Wildly in love with a band and want to help.
September 7, 2007 11:18 PM Subscribe
I've just recently "discovered" a certain English band that I think is underrated and unheard of here in the US. I have this pie-in-the-sky idea that I'd like to turn them into the superstars they should be. How would one go about doing that? It seems an impossible task, but I'd like to take a stab at it. I'm purposely not mentioning the band as I don't want it to seem like I'm asking this question just to promote the band.
Are they signed? If yes, is their album availible in the US?
posted by ALongDecember at 11:42 PM on September 7, 2007
posted by ALongDecember at 11:42 PM on September 7, 2007
Since you're asking this question, I assume you don't have experience promoting a band. It isn't easy to do well - it takes resources and knowledge. You could try to help hook them up with PR representation in the US, but I'm not sure if there's much you could do there. Here's a bit about promotion companies from KEXP. Failing that, you can tell your friends about them, put up flyers for their gigs if they come around, offer to help them with their web site or t-shirt designs or wherever your talents lie, or write to mp3 blogs about them. You could give them money, or a plane ticket or a free van.
posted by ludwig_van at 11:45 PM on September 7, 2007
posted by ludwig_van at 11:45 PM on September 7, 2007
Response by poster: Signed. Some albums on Itunes. Album not available in the US last I checked (I've spent a small fortune tracking down CDs on Ebay). They had/have sort of a Cheap Trick level of popularity in England as far as I can tell. They may be past their sell-by date as they've been around since about 1990.
posted by philad at 11:50 PM on September 7, 2007
posted by philad at 11:50 PM on September 7, 2007
Oh. Well that's a little different. E-mail them and ask them to come to the US or something. And tell your friends about them.
posted by ludwig_van at 11:52 PM on September 7, 2007
posted by ludwig_van at 11:52 PM on September 7, 2007
First off, contact the band and volunteer to help them with their American publicity. Their consent and cooperation will make things much easier, and to be honest, I don't know how far you'll be able to get without it.
Second: Once you work for the band, get permission to distribute free tracks to the tastemakers. These days, the tastemakers consist of a) Pitchfork and b) a handful of prominent music blogs. (The "popular blogs" column at Hype Machine will give you some idea of where to start). If you saturate inboxes with good music and a sincere explanation of what you find so cool about these guys, then you're bound to get some play - and some hype - from someone.
Third: After you have that underground hype, you might want to attack the more conventional media - music magazines, alternative weeklies, the arts sections of major newspapers, etc. The tool of this choice this time is the mighty press kit - Metafilter's own Lore Sjoberg has a fine guide to assembling one. You might want to include the latest album, some British reviews, some blurbage from some of the tastemakers who've been raving about the band - in short, anything to convince the guardians of the mainstream that this is just the band that could enhance their cachet with the coveted teen demographic.
After (and if) these three steps have succeeded, then the band's American appeal will have broadened considerably. At this point, increasing that popularity further is less a matter of promotion than of [shudder] marketing.
posted by Iridic at 12:27 AM on September 8, 2007
Second: Once you work for the band, get permission to distribute free tracks to the tastemakers. These days, the tastemakers consist of a) Pitchfork and b) a handful of prominent music blogs. (The "popular blogs" column at Hype Machine will give you some idea of where to start). If you saturate inboxes with good music and a sincere explanation of what you find so cool about these guys, then you're bound to get some play - and some hype - from someone.
Third: After you have that underground hype, you might want to attack the more conventional media - music magazines, alternative weeklies, the arts sections of major newspapers, etc. The tool of this choice this time is the mighty press kit - Metafilter's own Lore Sjoberg has a fine guide to assembling one. You might want to include the latest album, some British reviews, some blurbage from some of the tastemakers who've been raving about the band - in short, anything to convince the guardians of the mainstream that this is just the band that could enhance their cachet with the coveted teen demographic.
After (and if) these three steps have succeeded, then the band's American appeal will have broadened considerably. At this point, increasing that popularity further is less a matter of promotion than of [shudder] marketing.
posted by Iridic at 12:27 AM on September 8, 2007
Hmmm, from the UK, a Cheap Trickish level of success, around since 1990, that's a puzzler.
