We didn't do it ;-(

[Colin Allen]

Negative? No. Realistic? yes.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich" <cosmicdolphin at COMCAST.NET>
To: <BOC-L at LISTSERV.ISPNETINC.NET>
Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 11:45 PM
Subject: Re: We didn't do it ;-(


> -----Original Message-----
> From: BOC/Hawkwind Discussion List
> [mailto:BOC-L at LISTSERV.ISPNETINC.NET]On Behalf Of Colin Allen
> Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 5:05 PM
> To: BOC-L at LISTSERV.ISPNETINC.NET
> Subject: Re: We didn't do it ;-(
>
>
> >While this was a very gallant and well put together effort, I tend to
agree
> >that it was futile for the following reasons:
>
> >1. The hardcore fanbase is too small.
>
> Actually I disagree, other artists have done it or come very very close.
> Marillion, The Alarm, All About Eve (were a close miss and they definately
> have a smaller fanbase than the Hawks)
>
> >2. The song was not going to appeal to the wider, CD buying public.
>
> Spirit of the Age is a great song and involving Matthew was a good choice,
> as he does have a reasonable level of media exposure.
>
> >3. Publicity and airplay were poor - how was the wider, CD buying public
to
> >get to hear it?
>
> Potentially now it's out there riding high in the Rock chart, and in the
> Indie Chart, more people may hear it, and some airplay will certainly do
no
> harm for later album sales.
>
> >4. It is almost impossible to compete in the singles market against the
> more
> >established players; they have their ways of "ensuring" that their
singles
> >"sell" well, which are probably beyond the financial capability of
> >Voiceprint.
>
> Voiceprint do not have the muscle of big players like EMI etc, but I would
> certainly not be too hard on Rob Ayling. He seems to be doing okay, while
it
> looks like someone like SANCTUARY are on the brink of going under
according
> to what's being reported this week.
>
> When we were handing out/distributing the very colourful pretty flyers
(that
> Voiceprint provided) with Mike Holmes up at Worldcon in Glasgow, people
were
> snapping them up very quickly, so Rob is certainly doing something right.
> Can I also point out he seems to have damn good US distribution.
>
> >None of this reflects badly on Dave Law; his efforts have been
Herculenean
> >and worthy of high praise.
> >Unfortunately, it was the wrong song and the wrong company.
>
> Don't be a negative sourpuss Colin, the glass is more than half full.
> Especially when the album is released, if it enters the TOP 75, that will
> put it in most music stores in the land, and probably many supermarkets
too
> which is pretty good coverage.
>
> Dave has indeed put in a great effort and deserves a jolly good slap on
the
> back. (after he recovers from the hangover of course)
>
> As far as the charts are concerned, well singles are a promotional tool to
> gain album sales, so any promotion/airplay gained from the single release
> could result in album sales, even without a Top 40 placing.
>
> No Room for detractors here, let's just celebrate the fact that there are
> placings in the Rock and Indie charts!!!
>
>
> Rich W
>