Dangerbird can’t soar above the recession, as small staff restructures
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Silver Lake’s Dangerbird Records has been on something of a roll the last few years, with breakout successes coming from the likes of rock act the Silversun Pickups and soul revivalists Fitz & the Tantrums. Yet the small Sunset Boulevard imprint didn’t prove to be immune to standard record industry woes, as the label has been forced to cut five of its 13 full-time staffers and refocus its licensing and art departments.
The restructuring has been confirmed by a spokesperson for the label. Any cuts from an indie in L.A.’s tight-knit Silver Lake/Echo Park scene will raise eyebrows, especially one that’s been rising as fast as Dangerbird and that’s been on a signing spree of late. Two of the five staffers affected, however, will continue to work with Dangerbird on a consulting basis.
“While this was a difficult decision, it is necessary for Dangerbird to effectively service our artist roster to the best of our abilities,’ said Jeff Castelaz, chief executive/cofounder of Dangerbird. ‘Our core staff remains intact, while we will transition some key employees to act as consultants to the company, where they will continue to represent the artist-driven, independent ethos of Dangerbird.”
The imprint has had a busy winter/spring, having already released work by Liam Gallagher’s Beady Eye, and is gearing up to work with developing acts the Limousines and the Fling in the coming weeks. Castelaz cites the trims as needed in order to be ‘competitive in today’s ever-changing music industry.’
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-- Todd Martens
