Declining Interest In Northern Soul?

[Guest James Trouble]

There is an interesting new google feature that shows the statistics for the amount of searches that take place for a search term that you can type in.

Here are the results for "northern soul", quiet interesting, or not?

There was plenty of interest in 2004, certainly lots of spikes of interest, but it seems to be declining steadily now by the looks of it, not dramatically, but certainly down on 2004.

Intersting that most searches are from Portsmouth in the UK, perhaps the mighty "Hip Shaker" club has somthing to do with that? 400+ students every week being turned onto Northern?

Sweden has the most interest of the European countrys.

Any opinions, comments etc?

Edited May 12, 2006 by James Trouble

[asboannie]

There is an interesting new google feature that shows the statistics for the amount of searches that take place for a search term that you can type in.

Here are the results for "northern soul", quiet interesting, or no

There was plenty of interest in 2004, certainly lots of spikes of interest, but it seems to be declining steadily now by the looks of it.

Recon it could be something to do, with that people knowing where to go to, rather than having to search the internet.

Edited May 12, 2006 by asboannie

[Dave Abbott]

Intersting that most searches are from Portsmouth in the UK, perhaps the mighty "Hip Shaker" club has somthing to do with that? 400+ students every week being turned onto Northern?

Nothing to do with Hipshaker JT, it's cos i live here

[Guest James Trouble]

Nothing to do with Hipshaker JT, it's cos i live here

[Guest James Trouble]

Recon it could be something to do, with that people knowing where to go to, rather than having to search the internet.

Interesting insight. Were there alot of 'returnees' in 2004? Why the sudden peaks of interest though? Could it coincide with 'northern' being played on TV and that jogs the memories of 'returnees'?

I don't really have any opinion on this, just found it kind of interesting.

Edited May 12, 2006 by James Trouble

[asboannie]

Interesting insight. Were there alot of 'returnees' in 2004? Why the sudden peaks of interest though? Could it coincide with 'northern' being played on TV and that jogs the memories of 'returnees'?

I don't really have any opinion on this, just found it kind of interesting.

Got me baffled there

[Guest rachel]

Recon it could be something to do, with that people knowing where to go to, rather than having to search the internet.

That's what I was going to say

Noticed Edinburgh was second, curious... it wasn't me

[Guest]

Interesting insight. Were there alot of 'returnees' in 2004? Why the sudden peaks of interest though? Could it coincide with 'northern' being played on TV and that jogs the memories of 'returnees'?

I don't really have any opinion on this, just found it kind of interesting.

Could be lots of people bought a PC in 2004 ?

[Guest James Trouble]

That's what I was going to say

Noticed Edinburgh was second, curious... it wasn't me

Edingburgh could have somthing to do with Motherfunk, Fryer plays lots of northern there and there are plenty of 'fresh' people through the door every week.

Interesting that London is down the list. But then the numbers are not staggering at London clubs, so maybe understandable, but it's got a huge population?

[Guest Matt Male]

I'd like to see the results for the last ten years, about the time the internet really kicked off, that might be more revealing. Although i'm inclined to agree with the opinion that maybe people have settled down in where they go and where their interest lies.

Interesting thread, good find James.

Matt

[Guest uroffal]

There is an interesting new google feature that shows the statistics for the amount of searches that take place for a search term that you can type in.

Here are the results for "northern soul", quiet interesting, or not?

There was plenty of interest in 2004, certainly lots of spikes of interest, but it seems to be declining steadily now by the looks of it, not dramatically, but certainly down on 2004.

Intersting that most searches are from Portsmouth in the UK, perhaps the mighty "Hip Shaker" club has somthing to do with that? 400+ students every week being turned onto Northern?

Sweden has the most interest of the European countrys.

Any opinions, comments etc?

A couple of possible factors may well be the refinement of some of the groupings around 2005. Seem to remember prior to 2005 Soul and R&B were seperate listings, they were combined around 2005.

Would also say that people have wised up to ebay over the past year or so and probably use different search criteria to find that bargain priced item. There are certainly fewer and further between than they were 12 months ago.

Edited May 12, 2006 by uroffal

[Guest Paul]

Does anyone have any internet statistics for 1975 ???

That was a very good year for northern soul and I remember as a teenager I often used to surf the web for northern soul and free porn.

