People have deeper memories of activities that they have personally participated in and experienced, and they have longer feelings for them.
Television stations, radio stations, and music magazines all came together to report and quote the band's new album long before it was released on the shelves.
Although the previous turmoil has passed, the heat is still there.
"MUSICA", which was the first magazine to write a special feature for the band, got an exclusive interview with the band this time. The magazine that was released later mentioned the old story again, starting from that storm, to the trip to the United States, and the new album.
However, Iwahashi Shinichi made a special request not to talk about the termination of the contract between THE BLUE HEARTS and Meldac Records. As the same saying goes, if you want to talk, let's talk about "creative freedom."
It's because I have a sense of proportion that I can maintain a good relationship with Meldac Records and not offend Mitsubishi.
The readers of "MUSICA" were the first people to spread the flames for the band. Reading the report again, the previous events were still vivid in my mind. I recalled that I complained about the band, and even went to a sit-in protest outside Meldac Records, and saw
TV Asahi aired a documentary about the band, and I was moved by the band's spirit...
One thing after another, the band signed with GENZO and now releases its first album.
"I supported the band in the beginning, how could I fall behind now?"
Readers of "MUSICA" who have read the report recall the passion they had for the band, and the good results that later made the incident known to the world through their efforts and helped the band get out of trouble. They first felt in their hearts that they could not support it.
.
In a sense, the storm of THE BLUE HEARTS ended with a happy ending of "Running to the Stars and the Sea", and started with signing with GENZO and successfully releasing a new album. This makes readers who have participated in the past even more willing to continue participating.
If it weren't for their united efforts, the band might have been put in cold storage.
This sense of accomplishment in helping the heroic band escape from danger and start anew makes readers of "MUSICA" and even people in the underground music circle willing to voluntarily promote and support the band after the album is released.
Of course, without the underground music scene, THE BLUE HEARTS would not be what it is today. Even if we don’t mention the band’s own understanding of this matter, Iwahashi Shinichi himself is also aware of it.
Therefore, this important step will not be forgotten in the promotion of the band's new album. Before the album is released, Fengdao communicates with the underground music circle, contacts the band for performances, and conducts an underground tour in earnest.
…
The group of people who cared about the band from the beginning and worked hard for it are the basis of this new album. In addition, there are also ordinary viewers who only understand the whole story after watching the documentary program.
Among them, there are young people shouting "BLUE HEARTS are so handsome!", the band's rebellious and uncompromising spirit, and the ending of "Running to the Stars and Sea", which not only inspires but also encourages young people.
Especially among students in the rebellious period, "I'm Standing Here" became the repertoire of the campus light music club during this period.
Now that the news has spread that the band is going to release a new album, the students are thinking, "Just wait for now!"
Among them, there is the vanity of buying huge amounts of THE BLUE HEARTS albums and using their own power to send their supporters to the most dazzling place.
There is even some kind of ridiculous and naive idea: THE BLUE HEARTS’ album is selling like hot cakes, maybe TV stations will cover it everywhere, and by then, there may be a chance to appear on TV.
In this bubble era, students are not the only ones who crave attention. There are also thousands of people who, in this unprecedented era, are unable to become the protagonists of life.
THE BLUE HEARTS, an unknown band, became famous in one fell swoop due to their tenacity. They set sail again amidst the enthusiastic attention.
Watching an ordinary band become the "protagonist", it seems that they derive some pleasure from their success. In the hearts of people with a heroic dream, THE BLUE HEARTS is like a flag.
People who support THE BLUE HEARTS each have their own ideas.
At first, when the program trailer came out, there was no doubt that the band was trying to gain fame. However, after the program was broadcast, I saw the most authentic emotions of the band members when they sang "I'm Standing Here" for the first time.
People who are uneasy and have such thoughts in their hearts cannot help but change.
To be able to stand up and say "no" even if you are trembling, to say no loudly even if you are afraid. Even if it is really just for fame and reputation, making this decision requires courage that others cannot give.
We need to support those who stand up bravely and those who have the courage that you don’t have.
People who have personally participated in activities to support the band, people who have seen them on TV shows, people who have called the TV station after the show aired.
