Notes From The Outernet » Notes from the Outernet 2009

EMI vs. MARS
April 28th, 2009

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So here we are, after almost a year at war, and the time has come. The time to make peace, to move ahead, and to begin again. We are finally and thankfully at a place where we are excited and relieved to put behind us one of the most challenging battles of our entire careers.

For almost a year now we have been in Los Angeles, California, putting our hearts, hopes, and dreams into making a record that means absolutely everything to us. In addition to this incredible and creative adventure, we have had the added challenge of carrying the rather heavy burden of a 30 million dollar lawsuit filed against us by EMI records. Not the most ideal of conditions to make a record under but an integral part of our story nonetheless.

We are now nearly finished with our new record and have found ourselves in a place ready to accept an end to the arduous conflict with our former label. There are many reasons that have contributed to this decision but overall the willingness and enthusiasm by EMI to address our major concerns and issues, the opportunity to return to work with a team so committed and passionate about Thirty Seconds to Mars, and the company’s dedication to changing the status quo of the business of recorded music made this choice possible. We have decided it best for the music, for the fans, and for Thirty Seconds to Mars to accept a resolution with EMI.

Throughout, we always looked for opportunities to make peace, and stayed open to compromise and resolution. But not at any cost. We were prepared to continue down this path as long as we needed to. This was a fight we believed in wholeheartedly. A fight about art. A fight about truth. A fight about fairness. And a fight about freedom.

This was the first time we had to defend ourselves in litigation and hopefully our last. It was never for a single moment something we wanted, something we enjoyed, or something we treated lightly. A 30 million dollar lawsuit is serious business and we always respected the trepidatious path we were walking down. But we knew this was an important and worthy fight, and unfortunately unavoidable.

In case anyone is wondering, litigation is not fun. At all. My suggestion; avoid it at all costs. We tried. And tried, and tried again. Unfortunately, we eventually arrived at a place where it was impossible to continue working with EMI and necessary to terminate our contract. Citing a California labor law that protects the individual against unfair contractual obligations we gave notice to EMI of our intention. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oli...avilland#Career )

A little back story…

All of this started once we had finally, and thankfully, achieved some success around the world, only to learn that although we had sold millions of records we would never see a single solitary penny. On top of that, we were then told that we were also millions of dollars in debt. As you can imagine, that was more than confusing so we began to educate ourselves and started to discover what a strange situation we were in. For more of the reasons we went to war in the first place, here’s a link to the previous letter I wrote addressing it all.

http://thirtysecondstomars.forumsunl...howtopic=312534

Over the past eight months, there was plenty of internal debate about our future, about how far to take this fight, about what is important to us as artists, as individuals, as a band. About whether to put our new album out through a traditional record company or to experiment and break new ground. Many feel that the system now is antiquated and that with the help of new technologies and available platforms the conventional method is quickly on its way out. Others feel no one does it better than the experienced companies that have serviced most of us with the majority of music we love. It’s a great and endless debate. We are in the death throws of one system and the birth of another, which is as exciting at times as it can be painful.

After carefully considering all of our options, what would be gained, what could be potentially lost, we ultimately decided that reuniting with EMI/Virgin would be the absolute best route for the music and that no matter what, sharing this latest creative adventure with you all in the most timely manner possible is the most important part of any of it.

In the future, whether there are record companies or not, whether you put your music out only through the internet or sell it from an ice cream truck, you still need the help of individuals. And at the end of it all the biggest reason for us to reunite with EMI is exactly that. The people. It isn’t for business or finance or contracts or the end of lawsuits. It is for the chance to rejoin the people who remain, who have been a part of our phenomenal journey throughout, and for the limitless possibilities of those wonderful new individuals who will be helping us along this new path.

We are more than happy that this has all come to a close and we can begin to put it behind us. It’s not only a good thing, it may even be great.

We always left the door open for resolution and peace throughout this process, and we are thankful it did not fall on deaf ears. We look forward to a new beginning with EMI, and to sharing our new music with you in the very near future.

We will never forget the unrelenting support from all our friends, family and fans around the world.

A very wise man once said “We make war that we may live in peace.”

