New pop sensation Grégoire
Some news from France, where a new way to become famous is taking shape.
New pop sensation Grégoire (and yes, perhaps sharing his name first drew me to this story) used an unusual way to become a singer. As an unknown 28-year-old with no musical career, he could not get any record producers’ attention. Financing an album himself was way beyond his financial means. So, he went through a newly formed website where the French public could offer financing for a new singer to produce a record. One by one, everyone sending however many (or few) euros they could afford, or perhaps however much they believed in his potential.
The idea worked. His finished songs were put out as (legal) downloads instead of CD’s, which led him to raise more money. The result… he was last summer’s big radio hit, and is now touring the country to sing live to his adoring fans. His face is plastered all over French cities and towns, announcing his upcoming performances. And he is on a first name basis with everyone, like Cher and Madonna before him.
He is being touted as the first French celebrity to be entirely produced and financed by the general public. And certainly not as the last. The French music industry is abuzz with this new way for talented hopefuls to fulfill their dreams of stardom.
It sounds promising, though I wonder how long it will be until this, too, becomes a highly commercialized and competitive avenue. Still, it opens up the web’s potential to exploit one’s talents.
As an amusing anecdote: when he made his first music video, he picked 60 of his sponsors (out of thousands) and invited them all to co-star in the video. I think the final product works well with the catchy tune. Enjoy.
