Well once again AHA have begun a tour, they are playing 10 dates in Russia in October and November. After that they will take the holidays off, start working on a new CD for 2004 and are considering a tour of the USA in the future. AHA has not played in the USA since 1987, they thought of touring in 2000 for Minor Earth Major Sky but their label in USA (wea) dropped them and no one would pick them up in the USA. AHA decided against financing a tour of USA because of the obvious cost of travelling to america and carting all that equipment and stuff, especially when they wouldnt have a CD except for the Import Shops, but not many people tour to support their Import CD. I have always tought AHA could easily find a market here, especially with their mature sound now, it rivals that of Coldplay and Radiohead. And BONO regarded MINOR EARTH MAJOR SKY and LIFELINES as the best 2 CDS back to back by any band. With the current wave that is bringing DURAN DURAN back as a household name, it would be nice to have AHA back in some of those households or at least a few theaters for a few shows for people who appreciate good bands.

if they do tour in the US, they better open the show with "Take On Me" then play 3 variations of it, and then close the show with "Take On Me".


it wouldn't hurt do an encore of "Take On Me" either.

Thats because the US is the lamest music market in the world. AHA played a show a few months back and for the first time TAKE ON ME wasnt in the setlist and the crowd had no problem with it because they had open minds, plus AHA has had 15 top 20 hits in Europe and 9 albums. This is what "pisses me off" with many Prince fans, they claim to be open to new music and change but as soon as Prince takes a new approach or plays an instrumental show they "cry" about being ripped off, like Prince or any artist really owes anything to them.

the US may very well be the lamest music market in the world, but when you get down to it, it's the only one that matters. ask anyone, you haven't made it until you've made it in America.

AaronMaximus said:

It USED to be.

Now, the ones who want to make it in America, want to make more money. Thats where the American market rules.

More and more creative artists don't even bother now because the charts and, more importantly, the radio, is ruled by the record labels, pumping out processed crap every week.

lastdecember said:

I'd have said Memorial Beach and Minor Earth Major Sky were better back to back releases. MB is stacks better than Lifelines in my opinion.

Cloudbuster said:

Totally agree. Although I like Lifelines, I think its their weakest since Hunting High and Low.

SquirrelMeat said:

I played HHAL only yesterday and I still think it's a good debut. Sure, the singles are the highlights but Love Is Reason and Dream Myself Alive are the only two I could live without. For me, Stay On These Roads is their weakest album. I love the title track, The Living Daylights, Never A Forever Thing and Out Of Blue Comes Green but I'm not fussed about the rest.

Cloudbuster said:

Funny, Stay on these roads is my favourite! I like HHAL, but think the only real "gem" on it is "Living a boys adventure tale". I think the bad production puts me off the album a bit.

SquirrelMeat said:

Well, it's just great that we all like different things.

As for Living A Boys Adventure Tale, I agree that it's a great song and without a doubt the best album track on HHAL. That song was the reason that I used to sneak the album off of my sister (I had all the 7"s) and I'm surprised it was never released as a single. As far as the production goes, it is quite poor. Maybe a remastered edition would do it some justice. The first five albums could do with beefing up.

AHA 2 tour Russia?!?! Is this a pisstake? Seems very odd 2 me.

SquirrelMeat said:

if they weren't interested in the money, they wouldn't be making music for a living.

they'd have a job like the other 99% of the world, and be doing gigs at the local bar on Saturday nights.

AaronMaximus said:

True. But what about recognition, credibility and a larger audience? That's what many are in it for as well.

TRON said:

certainly, but to do it as a career is to do it for the money. otherwise, it would just be a hobby.

AaronMaximus said:

I don't know. I imagine the money would be nice and a definite motivator. Especially once you've had a taste of it. But I want to do music and it isn't my primary reason. I want to do it because I want people to know my music, first and foremost. I've thought about it since I was a kid and money, cars, women, fame and all the usual trappings were never what turned me on about it. Maybe I'm different though.

TRON said:

i understand that. but unless it's just a hobby, and you have a seperate 9-5 job, then you do it and continue to do it for the money.

i'm not saying it's the primary motivator, but for the people above to say that people who make music professionally aren't doing it because they want money is completely false. i take notes in corn fields. sometimes it's rewarding, and sometimes i enjoy my job. but i'm not doing it as a hobby. it is my primary source of income.

AaronMaximus said:

No, but you also aren't passionate about that or have your whole life wrapped up in it.

I think it's a cause and effect kinda thing. First you have the calling, then the lifestyle follows.

I guess it just depends on who it is. I can't imagine the guys in Motley Crue spending their entire life soul searching, experimenting and trying to make artistic statements. They're in it for the hos. LOL.

i would LOVE to see A-HA live... i hope they come to the US.

Personally, i think Stay on these Roads is their weakest album, but it still has some great songs - especially This Alone is Love. I have a soft spot for East of the Sun... killer record. And Scoundrel Days

I still don't have the live album, I just can't afford the import. I'll get it one of these days.

TRON said:

i agree with you about having a passion for it. but having a passion for it does not equal making it a career. i'm passionate about comic books, but i have absolutely no desire to make a career out of them.

the things you say you and other artists are seeking... credibility, recognition, and a wider audience, come after one has decided to earn an income doing it. that's what i mean about anyone who is making music their career are doing it for the money, because if they weren't, it's a hobby and they would have a different job.

AaronMaximus said:

Okay. I'll stop here before this turns into an argument.

TRON said:

k.

AaronMaximus said:

hmmm...toss a coin i say...Kate Bush sells nothing in America...Bjork's numbers arent to impressive in America either...I thank the UK and Japan for keeping Lisa Stansfield and SwingOutSister's alive...Alexander Oneal too...

and without the support of the UK and Japan, Wendy and Lisa wouldnt have been able to release any albums after Fruit At The Bottom...let alone a remiz album and a special issue disc of Eroica w/ minidisc...

So while the US can guarantee a lifetime trust for your immediate offsprings (you know the kids of sister sledge are happy) it doesnt really matter in the end...

its all about good music..and im glad both markets help different types of talent...

(wait, the both help crap music too...can you say New Kids and Take That..errr)

wait...this is a thread about who?

sosgemini said:

She doesn't sell a great deal in America but to say she sells nothing is a bit harsh. She's had four gold albums in the US.

Cloudbuster said:

ahhh...so she sells a lil she should be selling ten times that if america had taste though..

sosgemini said:

True. America has had little taste for 10 years or so now. Or is it just that teenagers are given too much money to play with these days.

Cloudbuster said:

teenagers have always dictated what music is popular in this country, and it has, 90% of the time, been crap. it's the music people find in their 20's and 30's that becomes classic, and it rarely sells well when it's new, but builds in sales over time.