"Looking like you don't care." Watanabe Manyumi looked at him and joked.
Iwahashi Shinichi smiled and deliberately followed her words: "I actually care a lot about it."
This Monday, the first sales of DREAMS COME TRUE’s new single will be released.
Before the release of the single, Shinichi Iwahashi prepared in many ways and used all possible methods. However, as the single was released, he put the matter of the single aside for the time being, and did not do anything like before.
Too concerned about sales and response.
The reason for this is naturally due to faith.
The band is already on the right track, with the overwhelming popularity and buzz brought about by the last album. At the same time as the single was released, invitations from TV stations to play songs, exclusive interview invitations from music magazines, and various resources came to the band.
.
Record sellers not only doubled orders from record companies offering coupons, but also hung up posters in their stores to promote the record.
In all aspects, there is no doubt that the treatment given is the treatment that only popular singers can enjoy.
"I'm actually very relieved."
Watanabe Manyumi knew that he said that deliberately and didn't care. In private, just the two of them, she confided, "There is absolutely no problem with the band's single this time. After all, even Sony's direct bands avoid being sharp."
The band she's talking about is PRINCESS PRINCESS.
This band, who had the fate of performing on the same stage with DREAMS COME TRUE, signed with Sony two years earlier. Not only did they have a recording contract, but they also signed a management contract with the agency that Sony Records built for their own singers. They are their absolute biological daughters.
.
In comparison, DREAMS COEM TRUE, who only signed a record deal, is an adopted daughter.
PRINCESS PRINCESS's popularity and sales have steadily increased, while DREAMS COME TRUE has released one hit song after another, gaining fame and popularity, and is on the verge of catching up with this senior band.
Sony Records is responsible for the production and distribution of DREAMS COME TRUE records, and all orders from record sellers are sent to Sony.
After knowing in advance the super momentum of DREAMS COME TRUE, Sony deliberately postponed the release of PRINCESS PRINCESS's new single for two weeks in order to avoid being criticized.
Unlike ZARD, a new band that has no baggage and can be released as long as they set a date, for a band like PRINCESS PRINCESS, which urgently needs a single with outstanding performance to prove itself, it is necessary to choose an auspicious day.
But no matter what, the record company can deliberately change the date in order to avoid conflicting with them. Even before the single is released, they, the people behind the scenes, can vaguely see the grand occasion of this new single.
…
The two chatted for a few more words, and then the phone in Iwahashi Shinichi's office rang.
Watanabe Manyumi considered leaving, but was stopped by Iwahashi Shinichi, "Wait a moment, Manyumi-san. I still have something to discuss with you."
Hearing what he said, Watanabe Wan Yumi nodded.
Shinichi Iwahashi stood up and went to get the phone receiver. It turned out to be Kazuo Hirai from Sony Records calling.
My uncle is not directly responsible for band-related matters. Since Iwahashi Shinichi left the production team of Band Heaven, he has rarely had the opportunity to see that magical smile worth protecting again.
Because of this, his sudden call surprised Iwahashi Shinichi.
"Greetings from Kushu, Hirai-san." Iwahashi Shinichi greeted him.
On the other end of the phone, Hirai Kazuo went straight to the point: "Iwahashi-san, congratulations."
"oh?"
What he said was meaningless, and Iwahashi Shinichi was a little out of sorts.
After receiving such a reaction, the other end of the phone paused, and Kazuo Hirai smiled and said, "It seems that I made the call at a good time."
Hearing this tone, for a moment, Shin Iwahashi couldn't help but picture his devilish smile in front of his eyes.
"It's DREAMS COME TRUE." Kazuo Hirai called specifically to express his congratulations, "It's amazing that the new single won the first place on the chart when it debuted!"
"champion."
When Iwahashi Shinichi heard this sentence, he understood what Hirai Kazuo meant by "the timing is good." Immediately, his heart was filled with this news - he was very satisfied.
"Twenty-six thousand." Hirai Kazuo said another number.
At this time, even Shinichi Iwahashi began to lose his composure - no wonder it was worthy of a special phone call from his uncle to express his congratulations. This first-time number is something that few even popular singers can achieve.
"Thanks to Sony for their care and your blessing."
Satisfied with his ambitions, Shinichi Iwahashi responded quickly enough.