And I suppose sometimes we must fight in order to be free.

With love

Jared Leto

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Credits to: JAREDLETO.com
http://jaredleto.com/thisiswhoireall...28/emi-vs-mars/

Thirty Seconds to Mars in the news
April 29th, 2009


News of The Summit, EMI, and the new record below. Check it out!

04/29/09 – MTV Exclusive: 30 Seconds to Mars Talk Settlement with EMI
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles...h-emi.jhtml

04/29/09 – MTV : 30 Seconds To Mars Try Hard So You Don’t Have To
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles...-have.jhtml

04/28/09 – Los Angeles Times: 30 Seconds to Mars and EMI make nice, new album due this fall
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/...s-fall.html

04/28/09 – MTV: 30 Seconds To Mars Talk Fan Summit
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles...ummit.jhtml

04/20/09 – Rolling Stone: 30STM’s Jared Leto on Working With Kanye West: “It’s Slightly More than Unexpected”
http://www.rollingstone.com/musi...pected-20090420

Credits to: JAREDLETO.com
http://jaredleto.com/thisiswhoireall...tm-in-the-news/

Tour of USA feels great after so long
December 3rd, 2009

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Denver: Mile-high madness. Escaped for a couple hours and wandered into the mountains. Shan and co went to the hot springs. Good to find some time to do things like that. Keeps you at least half sane. Being back in America is incredible. I think because we have been gone for so long it’s like seeing the oldest of friends.

The show was great and the crowd had so much energy. Because of the altitude between songs my brother and I were sharing an oxygen tank at this show …funny…maybe a walker next. ;)

Off to Texas. Was the home of sweet Grama Ruby…

-j

PS. It’s 6 days until THIS IS WAR is unleashed….can’t wait! :)

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Credits to: JAREDLETO.com
http://jaredleto.com/thisiswhoireall...-after-so-long/

Really great to get back into the heartland
December 4th, 2009

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Snow was falling as we said goodbye to Denver and started the push toward Texas. The huck across and down is long but really great to get back into the heartland.

3 shows into our return to touring in the usa and it couldn’t be better. So thankful people. are coming out and celebrating it with us.

Thank the gods for Whole Foods, an oasis out here on the road. Houston is a massive network of highways, biways, and buildings. I still haven’t cracked it yet but will soon.

Five days until WAR and we can’t wait. By the way the FACES OF MARS covers look insane and beautiful!

It’s almost xmass….crazy!

-j

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Credits to: JAREDLETO.com
http://jaredleto.com/thisiswhoireall...-the-heartland/

Big show in Dallas. Rowdy as holy hell
December 5th, 2009

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Shared the stage with Cage the Elephant (great energy) our friends The Bravery (nicest guys) and AFI (legends) last night for a radio show in Dallas. Big show, rowdy as holy hell and great to see Vince, Jessie and family.

Starting in Houston we have been selling and signing actual cds after the show with FACES OF MARS covers. They look incredible. Seeing all of the different faces is a blast. So far I’ve collected a Terry Richardson, a Bam Margera, a few friends and even our manager Irving Azoff!

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Here’s a pic…


And another pic from a store in Europe…

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If you’re coming to the shows and want to get a cd signed, get them quick as they have sold out every single night… and thanks to all for that.

Hope you guys enjoy it and thanks again to everyone who sent in a photo. You made this what it is.

Off to play West Palm!

-j

PS. This is War comes out in THREE DAYS!!!!!

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Credits to: JAREDLETO.com
http://jaredleto.com/thisiswhoireall...y-as-holy-hell/

“Unforgettable.” -Tour Diary: West Palm
December 7th, 2009

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Well, we barely made the show. Flight was delayed twice, but we finally got off the ground and got to the show with just moments to spare.

Was great to see our old friends in Chevelle, brothers Sam and Pete, and they helped us out with some gear. Very thankful to them. Such good peeps. Nice to be around bands that are cool and kind and have great energy. And if you haven’t checked out their cd, you should. Produced by my old friend and co-conspirator Brian Virtue.

