In 2005, “desert-pop” act The Format was touring on the strength of their underground hit debut “Interventions and Lullabies,” while writing new tunes for an album with Atlantic Records. When they finally finished the album, the band was convinced that they had a gem on their hands. Atlantic execs disagreed.

“They kept asking us why it didn’t sound like our last album,” said vocalist Nate Ruess in a radio interview. Frustrations were revealed in the power-pop track “The Compromise,” where Ruess sings “Sit your partner behind a desk where they’ll do absolutely nothing so its your job to dance and smile the whole time.” Ouch.

The band threw their angriest finger skyward and started their own label, Vanity Records, releasing the critically acclaimed Dog Problems on their own terms. Features for MTV and SPIN Magazine soon followed.

Since, their torch has been carried by numerous bands being dropped from their labels. Most notably is The Redwalls, who were dropped by Capitol in their merger with Virgin earlier this year.

The result of their shit-canning is their self-titled garage-party-rocker released in late October. Taking the successful sounds from their previous major-label releases, (John Lennon vocals, CCR musicianship, Rolling Stones swagger) the band has infused some punk and dance elements. Think David Bowie meets the Strokes. MTV has since come calling, as have several national advertisers.

As long as music fans remain committed to finding new music, they will find a way to get to it. In this new climate, getting dropped from your label may gain you listeners.

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