This post is written asking for your opinions.
So, in order to boost the signal for the album, to continue reaching out to find those who would enjoy A Steampunk Opera, to build momentum, attract the growing “fanbase” (i hate that word, but whatever) as well as attract theaters, producers and companies who would perform A Steampunk Opera, support and it and come on board to build it into an international theatrical phenomenon…. to do all those things the signal must continue to be boosted, the album must reach further.
How to do this?
For the record, i am open to suggestions and ideas. One way typical in the music business is to go out and get album reviews. In theater you would go out and get theater reviews, but since we are starting backwards (in a way however pioneered by Lloyd Webber who made the albums Jesus Christ Superstar, an all time favorite of mine, and Evita before an possibility of a theater show existed) we can only worry about album reviews.
Which brings up an interested quandry. Where on the internet does one get an album such as TDONA, A Steampunk Opera reviewed?
Were this a rock album, a prog rock album, a post rock album, an experimental psychedelic album,a… a NORMAL or normally abnormal album the places to go are legion. However, DONA, a Steampunk Opera is very theatrical. And theatrical albums aren’t usually reviewed, the SHOW itself is reviewed. There is little online that caters to reviewing… musical-ly albums.
If there are other genres the album falls into which it could be reviewed under i am open to going those routes also. What does anybody think?
The album is steampunky… steampunk music doesn’t really exist as a set genre, although bands such as Abney Park and A Clockwork Quartet are establishing genre possiblities. Still, sites that deal in steampunk are certainly a place to go knocking and i am pursuing those options.
Bloggers and podcasters who blog and podcast about theater are potential sources. A scant few even DO review cast albums. That is a road of pursuit i am exploring diligently.
What i have just mentioned however are not many ideas and this is the internet. There are a MILLION ways and avenues and opportunites out there. The entire WORLD is online. Yes, A Steampunk Opera is not… normal. The normal avenues aren’t quite built for it. That comes with its challenges, but that’s also a GOOD thing. As long as it doesn’t suck.
On the level we’re at right now, a potential reviewer who outright hated the album simply wouldn’t bother reviewing it. Which doesn’t mean they might not point out some stuff i don’t want to hear, don’t agree with, or hell, i can run down a list of what i think is wrong with the album myself. But if you want something to be out there in the public arena, to be experienced and potentially enjoyed, you gotta get over this one real fast. Plus, it is my vast experience when numerous people point out the same flaw that you were never aware of, you really might want to pay attention.
A work exists to be noticed, experienced and opined over and discussed. (Yes, opined is a word. I swear to you.) It must be gotten out there. And in this case, where the album is but a step to the larger work, the live show, ignorance is death.
I blather on enough. This post will work better shorter rather than longer.
I am asking for ideas of where (online realistically) one could get an album such as The Dolls of New Albion, A Steampunk Opera reviewed. Other ideas for boosting the signal are also welcome.
For all of you listening to and enjoying the album if i could i would come over to each and every one of your houses, tuck you into bed bunching the soft, fluffly covers up right under your little chins, kiss you tenderly on the forehead and say night night as i turn out your light. Just so you know.
