Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

ch-scene - Re: 1000 true fans

ch-scene AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: RTP-area local music and culture

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: local506 AT gmail.com
  • To: ch-scene AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: 1000 true fans
  • Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:11:26 -0800 (PST)

I'm not sure there is any local artist who would not disagree with
this concept...and who isn't already trying to implement it. The
problem is that attaining 1000 die-hard fans isn't as easy as it
sounds. I think the point being made, which we are all aware, is that
when you hit that plateau, you have two options - invest more and try
to reach even more die-hard fans or cultivate and cater to those 1000
fans. But that's always been the case. Given two local examples from
last decade: when Superchunk hit that crossroads, they chose to keep
the smaller audience and the greater returns whereas, maybe, Ben Folds
5 chose to expand their (now his) audience by signing with a bigger
label taking more money upfront but earning less per fan.

But what I've found locally is that earning a fan that's willing to
pay a cover, much less buy a CD is difficult. Even though Local 506
hosts plenty of CD release shows, a much lesser percentage of people
actually buy the band's CD (much less shirts or other merch.) How
many local bands have even SOLD over one-thousand CDs recently?

And a CD purchase alone doesn't even suggest die-hard fan. I mean, I
am currently listening to the AC Newman CD I just "purchased" (on
eMusic) and not even sure I'll make it to his show next month.

Glenn

ps: With that said, I enjoyed the Sound Opinion gathering, although I
wish those guys had been on barstools are something - I might as well
been listening on the radio!





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page