[Feefs]

According to one of the papers I was leafing through thismorning, Darius is not signing a deal with BMG, but with Mercury. It's for 3 albums, and was arranged by Simon Cowell.

This is good news, because he's better off with a record company that can promote him as an individual, rather than 2nd runner up in a talent contest. BMG are massive and have tonnes of contacts, but they'd still be stretching things a bit to take on 3 brand new male solo artists within such a short space of time. To us they seem very different, but to non PI fans they consider them as similar.

If Simon Fuller did arrange it, then it sounds like he's still with 19 which is nice. The people there know him and can see beyond the image, so hopefully he'll stay with them for a while at least.

Some people have been giving BMG a hard time, but I wouldn't be surprised if Darius was being just as tricky as them in any contract negotiations. If their relative styles didn't suit each other then there was no reason why Darius shouldn't look further afield. It will also help prevent the general backlash against BMG hogging everyone.

Does anyone here know who else is signed to Mercury?

[Kaz]

I saw this reported in today's Sun Online.

I think it's good that Darius has signed to a different label from Will and Gareth - it will give him some space to develop his own style of music. I seem to remember from his Pop Idol final interview that he was looking to be working with Nicki Chapman in the future, so that could well mean that 19 will be handling the management side of his career.

Feefs - there's not much info on the Mercury Records website, but a few artists who are signed to the label appear to be Dire Straits, the Beautiful South, Elton John, Marti Pellow and Texas. Quite a diverse range of artists there.

Good luck to Darius - looking forward to his first release.

[LEE]

That's quite an impressive selection of artists there.

I so hope Darius does well, he was always my favourite.

[BigSister]

I also hope Darius does well

:dan ce:

[kaphc]

Did anyone read the report in "Now" magazine that apparently Will is none too chuffed with 19/BMG? Apparently he enquired if he could put a cover of Unchained Melody on his next single (as Gareth did with Evergreen and Nething is poss) and was told no!

Go Will!!

[Feefs]

I read that, but I didn't believe it because for a start it's Now, which is rubbish at the best of times, but also why would Will actually want Unchained Melody on his album? That song wouldn't suit him at all, and he should be wanting original songs.

Even if Will is in the huff, which he's denied, he wouldn't be petty enough to demand something like that. And assuming he is annoyed at the overlap in material, just pretending not to be - he'd be making it worse if he got his way.

Will (and Gareth) both need to do original material as much as possible and they know it. I'm sad it means I won't get to hear some of my own favourites from them during the series, but it's worth it to give them a bit more credibility within the wider music community.

[Janette]

I can't say as I blame him! I think he's been treated really badly! He was the winner after all even though they don't seem to think so!

We voted for Will to be our pop idol, not Gareth so Will should be getting all the breaks!

gareth is cute and pretty and young but WE VOTED FOR WILL!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for rambling

[Feefs]

I don't want to be petty, but as someone who was torn throughout the series on who to vote for amongst at least half of them, I can perhaps be a little more objective.

A subset of the nation that watched PI voted Will to win a tv series by that name. Of those that watched and voted, on the night of the final, more voted for Will than the one remaining competitor, but Gareth, along with all the other finalists were all voted for in large numbers by PI viewing subset of the population to be their Pop Idol.

It's unfair on those who voted for other people to say that it's majority rules, and our Pop Idol has to be your Pop Idol too. It's even more annoying to the rest of the population who didn't watch PI (and I work with many of them), who think Will has to do lot's more than win a phone vote to become any kind of Pop Idol, let alone the nation's Pop Idol. Subject to the material, I am likely to buy Will's album, but would hate to think I can't buy any of the others. If Will's album is good enough I'll buy it, and it has nothing to do with the success or track listings of any of the other artists.

There's a lot in that, and whether or not you think Will has been treated unfairly, non PI viewing people think he (and Gareth and any of the others) have already been given an unfair break in the music business. If Will, or his record company or his fans are seen to be demanding special treatment for him because he is the Nation's Pop Idol, then it's going to alienate a hell of a lot of people that don't already have their nose out of joint.

It's fun to refer to Will as our Pop Idol, and all the finalists as Pop Idols or whatever, but as soon as we start to believe it then we're heading for disaster. It would be a bit like assuming that Brian should become Prime Minister, because he's obviously the most popular person in the country.

PI was a great start for Will, and winning it is something he should be proud of and can look back on in years to come, but he's got lots of hard work to put in before he really can become the Nation's Pop Idol.

Jessica said something along those lines in an interview on http://www.worldpop.com/news/news_st...=9022]Worldpop

It was mainly about how if PI2 comes along too quickly it won't give the people from PI a chance to establish themselves as artists in their own right. When PI2 comes along, Will needs to be known for a lot more than winning PI. He has to go into competition with many more people than Gareth. If he doesn't do good, original stuff that hasn't relied on PI for promotion, then he'll be cast aside as soon as the new generation appear.

[Janette]

I consider myself well and truly told off

[Feefs]

Sorry if I sounded stroppy, but I spend much of my day defending the rights of any of the pop idols to be allowed near the charts. BMG/19 are not perfect and the whole TOTP thing is a classic example, but it's also an example of how the rest of the music industry really doesn't care if Will won Pop Idol.