"Anyway, I am also very happy to have signed the contract for DREAMS COME TRUE." Hirai Kazuo replied.
After the New Year, the production of Band Heaven continued, but Shinichi Iwahashi withdrew from the production of the program and only continued to be responsible for producing singles for the winning band.
Not only that, but his partner Wan Yumi Watanabe of U-MIZ has also gradually reduced his participation in program production.
At the same time, the offices of the BURNING department gradually emerged.
None of the representatives who could sit in that conference room were fools. BURNING reached into the band paradise and had a limited impact on record companies. What should really be wary of is other firms, especially small firms.
For Kazuo Hirai, his work in the band Paradise will not be affected at all, but he still feels very sorry for Shinichi Iwahashi to quit the production team.
This time, DREAMS COME TRUE won the first place in the singles chart when it debuted, and its sales exceeded 200,000 copies in one fell swoop. Kazuo Hirai knew about this at the company, so he thought of using this as an introduction to call Shinichi Iwahashi.
This young man who always has some whimsical ideas and secretly wears a giraffe headband to act as the mascot in the band, is quite suitable for Hirai Kazuo in terms of ability, personality and behavior.
The two complimented each other on the phone, and Iwahashi Shinichi did not forget to protect his uncle's smile. Taking advantage of this phone call, he invited Hirai Kazuo and everyone from Sony to have a drink as a celebration and thank you.
Such an invitation was exactly what I wanted, so Kazuo Hirai naturally readily agreed.
Putting down the phone, Shinichi Iwahashi returned to Watanabe Manyumi.
Watanabe Manyumi looked at his face and said, "It seems like something good has happened."
"It's Hirai-san from Sony Records, for DREAMS COME TRUE." Shinichi Iwahashi sat down, "The new single debuted at number one and sold 206,000 copies."
"Twenty-six thousand!"
When Watanabe Manyumi heard this number, even though she had already been confident in DREAMS COME TRUE, she still looked surprised.
After a moment of surprise, it immediately turned into surprise.
"Unexpected." She considered her words.
Shinichi Iwahashi also felt, "I thought that having 150,000 copies would satisfy my expectations, but I really didn't expect it."
But there is no doubt that the band has entered a period of rapid growth after passing the previous stage of accumulating reputation. After releasing an impeccable album, no one will doubt that DREAMS COME TRUE's music is not good.
Even the album can be so good, how can a song that can be released as a single alone be bad!
"I sold myself all the time, but you ended up being one step ahead." Watanabe Manyumi was in a good mood and teased him.
Iwahashi Shinichi was also in a good mood and continued following her words, "Yes, so I feel very proud now. I want to call Miwa-chan and Nakamura-san immediately, and the three of them take turns treating guests to a 20,000 yen buffet.
.”
Compared to the initial sales of 206,000 copies, it was obviously Iwahashi Shinichi's words that made Watanabe Mayumi laugh even harder.
However, it was able to sell this number at the first release. According to the band's current popularity and topic, and considering the previous sales trend, the future of this single is unlimited.
"However, this celebration party really has to be held." Watanabe Manyumi mentioned.
It is said to be a celebration party, but it is not held for the band. It is better to say that in the name of the celebration party, relevant personnel from the office and record company, staff from the promotion side, and even people from the record sales side are invited to contact each other.
"So, should we rent a yacht or rent a hotel venue? BOSS."
Watanabe Wanyumi, who was full of laughter about this "BOSS", shook her head with a smile, and did not answer his somewhat boring question. Instead, she cheered him up, "You and I also want to celebrate."
"We want to celebrate." Iwahashi Shinichi agreed.
Changing the topic, he joked: "If I had known about it, I wouldn't have told you about it. I'll wait for you to call me later... I'll go to your office and listen. There's still good wine to drink during the celebration."
"But there are other ways to celebrate."
Watanabe Wan Yumi smiled and stretched out her hand. Iwahashi Shinichi naturally held it gently, and after a while, he let go.
"Shenyi-kun, what do you want to discuss just now?"
Watanabe Manyumi took back her hand and brought back the unfinished topic.
"It's still something related to ZARD."
Iwahashi Shinichi also changed the topic, "I plan to negotiate with Xingchen Office and ask them to make arrangements for Kamachi-san to shoot for fashion magazines."
