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On The Record

Jim Carroll

Music, Life and everything else

Marketing

31aab49484c4db7e557b3071cb95d15a Daft Punk and the smartest campaign in pop this year

The power of a brilliant pop tune to get everyone humming should never be overlooked

The Stone Roses’ reunion, nostalgia and cultural bedblocking

Here we go again. Yesterday’s news that The Stone Roses are reforming for a couple of shows in Manchester next year (with a world tour to follow as promoters beat each other up with a big stick to have the …

Edward Sharpe’s ad-friendly tune

It’s the wisdom of the crowds who work in advertising agencies at play. Chances are you’ve heard Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes’ “Home” at this stage. Even if you don’t listen to the radio all that often, you’ll have …

Record stores return to the capital

Is this a record shop revival in the capital I see before me? Last week, E2 Music announced plans to open a pop-up shop on Dublin’s College Green in the space formerly occupied by Habitat. This week, it’s the arrival …

Why bands should leave pester power to toddlers

This tweet from Nialler9 last week probably spoke for many who’ve seen their email in-boxes, Twitter feeds, Facebook pages and blogs invaded daily by bands looking for votes in online competitions. You know the kind: a band have entered some …

Jedward have the last laugh

Around about a year ago, there was a lot of guffawing about Jedward on the back of the pair getting their P45s from Sony Music after one single. But, as OTR noted when the story broke, you had to wonder …

“What the hell?” Arcade Fire win Grammy for Album of the Year

There is probably a sizable bustle in your electronic hedgerow this morning thanks to the news that Arcade Fire won the Grammy of Grammies, the gong for Album of the Year, last night. There will be justifiable praise for the …

Bands and brands

One topic which came up a few times over the weekend at the Hard Working Class Heroes’ discussion panels was the whole notion of bands and brands. Naturally, any panel discussion involve the future of funding was always going to …