The only band that I can think of with that level of success who are still going since 1990 would be someone like the Charlatans.
I know you specifically avoided naming the band in your question, but could you tell me if I am right or on the right area?
posted by ClanvidHorse at 2:55 AM on September 8, 2007
The only band that I can think of with that level of success who are still going since 1990 would be someone like the Charlatans.
I know you specifically avoided naming the band in your question, but could you tell me if I am right or on the right area?
posted by ClanvidHorse at 2:55 AM on September 8, 2007
I would get their music to the hip music blogs. Create a video for Youtube and get them at MySpace. If the music is good it will catch on quickly. Have them play at high schools, colleges, clubs...whereever they can get attention. Once they start to get some momentum, make sure you have a forum for the fan base. Then attack the airplay method explained above. As you make the rounds, update their photos, bios, etc. and prep them for interviews. Place them on ITunes, CDbaby, EMusic, and whatever download stores that specialize in their genre. By this point, either they will catch on, or backtrack the steps until they catch on. Its all about the music, and if that's good, the rest should take off.
posted by DudeAsInCool at 3:52 AM on September 8, 2007
posted by DudeAsInCool at 3:52 AM on September 8, 2007
The thing is if they've been around that long and already have a label and some success in the UK, the fact might be that for whatever reason, they aren't looking for success in the states. And if that's the case you can't really make it happen. Since we don't know what they sound like, they may not be a good fit for pitchfork or the big mp3 blogs, and places like that aren't going to write about them because a random guy asks them to. If they live in the UK you can't very well be setting up gigs for them at high schools. You can't put them on digital distribution sites on your own either. I think your only course here is to e-mail the band, say what you've said here, and ask them if there's anything you can do to help.
posted by ludwig_van at 6:07 AM on September 8, 2007
posted by ludwig_van at 6:07 AM on September 8, 2007
Except, ClanvidHorse, The Charlatans had a pretty big following in the US and Canada back in the shoegaze/Madchester days of the early 90s. To avoid a conflict with some San Francisco band from the 60s, they had to trade under the name 'Charalatans UK'.
I'm sure few of their fans from then, even in the UK, would be aware they're still together though - I wasn't.
posted by Flashman at 6:09 AM on September 8, 2007
I'm sure few of their fans from then, even in the UK, would be aware they're still together though - I wasn't.
posted by Flashman at 6:09 AM on September 8, 2007
uh, that's 'Charlatans UK', although I guess a typo would've done the job for them too
posted by Flashman at 6:10 AM on September 8, 2007
posted by Flashman at 6:10 AM on September 8, 2007
Start a fan site! Keep updates on their tours, their releases, band news, etc. You never know, it could end up turning into a paying job.
posted by zackola at 6:47 AM on September 8, 2007
posted by zackola at 6:47 AM on September 8, 2007
The thing is if they've been around that long and already have a label and some success in the UK, the fact might be that for whatever reason, they aren't looking for success in the states. And if that's the case you can't really make it happen.
I'd incline towards this: the clichés hold true about how demanding it is for a foreign artist to 'break' the US. A multi-date tour across the UK entails sticking the gear in the back of a van and driving an hour or two between venues; the same for the US involves the wonders of visa interviews (plus fingerprinting and photographs), getting the gear across the pond, and driving large distances or flying between venues. Even then you're probably limited to a handful of places, so you're often stuck with the choice of college towns or big cities. (Athens/Atlanta; Eugene/Portland; etc.) Why bother?
