We all know it’s coming. We’ve heard the reports, seen the pictures. Big name listening sessions. Deleted Tweets. It is all but here. Finally.
We should be seeing a single soon. Given they will want the album out this year with an expected tour starting in 2014, there is little doubt.
And we have traditionally seen with the bigger bands a 3 month time-lag from first single to album release. Nine Inch Nails just released their new single and the album is out in September. We can all do the math. So what does this mean?
We are anywhere from 4-10 weeks from a U2 single. I am leaning towards an October release (come on, get the irony!!!) which would mean a July single. if so, expect a summer rocker, party single, driving-type song. August would be the latest for a November album.
I am wondering if U2 will continue on the traditional road or if they will embrace the new world and start being nice to their fans. What about the first single being free? I have zero faith in the band when it comes to money. That said, it would be a grand gesture and generate buzz and media attention.
And I also wonder if this will be their last album. Again, doubtful but I would love to see them go the ‘more frequent single’ approach and really explore possibilities without the deliver-an-album pressures. A guy can hope they would lead the way can’t he?
As much as I fear what is coming on this album, I also trust these guys are going to deliver. Danger Mouse is no slouch so we might see some doors opening to a new direction, resurgence. whether the world listens remains to be seen. U2 has nothing left to prove except to themselves. We can while and complain and hope and pray but we are not owed anything. They most certainly could lead if they so chose. The questions? they will all be answered soon.
An Open Letter to Indie 88.1 Toronto
As many of you may well know, there’s a new radio station setting up shop in the Toronto area. Indie 88.1 FM is getting ready to launch with a format including indie tracks and some focus on Canadian acts – as expected by our Canadian content rules.
How this station launches and how it grows will be dependent on a number of factors, not the least of which is what music will be played. There’s a stream available on their site (here).
One of my concerns is whether this will be a truly “indie” station or of it will be a station whose playlist includes indie music. The name suggests all indie, which I think would be very cool. The reality, I fear, will be far different.
I grew up in an age of radio where freedom was the watchword. Back in the day CFNY (now Edge 102) was out there playing music no one knew and really set the groundwork for bringing underground to the mainstream. CHUM-FM – 104.5 back in the early days would play whole album sides and had an open concept. Will 88.1 be breaking new ground?
Some might say mixing indie music with, as they say ‘songs that sound indie’ is just a cop-out. That would be me saying that by the way. Is this station trying to shake the ground? A station in such a huge market out there pushing ALL new music would have a chance to change the dynamics. I know this station will be living in the reality of a user-driven market as traditional radio slides by the wayside of the connected car (as radio is listened to most there). I am sure they are examining all the digital opportunities to make this a fully viable station for the long haul.
But are they willing to risk it all on a format that is totally new and try to truly break the mold? I know money dictates these days. They have an opportunity to appeal as a new young voice. Tech-savvy and user-driven. Will they lead in the music chosen or will they follow the fractured voices of consumer who want everything amounting to nothing.
My hope is they will take the risk. That they go completely indie and not wuss out by trying to mix in popular tracks. I want this station to define a genre and a generation. Risky? Sure. Within Can-con restrictions they can play a ton from around the world. And as a consumer of those bands, from home and far-and-wide, there’s brilliant music everywhere. Will we hear that? Or will we have to put up with known quantities they deem worthy?
I am pleading with the management of this station to go out on a limb. Indie-savvy djs with personalities designed to attract and make the new what it is. A ton more interesting than the crap we here every single day around this city.
And in order to push the point I asked every single indie band I follow to post a song. I know lots have and hopefully more to come. 88.1, take a leap of faith and lead Toronto to the new, the interesting, the awesome. Show those old-timer dying stations where the future is. Tell them 88.1 is standing on their grave with a shovel ready to bury the corporate standards. Show them money can be made without sacrificing quality. Show us you have the balls to lead the way.
This city deserves it.
Check out their site and their story here.
Disclaimer: Alan Cross, whose site I do a weekly post for, is involved at this station. That said, my views are mine and I stand by them. Just wanted to make sure you knew!