Exposure vs integrity
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- vespa
ok so our drummer entered us into this channel 4 music competition, a search for the best unsigned band in britain.
16000 bands signed up and we got through to the top 50, apparently by public vote but i didn't tell anyone so i don't know how.
so we went to the Scala to play a song for the show and it turns out it's a reality tv show format, with jo whiley, alex james (blur) and lily allen (?) as judges, alex zane presenting.
we weren't expecting it to be like that but thought we may as well play anyway and we got through.
i don't respect the judges' musical opinion at all so i don't give a shit if they like us or not, we just want to get our music out to a bigger audience. also the prize is a record deal with a major label.
but are we going to be tainted with a reality tv curse? all these people have already started writing to us saying we're better than that and we don't need the show, but i figure if they can see through the show then maybe other people will be able to as well?
none of my heroes ever would have done this. but we live in a shitty media saturated age.
also it could be quite fun to slag lily allen off to her face.
- Momentum20
Best to you man...
All I can say is look at the track record of previous bands or artist who went the reality tv show route. Most likely it will be hit or miss.
- Llyod0
make it far enough that people see you, then quit. make a big deal about it.
- version30
i think as long as you respect yourself, others will as well.
cameras only record what they see, if you're not all acting like dipshits, the tv can never show it
- vespa0
haha that rice crispies ad is great! that makes me feel better.
hey momentum, i've been trying to research that but have there ever been shows like this that do real bands playing their own material? normally people have to do covers don't they?
- tasty0
haha that rice crispies ad is great! that makes me feel better.
hey momentum, i've been trying to research that but have there ever been shows like this that do real bands playing their own material? normally people have to do covers don't they?
vespa
(Sep 11 07, 10:17)Bands on the Run VH1 - 1 season
Flickerstick - and 2 other bands
- Rand0
I think no
- vespa0
it is actually awful isn't it rand.
- designerror0
get to the final, play half a song on the live show, then tell the judges to stick it andwalk off the stage. people will love it.
- PrayStation0
having worked with a ton of bands...
"also the prize is a record deal with a major label."
this concerns me - most bands end up owing the labels money for the PR they put into your band. bands generally make their money on tour and merch.
and with so many outlets on the web to promote your music.
I thought record deals had died.
I have always thought these shows are 95% about people sucking and making fools of themselves - rather than the 5% that make it to the final round and the 1% that might have music we would listen to.
I say go for integrity and exposure - but keep it on your terms.
- neue75_bold0
I think that sounds amazing vespa, congrats.. fuck what people think, there's nothing wrong with getting yours and having a laugh at the situation at the same time...
just don't be nasty to Lily...
- vespa0
snuggles? you sounds so poptimistic!
ok no slagging anyone off.
- neue75_bold0
I think it'd be a laugh and yeah, I'm feeling yummy head to toe for you.. clearly, the contractual details could be bollocks, but if you're only fear has to do with 'integrity' just be yourselves, play your music and fuck the naysayers who think the only 'good' music can be found on myspace and last.fm...
- vespa0
good point praystation about the death of deals.
we do promote ourselves on teh internets, but there are a million bands out there. tours actually cost a fuckload of money until the band is well known enough to bring in the cash, so how do we get to that stage?
the people making the show are telling us that because it wasn't open auditions it won't be a show about awful performances, it will be about the music, man. i know, of course they'd say that.
- vespa0
aw.
fanks snuggles!
it's definately true that no one could ever mistake us for being anything but what we are if they see or hear us play.
- Rand0
either way, can't wait to see what happens
- harlequino0
Best of luck either way, vespa.
But yes, do watch out for that record deal. Do NOTHING without a lawyer reading it, should you win. I've seen some friends go through record deal nightmares with owing money back and getting stuck in long term obligations. Signed artist generally make money through touring and appearances, not record sales.
I say win that contest and then publicly tell them to stick the contract up their arses. :D
- neue75_bold0
there's a ton of garbage music out there and from seeing you ladies rock out once and hearing new stuff online, I have no doubt either which path you take, your luxury problems will start piling up...
when you're young and beautiful [also like me] any opportunity as large as this is worth taking.. even if goes shit, you've got a lot of life left to bounce back and learn something...
- OSFA0
challenge Kanye and 50Cent.
- vespa0
omg snuggles you're being so sweet!
hey we just got this back from recording a few weeks back. i'd fucking LOVE to play Gimmick on a reality tv show. oh the irony!!