21/01/2022
I bumped into a Youtube channel by a Band called the "Hindley Street Country Club" and since I liked their rendition of Street Life by the Crusaders I looked for more of the same. Now here is the surprise: This is a cover band comprised of a changing roster of pro or at least semi-pro musicians from Adelaide Australia. They cover mainly 80's or even older massive hits. They cover them really well, with a great groove and all the bells and whistles of synth sounds that sometimes their version seems equal or better than the original. But everything is played live (though I suspect some overdubs may be done occasionally) and then mixed in a proper Studio.
This is a lot of work and the production is not cheap by any means. But this has never been a gigging band that decided to put out a few videos on Youtube. This is a Youtube Project that only later slowly started to play a few live gigs.
So to quote my friend Mike Butcher "What's the point?"
I had a closer look: Why the effort? I discovered that they have 211 (!!) Videos online and a following of 502000 subscribers. Their Videos were already watched 202 million times (!!)
Not bad!
To me it seems absolutely certain that these old Hits still have a massive appeal with people. Who remembers last years summer hit? Today, tomorrow, 5 years from now? But "Easy Lover" or " All Night Long" ? Sure! Their most popular Video is a cover of just the 2 of us by Bill Withers / Grover Washington.
Then there is the question of who pays for this? Do they actually make a dime? I am not familiar with Youtube payments but apparently 202 Million views generated an estimated 424 000$
So that's 2000 USD per Video. Still not a fortune. But if you can make a few in one session it might pay off at the end of the day.
Conclusion: We spend too much time in front of the screen watching content (instead of enjoying live music or even better playing it :) Yes I know these days it's not that easy) But great content can have success and great songs won't disappear.
So create great content! (We can help you)
Here is my absolute favorite cover by the HSCC. Sade's "No ordinary love" (I have seen Sade live and it was great but not greater)
And I really like the guitar work. (among others)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8dM-lITz4Y
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‘NO ORDINARY LOVE’ ( SADE ) Performed by The Hindley Street Country Club featuring Lesley Williams🎟 SPRING/SUMMER AUSTRALIAN LIVE CONCERT TOUR TICKETS 🎟 - ...