I've given up on seeing some of my favourite bands in the US. And I know my favourite British stand-up comics will never, ever tour. But, as Stewart Lee said:
Still, how about this scheme: get them to play a daft little gig in your home town. If you live in a small, obscure town, even better. Set up a website for it that's part promotion for the band, part promotion for the town.
posted by holgate at 8:52 AM on September 8, 2007
I'd incline towards this: the clichés hold true about how demanding it is for a foreign artist to 'break' the US. A multi-date tour across the UK entails sticking the gear in the back of a van and driving an hour or two between venues; the same for the US involves the wonders of visa interviews (plus fingerprinting and photographs), getting the gear across the pond, and driving large distances or flying between venues. Even then you're probably limited to a handful of places, so you're often stuck with the choice of college towns or big cities. (Athens/Atlanta; Eugene/Portland; etc.) Why bother?
I've given up on seeing some of my favourite bands in the US. And I know my favourite British stand-up comics will never, ever tour. But, as Stewart Lee said:
In the mid-90’s I was on television, and was of the mistaken belief that this represented a logical end-point in comedy. Returning to stand-up recently after four years off, the actual numbers game seems much simpler. I need about 7000 fans. If each of them gave me about £5 a year after tax, agent’s commission and travel expenses, I would be making a fine living, and probably never having to deal with sports fans coming to my shows. There is no need for that 7000 strong audience to include English rugby fans. If I can find some way of operating at such a level whereby they never find me, I could have the most wonderful life.It may sound a bit harsh, but wanting this band to be big in the US may be more about vindicating your support than doing them a favour.
Still, how about this scheme: get them to play a daft little gig in your home town. If you live in a small, obscure town, even better. Set up a website for it that's part promotion for the band, part promotion for the town.
posted by holgate at 8:52 AM on September 8, 2007
Do you have any writing ability? You can always pitch freelance articles on them to music publications. Maybe someone will bite.
posted by cmgonzalez at 10:02 AM on September 8, 2007
posted by cmgonzalez at 10:02 AM on September 8, 2007
Response by poster: Thank you so much for the ideas everyone. gfrobe outed me. It is the Wildhearts. I see you're in the UK, gfrobe - how popular were/are they?
posted by philad at 10:15 AM on September 8, 2007
posted by philad at 10:15 AM on September 8, 2007
Wow, I immediately thought of the Wildhearts when I read this earlier today. I was a huge Wildhearts fan back when they were together in their semi-original lineups. They were fairly big in the mid-late 90's - top 10/20 singles and appearances on Top of the Pops, they were never mainstream though. Agreed they were a fantastic band that truly deserved to be huge. I can't see the point in promoting them now - they've spent around a decade splitting and reforming, hiring and firing, and the last truly great music they produced was on P.H.U.Q/Fishing for Luckies (IMO!) There is a bit of an American following, IIRC Ginger sold out a few solo Acoustic shows in the US recently, but I think you'd be struggling to generate real interest or funding for a full tour.
They are really great guys, Ginger and Danny especially. I met them on numerous occasions over the years and I would recommend checking out all the Wildhearts spinoff/related bands if you haven't already - The YoYos, 3 Colours Red, Honeycrack, The Jelly's etc. The quality varies wildly but there are melodic gems to be found.
posted by fire&wings at 11:07 AM on September 8, 2007
They are really great guys, Ginger and Danny especially. I met them on numerous occasions over the years and I would recommend checking out all the Wildhearts spinoff/related bands if you haven't already - The YoYos, 3 Colours Red, Honeycrack, The Jelly's etc. The quality varies wildly but there are melodic gems to be found.
posted by fire&wings at 11:07 AM on September 8, 2007
zackola's suggestion of starting a fan site is a really good idea, especially if the band doesn't have a huge presence in the States. There are probably other fans of the group out there looking for info, and a fan site would give them a place to connect and reinforce their fandom through shared experiences.
