Thursday, August 07, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Music: Can we borrow your couch?

Fans support Better Than Ezra in the lean times

By Mike Prevatt

Most music fans have little sympathy for bands known for one or maybe two singles--those mid-range radio bands that usually get only one shot a project for maximum exposure. Those acts tend to be the ones most illegally downloaded on file-sharing services such as Kazaa.

Enduring New Orleans-based alt-rock trio Better Than Ezra has something to say about file-sharing and illegal downloading. Though the beneficiary of a Net-savvy fan base, it recently lent its name to a public service announcement spearheaded by the Recording Industry Association of America, which had artists such as BTE, Britney Spears and Sheryl Crow speak out against downloaded songs that don't compensate their authors. Why did BTE risk upsetting its fans? It doesn't have the blockbuster sales to ensure it won't be dropped from its label or always prosper financially.

"Y'know, we're probably the size of the band that gets hurt the most," says bassist Tom Drummond, laughing. "The big bands, does it really affect them? Nah. The smaller bands? No, any exposure is good. For us, we're in the middle. It seems there should be a way to have accountability for the songwriting portion of that."

Thankfully, his solution is cheap and practical: legit downloading services such as Apple's--not suing his band's fans, as in the case of 900 people subpoenaed last week for sharing files on Kazaa. "I use my iPod and go to the iTunes store every week, and buy songs for 99 cents each," says Drummond. "Hopefully others will mimic it; that will take a while. As far as [suing] someone, that's kinda iffy."

Better Than Ezra has been looking out for its fans--diehards are known as Ezralites--for some time now, even on the Net. After breaking big in 1994 with the pre-Hootie hit "Good," and in 1996 with the forceful "Desperately Wanting," the band has retained a decent presence on radio, including 1998's "At the Stars" and 2001's "Extra Ordinary."

Though platinum-selling albums are no longer a reality for the band, its fervent fan base tour around the country to see the band, help pick songs for set lists online and offer the same exuberance at the shows that the band tends to display onstage. That synergy helps keep filling concert halls when BTE is the headliner. It is what sustains the band--and allows it to mature creatively--when radio and MTV don't.

"I think that's part of it," says Drummond. "[1998's] How Does Your Garden Grow, we feel, is our strongest record, artistically. It's not our most commercial, but it was why we were able to grow. People respected us for that. Everyone figured we'd put out another pop record, but we put out more of an artistic type of album, knowing full well we were releasing this on a major label."

Its last album, 2001's Closer, sold respectably, but got lost in post-Sept. 11 madness; furthermore, its label, Beyond, went bankrupt. "We felt there was probably two or three more singles to release," says Drummond. "We felt `Extra Ordinary' was the `Hi, we're back, here's the first song from the album.' But what can you do? Do another record!"

Which is what BTE has been doing. The act has recorded songs in L.A. with an unnamed producer, as well as laid down some material on its own in New Orleans. Simultaneously, the band is seeking a label. After the misfortune with Beyond, it is once again hoping a major label gives it a chance. In the meantime, BTE shows no shame or regret in milking an attentive fan base and throwing a good ol' summer tour, complete with songs from the forthcoming album.

Even with all that, the band knows its primary reason for flourishing nearly 15 years now: its love for performing. "I think we just generally love what we do--getting together at the studio is cool, as well as playing gigs," says Drummond. "We love playing music."