People who cheered for the band's rebellious spirit. People who were moved by the band's perseverance. People who saw in the band the pure spirit that has gradually disappeared in today's decadent era. And at the end of the show, when the band stood
On the American stage, performing in front of Westerners, when I saw this scene, I was both proud of the band and relieved for them.
When the news of THE BLUE HEARTS' album release was widely announced, everyone discovered that it was not far away.
It's still close before my eyes. The feeling is still in my heart.
There is still a fire burning, and if you add a few more firewood, it will be a raging fire again. With the heat of the previous incident, TV stations, radio stations, and music magazines that are always paying attention to this incident——
Not only "MUSICA", but also other music magazines will not miss this protagonist of the music industry's annual events.
Against this background, the band's support was high and its supporters were wide-ranging. On the day the album was released, there was a long queue at the TOWER record store in Shibuya.
Not only is this the case at TOWER, but the TSUTAYA in Shinjuku is also full of items. The same is true at another hotel.
What's quite interesting is that the big record stores are crowded with people, but the small record stores are not much different from the usual record release days. Obviously you can easily buy it in a small store, but people still have to queue up.
To a certain extent, this is also a manifestation of "the nature of human beings is to follow the trend, and the nature of the Japanese is to double follow the trend."
People who were still hesitating at first saw so many people who were enthusiastic about THE BLUE HEARTS and couldn't help but think to themselves that most people support that band. Wouldn't it be inappropriate if I was the only one who was indifferent?
No matter when or where, the long queue is a billboard for propaganda——
The effect of this billboard in Japan is automatically increased.
The record market was sluggish a few years ago, and although it has recovered somewhat in the past two years, it is still rare for such stores to be overcrowded and people still come for the same singer.
Only singers with top popularity and sales can have such a battle.
But there is no doubt that THE BLUE HEARTS is now top-notch in terms of fame and attention.
…
THE BLUE HEARTS' album went on sale. Before the first week's sales came out, Iwahashi Shinichi put the matter aside and waited to make adjustments based on the first week's situation.
Anyway, this album is selling based on topicality and attention - which is nothing to admit. Therefore, the sales volume in the first week reflects how much previous attention has been converted into actual sales, and there is no need to be special.
care.
What really requires strategy is after consuming attention.
This week's album chart includes THE BLUE HEARTS. On the single chart, the newly released planned single is an Okinawa folk song collaborated by Deng Lijun and Kariyushi.
It is a single that I have been mentally prepared for, and the sales may not be so "explosive". Of course, if you are just pursuing sales, then you might as well just make something that suits the public's taste instead of trying it.
However, record sales are like the ratings of TV dramas. Even for dramas with good reputation, the ratings will drop in the middle of the broadcast and before the climax of the plot.
And as long as the reputation does not collapse, even if it declines, it will rise again if hot spots appear later.
Seriously speaking, whether it's THE BLUE HEARTS's album or this collaborative single, what Iwahashi Shinichi cares about is word of mouth.
As long as the feedback from buyers is good enough, there will be opportunities for long-term sales and more opportunities in the future.
…
Iwahashi Shinichi put aside sales in advance, but Watanabe Manyumi was very concerned about the sales of THE BLUE HEARTS album.
On Friday night, the two of them were going to attend the same event. In the evening, Watanabe Manyumi called him and agreed to come to the record company. Then, they would go there together.
"It feels like a gamble."
In the reception room, after Watanabe Mayumi sat down, she talked to Shinichi Iwahashi about the band's album and said.
"The half million?"
"The handwriting of half a million pieces of paper is very impressive." Watanabe Manyumi said, "Your words carry more weight this time. Even I can't say anything."
Iwahashi Shinichi won the bet before, which made fewer people in the record company raise objections regarding THE BLUE HEARTS. Even this time, some people still think that half a million copies are too risky, but think of the previous fifteen
Tens of thousands of singles, but nothing to say.
"But it's not just the five hundred thousand that are being gambled."
Watanabe Manyumi reminded him, "There is also an appointment with the band's manager."
"Indeed." Iwahashi Shin nodded.
