I'm not even into the dudes music but this is some bullshit right here. Oh wait he has a real band and talent so of course his label doesn't want to put money into backing him.

so uhhh..Nikka Costa's album flopped too yet she toured twice...

wassupwiththat?

theAudience said:

Sad, isn't it?

It's a shame
The way they mess around with my Van

theAudience said:

You're right. There is still a fact that regardless of how many CDs you sell, if you're black, doing R&B music AND doing something different from the trend, there's almost a guarentee that you will have troubles. I still have a conspiracy theory about black bands and the music business but I'm not gonna go there on this board.

BlaqueKnight said:

There's no conspiracy. Most black folks don't seem to want to hear a rock band, regardless of their color. That's why Van couldn't play most of his rock tunes on the Anthony Hamilton/Heather Headley tour. Being a black rock band is like being a white R&B singer (think Remy Shand and Lewis Taylor, Justin's a pop singer no matter what anyone says) it's hard to get them over, regardless of talent, sad to say.

True artistic expression is thrown to the gutter like everything else. It's just so fucking frustrating, its like a goddamn bizzaro world. The no-talents, over-singers, and all other pre-packaged hacks are placed front and center because they appeal to the lowest common denominator. While anyone with enough talent to provoke thought, maturity, eclecticism and sincere interests is thrown on the scrap heap because former business students don't think those acts will appeal to teens. The ironies of life, business students and artists are the polar opposites of humanity. Sadly one has too much say so on the merits of the other. Reflects a great deal of what's currently going on in the larger segment of American society.

BlaqueKnight said:

There's no conspiracy. Most black folks don't seem to want to hear a rock band, regardless of their color. That's why Van couldn't play most of his rock tunes on the Anthony Hamilton/Heather Headley tour. Being a black rock band is like being a white R&B singer (think Remy Shand and Lewis Taylor, Justin's a pop singer no matter what anyone says) it's hard to get them over, regardless of talent, sad to say.

guitarslinger44 said:

I went to a couple of his shows when he was touring for his first CD. Everything he played was well received. Dude has about 3 rock songs total. He's doing alternative R&B. Its different, but not rock. Its definately soulful. Don't try to blame it on the material. That's not it. Its the conditioning of the hype generation. Their ears are accustomed to artificial sounds as opposed to real instruments. That still didn't seem to hurt his draw because he pulled in the "grown n' sexy" crowd. I've seen quite a few national acts on major labels that should be kicked off their tours because they SUCK. Its not abut the music at all. Musicians aren't running the music biz. Labels are corporations and corporations like to stick to their agendas. They worked hard to eliminate big R&B bands and they simply aren't trying to back pedal even if its for an artist with a solid following. They would rather dump the money into a slick music video because it benefits them more than an artist touring, which benefits the artist and helps establish independance. Labels ain't havin' that these days.

Can someone explain why he needs label money to tour?

Can someone explain why he needs label money to tour?

lilgish said:

ya know...thats an interesting question...when wendy and lisa came out with girlbros wendy voiced her frustration to a friend of mine how they werent able to find investors who were willing to bankroll a tour...

for the life of me i couldnt figure out why financing was needed...expecially for self-financed acts like wendy and lisa...there must be major costs associated with touring...even for clubs...its such a shame though...if somebody were smart they would start a national club circuit that would give its seal of approval to these "real musician" type acts that deserve to be heard. cause the labels/big studios no longer have an interest in nurturing real musicians...but there is an audience out there willing and wanting to listen to them...

theres got to be a compromise.

Dam! where the hell have I been? Who's this cat? Listening 2 the cuts on the blog, I'm feeling shi* I haven't felt in a while...I need 2 leave prince alone for a minute and see what else is out there. I'm at a crossroad in my life right now and I need something fresh. Don't laugh, I'm serious! Please help! Who else have I been sleeping on. Music is more than a escape for me..its up there with food and water.....Respond

JeriCurl said:

You'll have to start another thread for that. This is a Van Hunt thread.
In the meantime, pop over to http://www.rebelsoulmusic.com and check out Martin Luther or peep out http://www.myspace.com/davidryanharris Dude used to collab with Van Hunt and Randy Jackson back in the Dionne Farris days. Oh, and get you some of this:
for that curl.

Saturday, November 11, 2006


g'byes (don't mean a thing to u & i)

evenin'...i'm writing to let every one know that there will be no more van hunt shows this year. the tour, scheduled for september, october and november, has been cancelled. we simply cannot afford to be on the road. we will, however, continue to market 'On The Jungle Floor' on-line. but, for now, the record label, that owns the license to sell my records, is ill-equipped and/or unwilling to do so. at least, not through the influential and traditional channels-like radio, print, etc (which is what helps to pay the bills and expand the audience...crucial for an outfit as large as ours-trying to stay on the road). word of mouth from the enthusiasm meeting our shows has been wonderful; yet, it moves too slowly to save a budget already crippled by expensive recording costs...next time, cheaper record=longer tour and, hopefully, more success. i am disappointed for my band and for those of you who were looking forward to hearing us play. i'm off to focus on composing the third album. i really do appreciate the encouraging, insightful and supportive words. the next full length release, (and it's lead-off RADIO single or the new millenium equivalent) will be here sometime around april (not that long...if i'm feigning positivity). i've got a few surprises for you before then.

Meloh9 said:

I wonder what a cheaper record will sound like?

sextonseven said:

I was thinking the same thing. Today's technology allows for albums to be recorded much cheaper than they used to back in the day. But if Van was studio hopping all across the world then, well, that does add up.
I don't know, really...