If you keep to the new world methods of listening to music, mp3s and CDs and whatnot, you might not realize what amounts some are willing to pay for out-of-print vinyl records, cassette tapes and 8-tracks. It's a lot. If the recordings are by a cult band like Joy Division, that only amplifies how much people are willing to pay just to own what's become a form of memorabilia. Considering all these facts, Julia Adamson, a sound engineer and head of Invisible Girl Records, may have a lot of money on her hands.
Adamson announced on Facebook that she had some leftover master tapes from her time working with producer Martin Hannett, including six boxes marked "Joy Division" or "New Order" (the band formed by Joy Division members after vocalist Ian Curtis died). One of the boxes is labelled "Joy Division outtakes." Basically, there could be a whole trove of new material from a renowned alternative band that only released two albums before ceasing to exist. Adamson said that she offered the tapes to band members first out of respect, but didn't get a friendly response.
"I have looked after these tapes for a long time and when I approached the artists (who were my first port of call) I was subjected to accusations and abuse... so I don't really care anymore," she said. "I know they are worth something to a collector... and good luck to them. The quality of "Unknown Pleasures" far surpasses the mastering from vinyl over the years (they lost the master tapes long ago... these are copy masters... and outtakes... that I assure you are quite splendid)."
Releasing the songs on record is almost out of the question without the permission of the original holders, but the idea of owning the original master tape of "Unknown Pleasures" is enough to knock any fan unconscious. But, if you aren't a huge Joy Division fan, there are also master tapes from other bands including The Psychedelic Furs, Magazine and others.
