3 ms·

This reminds me of the tactics the music industry used to use to gain initial traction for their manufactured groups and artists who had never built up an organ

This reminds me of the tactics the music industry used to use to gain initial traction for their manufactured groups and artists who had never built up an organic following before being signed. Case in point is Lou Pearlman's creation, Backstreet Boys, who's first album and titular single was called "Backstreet's Back", with lyrics that alluded to the fact that they had been around for a while and were making a 'comeback'. Their music video was noted for having a mass of adoring, screaming female fans chasing them down the street and going silly over them. This was before they were even known, but eventually became a reality.

ubershmekel 13y ago
Sorry, that's wrong. "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" is the first single from the Backstreet Boys' _second_ international album from 1997. They were huge thanks to their 1996 international album called "Backstreet Boys": >becoming one of the biggest debut albums ever and contains a number of the band's most memorable singles
- wyck 13y ago
  Though the release might be wrong, it is no uncommon to seed an audience in the music business to create buzz/interest. This happens in many industries, it's a marketing tactic. Hell even small restaurants seed tables to create atmosphere because no one walks into an empty restaurant.
- Dogamondo 13y ago
  Ubershmekel, you are dead right! Sorry, I stand corrected. After reading the Wikipedia article I guess they really were 'back!'. (I was listening to Smashing Pumpkins at the time in all honesty!) In another example of the music industry seeding their own success, I remember when it wasn't uncommon for a major label to ship a number of initial releases to record stores and then buy them back to push their artist up the charts (which were all based on record sales). The result was that the album or single rode high up the charts getting more rotation on terrestrial radio and MTV, until it became a self-fulfulling prophecy and eventually outsold the buy-back investment and then some. Thanks for the BSB correction :)
  - hboon 13y ago
    Buying your own products to ultimately boost sales is pretty common in the media industry that has best-selling lists. New York Times Best Sellers, music charts, and more recently app stores. Not that I disagree with your comment, just adding a bit of detail.

ubershmekel 13y ago

Sorry, that's wrong. "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" is the first single from the Backstreet Boys' _second_ international album from 1997. They were huge thanks to their 1996 international album called "Backstreet Boys": >becoming one of the biggest debut albums ever and contains a number of the band's most memorable singles

wyck 13y ago
Though the release might be wrong, it is no uncommon to seed an audience in the music business to create buzz/interest. This happens in many industries, it's a marketing tactic. Hell even small restaurants seed tables to create atmosphere because no one walks into an empty restaurant.
Dogamondo 13y ago
Ubershmekel, you are dead right! Sorry, I stand corrected. After reading the Wikipedia article I guess they really were 'back!'. (I was listening to Smashing Pumpkins at the time in all honesty!) In another example of the music industry seeding their own success, I remember when it wasn't uncommon for a major label to ship a number of initial releases to record stores and then buy them back to push their artist up the charts (which were all based on record sales). The result was that the album or single rode high up the charts getting more rotation on terrestrial radio and MTV, until it became a self-fulfulling prophecy and eventually outsold the buy-back investment and then some. Thanks for the BSB correction :)
- hboon 13y ago
  Buying your own products to ultimately boost sales is pretty common in the media industry that has best-selling lists. New York Times Best Sellers, music charts, and more recently app stores. Not that I disagree with your comment, just adding a bit of detail.