Obviously it was all very slow in those days. My computer was powered by parafin and often burst into flames.

Paul Mooney

[asboannie]

My computer was powered by parafin and often burst into flames.

Paul Mooney

[John Al]

Does anyone have any internet statistics for 1975 ???

That was a very good year for northern soul and I remember as a teenager I often used to surf the web for northern soul and free porn.

Obviously it was all very slow in those days. My computer was powered by parafin and often burst into flames.

Paul Mooney

I'm sure I connected my head directly to the internet with no computer sometime in the 80's, made my hair bristle and my teeth started chewing. I seemed to have all this knowledge and a huge desire to share it with everyone.

......or maybe that was something else?

John.

[Guest Dan]

broadband got more common and cheaper around then

imagine that spiked interest and like others have said these days people know where to go.

none of us on here or any of the other soul sites is ever going to search for northern soul are they?

interesting topic though james

[Larsc]

Does anyone have any internet statistics for 1975 ???

If it helps I know who's got them. You'd have to be very interested in military and research institutions to find it worth reading though.

[Cunnie]

Great link James

Was only talking about this the other day in a friends record shop in Sheffield.

His shop sells collectable vinyl from all musical genres but as a soul music fan he kind of specialises in original & re-issue soul releases..

For the last few years he normally moves about 1/2 a dozen copy's of each re-issue a week but in recent months this has dramatically dropped.

A classic example is the recent Bill Bush boot. He has had 1 copy in the shop for 6 weeks without a sniff of a sale (terrible record IMO but that's besides the point).

Good to see Sheffield 2nd in the list, Backs up the hard work done by local Sheffield promoters like the Vault Of Soul lads, John Vincent etc & also makes a promoter who started a venture recently look rather foolish as he said he was "putting the soul back into Sheffield"

[Chalky]

There was plenty of interest in 2004, certainly lots of spikes of interest, but it seems to be declining steadily now by the looks of it, not dramatically, but certainly down on 2004.

Intersting that most searches are from Portsmouth in the UK, perhaps the mighty "Hip Shaker" club has somthing to do with that? 400+ students every week being turned onto Northern?

Turned onto Northern Where else do these 400 students go? probably no where, hardly the future of the scene

[Chalky]

Interesting insight. Were there alot of 'returnees' in 2004? Why the sudden peaks of interest though? Could it coincide with 'northern' being played on TV and that jogs the memories of 'returnees'?

I don't really have any opinion on this, just found it kind of interesting.

probably agree with you James. Think those who once had an interest in Norhtern and that interest has saince been rekindled due to t'internet have returned.

I'd go as far as to say there is a dwindling of interest at many venues as well.

[Soulsmith]

Don't trust statistics. Ever.

Somebody once said there are statistics, more statistics & damned lies.

Brentford at No.7 thats a joke.

There's only 1 soulie nearby & he lives in Ealing!

I doubt there has ever been a full on northern night in Brentford.

[Guest hammy]

Somebody once said there are statistics, more statistics & damned lies.

Mark Twain

Yours

A. Pedant.

[Guest uroffal]

A couple of possible factors may well be the refinement of some of the groupings around 2005. Seem to remember prior to 2005 Soul and R&B were seperate listings, they were combined around 2005.

Would also say that people have wised up to ebay over the past year or so and probably use different search criteria to find that bargain priced item. There are certainly fewer and further between than they were 12 months ago.

Perhaps if I'd have read the thread properly I'd have realised this was NOT about ebay

[John Al]

Mark Twain

Yours

A. Pedant.

......and it was "There are lies, damned lies and statistics"

We really should get out more!

A N Other Pedant

[Guest rachel]

Edingburgh could have somthing to do with Motherfunk, Fryer plays lots of northern there and there are plenty of 'fresh' people through the door every week.

Err, I meant fourth not second, high up anyway Could be, it is a phrase that appears in a few club listings round here

[Soulsmith]

......and it was "There are lies, damned lies and statistics"

We really should get out more!

A N Other Pedant

But he was way ahead of his time with this quote:

"The political and commercial morals of the United States are not merely food for laughter, they are an entire banquet"

A. Gent-Provocateur.

[Guest]

I'd go as far as to say there is a dwindling of interest at many venues as well.

