Get FP to radio... (links)

[jen]

I've been "encouraging" KNRK here in Portland. Still no luck, but I'll keep plugging along!

[lizmontana]

Ok...so I sent an email to this guy Chris..Nicole you sent him one too!
This was his reply:
Hello LizI played "Two Sisters" awhile ago and might need to wait for a new cd to jump on
them again. I rarely play two tracks from the same album...just too much out
there but I like Fiction Plane. So when they release something new just remind
me and I will definitely play something.

I am trying to get a Monday night show on the Peak and when I do I'll throw in
more Fiction Plane.

Thanks for listening.


HUH?? Why only one track from an album...I swear I will listen if they end up playing Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" 10 million times....I'm emailing him!!!

Maybe we can email the station about getting that Monday night show???
Liz

[jen]

I'm throwing in the towel. I have made zero progress here in Oregon. No FP on the radio here.

Oh well.

Jen

[londonmews]

Kinda hard to get airplay of...nothing. If Slacker Bros would release 'It's A Lie' in the US we might have a chance

[drinksmithwicks]

Oct 10, 2008 8:25:22 GMT -5 londonmews said:

Kinda hard to get airplay of...nothing. If Slacker Bros would release 'It's A Lie' in the US we might have a chance

Methinks the problem lies in the fact that the label waited WAYYYYY too long to launch another single. It was what, 9 months between "Two Sisters" and "Death Machine". Rule of Thumb is, if you don't keep the album in the people's faces, it is considered dead. That is why the "Death Machine" single never took off...not to mention the fact that it was a poor choice for a single.

While my hopes aren't exactly high for this "It's A Lie" radio campaign, at least the single will be bolstered by some tour dates. Still kinda silly to release a new single for an album that is over a year and a half old.

Yep, I'm being really cynical, but I am also trying to shed a bit of realism on the situation.

For the band to succeed in America, they have to be constantly forced into everyone's faces (tv, radio, press) with banners, paid adverts, and interviews. You can't just say, "here's the new single" or "Here's the new album. They're touring with The Police, you know!" and expect it to work itself.

Sorry for this rant, I am just a wee bit fed up with a certain "record label," whose might be in dire straits soon...especially if their flagship band goes the way of the dodo if their new guitarist doesn't work out. (For those of you playing at home, I am referring to Nonpoint).

[londonmews]

Rant away, Smiddicks! I agree 100%. I don't know a lot about the industry but it sure seemed like BB missed out on some giant opportunities and tried to just ride the wave without much work.

[drinksmithwicks]

Oct 10, 2008 11:34:42 GMT -5 londonmews said:

I don't know a lot about the industry but it sure seemed like BB missed out on some giant opportunities and tried to just ride the wave without much work.

That goes without saying. Look at it this way, did you ONCE, in any music/entertainment magazine, see an ad for Left Side of the Brain?
It seemed like they left the promotions in the hands of their street-team and website coordinator, which is just poor form.

Add to that the fact that they never once approached XM Satellite Radio to play the album, yet the last Nonpoint and Skindred albums were in rotation on no less than 3 different XM stations at least 3 weeks before the respective albums were released.

Well, its all in the past now, and I hope someone learns a lesson from this experience. It's not that America is not embracing the band, its just that not enough Americans are even aware of FP's existence.

[jen]

Yep, rant away.

I doubt if Slacker Brothers ever even tried out here on the west coast. No radio stations I have talked to have heard of them. Too bad they tried to count on just The Police tour to get the word out. Takes a little more than that I would think.....like you were saying about the in your face promo stuff (ads, radio spots, TV spots, etc.) I was really surprised at the lack of merch during the Unity Tour too. I am surprised about the satellite radio deal. Wow. That would've been a good avenue to travel down for promoting.

Shame on you Bieler Brothers! You missed an excellent opportunity here.

Okay, I've vented a little. I need to get back to getting ready to have a house full of 4-year-olds eating pizza.

jen j

[harembee]

I agree with all said here. It still makes my blood boil that these idiots fail to recognise the strength and devotion of FP's fans. I contacted Slacker Bros (love that new name) on several occasions suggesting that the FP Harem, FP.infoers, Fictionaires and whoever else I could muster could work together on an organised full on campaign, hassling radio stations around the globe with their (non financial) backing. I was happy to co-ordinate it and seriously kick-ass. Did they bother to answer any of my mail? No of course not. I'm just one of the fans who have followed this band since day one, supported and promoted them relentlessly in any way possible. What would I know?

[drinksmithwicks]

Oct 17, 2008 10:34:56 GMT -5 harembee said:

Did they bother to answer any of my mail? No of course not. I'm just one of the fans who have followed this band since day one, supported and promoted them relentlessly in any way possible. What would I know?

Unfortunately, that is just one of the little flaws that befalls MANY record labels, not just this one. The standard industry mentality if a "fan" contacts the label directly, they think that the fan is A) trying to get free merch from the label, or B) trying to use said fandom as an excuse to get close to the band.

Unfortunately, this mindset is not completely unfounded, because there are many music fans out there who do exactly that. But the fact that Bieler Bros. is a MINOR label and could benefit from all the help it can get, makes me think they have a wee bit of a pride issue, and do not wish to accept outside assistance, other than that ridiculous street team. And to be completely honest, a street team is little more than P2P advertising.

Here I go again...