Since moving and starting my new job I now a walking commuter (which takes between 17 and 19 min) and have been enjoying the free time I get to listen to music. My mp3 player is on my phone, and has only 512MB of space, so thus far (yes, I just said ‘thus’) Ive just been uploading my fave singles. Ive got some killer* play lists for running, which are quite upbeat* and some more chilled out walking-in type stuff.
*Yes I'm down(*) with the kids.
There’s a really good Saab advert on at the moment, and after a quick look I found that the song is called 'Release me' by a Swedish band called Oh Laura. You can download the mp3 for free from the Saab website (www.saab.co.uk). I am grateful to Saab, as I love this song and it’s unlikely I would have heard it otherwise. Similarly I am grateful to Sony for doing their bouncing balls Bravia add (www.bravia-advert.com/commercial/braviaextcommhigh.html) last year and introducing me to Jose Gonzalez. This got me thinking about where I first hear music.
I remember a few years ago watching an episode of Scrubs and loving one of their songs that played out over a funeral. After some searching I found out it was 'Winter' by Joshua Radin (www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2Z1Zk4zXNg) who is now one of my favourite artists, and I have still never even heard him mentioned over here. He is, in my humble opinion, of Damien Rice (who himself has had songs on Lost, and the movie Closer) quality; and that is praise indeed.
Putting your song on an advert or TV show always used to be considered a bit naff, or some sort of sell out by the artist. My cousin used to be in a band that had their second single on a Sony advert. At the time they got a load of stick over it from some of the music press, who said they had lost some credibility. I think the Internet (myspace, youtube etc) and music technology (file sharing, mp3s) have driven this attitude away. The exposure and availability of music nowadays makes it easy for someone like me to pick and choose from a much bigger range of music than I did 10 years ago- and hence (yes, I just said 'hence') hear stuff that I otherwise would have missed out on. For most artists, having an advert, or being available online is now essential, rather than an nice extra.
If I was in an up and coming band now Id cut my arm off to get on the next Sony or Saab advert- and use it to beat some sense into anyone who thought it was a bad idea.
Zero Gravity
14 hours ago
4 comments:
I agree with you about the adverts, although it does help if you've got a very good marketing/advertising team behind the advert too. That bouncy balls advert for Sony was fantastic, and the music was the finishing touch.
Haven't heard it on an Ad, but on the old "wireless", check out Pink Martini and a song called Eugine(?). Never heard of them before, but the song is great.
Joshua Radin is brilliant.
I find it all little odd how a lot of the music I listen to, which doesn't quite fall into the mainstream, though not entirely obscure, is ending up in odd marketing relationships.
For instance, a load of music I have been listening to (e.g., Damien Rice, Regina Spektor, the Shins, Feist, Imogen Heap) is oddly ending up for sale at the local Starbucks or on popular shows like the O.C. and Grey's Anatomy.
I wonder what the new definition of selling out will be?
Yeah, I agree.
I had been wondering about that song off the Saab advert too. Now I know!
John, thanks for the tip- I found it on YouTube- and theres a nice intro by the singer about why she wrote the song. Princess,Thanks for the tips aslo- id never heard of the last three. I dont think you can you can aford not to 'sell out' now, though its not really doing that anymore. I remember Razorlight did their single 'Golden touch' on 'Parkinson' (a popular chat show) and they sold tens of thousands of albums the next day.
Toast, no worries mate- Lovin your song on Facebook also
Post a Comment