Watanabe Mayumi made it clear. The band's album is also a touchstone. If the album does not sell well, the band's value will also depreciate.
"So," Shinichi Iwahashi looked at her, "is that why Wan Yumi-san will gamble with me?"
Hearing what he said, Watanabe Mayumi stopped holding the coffee, glanced at him, and showed a small smile, "It's still a big gamble."
Stocking 500,000 copies, the bet was won, and fame and fortune were gained. The band also became a gold nugget to be competed for by law firms.
Watanabe Manyumi is someone who would never agree to something just because "it's hard to say anything".
"If you think about it this way, it's not a bad thing that the band's manager hasn't been released yet." Shinichi Iwahashi is optimistic, "Once the album is released, it will be easier to bargain later."
Afraid of the worst case scenario, the gold nugget turns into stone - Watanabe Manyumi said nothing.
But what is not further discussed is which firm should be assigned to the band’s management appointment. Should it be a large, established firm, or a young and energetic medium-sized firm.
The manager of THE BLUE HEARTS was the introduction, but Shinichi Iwahashi's stubbornness put the matter on the "table" that only the two of them could see.
Watanabe Mayumi mentioned the band's managerial appointment again, and wanted to hear what Iwahashi Shinichi had to say. But he said nothing more about the managerial appointment, which made Watanabe Mayumi difficult to speak for a while.
This matter is about to be put on hold until the band's album results are settled.
However, neither Shinichi Iwahashi nor Mayumi Watanabe was impatient. Both of them were calm and composed, as if they had reached a consensus from the beginning to decide what to do next after this first album.
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Or maybe it's the tacit understanding along the way that makes everyone feel at ease.
…
At year-end receptions, Shinichi Iwahashi and Mayumi Watanabe are busy with their own affairs. But there are also some events where the two of them are required to go together. Ordinarily, Shinichi Iwahashi is the external face of the record company, but because of the involvement of the TV station, or the two
It's a different matter if we are familiar with each other's offices.
For example, AMUSE, who was the first to reach out when producing music festivals, and Kenyin, who has a public and private relationship with Watanabe Mayumi... Even Star Office, which co-produced ZARD, is also in this "different matter" scope.
inside.
In the beginning, if it weren't for the reputation of Watanabe Productions, Star Agency would not have sent the models to their audition.
What I went to tonight was the reception held by Xingchen Office.
At this reception, people related to the TV station and the office were present, and some well-known artists from Xingchen Office also participated.
Kamai Sachiko and Utoku Keiko were also involved.
Needless to say, Kamai Sachiko, ZARD is now very popular and well-known, and its debut album is still on the charts for long-term sales. It is in a state of being pushed to the top in one fell swoop with just one hit song.
Keiko Utoku, on the other hand, has not debuted since she transferred to Shinichi Iwahashi, and is still a newcomer.
During this period of time, she first completed her job as a salesperson for Karaoke Queen and completed all the work contracts she signed as a model. Now she is free and light.
After work, she received training. Singing, writing lyrics and music, needless to say, she also learned additional musical instruments. In addition to the piano, which she was already good at, she also had a guitar teacher.
Even so, she studied hard, but she still didn't hear the news from Shinichi Iwahashi about her debut.
While not letting her debut, in order to prevent her from having difficulties in life, in addition to the fixed salary given to her by Star Agency, the record company also gave her an extra salary.
Not only that, during this period, she was arranged to go to the recording studio to help sing harmonies and other tasks, and she was paid. In contrast, for the courses she took before her debut, the tuition was paid by the company in advance, and the income was paid after her debut.
deduct.
Utoku Keiko had been waiting for so long, and the opportunity fell from the sky, and she caught it. At this time, she was not so anxious, and waited for Iwahashi Shinichi to arrange it.
Compared to herself, Xingchen Office is more concerned about the progress of her debut.
Kamaike Sachiko has been able to achieve such results for one year since her debut. The Star Agency has tasted the benefits and is waiting to see how Shinichi Iwahashi will arrange for Utoku Keiko to make another way of making money.
Tonight, Shinichi Iwahashi and Mayumi Watanabe arrived and were warmly welcomed by the officials of Star Office.