I think there are loads of muppets running their own venues, thus diluting the crowds at other venues we frequent , can often be seen in the names of the DJs at "local" soul night. "Dimmo", "Pongo" "Bongo" and guest DJ "Dunno" would sum it up i think.

Also some of these people might be too dim to use a computer

[Guest]

For the last few years he normally moves about 1/2 a dozen copy's of each re-issue a week but in recent months this has dramatically dropped.

A classic example is the recent Bill Bush boot. He has had 1 copy in the shop for 6 weeks without a sniff of a sale (terrible record IMO but that's besides the point).

THANK GOD FOR THAT, DON'T TELL THE LOCALS WHERE IT IS !!

[Soulsmith]

I think there are loads of muppets running their own venues, thus diluting the crowds at other venues we frequent , can often be seen in the names of the DJs at "local" soul night. "Dimmo", "Pongo" "Bongo" and guest DJ "Dunno" would sum it up i think.

Also some of these people might be too dim to use a computer

I disagree entirely with your post which is quite frankly narrow minded in the extreme.

There are people in my local area that run their own dos & they are far from muppets. They are friendly knowledgable people who have loved their rare soul for 20 odd years. The reason they book halls, hire the equpment & risk losing their money is for the love of it.

Your statement has really naffed me off. Try turning up at one of our local dos and calling the promoter a muppet, it would be unpleasant.

Col.

[Cunnie]

Don't worry Dung. My lips are sealed.

Had a Willie Fisher & a Ray Munnings 12" demo out of there in recent weeks

BTW is Dung a Japanese name or have i got the wrong end of the stick again

[Guest]

Dung here and you don't want to get hold of the wrong end of my stick !!

Col, you live in the Souffh mate and need local do's, we are plagued with 3rd rate muppets wanting to be DJs with bootleg records north of Watford, running soul nights full of piss heads with no soul in there at all, come up and i will shatter all your illusions

And the Muppets run them the same night as "decent" venues as well !!!!

[Paul R]

Intersting that most searches are from Portsmouth in the UK,

Any opinions, comments etc?

This probably coinceded with my company setting us up with internet access at our desks. It would be either me or everyone else in the office saying "what the feck is Northern Soul". Lets face it it's the nearest I get to an allnighter these days.

Paul

[asboannie]

The reason they book halls, hire the equpment & risk losing their money is for the love of it. Col.

Isn't that what Northern soul should be all about... the love of it and Not the money making of it . Better go

[Guest biggray1]

I think there are loads of muppets running their own venues, thus diluting the crowds at other venues we frequent , can often be seen in the names of the DJs at "local" soul night. "Dimmo", "Pongo" "Bongo" and guest DJ "Dunno" would sum it up i think.

Also some of these people might be too dim to use a computer

This is exactly whats happening every Dimmo Bongo and F..kin Pongo and Dj Dunno want too Literally F..k Off ...Ive Been to that many Soul Dews that had poor attendance it really is puttin me off the scene..min't asswell sitt at home and play me tunes to me self..its more entertaining

[Guest Black Gold of the Sun]

I disagree entirely with your post which is quite frankly narrow minded in the extreme.

There are people in my local area that run their own dos & they are far from muppets. They are friendly knowledgable people who have loved their rare soul for 20 odd years. The reason they book halls, hire the equpment & risk losing their money is for the love of it.

Your statement has really naffed me off. Try turning up at one of our local dos and calling the promoter a muppet, it would be unpleasant.

Col.

You Beat me to it . What a self important t**t.

[Dave]

There is an interesting new google feature that shows the statistics for the amount of searches that take place for a search term that you can type in.

Here are the results for "northern soul", quiet interesting, or not?

There was plenty of interest in 2004, certainly lots of spikes of interest, but it seems to be declining steadily now by the looks of it, not dramatically, but certainly down on 2004.

Intersting that most searches are from Portsmouth in the UK, perhaps the mighty "Hip Shaker" club has somthing to do with that? 400+ students every week being turned onto Northern?

Sweden has the most interest of the European countrys.

Any opinions, comments etc?