I really hope Will (and Gareth and Zoe esp) do well, but it's so important that they remember they need to prove themselves with each record. They've got a foot in the door, but all eyes are on them to make a mess of things, so they have to be twice as good as the competition. I worry that these complaints of ill treatment are giving amunition to those who think PI contestants have had their 15-minutes, and should hand the music back to the grown-ups.

On a more positive note, I've heard the PI album is #1 in the compilation album chart, even though I've heard a number of sarcastic comments about it on the radio. It runs the karaoke accusation risk, but it's still good music well sung released on the back of a sell out arena tour. That's something that helps to demonstrate the PI phenomenon was more than a tv show.

I also heard Will has either written or co-written 3 tracks on his album, so hopefully that will quieten a few people. Not writing their own music or playing their own instruments is a very common criticism, so anything that challenges this world-view is helpful. That's also why I think it helps all of them that Gareth played the piano on the tour. It wasn't much, and it wasn't that complex, but it's still more than most singers would do.

[LEE]

Feefs, I don't think Janette was saying that it's a case that Will should get preferential treatment just because he is the Pop Idol.

I think the point is that it was unfair that Gareth's single, coming out so soon after Will's, had his version of Will's number one included on it as well. I know that Gareth had already recorded this, but to bring it out straight away was really out of order.

I don't think there would have been any problem at all if these tracks had been included on a Gareth single in about 6 months time, but to do it immediately was not fair on Will.

Will's comment about wanting to record a cover version of 'Unchained Melody' on is next single obviously shows that, even though he never said anything, he was in fact quite put out by this, and I for one don't blame him.

[Feefs]

LEE, I never thought she meant that, but I know plenty of people who think that's what he had got and as fans we need to be careful to remember the limits of PI. There is great potential for a backlash, and as winner, Will has to show more than anyone that the love of music comes before the love of record breaking sales.

However, in terms of the article I just don't happen to believe he'd want that track for the reasons I stated. Even if he had wanted it, the concern people like you and I have shown over track sharing and the excess of covers, should make him realise it's not the way forward.
The only place I've seen it written that Will wanted it was in Now, and there has been so much in the press on the internet on the subject, that I'm pretty sure it would have been reported more widely if true. When I first saw the story a few days ago my immediate reaction was one of 'what a stupid story' and I didn't give it a second thought. I was having computer problems, so couldn't have posted it, but might not have done. Perhaps I judged it wrongly as so many people here seem to think he might have said it.

For what it's worth I didn't think it was a good idea for Gareth to have the same songs, but I didn't even like the songs, and I don't rate UM much either. I thought that as Gareth already had a cover for his debut single, it was far more unfair on him than on Will for him to be given hand-me-down yet again songs for his b-side. The only reason they did it was for speed, and I doubt very much anyone who would have bought Will's Evergreen would have bought UM instead.

In the end I bought neither single, because I know they can both do much better. I would prefer it if their future, more interesting hits are the ones making the headlines. I've heard that against Simon Cowell's expectations Gareth could get a 4th week at #1. This isn't because his sales are still massive, they're strong, but a decent new release should topple him. As the expected big hits aren't doing very well, it looks like Gareth will be #1 by default and open to even more criticism by a music industry that loves change. I don't think this will be good for him, because it's another week of people complaining about the lack of originality, and the state of the charts with him getting the blame.

In a pathetic attempt to get back to topic - this is another reason I think it's great Darius is signing a brand new deal with a separate record company. Of course he gained his fame through Popstars and PI, but he had to negotiate a deal based on what he can offer Mercury from now on. He isn't contributing to the BMG monopoly on new signings which is also a major complaint.

[Rocks Lady]

MERCURY RECORDS HAVE SIGNED THE NATION'S BRIGHTEST NEW TALENT
DARIUS

Mercury Records are proud to announce their latest new signing, the hotly tipped, charismatic singer/songwriter Darius.

Glasgow-born Darius is the first signing to Mercury Records by one of the newly appointed joint Managing Directors, Steve Lillywhite, the world renowned record producer. Steve says of his first signing "I feel privileged to be involved with such an exciting young talent as Darius and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship"

Darius fever has well and truly gripped the nation for over a year now. After a series of show-stopping moments on ITV's Pop Idol, he went on to earn himself a place in the hearts of the nation. The support of the British public took him into the last three contestants competing for the title of 'Pop Idol'. His good looks, charm and unmistakable voice have catapulted him into the limelight and have helped make Darius one of the most exciting new signings to the label.

Nick Godwyn from Brilliant 19 management says "Darius signing to Mercury is a great start to his recording career, and the joint MD's Greg Castell and Steve Lillywhite will give a very productive balance for the artist"

Darius adds "I'm thrilled to have signed with Mercury Records and glad to have taken the time to find the freshest major label to work with. Having Steve Lillywhite at the helm of the album is a dream come true, and I am very excited about pursuing the future with the whole team"

His debut single will be released on Mercury Records in the summer, more details to be confirmed shortly.
mercury press release

[Janette]

Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to hear the new song

[LEE]

Hi Rocks Lady

Even though I really like Will, I was always a Darius fan and he always got my vote right up until the point he left.

I am sooo looking forward to his single.