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Raider
Joined: 12 Aug 1999 Posts: 1286
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2001 5:31 pm Post subject: MF has gotta read this |
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Music Industry First as Marillion Fans Finance New Album
In what is believed to be an unprecedented venture which could revolutionise the music industry, Marillion fans have financed the making of the band's latest album after an Internet whip-round raised over £100,000 - conclusive proof of the power of the Internet for artists and record companies alike.
Marillion, who have been writing and recording for almost 20 years, approached their database of over 30,000 fans via e-mail, as an alternative to taking up the deals they were being offered from established record companies. The response was overwhelmingly positive: within 3 weeks fans offered to pre-pay for the album, to the tune of 5% of total world-wide expected sales, providing enough money to cover the costs of making their 12th studio album. In doing so, a record company advance was rendered redundant and the band retained the rights to their new music.
This groundbreaking idea enabled the band to return to EMI Records who have agreed to license the album for a world-wide marketing and distribution deal. The album will be released in Spring 2001 through their Liberty label.
Any pre-orders will be manufactured and fulfilled by Marillion's own Internet mail-order company, Racket Records, and shipped on the week of release. Fans pre ordering albums within an initial limited period will be thanked personally in the sleeve notes of the special first edition of the album. Marillion will cease manufacture and sale of the pre-ordered version upon the album release after which the album will be available only at retail.
Commenting on the initiative, Lucy Jordache, Marillion's marketing manager said: "We were being offered deals from various record companies, but what the guys really wanted, was to have total control of their music, yet still be able to utilise the expertise and distribution facilities of a major record label. This could only be achieved if we obtained the capital to record an album from another source, and then took the finished product to a label.
This is a real testament to the loyal support of Marillion's fans, old and new. It also demonstrates the power of the Internet and what it has to offer both artists and the record industry as a whole. 95% of the band's market still remains beyond the scope of the pre-order idea, so retailers should see no noticeable loss in potential sales. Indeed, an upturn is expected as Marillion return to their original EMI stable."
EMI Liberty's co-director Peter Duckworth added: "We were very impressed with this venture which we believe breaks new ground in the industry. We are all in a win, win situation, EMI are happy, retail is happy, the band are happy and the fans are extremely happy."
Marillion are no strangers to harnessing the power of the Internet. They were one of the first groups in the UK to set up a web-site, (" ,">www.marillion.com" , in the mid 90's to communicate with and sell Marillion products to their fans - fans from as far and wide as Brazil to Japan and Australia to Iceland. They now have an active database of over 30,000 fans who visit their web-site on an average weekly basis.
UK fans objecting to a chance remark by Simon Mayo on Radio 1 last summer, brought the radio station's computer system to a standstill when they emailed to complain and demanded he play a Marillion track. He subsequently interviewed keyboard-player Mark Kelly on air in an attempt to understand and appease the phenomenal passion of Marillion's audience.
Back in '97 American fans underwrote an entire US tour to the tune of $60,000, with donations following an internet campaign - an idea conceived and managed by the fans before any involvement by the band.
Lead singer, Steve "h" Hogarth adds: "It's not just about the money - the Internet allows us to communicate directly to our fans world-wide in a way that's spontaneous and instant. It's a two-way communication process that's changed everything for us - the fans feel like a world-wide family now. Faith moves mountains so watch out."
Glastonbury Sticks Two Fingers Up at the Internet
Organisers of this years Glastonbury festival have shown a blatant disregard for the opinions of the voting masses, following a poll to decide this years festival line up on their web-site. Despite achieving a top ranking, they have resolutely refused to include Marillion on the bill, and 'played safe' with a line up that is more suited to an edition of Top of The Pops than the 'wealth of entertainment' they define the festival to be.
Everyone knows Marillion. Or do they? You know Marillion: that heavy-metal band who produce archaic progressive rock? That bunch of hippies who sing about goblins? Well contrary to popular belief, Marillion have continued to produce inventive and original music which, according to the popular music press, has more in common with the likes of Radiohead and Massive Attack. But then you already knew that didn't you?
The fact is, Marillion have persevered in their battle against the many misconceptions as to who they are, much to the delight of their vast legion of fans throughout the globe. The same loyal fans in fact who started to make travel arrangements to Glastonbury when they saw the bands ranking in the internet 'poll' - only to be disappointed when Marillion weren't considered hip enough to be included. Still, at least they are fortunate enough to be 'in the know' and aware of the varied and intense music that Marillion create, whether or not the band are considered to be worthy of attention by the fashion police of the musical mainstream. Go on, have a listen for yourself and make up your own mind!
Marillion are currently in the studio writing their 12th studio album.
Beauty In Profanity. Knowlege is Power...
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Rattler
Joined: 24 Feb 1999 Posts: 193
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2001 5:45 pm Post subject: MF has gotta read this |
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What a great idea!!! |
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Icarus
Joined: 26 Jan 2001 Posts: 1697 Location: where anger and euphoria collide
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2001 7:19 pm Post subject: MF has gotta read this |
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Very interesting . . . indeed. I'm curious if this could become a trend in the industry. Sounds like a truly reliable and long existing fan base (such as Marillion's) is required to succeed with such an endeavor.
I'm sure MF probably knew this before any of us.
[This message has been edited by Icaras (edited 03-14-2001).] |
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The Sledge
Joined: 14 Jun 2000 Posts: 366 Location: CT, USA
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2001 8:19 pm Post subject: MF has gotta read this |
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AWESOME! I'm a fan and I haven't even heard them! [img]http://axl.hardradio.com/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]
NP: Wasp-Forever Free |
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Lars37
Joined: 05 Sep 2000 Posts: 1222 Location: the bowels of Chicagoland
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2001 11:50 am Post subject: MF has gotta read this |
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I tried to do that once, but instead of the Internet, I hung around a public park with a soup can - it didn't work too well... |
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Subtraction
Joined: 10 Feb 2001 Posts: 631 Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2001 6:14 pm Post subject: MF has gotta read this |
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Hehe, I was one of the fans that prepaid for that album, last year I think.
Awesome Idea. Also we get to have our names printed in the Thank You hehe |
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MarillionFan
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 Posts: 443 Location: West Coast
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2001 2:20 pm Post subject: MF has gotta read this |
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Yeh i already knew about this but thanks for posting it Raider.
MARILLION RULES!! |
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Metalfilm1
Joined: 15 Aug 1999 Posts: 3559 Location: Yonkers, NY 10710
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2001 7:17 am Post subject: MF has gotta read this |
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This is a truly wonderful story. Very, very inspiring. |
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nuclear_x
Joined: 19 Feb 2000 Posts: 603 Location: portland
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2001 4:43 am Post subject: MF has gotta read this |
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To bad we cant give bands Money to just go away and not come back(I dont mean Metallica either) so zip it Metallica bashers Mall metal bands come to mind though |
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