As a huge fan of the musician, who I spent my entire musical life following, I couldn’t wait to interview him about his new record label, Tyrannosaurus Records. After all, when a musical genius like Duritz decides to start a label its only matter of time before a talented mix of gifted independent artists emerge.

The first ten minutes of our conversation were spent discussing the Sarah Silverman Show and her outstanding ability to push the envelope and make people laugh. I have to admit I was surprised. Here I am all prepared to have a “serious” interview about his new record label and I’m chatting about a female comedian; but talent is talent no matter what the form and Duritz has no problem attracting it.

The lead singer of Counting Crows has logged countless hours in the studio and has traveled the world belting his emotionally raw lyrics that have allowed the band to reach the phenomenal level of notoriety that it has today. Is it any surprise that this gifted singer and songwriter was sought out to help fresh new artists become well known?

Duritz knows what great music is and how much work and talent it takes to make it big. In a brutal industry where money is often the driving force and talent isn’t always taken into consideration, this musical icon has taken on a new project -- his own label.

Duritz’s new venture is helping new independent artists flourish with the help of an incredible teacher, himself.

Duritz had no intention of starting a record label (a feat he had attempted once before), but was prompted by a young indie band from Chicago and a talented New York rap artist who were eager to distinguish themselves amongst the ocean of “cookie cutter” pop and hip-hop stars that surf the radio waves today.

This wasn’t the first time the artist had started a record label. A decade ago Duritz ventured on a similar journey, starting a label and signing “college radio” bands. These bands had a new sound, but shared similarities to the early days of Counting Crows. Duritz found a creative pool of artist with considerable talent, but in the end the major labels won out as Duritz’s label partnered with the big guns and was absorbed by the powerhouse Universal. In the end the flexibility and creativity of having a small label lost out, along with the possibilities of what an independent label had the capability to produce.

And here begins Tyrannosaurus Records.

And Adam begins to change his mind…

When Duritz heard the “brilliant flow” of rapper Notar and was hounded by the persistence of the gifted Chicago band Blacktop Mourning, he realized he had inadvertently started what he had been avoiding -- a new record label.

With an extremely gifted lyricist and a band led by a musical prodigy both eager to reach people but keep their creativity in tow, the label Tyrannosaurus Records was hatched. I asked Duritz how he picked the name, “because indie records should have great names like that,” Duritz said. In fact, it was a name he had always wanted to use, in one way or another, and it was a name that was always vetoed. This time around he not only got to choose the name, but Duritz was able to pick the team behind the label. He partnered with old Counting Crows assistant manager and developed an independent label that will have to compete against the major labels of the world.

According to Duritz, “bands get screwed a lot of the time and are forced to doubt who they are.” He saw the raw talent these artists possessed and wanted to help them keep their essence intact and not get pigeonholed.

Notar-ious?

Notar, an emerging hip hop artist with a talent for innovative flow was the first to attract Duritz’ attention. In an effort to help him grow musically and protect him from the stereotypes of being a “white rapper” Duritz stepped in as a buffer from the industry, simultaneously bringing his production skills to the studio.

Notar was introduced to Duritz thru a friend; Duritz met the rapper, listened to a demo and was immediately impressed.

Duritz wasn’t so much interested in Notar’s style as he was in his lyrics. “I don’t think in terms of style… one thing that sets people apart is writing songs,” Duritz said. According to him the two key factors to the survival of indie artists are: A. Being a great writer and B. Having the ability to play live. “Songs, stick in people’s heads.” And Notar is just that, a songwriter.

Duritz says he helped the artist to find his core and work through it. The two worked together sampling music no one has attempted and adding in new sounds and beats; ultimately hoping to produce an album with a new kind of sound that is “emotionally raw.”

A Young Band Rises

Blacktop Mourning came to T-Recs through a different channel, an emerging platform for new artists, the Web site -- myspace.

The band had always been big fans of Duritz and the Counting Crows and after passing their CD along to Duritz (through incredible persistence), he went to myspace to learn more. According to Duritz, myspace is a great platform for new artists. “It’s always been hard to find the gap from you to another person, Duritz says. “Myspace has a way of getting to everyone.”

Blacktop Mourning has been on the radar for sometime with songs on MTV; the band had been asked to sign with other labels, but it was Duritz’ label they’d held out for., Hoping the band might come along, according to Duritz, “like the band Green Day,” who were around in Duritz’ Berkely days and had a gift of writing “simple songs.”, he took the band to Berkley to work on their album.

With a guitar prodigy in the mix and a group that had a talent for composing the “raw” lyrics that Duritz believes are key to the success of a great artist, T-Recs signed it’s second artist.

The Future Looks Bright for T-Recs

Duritz’s second attempt at a label is on the right track. With two talented artists signed and a launching ground like MySpace to promote T-Recs through its grass-roots ability to advertise indie bands, fans of real indie music will get a shot in the arm of some true independent artists. Blacktop morning is set to release its album in May with Notar soon after.

To check out more visit www.tyrannosaurusrecords.net

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