which implies early fan base drops off pretty quick unless they are truly dedicated like Take That or Cliff...

The number one has done less than 8000 so far.

I suspect competent hype as in the Universal stable may still be gaining short term results with hugely damaging long term implications.

Because really popular music is either not being made or not being heard and that is a devastating to the industry (and to music).

A communal bag of chips, maybe?

I would be far from surprised if Koopa rise like a rocket and fall like a stick.

Much as I wish them well and see they did a good marketing job I think that is all they did. Good marketing with nothing musically solid to back it up.

Therein lies one of the problems with the music industry - good marketing and bugger all else.

Which tends to point out that my "lack" of timing could pay off.
Perhaps they were too early.

things won't get any better until companies invest in the development of acts early in their careers. Forget the marketing until the act is ready to go with a real breaker and back up catalogue.

Mart wrote:
Which tends to point out that my "lack" of timing could pay off.
Perhaps they were too early.

Yes. There isn't just a once and for all thing here.

I don't think they were too early more not actually very good or at least not good enough to carry beyond the initial interest.

Next time an "unknown" moves into the chart and becomes "known" but this time with songs to back it up they could do very well. Somebody will be the first to make a true break.

The freedom to "get it out there" without expensive physicals and costly distribution still offers great opportunities.

Good luck to your guys Mart.

Sorry Zooloo to take issue with you but here we have a classic case of 'no one really knows what they are talking about here'. Whether Koopa are good enough has nothing to do with record sales. Sales doesnt equal good neither to the lack of sales = bad. Timing does have a role to play here as well as support from Radio, press etc.

We have seen plenty of records that sold buckets that were in my opinion not very good, likewise many very good records have had poor sales.

'King of my castle' was originally released in dec 1999 or 1998 it flopped. It was re-released in the summer of the next year with a new mix and alas it got to number one.

The charts are full of records with this kind of performance.

As for Koopa using marketing and nothing else, let's not forget their story happened after the event. The press and PR was picked up after they charted and like all other non major label fanbase oriented acts they disappeared from the charts within a week or two.

Until there is an alternative method of breaking your track without support of radio, tv, press and lots of money, strings and power the majors will continue to dominate the charts.

This alternative 'promotions' system will be soon found where your success is not going to depend on money or 'media' contacts but real life sales.

That's cool DJKZ.

I do think timing in regards of going for it in the quiet post-Christmas period has been essential to get noticed.

Not so much here but elsewhere there seems to be an element of "oh well Koopa did it and that's it now" which I feel is wrong attitude. I see no reason why a new act cannot make a real breakthrough by downloads alone.

Beyond the quality of songs people buy into an image or idea(l) - I don't think Koopa had that either. My view that they didn't/couldn't follow through is quite broad.

Other than they got in the chart on downloads alone there is nothing else of interest.

It doesn't mean game over for every other new act (An attitude more prevalent elsewhere than here)

If downloads could give the industry a good kick, like cheap singles production in the late 70s did, then there is hope.

I find it incredible that it can have dropped from 31 to outside the top 200, that is a massive fall! The fact they had some media coverage, you'd have thought it would have kept them in for a 2nd week.

As for Koopa using marketing and nothing else, let's not forget their story happened after the eventSo what marketing did Koopa do exactly? Anyone know?

The drop shows there was no real demand for the record at all - just clever promotion that made sure the fanbase all bought (early) in one week to make the most of a relatively small sale.

Den Kirby wrote:
As for Koopa using marketing and nothing else, let's not forget their story happened after the eventSo what marketing did Koopa do exactly? Anyone know?

Previously posted links

Belfast Telegraph

Designer Mag

Neither link directly answers your question but there's odds and sods within - Belfast Tele is roughly they made song available as download and by mobile phone for those sans credit card.

Father contributed

20k in savings from the Father, wow. Seeing as it went into the charts and out again so quickly it's certainly not going to recoup that.

Let's hope they can use the exposure to their advantage and get Dad his money back.

I think that the Koopa story shows something incredibly positive for all bands to take note.

1. Promoting a band is relatively cheap and easy.
2. With the right story you can kick start interest.
3. You need a genuine hit which would then carry your sales past the initial fanbase and of course increase your fanbase.

4. You need a PR. Doesn't have to cost the earth but you need one.

5. You need to gig or if you aren't a gigging band like most dance acts and JK you need a decent video or shall i say an interesting one for Youtube.

6. You need to use your brains.

7. Make music you love.

8. Pull a team of songwriters to help you. Regardless of who you are there are many hit writers out of work who would need the gig. The Majors can only take so many songs and then the artists are too many times up their own a** and think they are The Beatles when they are not hence they dont release them.

9. Watch your budget and never, i repeat never spend more than you can afford. Downloads is not going to make you rich. It is the other income streams that are important.

10. Bring in a quality manager/co-manager/agent or someone who can negotiate the real money making deals for you off the back of your one hit or minor hit or even micro mini hit. If Jade Goody can make 8m just by having a pucker agent then so can you.

11. I wanted to make it a top ten but this one is most important of all. HAVE FUN !!!!!! even if you are taking the piss out of everyone. Fantastic. Im in such a good mood.

PS: Nice to see Tony and the rest of the Manilla PR team had a hand in Koopa. Go to their website and see what they can do for you. Very reasonably priced and affordable. Enabled me to see PR is something that you can afford.

www.manillapr.com