Pitchfork

While it might seem strange for 12 of the bands on Sub Pop's roster to be contributing to 2K Sports' NHL 2K7 video game, I think I can explain the phenomenon in six words: Hot Hot Heat and the Constantines. Those crazy Canucks and their hockey!

But let's back up a second. Here's the deal: In addition to the more northerly Sub Pop artists, Band of Horses, Mudhoney, Sleater-Kinney and the Postal Service are all contributing previously released tracks to the NHL 2K7 soundtrack. In the case of the Thermals' "I Hold the Sound", which is on their forthcoming The Blood, The Body, The Machine LP, the track will end up being released before the video game hits stores in September.

A Sub Pop representative explained the label's involvement in the project as follows: "2K Sports...approached us earlier this year about wanting to use some of the artists we work with in the soundtrack for their game...They had some specific criteria and we tried to direct them to music that seemed to fit their needs, but ultimately they selected the tracks they wanted and then we asked the bands if they were into participating."

Guess the Thermals like video games more than they like Hummers.

So while it may seem weird to be listening to "Brand New Colony" while playing someone in "rivalry mode," just remember that those aren't freckles in your opponent's eyes. They're flecks of blood.

Remember, this isn't the first time a powerhouse indie label has hooked up with 2K Sports: earlier this year, Matador licensed several tracks to the company's Major League Baseball 2K6 game.

The NHL 2K7 soundtrack has 18 songs, with six of them being provided by non-Sub Pop artists. There is no word of a separate release for the soundtrack, but the list of songs contributed by Sub Pop is after the jump, in alphabetical order by band name.

The non-Sub Pop bands featured on the soundtrack are Recliner, Dozer, Green Carnation, Grinder, Jupiter Hills, and Throttlerod.

Tracks:

Arlo - "Runaround"
Band of Horses - "Wicked Gil"
The Constantines - "Working Full-Time"
Hot Hot Heat - "Talk to me, Dance With Me"
Kinski - "Hot Stenographer"
Love as Laughter - "Temptation Island"
Mudhoney - "Empty Shells"
Nebula - "Giant"
The Postal Service - "Brand New Colony"
Seaweed - "Losing Skin"
Sleater-Kinney - "Rollercoaster"
The Thermals - "I Hold the Sound"

Bonus feature! Quotes from the NHL 2K7 press release!

"'Sub Pop is the leader in bringing the underground sound to the mainstream without compromising their integrity,'" said Tim Rosa, director of brand and lifestyle marketing for 2K Sports. "'Because we share this mindset when developing our games, NHL 2K7 is the perfect vehicle for Sub Pop to stay true to its vision.'"

"'While Sub Pop and hockey are rarely mentioned in the same breath, the vibe of our music really suits the action of NHL 2K7,'" said Steve Manning, Publicity/Marketing Director, Sub Pop Records. "'Because 2K Sports values authenticity in its games with the same passion we treasure authenticity in our artists, we knew this partnership would resonate with fans of both the sport and our music.'"