OK Go Goes Indie

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 10, 2010 7:00PM

Following numerous problems with their label, OK Go is ditching the Majors and fleeing EMI Records. This isn't wholly surprising due to some recent friction, and it was hinted the band was seeking outside help when State Farm prominently sponsored the band's recent mind-boggling video for "This Too Shall Pass" off their latest album, Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky.

The band will control all aspects of their operations under their new self-owned label Paracadute. This only further convinces us that inventive bands that can do it on their own should continue to do so. Presently, the Majors seem unable to change and grasp what does and doesn't work any longer, so aligning with them seems pointless for any band with actual talent and a good work ethic. OK Go has both of those qualities in abundance so we look forward to this new phase in their development. You can see the new unfettered OK Go live and up close when they play Metro next month on April 17. No word on whether the members of I Fight Dragons will be in attendance to ask them for advice on navigating the treacherous waters of Major labeldom.

UPDATE: According to reporting done by Mashable, the band's former label claims it was deeply involved in the State Farm partnership. However in the same piece of reporting "State Farm Advertising Manager Todd Fischer, the band and the insurance company had been in talks since the fall of 2009 about the possibility of making a sponsored video" and bassist Tim Nordwind says "Basically our label sort of worked as a middleman ... but it was basically us sort of dealing with State Farm" leading us to believe EMI is trying to take too much credit.

UPDATE II: OK Go's singer Damian Kulash spoke to NPR about parting with EMI.