I've only "discovered" three dead cert hits since my release nearly 2 years ago - one (No Tomorrow by Orson) went on to be huge; the other two were both picked up by outfits that decided to change and adapt the artiste and, I fear, have lost the momentum and the hits as a result.

One was a solo singer songwriter with a global No1 potential smash who went with a publisher of the old school "make him write with professional writers" approach and sent him to Hollywood to have the individuality thrashed out of him. Well, it worked for Blunt (I suspect that was the thinking behind it). Personally, I hate that approach. Bring out the quality of the original, I say - don't try to squeeze it into a recognised shape. Anyway, along came James Morrison and Paulo Nuttini and away went the momentum. They are younger, prettier, happening...

The other was a terrific young band pressurised into changing name, image, sound, approach... result? The smash never came out (hard to break anyway), they were removed from their talented producer (who, I suspect, contributed 65% of the magic) and they are now just another corporate mini project posing as an indie band on an imprint pretending to be an indie label where it's part of a giant conglomerate.

So the message is... if you have a hit out there, don't be swayed by the money and blandishments of the dinosaurs.

Because their thinking (turn them into Album selling artistes at all costs; even Orson have suffered from that - wake up Jason and Lucian) is the dead and defunct model.

The new one is HITS HITS HITS!!

Where are the Hits!!! myspace or my desk has not NOT produced them.... and i am hunting!

Not sure which solo artist you're talking about.

The band however I totally agree with. In nearly 8 years of running Designer Magazine never have I seen a band with so much potential destroyed by a major label...in their previous incarnation that band could have been massive having hit after hit, in their latest guise they'll struggle to even make a minimal impression on rock or pop fans alike

Alex

2 questions:

Which solo arist are you talking about?

Why did the major label change the band if they were so good?

With luck both will overcome the obstacles.
I still reckon the solo writer's song is a monster (in the original form) and the band (Alex knows exactly who I mean) had one definite and one possible top three track.

I hate it when "experts" kill talent by interfering.

Shouldn't you just reserve judgement unitl the band releases. They may have had hits (in your opinion) but the public may not have thought so. Stop all this hypothetical nonsense.

You may be right. But I've watched this scenario so many times and it's important to explain it to other, future, upcoming talents.

It is so, so easy to blow the moment in this ethereal industry which can be full of false promises and bad influences.

The thousands - literally - who read these threads include, possibly, the next makers of hits.

As the business alters radically and swiftly, we are here, amongst other things, to provide advice and opinion when all others are inclined to blindly follow the old, and wrong, roads.

I totally agree but maybe the label changed their direction for a reason. The point I was trying to make is that we don't know if they're wrong until the band release. If it's a total flop then you can do the "I told you so" speech but until then we'll never know.

Ah Victor; I can guarantee they will release and have HUGE success (number 4 in the chart?) because, as with their approach to talent - sticking them in boxes - the majors still know how to hype the stupid, meaningless chart (not that it matters - see above in my FRIGHTENING thread).

The band/artiste/management will go "ooh, how brilliant - we're in the top ten. Now for Top of the Pops (not) and the Chart Shows (not) and Fame'n'Glory (not unless you take drugs, date a super model and adore rehab)".

And after a couple of months, the band or artiste will drift away as newer, more fresh signings get "the treatment".

Then the executive who took them will be fired. As the corporate bottom line gets redder and redder. Down the priority list they will go.

Watch and witness. Anticipation of the predictable is vital these days and a massive responsibility when dealing with human lives.

Easy to say "wait and see".

Not so easy to lay the foundations for real success.

That's the point of this discussion. Think new.

Victor wrote:
I totally agree but maybe the label changed their direction for a reason. The point I was trying to make is that we don't know if they're wrong until the band release. If it's a total flop then you can do the "I told you so" speech but until then we'll never know.
You're right to a degree, of course. But if we come to this board, we are interested in what goes into creating music (I almost said "hits", but it's not the unique focus of the board) and getting it into the public ear. And as JK says, as the creator you are often playing with one bullet. Better shoot with a steady hand!

Besides, JK's comments will not affect the acts' chances. Their label, however, has an almost life-or-death series of decisions to make.

Che sara, sara.

Assuming we are talking about The Vacancy turned Go Audio. I have to say their new sound is more exciting. Less kiddy... Made Up Stories is a smash. There old material sounded like a second rate busted.

and new is what we need like a blast of fresh air. Well said JK. Things may very well go for them and I doubt there is a person on this board who does not wish people every possible success. However...

Indeed Big End, there has been a notable trend on this board to wish everyone well, and a hush of tumbleweed silence developing, rather than slating an act when nobody partucurlarly likes it.
I first heard Go-Audio when whoever does their Myspace contacted mine.
It`s difficult to say whether or not the label changed the direction of the band. Talented young bands change their mind on direction all the time, I believe the record company would have to deal with all the twists and turns, keep the act happy and target the audience still.
Failing all that, if they didnt believe in them, they`d have been told to get their coats by now.
There`s a lot of it about and the coat rack is half empty, half full depending on one`s optimism.
My own personal optimism, was to buy four new coat racks.