Scenario 2 - a good friend of mine who is an amazing song writer, singer comes to me after finally finishing his album (after 3 years). He’s been offered a major label deal – he doesn’t want to give up his baby and in the wake of Prince, Madonna and Enter Shikari feels that he can go it alone – he wants my help!

I’m upset – I shouldn’t be – but why can’t someone with loads of money ask me for this advice? His album is amazing, its huge, each tune is built for a stadium – imagine U2 meets Coldplay but not annoying or self righteous – the lyrics are super strong and interesting but you can imagine them at the pivotal point in a massive Hollywood blockbuster.

He needs to gig more – he just had a meeting with iTunes and may be able to sell his stuff through there? I read an article where some guy said about OINK – that pre-release downloads are the most vicious of the whole ‘downloading scene’ – what the fuck is a release date – Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On?) was released years ago but I still buy it – whats wrong with making something available and then touring and promoting it – getting kids to make videos that you send out all over myspace / youtube – some more viral stuff – some exclusive CDs that you sell at the gigs – a publishing company that pimps your tunes to TV and Film – a manager that hooks you up with brands and also promotes and extends the brand that is you – I dunno – is it possible – Enter Shikari did it – £2 rave rings? WTF is that about – I bought 2 for fucks sake – surely every artist should take the 101 of hip hop brand extension – water, chicken franchise, perfume – where’s the indie equivalent? Razorlight line at TopShop – Kano for King Apparel – Nine Inch Nail USB keys – I mean its all out there for fucks sake – am I rambling? maybe. I’ll shut up now.