And so it begins.....

[Dyan]

Originally posted by DarrensPassion:
It seemed to me that when Darren produced Spin after the SG split, his fanbase attracted a whole new, different type of fan to those originally associated with SG. Maybe the less deep more fluffy lyrics of Spin actually attracted a more 'pop' based fanbase rather than the original diverse fanbase of old. I can see another shift happening with the fanbase if and when TTATS actually gets off the ground, because in this album Darren has gone back to those deep soul searching lyrics he's so good at writing and expressing.

<font size="3" face="Tempus sans ITC, Papyrus,Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree, there was a huge shift. BUT I don't think it was due to the lyrics. It seems to me that those dreaded powers that be (hehe) aimed Darren directly for the pop market and to the boppers. Maybe they thought that's what was needed to break into the UK .......... after all, it was obvious for ages that Darren wanted the UK in a baaaad way and SG only had (in my opinion) okay sucess. Not great. Not bad. Just okay. So I'm not saying that from a marketing stand point, going for the boppers was a bad thing because it apparently paid off.

But going back to my initial point, it's all in how he was and is being marketed. For Spin, it seemed to me that the tv appearances were more "poppish" as were the types of magazines that he nabbed for interviews. Then final proof (to me) was how the fanclub was structured. NOT the 'elite, member only' crap, but the heavy emphasis on pictures and fluff and "being part of Darren's incredible life". I just don't see anyone other than boppers being impressed by that atmosphere. AND I'm talking about new fans. Not the ones who already had a connection to Darren and his music and who were willing to find the fun in most anything offered. (And need I mention the fanzine about the dog???)

You see, I can accept for the sake of argument that the tv appearance and what magazines carried interviews was maybe out of Darren's control or that of his management. Maybe all that was either the result of (1) his label's wishes or (2) simply a case of making the best of what he was offered. But the fan club???? THAT is a different matter. That is something that was strictly under Darren's control and it wasn't (and isn't) being run by anyone other than who Darren wants running it. So if that was aimed at boppers, then it leads me to think the rest was also an intentional choice of either Darren or his management -- probably both.

Will the fan base shift if Tension takes off? Honestly, I doubt it because it seems to me that they are still aiming for the boppers. Case in point -- the new feature that is on DH.com. I don't know the lady who is writing it, and I have nothing against her. But my only throught when hearing about the new feature was 'Okay, it's Leo's diary re-vamped. More funny fluff about Darren and those around him. What does that have to do with music???'

[Laurina]

Originally posted by Disco Biscuit:
Ok, here's another one to add to our "What the hey??"

On the members forum (checking in for the first time in forever to see if I'm missing anything...yeah, right), there's always picture threads right.

Well, one REALLY innocuous picture thread had been locked. No reason. Just WAS. The pictures were fairly harmless - mostly old pictures of SG Black Hair Darren, some nice sweaty ones...but nothing that would be offensive.

A couple of replies along the lines of "nice/thanks" and it's locksville.

Why? Gawd only knows.

<font size="3" face="Tempus sans ITC, Papyrus,Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Because it was a double post Amanda [img]smile.gif[/img] The member posted the exact same things twice, probably by accident, so technically there were two threads going with the exact same things. If that had happened at the BBS and the poster hadn't editted one of their posts, I more than likely would have deleted one just to eliminate confusion.

[Dyan]

Originally posted by Laurina:
Because it was a double post Amanda [img]smile.gif[/img] The member posted the exact same things twice, probably by accident, so technically there were two threads going with the exact same things. If that had happened at the BBS and the poster hadn't editted one of their posts, I more than likely would have deleted one just to eliminate confusion.

<font size="3" face="Tempus sans ITC, Papyrus,Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, but the difference is that you and Steen would probably have posted why or at least you'd be willing to say why after the fact.

[Disco Biscuit]

Ok, now I'm looking for crap where there isn't any. Bad fan...baaad fan. [img]wink.gif[/img]

[Laurina]

Yes, but the difference is that you and Steen would probably have posted why or at least you'd be willing to say why after the fact.

<font size="3" face="Tempus sans ITC, Papyrus,Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Nah, in a case like that I more than likely wouldn't have, to be honest. It depends, I guess, on when it was posted. And sometimes I don't bother if one copy of the post has faded back and the other has all the comments. Just depends really.

<font color="#000000" size="1">[ March 31, 2005 01:19 AM: Message edited by: Laurina ]</font>

[Kattitude]

Janie, I think you raise some good points. I do think there has been a shift in the type of fan that Spin bought in.

I also agree with Dyan in that the PTB do promote this type of fan. It is like this is exactly what they want. They want the mindless bopper to post fluffy stuff. Its non threatning. It doesnt question anything DH related. It makes for a peaceful environment.. its like"pleasantville" in DH land.. Stepford Wives LOL. I said the same thing to Terry about the new "Lana" posts Dyan. They love to get people to talk about the floofiness of being the orange juice getter in DH's life. Its very similiar to Leo's style of writing of old. I would just like some news of what is happening in DH land in regards to TTATS and whats next etc.

Oh yeah and I have noticed how completely dead it is in DH land as well. Its like a wasteland out there.

Kat

[BarbT]

Yesterday I posted my initial reaction after reading 'Lana's Diary' and then deleted it, thinking it was rather harsh at the time, I felt like screaming.

I read and it did nothing for me, I wondered where is the real news it made me feel I was being addressed as some little bopper rather than the fan of mature years I am...hell she even looks like Leonie! Cute story(ies) I guess but do I really want to read about her. Why do some of those around DH seem to seek celebrity more than he does, or am I just imagining that?

So I sat here wondering what is it I expect from an artist's official spokespeople and guess what I'm still [img]graemlins/thinking.gif[/img] Perhaps a short response rather than cold harsh censoring would have been more appropriate or at least the decency to pm the original poster seeing as it didn't breach the golden rules imo.

Janie I think your thoughts on the fanbase are spot on and I also think Kat's comments about Spin on the other board were very insightful!

LOL see Tamara it's difficult some days to sustain hope [img]confused.gif[/img]

[Laurina]

I think what Dyan meant was if someone has asked afterwards why it was deleted. You or Steen would be willing to explain. I think the difference is you guys are approachable and willing to give a reason. If something happens on Sony that someone doesnt understand why.. they can go to you or Steen for clear clarification.

Kat

<font size="3" face="Tempus sans ITC, Papyrus,Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ohh doh! I should learn to read and then comprehend before I reply. Certainly, if someone asked us why something was deleted, we'd answer. Because we like to talk [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[Laurina]

I dunno, I quite liked the diary [img]smile.gif[/img] I thought it injected some great humour into the place [img]smile.gif[/img] Nothing wrong with that, for me anyway. I'm looking forward to more of her posts.. should be very interesting, and entertaining.

[BarbT]

Originally posted by Laurina:
I dunno, I quite liked the diary [img]smile.gif[/img] I thought it injected some great humour into the place [img]smile.gif[/img] Nothing wrong with that, for me anyway. I'm looking forward to more of her posts.. should be very interesting, and entertaining.

<font size="3" face="Tempus sans ITC, Papyrus,Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">[img]frown.gif[/img] Maybe I should go read it again a few times. It's hard to explain Laurie, it just left me 'wanting' Perhaps if I'd been at the UK shows it might have meant more, I don't know.