[Koda Kumi] The 196th Thread - My music is designed from my DNA

[voltron]

^ I agree. I think Kuu's situation is really similar to Ayu's in that sense - they are both doing what THEY want to do in the way they want to do it - which is counter to the current trends. They certainly have it in them to be more mainstream, but it's not what they're going for - not in their "DNA" if you will.

But I would love for both of them to garner more public respect again, even if it doesn't translate to sales.

[Corvina]

Originally Posted by voltron

^ I agree. I think Kuu's situation is really similar to Ayu's in that sense - they are both doing what THEY want to do in the way they want to do it - which is counter to the current trends. They certainly have it in them to be more mainstream, but it's not what they're going for - not in their "DNA" if you will.

But I would love for both of them to garner more public respect again, even if it doesn't translate to sales.

Well, I agree and disagree, Kuu and Ayu are in a similar situation and also aren't, but that's another topic, haha.
But you do remind me of something regarding both of them.
One of the top voted comments on the big IGN video of Ayu's Pride performance with parts of her speech was one saying that Ayu sounds more and more like Kuu.
It was meant in a negative way, refering to Kuu's direct way of talking and her way of pointing to situations most Japanese are uncomfortable to talk about (like the acceptance of homosexual love).
But I felt so proud reading that, cause this was indirectly a compliment to Kuu (and Ayu of course) and this is one of the things I love about her.

[voltron]

Originally Posted by Corvina

Well, I agree and disagree, Kuu and Ayu are in a similar situation and also aren't, but that's another topic, haha.

Oh absolutely! They have some very different things working against them. I just meant in the sense that they're both doing what they want vs. what is mainstream, and I don't see that as likely to change.

Past all of that, the bigger issue is that the general (music-buying) public just isn't that interested in solo acts these days, especially female solo acts - unless you are Namie or Hikki. I do hope that AVEX will start throwing more money into Ayu and Kuu, who are their best bets for success (short of finding some phenomenal new talent) - but I can't see them doing that for very long if they don't see a return on that investment, especially without having money coming in from Namie anymore.

I was looking at AVEX's site a while back, and their report basically said their strategy is a lot of the things that everyone complains about. Their strategy is to increase concert ticket cost, which over the course of a tour makes a huge difference. They also focus on FC membership, etc. I'm not sure they're really focused on or all that interested in just album sales vs. higher-margin activities.