From: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org (oppositeview-digest) To: oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Subject: oppositeview-digest V2 #149 Reply-To: oppositeview@smoe.org Sender: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk oppositeview-digest Friday, November 3 2000 Volume 02 : Number 149 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: OV: Nothing Ever Happens unless you listen? ["Jen Woyan" ] OV: Fan Help [Darren Holmquist ] OV: Cool... [Ladywiz@aol.com] OV: Fate...or just coincidence.....? ["Iain Gray" ] Re: OV: Re: dela who? ["barbaralafferty" ] OV: Re: Re: dela who? ["barbaralafferty" ] OV: popstaritis ["Ed Minton" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 09:21:33 -0600 From: "Jen Woyan" Subject: Re: OV: Nothing Ever Happens unless you listen? See? Another batch of potentially wasted opportunities.... Jane mentioned the new server Kevin/the band have... So, what do WE wanna do with it? We all know our respective markets - let's have a thread of what other bands are doing to promote their CDs - all we can offer are our insight & ideas - we've already committed our support of them, right? I still contend that the Dels have to PROVE themselves to be a viable entity before Mercury/Universal will be willing to invest funds in them - again - there's a reason they call it the "music industry"... And everyone else is exploiting the capabilities of the Web... Where are our boys in this environment? Any ideas, kids? Seriously - they need us as it seems JPR are - as always - fucking clueless... Cheers, Jen in Chicago - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hilary Gray" To: Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 4:52 PM Subject: Re: OV: Nothing Ever Happens unless you listen? > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jen Woyan" > Sent: 31 October 2000 02:20 > > >Blur's B-Sides gig from the Electric Ballroom in Camden on September 6th > >(Monday) is now available in archive form, at both 28k and 56K Real Video > >format, from the blur:x website. > > A B-side gig? Oh, we can dream can't we.......? > > Hilary > > > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 10:30:19 -0600 From: "debbie" Subject: Re: OV: Re: dela who? Leah, I think you have excellent points. Speaking for myself, I'll buy everything of their's I can lay my hands on, but the general public or casual fan/listener has no idea what they're up to, as you stated. I have an idea or two that could be considered by the band. I'm also a big fan of The Wonder Stuff (and the spin-off bands that came later). They broke up around 6 years ago, yet, they've decided to get back together for a handful of shows in London & a couple in the Midlands (unfortunately for me) in early December, mostly due to the loyalty of their fans on e-mail lists created by fans! (Sound familiar? :-) Anyway, they've also just remastered and re-released 4 of their albums including bonus b-sides, live and/or previously unreleased material! They're also going to release a double CD with MORE b-sides, live and previously unreleased material. Unfortunately, they've only just been released in the UK and I have no idea when/if they'll be available in the US, but regardless, I think it's pretty (pretty?) ambitious for a band that broke up 6 years ago to do all this because they still have a following! Maybe our boys could take a cue? Also, Miles Hunt, the lead singer of The Wonder Stuff, has been doing a solo thing for the last couple of years and he's got an MP3 club going. For $20 you get at least one song a month of new material or alternate versions of his previous stuff, always cool. Maybe the boys could do this for extra cash and to tide us over? One song a month isn't much to ask, I wouldn't think, especially since I bet they've got tons of stuff "in the can". Of course, it may depend entirely on their record label. Miles' label (Gig) is actually the one handling this. The Dels' label may not want to be bothered with it, who knows, but it's just an idea. Also, I did feel a bit of encouragement recently. I've JUST got the Travis CD "The Man Who" and I don't think they're terribly unlike The Dels in style and type of music, so seeing how popular they've become and are becoming, I see there's still a place in the music world (and charts for all I care) for "our" type of music. I'm not giving up on our guys yet, they still have a chance if they want it. Have a wonderful day! debbie "If those who only see the bad things don't even try to lift their feet out of the muck & mire, they'll never make it to the fields of flowers, dancing or not." - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leah D Schenkenberg" To: ; Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2000 1:49 PM Subject: Re: OV: Re: dela who? > > I didn't mean to sound that I wouldn't buy their album because they don't > cater to my want of tours and cds etc. But what about those who aren't on > this list...who aren't necessarily hardcore fans, just interested people? > I know in my case, I've gotten a CD, loved it, listened to it all the > time, and it slowly makes its way from next to cd player to be played all > the time to the bottom of the cd rack. And I don't pull it out again > until they come back in town, and I remember how much I loved the Cd, go > to the concert, listen to it again, get another CD, etc. But if DA > hasn't done anything over the last couple years, those people who just > have twisted may have slowly moved it from the cd changer to the > rack...maybe to the second hand shop. > > DA doesn't have to worry about catering to the loyal ones. They are > guaranteed that a CD will be bought by everyone on this list. But I'm > assuming they have a goal of selling to more than just us...and *that's* > who they need to cater too. We're obviously not going to forget them, > but lots of other people have. > > Most people out there, at least in my age group, don't have a "favorite" > band. Of my friends, I am the exception by being a "fan" of anyone. > They just listen to the radio. Most have less than 20 cds. They don't > have devoted connections to any one person or group in music. They don't > feel loyalty to anyone. Del Amitri neglecting promotion to the people on > this list does not hurt them...it's neglecting the promotion to everyone > else that does. > > Leah > > > > > I don't > anyone -- and I mean anyone -- who would decide NOT to buy an album > because > of the way a band "treats" its fans. > ________________________________________________________________ > YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! > Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! > Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: > http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2000 08:32:45 -0800 From: Darren Holmquist Subject: OV: Fan Help I know there are several artists enlisting the help of their fans (I know Taire and Lori have posted about some of theirs). One that I know about is for a band called The Push Stars. www.pushstars.com which is where you can become a Push Stars Representative. Albeit, it's not free. They're not giving you the materials. You do have to buy it, but at a reduced price. I don't think it's a money maker for the band, but it does help spread the word. No, I haven't signed up. I live in a cultural wasteland. Although they just announced that Joan Osborne is going to be playing at the Athletic Club of Bend. That's about as good as it gets 'round here. But, I buy cd's used, and look for the right people to give them to. That includes the Dels, Mary Lou Lord, Michelle Malone, BoDeans, and such. I've also been doing a pretty good job of emailing in requests, as well! I mentioned awhile ago that I got a 4-play of Del Amitri on. Well, I got another one on last week. All it takes is an email... Darren ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 12:52:11 EST From: Ladywiz@aol.com Subject: OV: Cool... We have a new radio station here in Atlanta, MIX 105.7. I remember listening to MIX when we were living near Washington, DC last year and they played a lot of Dels. Well, wonder of wonders, this Atlanta station has been merrily playing "Driving", "Roll to Me", "Last to Know", "What I Think She Sees", and "Not Where Its At" ! I hear Dels at least every other day and Monday I heard TWO Dels songs in four hours. Great format, 70's, 80's and 90's music. Del Amitri. The DJ always makes a point of saying "A great bunch of guys from Scotland," "That was Del Amitri, one of the great unknown bands," and even "Hey, go out and buy some of this music, these guys are great." So to those in the Atlanta area.....time to whip that dial off Z93 and onto MIX 105.7, then let them know how much we appreciate the airplay! DELightfully, Teresa ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2000 23:26:12 GMT From: "Iain Gray" Subject: OV: Fate...or just coincidence.....? Was feeling down about all the talk about the dels and what's gonna happen if and when they get this album out, my music taste hs drifted away from them, only occasionally playing a track or b-side when I fel like it, so I was gonna ad my depressing tupence worth to this discussion....BUT....I decided to set my radio alarm for getting up in the morning, switched it on to check the volume is ok to wake me up, only to hear the opening chords of Always the last to Know.....dammit, I forgot how this band can cheer me up when I need it....so guys, instead of writing something critical of the lack of anything....I'm on a high and am off to dig out some dels stuff to listen too..... : ) Iain, removing the new Green Day album form his CD player to insert Waking Hours.....and a 1, 2, 3, 4.......in deepest darkest Scotland! _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 20:32:18 -0600 From: "barbaralafferty" Subject: Re: OV: Re: dela who? I was thinking this exact thought, I know some musicians who can only write when in a state of depression or frustration or something. Justin seems to be this kind to me, anyone else? Barbara - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jane Armstrong" To: "Dels" Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2000 1:25 AM Subject: Re: OV: Re: dela who? > > > Well IMO I think the explanation for all this is > > probably simple. The band lost it's label and is still > > looking for a new one. > > But they haven't lost their label in Britain. I think it's because Justin > is in love and has lost the ability to write cruel, cutting, cynical > lyrics...... I hope I'm proved completely wrong!!! > > Jane > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 20:39:26 -0600 From: "barbaralafferty" Subject: OV: Re: Re: dela who? I haven't said much about the bands "obligation" to the fans and market because I really didn't agree. But the one comment I have is that the very reason I like Del Amitri is that they are a little rebelious (sp?), they don't go along with society just to be agreeable, they "take the opposite view" sometimes it seems or say what everyone's thinking but is unable to articulate.... So, I'll wait patiently for the genius! Barbara - ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2000 7:38 AM Subject: OV: Re: dela who? > You know, I promised I'd just keep my big mouth shut about this, but, once > again, I have absolutely no resolve. First, Lori said it all, beautifully. > > Second, Leah wrote: > > > > Del Amitri is not obligated to pump out a record within 3 or 5 or 7 years > > if that is their choice. But just the same, their fans are not obligated > > to buy it, and can't be expected to with such little effort put their > > way. > > > > We are the ones who supply them with this job. They can choose not to > > cater to us, but that has reprecussions. If they don't do anything > > within 4 years, we can, effectively, fire them. And I'm sure that some > > people will and/or already have. > > Look, the bottom line is that del Amitri is a business. The band's product: > music. People, OVers included, will buy music that they like, and will > choose not to buy music because the music doesn't appeal to them. I don't > anyone -- and I mean anyone -- who would decide NOT to buy an album because > of the way a band "treats" its fans. [If that were the case, Billy Idol would > not have sold a single album after his first. Wait a minute, that's not a > good example. Anyway...] Albums don't sell because of two things (in my > uninformed opinion -- Jen, feel free to inform me if I'm wrong): bad music or > bad marketing and promotion. [I don't equate marketing and promotion with > how the band "treats" its fans.] > > Frankly, if a band "caters" to me, that will reflect on my purchases and > concert-going only as long as I enjoy the music. As soon as the music sucks, > the band could kiss my sweet a** and I still wouldn't buy the album or go to > a show. > > Obviously, my grumpy mood remains, > Sherry ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 22:41:39 -0600 From: "Ed Minton" Subject: OV: popstaritis Kevin wrote: >That's a different John Reid. There are, funnily enough, two John Reid Music Managers in London! Wonderful. As if the world isn't confusing enough already! Thanks for the correction, though. Ed ------------------------------ End of oppositeview-digest V2 #149 **********************************