I want to be a musician one day so I want to see what other people's opinions are. So I have two questions! :D (These apply to any band)

 

1. What would you want on a single?

2. Do you actually like the instrumentals and radio edits?

I'm confused with the wording of the first question.

 

I like sometimes hearing instrumentals though it depends on the song. In terms of radio edits, not so much of a fan.

I rephrased it. Is it easier to understand now? :confused:

Ok. Interesting question.

 

Expectations these days are quite different than what they used to be, and it depends on a number of factors. I think these days there are no expectations on any b-sides at all to go with singles, because it's mostly digital releases (coldplay are your classic case). There are very few bands doing b-sides, I know Liam Gallagher wants to 'bring them back' with his new band Beady Eye, Manics do them, and so do Editors. I think to have B-Sides is a very british thing, and you have to have the fans who are willing to buy them. Arctic Monkeys also do them, just b-sides, no instrumentals or remixes, but they are released on 7" and 10" vinyl exclusively. But they can only do that because a large proportion of their UK fanbase is willing to buy them.

 

So it depends on what audience you're targeting. If you have a radio edit on a single it might be a bit different to an album version (obviously for songs that need cutting down), but for instrumentals I reckon they're a waste of time. If you're going to do singles, plant a couple of b-sides or remixes on there but only if they're decent. If the single is strong enough to stand on it's own, just release it digitally through itunes! It shouldn't matter thesedays whether or not you have b-sides, remixes or instrumentals if the single is strong enough. Plus it leaves more material for you to work on for an album. But releasing a single with an instrumental isn't worth it for me. Remixes i'd say yes, because if you get someone decent to remix it it could end up in a club somewhere.

 

Hope that helped. Our band's been thinking about this a lot lately.

1. i like to see: album version of the track, 2 b-sides, and a live version of the song or acoustic version.

 

2. dont care much for the instrumental versions of songs as they tend to be fairly repetitive. a remix is ok only if the remix does something interesting with the song, not just the same song with a rap verse thrown in *cough*lost*cough*

Ok. Interesting question.

 

Expectations these days are quite different than what they used to be, and it depends on a number of factors. I think these days there are no expectations on any b-sides at all to go with singles, because it's mostly digital releases (coldplay are your classic case). There are very few bands doing b-sides, I know Liam Gallagher wants to 'bring them back' with his new band Beady Eye, Manics do them, and so do Editors. I think to have B-Sides is a very british thing, and you have to have the fans who are willing to buy them. Arctic Monkeys also do them, just b-sides, no instrumentals or remixes, but they are released on 7" and 10" vinyl exclusively. But they can only do that because a large proportion of their UK fanbase is willing to buy them.

 

So it depends on what audience you're targeting. If you have a radio edit on a single it might be a bit different to an album version (obviously for songs that need cutting down), but for instrumentals I reckon they're a waste of time. If you're going to do singles, plant a couple of b-sides or remixes on there but only if they're decent. If the single is strong enough to stand on it's own, just release it digitally through itunes! It shouldn't matter thesedays whether or not you have b-sides, remixes or instrumentals if the single is strong enough. Plus it leaves more material for you to work on for an album. But releasing a single with an instrumental isn't worth it for me. Remixes i'd say yes, because if you get someone decent to remix it it could end up in a club somewhere.

 

Hope that helped. Our band's been thinking about this a lot lately.

 

Yes, thanks! :D

That does help a lot! :awesome:

And it gives me more to think about.

So you like live versions?

In order of preference:

 

1. b-side

2. acoustic

3. remix

4. live

5. instrumental

 

Usually I only buy a single if I can get a decent b-side with it.

Yeah I wouldn't buy the single either without something new.

So you like live versions?

 

doesnt have to be a live version of that song. the chili peppers on their last album, the singles included live recordings of older songs they were playing on that tour. i quite enjoyed that. but then again RHCP make fairly significant changes to their songs live on stage.

In order of preference:

 

1. b-side

2. acoustic

3. remix

4. live

5. instrumental

 

Usually I only buy a single if I can get a decent b-side with it.

 

I agree with this order of preference. I forgot about an acoustic. They can be quite easy to produce, too.

 

I'd add demo to that list too, possibly at #3. Sometimes demo versions sound quite different.

i say leave the demos until you're into your 40s and need to start cashing in on your success.

I was thinking mostly of Metric when it comes to acoustic tracks. I really enjoy how they did their unplugged EP where basically they have acoustic versions of the majority or the tracks off of Fantasies.

How about demos of unfinished songs?

How about demos of unfinished songs?

 

NO WAY. Keep those, you might turn them into brilliant songs one day. Only publish demos of released tracks.

i say leave the demos until you're into your 40s and need to start cashing in on your success.

 

Is this a dig at Oasis?

 

Manics release deluxe editions of their albums with a whole extra CD of the entire album demos

Is this a dig at Oasis?

 

Manics release deluxe editions of their albums with a whole extra CD of the entire album demos

 

its a dig at every band that does it. heck if i was in an aging band i would do it too. pearl jam did it last year, EMI did it on behalf of radiohead.

I want to be a musician one day so I want to see what other people's opinions are. So I have two questions! :D (These apply to any band)

 

1. What would you want on a single?

2. Do you actually like the instrumentals and radio edits?

 

1. For a single I typically like to have a few b-sides 1-3. Acoustic performances are cool or demo work is cool especially if it's a band i'm interested in. In terms of remixes on singles I think it depends if I like them or not. Some are good/great, others not so much.

 

2. I find instrumental stuff good especially when the arrangement of a song is interesting/complex. Never been a fan of radio edits... take important aspects of a song (even if it's only 10-20 secs.)