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| From | Michael McCartney <michaelmccartney@yahoo.com> |
| Subject | Playing Catch-Up / Craig Ferguson / MySpace Music / 2004 List |
| Date | Mon, 17 Jan 2005 07:47:50 -0800 (PST) |
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I've been so busy going in and out of town the past few
months that I've got tons of digests to go thru in my
emailbox.
Permit me to run by a few things that may have been
covered.
From the premiere of "The Late Late Show" - I was
hooked on the theme which right away in my
household ran the theory that it was Craig Ferguson
doing the song...and yes...very "Mr. Blue Sky"
which has me cranking up the television volume
knob.
At my job, we've been watching My Space for the
last year and a half. Last summer we finally
decided to join the fray for our radio show
because it seemed like an interesting way to
keep in contact with listeners in a more
interactive way than our own bland radio
station websites. Since last summer, I've
been trying to convince every musical
performer that they should add a presence
as an addition to their own websites.
In some cases, the major labels actually own
the artists websites, which can result in
disinterest after an album or single has
been worked on and they have moved on to
the next band or artist. By adding themselves
to My Space, a music act can keep in contact
with fans on a more personal level. Of course
a lot of artists already do this at their
own websites but the network aspect of My Space
can increase exposure in a mind blowing way.
I've spoken with a number of artists who
have gotten more traffic to their own website
in a week than they've had for a year on their
own. The amount of songs that get played at
My Space band pages is more than a lot of acts
get on the radio. That is powerful exposure.
I'm rambling but in the last few weeks, I've
been running across a number of musical acts
that we discuss on this list! I've also run
across quite a few fellow list members. It's
good to know that Anna is on there as well.
I cannot stress the exposure an act can get
because of this website. Small indie acts or
major label acts are getting a great response.
Heck...even REM got some major press because
radio was most likely not going to support
the band's new release. They debuted their
album about a month before it was available
at retail. All you have to do is see how
many plays each song got to realise how
effective this move was. It was a kick
to see that the new Cars tribute even
had a page. Some of you on this list who
are using it...have any success or negative
responses to share?
On the last subject, I have to agree with what
Josh had discussed with his "little personal
mental re-calibration, if you'll indulge me".
And like both Josh and Anna - there was so
much music out there to soak in and appreciate
or dismiss. I also kept purchasing albums
that were older and some of the 2002 and
2003 albums blurred the line with 2004.
As with the years before, I found that a lot
of mainstream or non power pop kept my
player full, which made this list even
harder to figure out. Like many of you,
I know that I'll be kicking myself next
week about forgetting a number of other
"goodies" that were a real treat to listen
to. As mentioned in earlier posts I am
also a hard core "Paste" magazine reader
from the first issue and those sampler
discs have made my job easier in finding
music to play on the air.
Here's my list for 2004:
1) Nellie McKay - Get Away From Me
*I went nuts waiting for her CD to be released
last spring after seeing her a few times on
the now defunt "The Music Room" on CNNfi.
It was like Randy Newman had a sweet voice.
2) John Hoskinson - Miscellaneous Heathen
3) Candy Butchers - Hang on Mike
4) Jonathan Rundman - Public Library
5) Adam Marsland - You Don't Know Me
6) Butch Walker - Letters
7) Rachael Yamagata - Happenstance
8) The Well Wishers - Twenty-Four Seven
9) The Donnas - Gold Medal
10) Tears For Fears - Everybody Loves A Happy Ending
11) Jill Sobule - Underdog Victorious
12) Brian Wilson - Smile
13) American Hi-Fi - Hearts On Parade
*Unsure if this one counts because it's from
Japan and won't be released in the U.S.A.
until this spring. All of the songs could
be heard at their website.
14) William Shatner--Has Been
*Loved this album from the first to last
track. This is nothing like his sixties
album. It is a touching and funny album
with some great guest artists to make this
a great listen a few years down the road.
15) Rick Springfield--Shock Denial Anger Acceptance
16) Snow Patrol - Final Straw
17) Bowling For Soup - A Hangover You Don't Deserve
18) The Thrills - Let's Bottle Bohemia
19) The Finn Brothers - Everyone is Here
20) Keane - Hopes And Fears
21) Katie Melua--Call Off The Search
22) Keith Chagall - Soundlight
23) Butterfly Boucher ­ Flutterby
24) Sondre Lerche – Two Way Monologue
25) Norah Jones - Feels Like Home
26) Steve Earle ­ The Revolution Starts Now
27) Old 97's - Drag It Up
28) Fastball - Keep Your Wig On
29) Heart - Jupiters Darling
Album that I haven't got a chance to get yet but have
a gut feeling it would make my list:
Eytan Mirsky - Everyone's Having Fun Tonight!
Aloha,
Michael McCartney
KEAO / KONI / KPMW / KTOH
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