In typical Floridian fashion the show was great. 12,000 people filled the amphitheater. We hadn’t headlined a show this big in over a year so it was very exciting to say the least. Best moment was when everyone came down from the lawn to the seats for This Is War. Unforgettable.

Thanks John O’Connell, The Buzz and everyone who came out to West Palm!!!

So crazy our cd THIS IS WAR comes out on Tuesday!!!!!! Been a long time coming. We sold and signed over 1000 cds tonight! Amazing and very grateful to everyone who bought one. So great to meet and see the actual people who will be listening to this new album.

-j

P.S. Here’s a pic I took after everyone was gone…in case you ever wondered what it looked liked after the show.

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Credits to: JAREDLETO.com
http://jaredleto.com/thisiswhoireall...iary-west-palm/

Tampa was like a giant family reunion.
December 9th, 2009

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Lots of old friends, new faces…our good friend Shark and co took great care of us and put on one of the best shows in the country, our buddy Matt from Kill Hannah came out, and always good to hang with the Chevelle boys again.

17,000 amazing people gave us an unforgettable evening and the moon was full and shining above the crowd.

Everyone in Tampa made us feel at home, like usual, and seemed to know every single song… even the ones that weren’t out yet.

Someone brought my old yearbook from junior high. Wow talk about reunion. I was the only kid who was never still and well behaved in any
of the shots. Some things never change.

Met and interviewed Matisyahu for the upcoming film we have been shooting for the past year and a half. What a smart, talented, and interesting guy. Glad to have met him. Very cool.

Well, ended the night with my pet helicopter (Genghis Kahn) which I almost lost to a barbed wire fence. I’m not big on toys but I had fun with that little guy for a couple days. Warning: don’t fly your pet helicopter in a bus.

Have a loooong drive to Baton Rouge…back to our birth state of Louisiana.

P.S. THIS IS WAR IS IN OUT NOW!!! What do you all think? What’s your favorite song? How do you think this album is different? How did it feel listening to the album for the first time?

-j

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Credits to: JAREDLETO.com
http://jaredleto.com/thisiswhoireall...family-reunion/

The War is Here…
December 16th, 2009

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What an insane/amazing/intense/incredible week…

*deep breath*

Ok…

First: The new cd is out.

THIS IS WAR. Almost hard to believe the day has actually come.

Two years in the making, Flood, Lillywhite, 30mm lawsuits, global crises, a couple birthdays, a dog gone, lots of fun, a moment or two of panic, 10 million vocal takes, a new president, my same old car. There were days we didn’t know if it would actually be heard.

I’m on the plane to Chicago having played a frenzy of a show last night in Seattle with Muse, Phoenix, Metric, and Vampire Weekend and I’m thinking about how lucky we are to be able to do all of this. Maybe it’s the holiday crush, but this is the gift of a lifetime. The bands were all ridiculously great last night and the crowd the most rowdy and raucous and fun bunch of Pacific No’westerners we ever met. We left the stage sweaty, satisfied and awed by the good peeps of Washington.

By the way, who puts a cd out at xmas along side the heavyweights of the biz and the holiday CDs that crowd the shelves? I guess we do! Very happy it is finally out and there to share with the world and we are very grateful to all of you who were choosing between Susan Boyle, Xmas hits by Zamfir, and the new MARS and in a moment of weakness grabbed that CD with a face of a total random stranger on it (http://www.facebook.com/FacesofMars) . BRAVE CHOICE! ;)

-j

P.S. We believe in the record. Maybe more than anything before. And are so thankful for the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. Its unlike anything we’ve experienced. If you are reading this and imagining how much you will may not like this album / this band, I have a small request. Take a moment, throw away any preconceived notions, and listen to the music. You never know… you may just like what you hear.

P.P.S. Here’s what I found backstage at KROQ’s Acoustic Xmass

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I think it’s the OG Jaws!

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Credits to: JAREDLETO.com
http://jaredleto.com/thisiswhoireall...he-war-is-here/

Q&A: Jared Leto
December 29th, 2009

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Click HERE to read NOW

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Credits to: JAREDLETO.com
http://jaredleto.com/thisiswhoireall.../qa-jared-leto/