Tu Phace signs to Epic Records
Tu Phace has inked a deal with Epic Records. He was featured by us in July and is the 85th featured Crazed Hits artist to get signed.
Kesha’s “Tik Tok” is a worldwide hit
Kesha’s debut single “Tik Tok” is currently number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Charts and spending it’s 8th consecutive week on top of the Australian single charts. The song also went to number 1 in Canada, New Zealand and is currently a Top10 hit in the UK, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, and Ireland.
Kesha was highlighted on Crazed Hits in January prior to signing to RCA Records.
Analysis: Owl City – Fireflies
Owl City, who was highlighted by us in 2008 several months prior to their signing with Universal Republic, recently had the #1 song in the United States with “Fireflies.” The single crossed over multiple genres on Radio and has sold nearly 2 million downloads. The album, “Ocean Eyes,” is now certified Gold for selling over half a million units and counting.
But why exactly did Owl City work?
Well, “Fireflies” is a signature, and most importantly, a definitive song. It defines who Adam Young, the guy behind Owl City, is. It’s not a “Down” (by Jay Sean), where you love the melody but never go “Hmm, who is the person singing this?.” You don’t genuinly care, because it sounds just like any other pop smash. There is nothing that intrigues you, nothing that drives you to care.
Yes, us industry people may do research on the single and want to know who the artist, producer and writers behind the song are, but the general public does not care. Unless Jay Sean has multiple smashes like “Down,” he will be just another artist with a huge single but no significant album sales! —> Note: Jay Sean’s album only sold 32k units in it’s first week, even though “Down” topped the U.S. single charts!!! <-> A hit single does NOT equal album sales unless the song connects with the audience on a deeper level (intrigues the listener, showcases the artist’s personality, has that special X factor, etc.)
Yes, it’s better to have a smash hit single than nothing at all, but labels need to sell albums, that’s what keeps the lights on, and right now, it’s mainly catalog sales that keeps all the majors afloat!
The trick is having a smash single that makes the public go, “WOW, this is different, this is unique, there is something special about this song and artist… WHO THE **** IS SINGING THIS?” That’s the reaction you want, and is exactly what people think when they hear “Fireflies.” It is a personality song and defines Owl City.
Now, does Owl City have a 2nd smash single and will continue to sell albums? Only time will tell, but for the moment, it is a classic example of what a strong personality song can do for an artist.
Watch the video for “Fireflies” below and check out 3 additional career launching “signature/personality” singles for further study:
Colette Carr
Her indie video for “Back It Up” is #1 on MTV’s Video Site in front of Lady Gaga, Kesha, Taylor Swift and Beyoncè. Watch it below or at this link.
Buzz Track: Back It Up
Link: myspace.com/colettecarr
Contact: ben@indie-pop.com
Interview: Trudy Green
Trudy Green, manager of Aerosmith and Def Leppard.
You can watch the full interview here.
Related Content:
Interview: Sam Feldman
Interview: Bruce Allen
Pistol Day Parade
Buzz Track: Better
Link: myspace.com/pistoldayparade
Contact: kcscott224@gmail.com
Art of Dying sign to Reprise
Art of Dying, who were highlighted by us in February of 2008, have signed to Reprise Records and are currently recording their debut album with Howard Benson. The band is the 84th featured Crazed Hits act to get picked up by a major label within the last 23 months.
Michael Warren signs to Atlantic
Michael Warren, who we first featured in September 2008, has signed a record deal with Atlantic Records after already inking a publishing deal with the company earlier this year. He is the 83rd featured Crazed Hits artist to get signed.
Tania Foster
Buzz Track: SupaWoman
Link: myspace.com/taniafostermusic
Contact: simon.harrison@tubemanagement.com
Pub Pick: Beautiful In White
Here is our publishing pick for this week. This should be cut by someone in Nashville…
Title: Beautiful In White
Written by: Bryan Todd, Steven Sater, Scott Krippayne
Contact: andrew@brightmanmusic.com
Listen to the song below or at this link if you’re subscribed via Email…
Listen to previous publishing picks:
• “Honestly” – written by Robert Marvin, Catt Gravitt, Tom Shapiro
• “I’m A Big Deal” – written by BC Jean, Andrew Fromm, Ian Eskelin
• “Love Sux” – written by Claude Kelly, Josef LaRossi, Andreas Romdhane
Hunter Hayes
Recently signed a pub deal with Universal Music Publishing Nashville.
Buzz Track: Love Song
Link: myspace.com/hunterhayesmusic
Contact: ansel@aldlaw.net
Interview: Jerry Moss
Jerry Moss, Co-Founder of A&M Records. The label was bought by PolyGram in 1989 for a reported $500 million. It was home to such artists as The Police, Joe Cocker, Bryan Adams, The Carpenters, Janet Jackson and Supertramp.
You can watch the full interview here.
Related Content:
Interview: Gil Friesen
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