Posts by Simon Grigg

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  • Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat,

    that's a pretty sweet deal.
    so its 50000 copies to repay completely the funding.
    not many local albums hit that though do they?

    A surprising number used to, but no longer.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat,

    come on simon, you're not getting that one through.
    especially in the digital downloads age where apparently people are rebelling against "having to buy an album of crap for the one song they like"

    Yes but the scheme,which pre-dates the digital era, was dependent on the act having three songs that had enough airplay to get three NZoA airplay awards. Thus proving their airplay potential. And many acts then provided an album that had more songs with radio play (not just commercial airplay, but b-net etc) potential. It was a worthy scheme as envisaged by Brendan and intended to create a catalogue of material that radio should be able to play, and give the act something to build on.

    Sadly commercial radio ignores most of it.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat,

    not a bad idea I guess. does it work? does anyone actually hit break even on albums

    No, you pay back a dollar an album from record one, on NZ sales.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat,

    , cos albums don't get played, singles do,

    Singles generally come from albums, surely?

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat,

    can you elaborate on a battle or 2 that you know about that nz on air got involved in.

    Phase 4 for a start. The concept was Brendan's I believe and the concept is good. And he initially, one might say bravely, battled for it under a National Government, although the implementation came under Labour. Whether you agree with the way it's been applied since is neither here nor there but the concept was a battle worth fighting and a lot of NZ albums would not have been made if it wasn't for the scheme which was largely designed to be self funding after the initial input.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat,

    Rob,
    part of my answer, as above:

    Unless we are requiring 20% across all formats, all stations, and coupling that with a targeted digital approach, we are wasting our time and money.

    But if this couldn't be achieved under the current government, it sure as hell ain't gonna happen under anyone else.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat,

    "Well if that's the case then what role did NZ on Air have in getting that deal?"

    None...that was because of the link up with Universal Records in NZ.

    But sure, NZ on Air provided funding for Savage and it could be the beginnings of a success story, just as Brendan was very supportive of OMC, when radio in NZ wouldn't touch it (MaiFM aside). They funded part of the video. I'm not denying the positive input.

    But the point you miss is that it doesn't matter how much money NZoA throws at something if radio still ignores most of it..which they do, and get a mighty pat on the back for doing so. For every Savage there are a fifty acts ghettoized by the way the system works right now.

    I'm not criticising NZonA or the work and success they've had..I've said that before here several times, but the brief and the legislation surrounding it need to be revisited now. The burst of success that we had in 2001-03 has largely died off, the good work has stagnated when there are only 3 NZ tracks in the airplay top 50..that ain't 20%.

    Maybe it's time to look at how that money could be better spent or targeted. Unless we are requiring 20% across all formats, all stations, and coupling that with a targeted digital approach, we are wasting our time and money.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat,

    Maybe NZ on Air played a part in that?

    Very doubtful. It's more likely that their deal with Universal Music Publishing was the clincher there.

    Shihad appear on Kiwihits disks 24 times, dating back to 1993.
    Fur Patrol 13 times.
    Salmonella Dub 18 times.
    Goodshirt 8 times.

    All seem to cover a fair range of their career.

    The more important question is how many times those appearances got those bands on commercial radio.

    The answer sadly is not many. Radio used the voluntary quota system as a way to sidestep those acts most of time, despite, specially in SD's case.massive public support and the sort of music that would likley get a band like that on the radio in the UK. Fur Patrol had one track played massively but were ignored after that despite producing music that should have worked on radio.

    Then take a band like The Electric Confectionaires from last year. I'm not a fan but many are and their NZoA touted single was to all intents and purposes clealy a radio smash...if it had been played. It wasn't. Radio ignored it. The same with Bright Grey from The Phoenix Foundation. Touted as a hit, ignored by radio who didn't even give the song the time of day.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat,

    ...and how much of that kiwiness will still be present in his next output for the US market ?

    That really depends on what the A&R person who signed them thinks he is buying into. I don't know but I'd guess it's the point of difference (and the fact that it's cheap) that makes the sale.

    That doesn't mean that they won't mess it up...as a major manager in the US said a few years back, you always start from the premise that the record label is always gonna do the wrong thing, and then move forward from that point.

    But the smart money should be that you don't mess with what made it work in the first place.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bean-Counting the Beat,

    Whatever happened to denver ???

    In Wellington with the Krisnas I think. Lovely guy, with a huge talent.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

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