I found Stephen Hebditch's answer fascinating, but I'm curious to know
how much of that particular approach plays out for minor-label bands
in the UK. While I understand artists like Kylie Minogue and David
Bowie receiving the benefit of the doubt with such mixes, they happen
to have the major-label clout to pull it off. Seems to me that for a band
like the Boo Radleys or Curve to get the same treatment would be near
impossible, especially given that the vast majority of those mixes I've
heard are not entirely radio-friendly (ie, not short and 'happy', if
you will). Of course, if that IS the case and the indie-label bands
know it, then it looks like art over commerce, aka radio airplay and
attendant success (hopefully), reigns triumphant.
Therefore, my follow-up question: have remixes helped 'alternative'
British bands gain a wider media foothold as they have for more established
acts? Or will the vast majority of them still only be heard on the
airwaves thousands of miles away on US college stations or the more
well-established commercial alternative enclaves such as KROQ?
Yours in something,
NAR