Lopez Blogs

Continuing the discussion from Monday and how the onslaught of social media has changed the way pop careers are launched (and destroyed)... today it's a look at breaking down the barriers between fan and artist and how perhaps now more than ever fans can be intimately involved in the creation and launch of their hot new faves latest release. Many people have used this to their increasing advantage - for example, Simon Curtis built up a huge twitter following by offering free tracks once his twitter followers had reached certain levels. It worked and now 19,000 hang on his every word and eagerly await his next album. But there are other, more cost effective ways to encourage fan - let's see what one young English troubadour has up his sleeve...


I've written about Luke Leighfield a few times. His third album "Have You Got Heart?" (turns out I have) had me utterly enchanted. For those too lazy to click on the link for my review, it's essentially a giddy and enticing mixture of saucy Queen-esque guitar riffs, Billy Joel via Ben Folds piano chords, achingly memorable melodies and a sterling vocal delivery infused with passion and emotion from the singer himself. He's created these songs from scratch and worked extraordinarily hard to get them out there for public consumption and his love for music and melody shine through in each note, each nuanced vocal inflection, each bitingly relatable lyric. Added to this was my obsession with his Christmas single I'm So Confused By Christmas this festive season which made me resolve to be a better person. And it's insightful view of Christmas life would have fitted perfectly onto Have You Got Heart. If you haven't already heard that album you should really check it out now - follow Luke on twitter for details of how to purchase. And do so quickly because it's time to move on. Luke announced today that he is ready to record his next album, New Season. He's written the songs and he promises they will be amazing - i've no reason to doubt him, particularly if the song above (New Season with the We Heart Arts Band) is on the album. I mean, that song alone takes a driving beat, crashing cymbols, some wonderfully intricate piano work and guitar licks that make me tired and exhilarated watching them all at the same time. Sadly, Luke is out of money. I mean it takes time to be a full time musician, marketing yourself, making music and getting it out there. Bring on Project New Season. For an initial upfront investment of varying levels you can get everything a guaranteed copy of the cd to your own song to a show in your living room to Luke being at your general disposal for a day! You don't see Lady Gaga doing this! You can learn all about the different offers available by visiting this website AND watching this video. Viewing of the video is absolutely essential. It not only shows how utterly charming Luke actually is, but evidences thathe scrubs up well in a suit, demonstrates he has a great sense of humour and showcases his tres bon taste in music (there's a bit of Annie Lennox's Walking On Broken Glass as well as Vanessa Carlton's A Thousand Miles). Add to this a cheeky wink from his photographer, a full run down of products on offer and 10% of all money going to Christian Aid and you'll be whipping out your credit card and begging Luke to take your money. And quite rightly so. He's going places and you can help him get there. Now let's finish with his cover of the lovely Nerina Pallot's Real Late Starter which is equally as brillo as Joe McElderry's cover only in very different ways.