Then, contact the band and/or their management and ask what you can do to help.
posted by scottandrew at 11:18 AM on September 8, 2007
Then, contact the band and/or their management and ask what you can do to help.
posted by scottandrew at 11:18 AM on September 8, 2007
I wasn't here in the 90s so don't really know how popular they were in the UK. Also not very familiar with them now to be honest. Although a look at their website seems to indicate they're putting a real push on the US with tour dates, etc. And it looks like Round Records is their own label so I'm sure they'd welcome assistance from fans. Drop them an email and ask if them what they're plans are for your local area. Maybe there is a way to help out whether it be passing out samplers, advising on good local press they should be targeting, calling local radio stations and requesting their new single, etc. With any luck you could get to know the band and hang with them if they play close to your town!
posted by gfrobe at 12:21 PM on September 8, 2007
posted by gfrobe at 12:21 PM on September 8, 2007
If they've been around since 1990 and haven't made it big, they aren't going to now.
posted by A189Nut at 12:33 PM on September 8, 2007
posted by A189Nut at 12:33 PM on September 8, 2007
a look at their website seems to indicate they're putting a real push on the US with tour dates, etc.
Well, not really. They're playing a couple of dates in NYC, and a few on the west coast, in venues that hold a few hundred. They're basically having a rockers' holiday in the US, playing to a committed set of fans, covering their expenses, and having a good time of it rather than schlepping across the country. There's nothing wrong with that.
The Idolator peeps like them, so perhaps ask them to cover their gig in Brooklyn, or the boat they've hired. Heck, if you wanted to drum up publicity, you could probably raise enough money to book a gig in your back yard.
posted by holgate at 6:52 PM on September 8, 2007
Well, not really. They're playing a couple of dates in NYC, and a few on the west coast, in venues that hold a few hundred. They're basically having a rockers' holiday in the US, playing to a committed set of fans, covering their expenses, and having a good time of it rather than schlepping across the country. There's nothing wrong with that.
The Idolator peeps like them, so perhaps ask them to cover their gig in Brooklyn, or the boat they've hired. Heck, if you wanted to drum up publicity, you could probably raise enough money to book a gig in your back yard.
posted by holgate at 6:52 PM on September 8, 2007
I also guessed this was the Wildhearts when first reading the question, perhaps influenced by the fact I was listening to them at the time (last.fm link in profile if'n you don't believe me!). They seemed to be on the way up in the UK about 15 years ago, but then grunge hit and CJ left the band and it all fell apart. Drugs, alcohol, mental instability, all the usual rock'n'roll trainwreck factors all at once.
They're a great band, but the time when they could have 'broken' the US was back when they released "Earth vs.". It's too late for them now. Back then they had a decent-sized label (EastWest, owned by Warner) and put out a full-length debut that in my opinion was comparable to Appetite for Destruction, and they could perhaps have been bigger then. That would have required substantial investment from the label, buying them on to major tours and what not, and at that time it would have been difficult because Americans only wanted to hear grunge back then.
Now, the boys are not at points in their lives when spending months at a time trekking back and forth across the US playing for beer is right for them, and they don't have a label with money backing them. So it is not going to happen.
Anyway, you don't have enough money to buy them onto Ozzfest so that's irrelevant. What can you do? The only thing I can think of is if you make some incredibly successful viral video and use one of their songs as a soundtrack to it. An internet meme sweep seems the best way to reach a large audience on the cheap. Start pointing your camera at hilarious cats or fat kids or something.
posted by nowonmai at 9:56 AM on September 9, 2007
They're a great band, but the time when they could have 'broken' the US was back when they released "Earth vs.". It's too late for them now. Back then they had a decent-sized label (EastWest, owned by Warner) and put out a full-length debut that in my opinion was comparable to Appetite for Destruction, and they could perhaps have been bigger then. That would have required substantial investment from the label, buying them on to major tours and what not, and at that time it would have been difficult because Americans only wanted to hear grunge back then.
Now, the boys are not at points in their lives when spending months at a time trekking back and forth across the US playing for beer is right for them, and they don't have a label with money backing them. So it is not going to happen.
Anyway, you don't have enough money to buy them onto Ozzfest so that's irrelevant. What can you do? The only thing I can think of is if you make some incredibly successful viral video and use one of their songs as a soundtrack to it. An internet meme sweep seems the best way to reach a large audience on the cheap. Start pointing your camera at hilarious cats or fat kids or something.
posted by nowonmai at 9:56 AM on September 9, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by randomstriker at 11:36 PM on September 7, 2007 [1 favorite]