09 Apr, 2009 Easter Rising
I have been looking forward to this Easter more than usual. The reason for that is that immediately after this holiday I know that we are truly approaching the last few weeks leading up to the release of Graffiti Soul. It has been a long time coming when considering that the recording itself was completed way back in early October and I feel I have shouting and bawling about it forever. Or at least since September last year when I could feel that we were on our way to making a very good record.
In any case it is a miracle that I have not already grown tired of it. It is also a testament that having heard it a zillion times, that I could still felt its potency when listening through to it yet again yesterday morning as I went out jogging.
Evidently I am not the only one feeling that excitement either. There is a nice buzz beginning to emerge thanks largely to people already having heard some of the record and talking about it in glowing terms. That incidentally is the most valuable publicity of all. It always was, but it is especially effective now with the facilities afforded by e-mail and on line communities etc. It makes possible that genuine word of mouth enthusiasm – as opposed to advertisers hype – can spread like wildfire in a frantic hurry. I am sure you will agree that there is still no more effective publicity than when a mate informs you of a record that you should hear or a band that you should catch.
Universal have been doing a really good job in setting up the release of the record in the UK and in many other countries as well. They knew exactly the value of inviting a number of ‘super fans’ and dyed in the wool Minds supporters etc into their London offices last week, where those who have been ‘fighting our corner’ for the longest time, were given a flavour of what the next chapter of Simple Minds is likely to be all about. I want to thank them for organising this; I would also like to thank everybody that attended, as I am sure that it took some effort on their behalf.
All in all then there is a very positive reaction to the record emerging even though it is not released until end of May. Hopefully many of you will soon start to heart Rockets on some radio stations and if that catches on, we really will be on a roll. None of which is to say that we are going to get it all our own way of course. In fact there is a heck of a lot of work to be done still in convincing those who feel SM fell off their radar some way back and are never to return, or that the band having had their moment now have little still to offer. They are absolutely wrong of course. But it is not entirely their fault, and it our aim with this album and the next, to prove without doubt that SM have not only risen again but are arguably stronger than ever. If we can do that, they will not be able to avoid taking notice that much longer. Should that become a reality then all of us who care about SM, both band and fans, will surely enjoy seeing the group get close to the media comeback that even I though might be impossible.
We need your help in this, but I am sure I don’t need to ask, as being the great source of support that so many of you are I can imagine that you are already mouthing off on our behalf. Keep it up then please. The record is wonderful and worth shouting about, and the band is setting up to start playing again, better than ever in fact. We need your help in contacting those in positions of power e.g. the controllers at radio, television, newspapers, magazines and all other media outlets, in doing so persuading them enthusiastically and without any aggression please, that Simple Minds have made a cracking new record and that although there is already a huge audience interested in our group, many more would perhaps enjoy knowing more about our current story that sees SM back on top of their game.
These people do listen when a point in put to them in an intelligent fashion. Likewise they depend on people like you to make up their audience/circulation figures. Let them know what you want to hear, see, and read about. I am sure in many cases they will appreciate your feedback and find it useful.
That is the Easter message, over and out! Hopefully loud and clear!
Jim Kerr
Pic by Yumi