Like them or loathe them and I am NOT a fan of theirs, Koopa have succeeded in staying in the top 20 this week. Maybe I shouldn't speak too soon as the BPI/OCC might decide their face don't fit and throw them out.

I think Koopa's obsession with the charts works for them. They are building up their fanbase, they sell out gigs wherever they play and they have a lot of fans. OK nothing compared to the X Factor one hit wonders but they are doing the same thing.

It is a model known as fanbase selling and Westlife are no different only bigger.

Koopa are no different to Take That in that instance but were they a pop band who could now command the best songwriters in the business they would be able to sustain a longer chart position and consolidate their position.

They have stumbled on a system that works for them and have a growing army of fanatics. Will the majors take notice and sign them ?

Now before you all get up and say the charts mean nothing etc, I beg to differ. The charts mean something to those wavering fans who are persuaded by the fact that they got into the chart and it means something to the industry. Plus if anyone says the charts mean nothing and then goes on and post the midweeks on Wednesday aren't they contradicting themselves ?

KOOPA...

Praise for the energy, willingness to spend, enthusiasm, youth, positivity.

Sadness for the misguided spend in the wrong places, lack of constructive musical contribution (a good producer could turn them from adequate to good), lack of imagination about the bigger picture.

I suspect they will simply be one step in the march towards progress. Others will learn from their successes and failures.

The chart no longer matters but, as you point out, at least they are getting noticed here and on other boards.

To get massive crossover to the mainstream they need a bigger budget - agree with JK on that.

But considering they are operating at such a low DIY level their success is nothing short of a miracle and they do show that fanbases mean something in this "marketing" led music industry which is refreshing.

What would you do JK with them ? do you really think that major lable production etc would work ? or would that signal sell out from their fanbase ?

No I think they should take on a good freelance independent producer (like myself for example) whose opinion and track record they respect and listen to his advice - whether it means writing with someone (as I sent Bonjovi off to write with Desmond Child which produced Living On a Prayer and You Give Love a Bad Name) or covering another song to make a real crossover global radio rock hit.

That sounds like great advice but do you think that without the backing of a major label, radio would support them even if they had a global smash ?

Or am i being cynical when i say that the only way to achieve this is to 'sell out', sign with a major and let them handle it and then balls it up. Orson anyone and the debacle that is Go Audio.

JK how did you get past the suits at radio with UK records ? Or did you go through a major ?

Tell us what you did then and what you would do now.
In fact apart from your Youtube videos how are you promoting your albums and singles because i'm pretty sure radio won't play it for 'non musical reasons'. Or am i wrong ?

There is a lot of talk about Koopa not making any money from the chart position, but hang on a minute, this is a full time gigging band.
They will certainly increase their earnings out of this, the PR fees etc should be easily offset very soon from live merch.
Hmmm......a 360 deal without the complimentary tax-disc holder.
Like it.

My answer KZ - yes, I think I have the answers but, at nearly 63, do I have the energy anymore?

That's what I need to find out.

im not sure thats exactly true about selling out there gigs but i could be wrong,tina

I don`t think there is any guaranteed way of selling out a gig, but this sort of exposure has to help.

Mart wrote:
I don`t think there is any guaranteed way of selling out a gig, but this sort of exposure has to help.Agreed plus the chart positions thing must create an amount of excitement amongst fans, I.e. To be part of what is going on with an unsigned band, "We got them there". 2 fingers up to the majors etc.

I know their gig in Manchester didnt have that many people at all, was far from sold out...and this was around the time they were all over the press for being "first unsigned band to chart" etc