Atlanta emo-pop titans Cartel and Wind-Up Records, home to such luminaries as Creed, Evanescence,  and Alter Bridge, have come to terms on a deal encompassing the band’s recordings, merch and  “artist development”:

New York — Wind-up Entertainment and the rock band Cartel have entered in to a number of agreements.  The band’s future recordings will be released by Wind-up Records.  Additionally, the sale of all Cartel merchandise at on-line, retail, and touring points of sale will be handled by Wind-up Entertainment’s Pronto Merch.  Lastly, Cartel has entered in to an agreement with Wind-up Artist Development Corporation, Inc.

The Atlanta-based quintet, featuring Will Pugh (Vocals / Guitar), Joseph Pepper (Guitar), Nic Hudson (Guitar), Jeff Lett (Bass) and Kevin Sanders (Drums), self-released their first EP titled RANSOM in March, 2004.  A deal with the Militia Group followed, and the CHROMA album was issued in 2005.  Epic Records re-released the title in the summer of 2006, delivering a significant groundswell.   The band’s self-titled follow-up CARTEL followed in 2007.  The band parted ways with the major label, opening the door for this alliance with Wind-up Entertainment.

Wind-up Entertainment President Ed Vetri shared, “In the continuing evolution of the music industry, Wind-up has been and continues to be a leader in developing a business model that forms true artist partnerships and provides for long term development.  We believe that bands like Cartel, and deals like this, are the future of this business.  We are excited to begin working with a group that has proven hard work, great songwriting, and a commitment to touring provides the basis for a long term career. We are excited to be in business with Cartel, and look forward to building on their already sizeable fan base.”

Cartel front man Will Pugh enthusiastically commented, “We are very excited to announce that we have signed with Wind-up Records. The overwhelmingly positive familial atmosphere of the label has us looking forward to what is certain to be a lasting and successful relationship. We’re extremely eager to begin this new chapter in the life of Cartel.  All five of us sincerely appreciate and thank our fans for their continuous heartfelt support throughout the lifetime of the band, especially over the last nine months or so.  With a new label home firmly secured and fresh winds filling our sails we foresee bigger and better opportunities for us to continue to grow and thrive as a band, while building off the same foundational elements that we have always embraced: hard work, endless touring, good vibes and fantastic fan-friendly relations.”

Cartel is currently working on the repertoire for their third album, and will enter the studio in the coming months.  The release is planned for early 2009.  Cartel will be co-headlining The Crocs Next Step Campus Tour August 29 through September 26 with Yung Joc (dates subject to change).

Well, there’s the shark, might as well jump it. Oh wait…they already did.

When we found Video Matt aka Matt Wilson at the local troubled teen shelter [actually it was Butte College, but close enough] he had been on the grind for a minute, setting up interviews with bands and filming live footage totally guerrilla style, working with bands like Paramore and Dance Gavin Dance and repping Gridley, CA like a motherfucker. Since no one else at Synthesis even knew how to turn on a video camera, let alone had the balls to stand in front of it, we immediately hired Matt to be our guru of all things video, allowing him to slay 234 times more tang on YouTube and in the process, giving him a chance to work with most of his all time favorite bands, including New Found Glory, Cartel, Jacks Mannequin and Danger Radio to name a few; get super hammered at SXSW before even turning 21, and learn all about industry rule #4080. Check out our YouTube page for all sorts of Video Matt madness and be sure to hit your boy up on the comments, maybe he’ll holla next time he’s kicking it at The Boardwalk, nahmean?

Check out Video Matt’s interview with New York post-spocks The Honorary Title at the San Francisco stop of their current tour with Cartel. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll hurl. When you’re done, I’m gonna need you to go ahead and watch the 234239 other videos currently featured on our fucking fantabulous YOUTUBE CHANNEL including interviews with the aforementioned Cartel, Paramore, The Fall of Troy, and basically anyone else you would see at The Warped Tour. YA HEARD?

Synthesis correspondent and web celebrity Video Matt sat interview with mega pop rockers Cartel this weekend at Slim’s in San Francisco, CA and chatted them up about their new, self-titled record, life on the road, and the usual crazy ass shit that Video Matt comes up with. Check it out, then keep checking back to Synthesis.net for a chance to win a signed copy of the new record and a sparkling new Microsoft Zune to put it on.

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So Cartel is in a bubble on New York’s Hudson River Park’s Pier 54. They’ve been there since May 24th and will stay there for three weeks while they record their next album.

Check out the band on one of the 23 live streaming cameras to see what Cartel is up to. Damn, that’s some bubble.