Hermana PR: You Reap What You Sow
Since Hermana PR didn't send their press kit, this is the best photo of Starless & Bible Black I could find.
As per Starless & Bible Black’s website, I messaged their PR person on MySpace and requested a promotions kit. SBB has their second album, Shape Of The Shape due out October 12th and it’s supposedly a U-turn from their first album with the dulcimers and banjos replaced by stratocasters and moog keyboards. Sounds intriguing… again.
Well, after waiting a considerable amount of time, Ken at Hermana PR never replied to my message–although he did read my request. People, that’s just shoddy PR work all-around. Ken, a simple answer would have been nice.
Since I was snubbed and I’m still luke-warm as to whether or not I like this band, I’m not going waste my time by putting links to their website, MySpace page or to the other online reviews I found (which all seem to be uncannily written in a similar manner). I will at least do the band a favor and tell you they didn’t get their name from the 1974 King Crimson album.
But, I’m still a sucker for the song “Hermione.” If anyone knows French and can translate the lyrics, I would love to know what she’s singing about.
Starless & Bible Black – Hermione
Until someone comes through with a translation, I’ll continue singing Robyn Hitchcock’s “Clean Steve” to this song.
tyge also blogs at the neon lounge.
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Hey whilst i sort this out let me know your address and ill send a copy of the cd to you right away.
Thanks for pointing this out , i am sure its some communication issue or other.
Thanks again and have a good weekend
Geoff
I presume you’re not this nauseatingly self-important in person?
My reply via email to Geoff was this:
Thanks for your prompt reply Geoff.
It wasn’t so much the new Starless & Bible Black album I wanted, but
just a simple promotional kit as mentioned on their website.
I would have been happy with an authorized Mp3 from their new album
or some extra bio info and photos etc… or just a reply. I do like the band and feel
they didn’t deserve the short-tempered review due to my experience
with Hermana PR.
Again, thanks for the quick reply. You can contact me at this
email address or at:
Tyge O’Donnell
********** Ave.
Las Vegas, NV *****
I look forward to adding an addendum to my post, or writing a new
post regarding your professionalism AND the new album.
Best,
Tyge
Rob,
Not quite sure what you mean by your comment or who it was
directed to. The point was SBB’s PR people didn’t do what they
are “presumably” getting paid to do.
Enough of the Sherlock Holmes talk, Sherlock.
T.
for the record, tyge, i only consider you to be insalubriously self-important.
I’ve no idea what Hermana’s remit is, but I’d guess that one of their roles is to use their time and resources effectively and to the best advantage of the labels/bands who are paying them. As such, it shouldn’t really be a surprise when they don’t respond to every single enquiry. I’m sure the vast majority of people who operate at the bottom end of the music industry could tell a tale or two about being ignored – bands and their demos, for example. Most people don’t feel the need to bitch about it in public.
Here’s a message I received from SBB’s MySpace page this morning:
Hey Tyge – apologies about this – got the label to chase this. It’s coming out on Locust in the States so will get them to send you something or I can upload all the mp3s. You can email me at ___________.
Thanks for liking the music… Keep well.
Pete
I’m glad the band was quick to make amends for the oversight. They are,
after all, a talented band that needs to promote their long-awaited second album to
people willing to devote their time and blog space to reviewing their albums. SBB isn’t
on par with U2 or The Stones (thank god) and brushing requests under the rug is
obviously ill-advised for any aspiring band, promoting a new album or not.
If everyone took criticism with the grace and integrity as SBB and not
bitch and moan at the bitch and moaners, the music world would be a much
better place.
And you know, there’s no such thing as bad publicity.
Today Helene Gautier, vocalist for Starless & Bible Black sent me this message via MySpace.
Just read your request for Hermione explanation:-)
It’s a song about a ship, the one Lafayette sailed on from France to the US to help Americans get rid of the Brits… More precisely the exact replica that is being built in a French harbor right now, which is worrying because the original ship sank for unknown reasons so why are they building another one… Anyway, I digress, you can find some info here:
http://www.hermione.com/
It’s the most beautiful ship ever. And they are planning to get it to sail the same maiden voyage it did to Boston in 1780. And I hope to be on the other side waiting for it to arrive-unless I can sail on it but I have more chances to win the lottery- that’s what the song is about.
Thanks a lot for your kind words about our music,
Helene
No Helene, Thank you.