"Xingchen is an agency that specializes in models, and it has absolutely abundant magazine resources." But for Shinichi Iwahashi, he didn't know which way to open the editorial department of the fashion magazine, and he couldn't use his energy at all.
"You want Kamachi-san to continue being a model."
Iwahashi Shin nodded, "Isn't it pretty good? Kamachi-san's figure is not good enough for photo shoots for magazines, but it should be more than enough for fashion magazines aimed at office workers."
She is tall and has good body proportions. She will never look out of place when dressed as an office lady.
"Let the lead singer of the band shoot for a fashion magazine, you really deserve it." Watanabe Wan Yumi's tone did not sound like a compliment, but it was definitely not sarcastic. Rather, it had a bit of a "statement of facts" meaning.
Letting the band's lead singer become a model for a fashion magazine is likely to be viewed differently in the industry, and may even attract criticism from traditional bands.
However, after witnessing Shinichi Iwahashi's glorious deeds of spreading publicity into general magazines, Watanabe Manyumi was not surprised at all that he wanted to extend his promotional hand to fashion magazines.
Rather, it feels like "it's something he would do".
"Before Kamichi-san debuted, she was also an office worker. Maybe there was a fashion magazine that she read every issue, imitating the trends in it. To be honest, her own image is very life-like."
When Iwahashi Shinichi said this, he changed his subject and said, "Of course, I also have other considerations."
He explained to Watanabe Manyumi, "Kamoike-san is originally from a pink-collar background. ZARD's music style and her own lyrics are also geared towards the younger generation. Women of her age should especially find it just right."
"And the probability that the audience of the fashion magazine I want to feature Taike-san overlaps with this group of women is very high... They may not listen to ZARD's songs, but they will buy "MORE"."
"Shinichi-kun also knows "MORE"." Watanabe Manyumi smiled.
"I didn't just say whatever idea came to my mind." He didn't just mention it casually, but after having such an idea, he first checked out fashion magazines.
"But do Kamachi-san and "MORE" get along?" She imagined it.
This is a women's fashion magazine for mature people.
"It may not be "MORE"."
Iwahashi Shin brought the topic back, "Just to give you an example. Wan Yumi-san, in this era, women have all kinds of possibilities. Tachi-san has gone from being an office worker to becoming the lead singer of a band. This is one of the many possibilities for women."
.”
"Um."
Watanabe Manyumi agreed. At this point, she probably understood Iwahashi Shinichi's thoughts. Compared with those hardcore and more artistic bands, ZARD is a band that targets the general public.
ZARD's songs are songs that can be sung freely in karaoke or at gatherings with friends or colleagues.
As the lead singer of such a band, her identity as a "band lead singer" seems far away from ordinary women, but on the other hand, she has always been among ordinary women.
Her life as a "band singer" is quite mysterious to ordinary women, but as a "female", she is also one of them.
"Let Puchi-san go to shoot for fashion magazines and be interviewed..."
Let her be one of the many possibilities of women to close the distance with ordinary women. After thinking about it, Watanabe Wan Yumi also felt that this idea was quite interesting to implement.
"So, we have to discuss it with Xingchen Office." Iwahashi Shinichi said, "You and I have no resources in this area, and we can't tell what kind of magazine is what style."
Although Watanabe Manyumi regularly reads more than a few fashion magazines, she has also acquiesced in being dragged into the "magazine-unaware" camp by him.
"And, be prepared for a rainy day."
Iwahashi Shinichi mentioned one more thing, "Just be generous and let Kamachi-san appear in a fashion magazine. That way, even if someone later discovers that she has worked as a photo model, they will not be passive in dealing with it."
Watanabe Mayumi thought for a moment and understood.
"I'll contact the people at Xingchen Office later." The two people reached a consensus on this matter.
"Anyway, let's encourage Puchi-san to give it a try first."
Iwahashi Shinichi said, "We will make corresponding adjustments based on Kamachi-san's performance, feedback from the outside world, and her own thoughts."
Although publicity methods are limited by mass media methods, there is still great potential for putting new wine in old bottles.
The debut of ZARD allowed Shinichi Iwahashi to learn some skills, which could be used by other bands in the future.
"By the way," he started, a little unable to stop himself, "and BOLAN."
