We didn't do it ;-(

[Alisa]

Miracles don't happen.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin Allen" <colin at CALLEN18.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
To: <BOC-L at LISTSERV.ISPNETINC.NET>
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2005 12:04 PM
Subject: Re: We didn't do it ;-(


> See below.
>
> ----- 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)
>
> They may well have but this is only one factor.  in combination with the
> other factors, the small fanbase made the task more difficult.
>
> >
> > >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.
>
> It is a good song but it is NOT a good single for 2005; as to Mr Wright,
his
> media exposure has helped to sell some singles (from his fan clun) but his
> overall media exposure is not that good.
>
> > >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.
>
> They may, but I doubt it as most playlists are driven by the main singles
> chart.
>
> >
> > >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.
>
> You are somewhat missing the point here.  I am not commenting on the
success
> or otherwise of Mr Ayling's business, merely on the abilityor willingness
of
> Voiceprint to do what other companies do in order to get their singles
into
> that charts.  Many companies have teams of "buyers" who are paid to buy
the
> single from as many chart-counting shops as possible, thereby rigging the
> charts.  I strongly suspect that this effort was far more honest than
that.
>
> > >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.
>
> If (to quote a Spartan king!).
>
> > 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.
>
> I suspect that charting this single meant far more than that to some
people.
>
> >
> > No Room for detractors here, let's just celebrate the fact that there
are
> > placings in the Rock and Indie charts!!!
>
> Is this the Taleban or a Hawkwind discussion group?
>
> >
> >
> > Rich W
> >
>
> Colin
>