RobF wrote:Yggdrasil wrote:
The people that are in real trouble these days are the clueless record company marionettes who can't write their own material and can't perform live...
What? How the hell are those the people in trouble? I doubt very much that Girls Aloud are at home this evening worrying about the gas bill and sniffing the milk.
They're not making very much money at all (except very briefly, in the best case), the record company owns all their assets, often including the very clothes they wear. The hardly get any royalties because they have no writer's credits (I assume), and very shortly they will have no income whatsoever.
The most likely situation is that they will be saddled with a debt to record company for huge promotion costs, if (when) a proposed next hit fails to materialize, when the fickle market turns another way and they're last year's thing. That's how it works. It may appear like they're making a lot of money and are living the high life. That's called promotion. Don't but into it, it's simply not true.
RobF wrote: I imagine most 'record company marionettes' are happy as piggin' Larry
Yeah, they are, because they're young and gullible and believe the record company hype.
RobF wrote: on their nasty little newbuild Dubai estates....
Which, in case they actually exist, have to be paid for. It's hard to do that if you have no money.
RobF wrote: What the Sam Hell that has to do with the Sissies ever getting a new 12" out is a frank mystery.
I don't want to come across as pompous (I leave that to a certain ensemble leader we all know and love), but you should really try reading my posts again, I think you'll see what I mean.
Just do a little math. Let's assume you're Girls Aloud. You get really, really successful and sell one million records. Girls Aloud get 50p per CD sold. That's £ 500,000. Split that five ways. You're now down to £ 100,000 per member.
Now you have to pay back what you owe the record company for promotion (very, very expensive if handled through, let's say, BMG. Someone has to pay for those acres of marble flooring...), and you have to pay back the advance that you got when you signed the record company (let's be unrealistic here, and assume that you haven't spent it already on designer clother, blow, and trips to St Barts).
You also have the gas bill and the mortgage to pay. And perhaps even that Dubai estate, if you're really unlucky.
And you were thinking that this was going your way? Now's the time to start appearing in dodgy TV show, adverts for dog food, anything you can find. Oh my, is that a wrinkle? Send for the botox therapist!
Now consider that the way CD sales have been going, the level for a "Platinum Disc" is now down to 300,000 sold. Do the above math again. Then try to work out how to pay for an estate in Dubai if you're in Girls Aloud.
Perhaps start by selling off the Manolo Blahnik stilettos that you got "for free" at that glamorous photo session (and which you later found as item no 1221 on the promotion bill)?
They will also still be bound to a contract which in all likelihood gives the record company an option on the next record, which in can turn down if it feels like it. You still can't go to another record company.
The Sisters have talent, integrity and real fans. They don't need record companies in any way (well perhaps a small, clever and dedicated indie label). Today's situation is actually great for any creative artist who is able to perform live and who has direct contact with his/her fans.
Girls Aloud may have their 15 minutes of fame. Trust me, they will have ample time to reflect on their financial situation sooner rather than later.