MIDEM 2009: Placebo taken by Sam

After the digital stuff, MIDEM turns to the music, and amongst the early announcements is that Placebo are signing to PIAS for the next album. They could have had their pick of the majors - they say - but instead fell for PIAS small-scale, big-idea charms:

Placebo frontman Brian Molko said “We are delighted to be signing with [PIAS], one of the world’s most respected and successful independent music companies. We were very lucky to have so many great labels interested in signing us, it means a lot, especially after 12 years of releasing records!! But we now feel we have the right partner for Europe in these ever-changing times to continue this crazy adventure and to scale even dizzier heights with our new record".

Two exclamation marks and "scaling dizzy heights" in "ever-changing times" - let's hope that he's putting a bit more effort into the lyrics than he has into the press release.

Still, Meds was a splendid album, so let's hope a smaller, more loving environment might bring about something even better, so people stop going "what, really?" when you tell them you like Placebo.