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LIFE IN AMERICA 2000-02In September 2000 the band, ready to meet with record companies in the US, traveled to LA for a week of meetings. They were joined by new drummer Jason Heerah. With the financial and management support of Andrew Wolveridge and Graeme Alford, they presented a 9-track demo CD. They also played live acoustic versions of their songs in the label offices. After receiving significant interest from several LA based companies, 'Supanatural' signed with Hollywood Records and moved to LA to make their first major label record. In Feb 2001, the band moved into a house in the Hollywood Hills. After setting up a recording studio at the house they began to plan making the record. Initial excitement began to turn into concern. LA can be a jungle, even for someone with years of experience making records. This band had never made a real record before. No guidance or direction was felt from the record company. Everyone had become attached to the demos that were made in Aaron and Russell's living room in Melbourne. Frustration began to creep in as new recordings lacked the focus and emotion of the earlier demos. The band experimented with several producers but no successful chemistry was found and the relationship between the band and Hollywood Records began to deteriorate. This eventually lead to a complete communication breakdown. Overwhelmed by trying to make a first album on their own, the band was unable to deliver a cohesive, finished body of work. The recordings were incomplete and had not captured the vision. A new General Manager not familiar with Supanatural and the history decided that the timing was wrong for this type of record and dropped the band from the label. The relationship with Hollywood Records was over and Supanatural, financially and emotionally broken, faced an uncertain future. They returned to the US early the next year after spending time in Australia over Christmas. With the continued support and belief of their attorney, Alan Mintz and their management team, the band set out once again to win over the major labels. This time however the group faced an uphill battle. Not only were they trying to sell a product with recordings that misrepresented them, but the music business in general was facing it's worst time in history. Labels were dramatically cutting staff and rosters and were increasingly cautious about signing new acts. Supanatural met with labels in New York and LA. They made good impressions, but were unable to secure firm offers. Not able to afford to keep the whole band in the US, Jason and Russell returned home leaving Ben and Aaron to try to come up with a plan. They would wait in the hope that some offer or interest may arise from the meetings that had taken place.Disillusioned and facing financial hardships, the band wondered if their dream had come to abrupt end. next |
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