.

[Arzi 1,982]

inb4 death thread to John Janick 

[Heaux 1,399]

inb4 death thread to John Janick 

lolll the sad thing is that people are probably messy enough to do that and he wasnt even hired until after UV was recorded

[drewby 9,246]

Unfortunately record labels just care about how much it will sell. Lana has a very consistent idea of her art project, she's not a typical radio artist. And UV is a body not a bunch of singles put together.

 

I hate how labels say that when their job is to make all the money back and then some to stay afloat

 

It's not the first time an artist has said Interscope didn't care about the quality and artistic integrity and wanted a hit (Iggy Azalea and Azealia Banks)

[Guy 976]

wOw !!1 Dan sounds like a  re b el !!!!1

[TrailerParkDarling 5,691]

I mean DANIEL that is how a label works! And I'm sure this little article won't make it easier for Lana next time around.. oh well they r both ugly but they have the music so who cares.

[naachoboy 7,993]

Daamn...he is in the music business, he could know that "the Adele producer" is called Rick Rubin

is called paul epworth lmfao 

[naachoboy 7,993]

I mean DANIEL that is how a label works! And I'm sure this little article won't make it easier for Lana next time around.. oh well they r both ugly but they have the music so who cares.

whats that :s 

[Creyk 11,699]

is called paul epworth lmfao 

 

And least you should know that it was not RIck Rubin he was talking about So much about knowledge.

 

Adele collaborated with various songwriters and producers, including Columbia Records co-president Rick Rubin, Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Jim Abbiss, and Dan Wilson.

 

[lauradelxx 1,082]

Oh damn I'm proud of Lana that she put her foot down now we have ultraviolence thank god