My opinion is... you should have finished work an hour earlier

[Dave]

This is exactly whats happening every Dimmo Bongo and F..kin Pongo and Dj Dunno want too Literally F..k Off ...Ive Been to that many Soul Dews that had poor attendance it really is puttin me off the scene..min't asswell sitt at home and play me tunes to me self..its more entertaining

Noting that you live in the midlands, might the poor attendances not be due to the fact that most local venues play the same 200 records?

And might that not be the reason why some are starting other nights?

Don't quite get this business about the names. Are you suggesting that the use of a nickname implies a poor DJ? Wonder what Butch would think to that!

[Guest 50box]

This is exactly whats happening every Dimmo Bongo and F..kin Pongo and Dj Dunno want too Literally F..k Off ...Ive Been to that many Soul Dews that had poor attendance it really is puttin me off the scene..min't asswell sitt at home and play me tunes to me self..its more entertaining

Said that for donkeys, only do 7/8 oclock finishes now, that`ll learn them

[Guest]

Declining Interest In Northern Soul?

Well, we're not getting any younger are we! I predict the end is nigh - sadly of course - however, it's not a genre that will ever be popular again (if it ever was, in the sense of the word).

Still, I don't care It'll be around long enough for me to crumble my deteriorating hips and knees to so I'm sorted

It's weird, I dance and sing out loud feeling like a 17 year old yet I glance in the mirror and see and old bint. No wonder I embarrass my 11 year old daughter LOL

[Soulsmith]

Dung here and you don't want to get hold of the wrong end of my stick !!

Col, you live in the Souffh mate and need local do's, we are plagued with 3rd rate muppets wanting to be DJs with bootleg records north of Watford, running soul nights full of piss heads with no soul in there at all, come up and i will shatter all your illusions

And the Muppets run them the same night as "decent" venues as well !!!!

Cheers for reply, I'm seeing a wider picture now. As I haven't experienced one of the dos that you mention , I can't comment further.

Venues down here are very few & far between & do have to be supported. The previous week-end there was nothing local. Last Friday, there were 7 of us having a beer in a pub in Aldershot discussing our proposed saturday night dos - 2 went to Oxford, 2 went to Banbury, 2 went to Weston SM & 1 went to Brighton!

We have to travel feckin miles a lot of the time so generally pick venues carefully & don't come across the dos you mention.

Col

[asboannie]

Well, we're not getting any younger are we! I predict the end is nigh - sadly of course - however, it's not a genre that will ever be popular again (if it ever was, in the sense of the word).

Still, I don't care It'll be around long enough for me to crumble my deteriorating hips and knees to so I'm sorted

It's weird, I dance and sing out loud feeling like a 17 year old yet I glance in the mirror and see and old bint. No wonder I embarrass my 11 year old daughter LOL

Same probably here, my knees hurt like hell the following day

Edited May 13, 2006 by asboannie

[soulfulsaint]

....In my job I have seen a major rise in two things.First people wanting to make films or documentaries about northern soul. Second students doing their dissertations on northern soul. So I assume one of the search explanations is a sustained interest in it as a subject for research.

Edited May 13, 2006 by soulfulsaint

[Soulsmith]

....In my job I have seen a major rise in two things.First people wanting to make films or docuemntaries about northern soul. Second students doing their dissertationson northern soul. So I assume one of the search explanations is a sustained interest in ait s a subject for research.

That would certainly make sense.

Col.

When outiders start looking into the NS scene I'm pleasantly reminded of this line from Fawlty Towers.....

"There's enough material here for an entire conference,"

mused by the psychiatrist as he observes the baffling phenomenon known as Basil Fawlty.

[paultp]

Dung here and you don't want to get hold of the wrong end of my stick !!

Col, you live in the Souffh mate and need local do's, we are plagued with 3rd rate muppets wanting to be DJs with bootleg records north of Watford, running soul nights full of piss heads with no soul in there at all, come up and i will shatter all your illusions

And the Muppets run them the same night as "decent" venues as well !!!!

Can't really see how that would take people away from decent venues.

Any examples?

[jazzyjas]

Been shipping more records to Sweden in the past year, that's for sure. Germany and the Netherlands are stepping up their game, too.

KTF

Jas

[Helena]

Been shipping more records to Sweden in the past year, that's for sure. Germany and the Netherlands are stepping up their game, too.

KTF

Jas

Yeah, go Sweden!

Seriously, if Sweden is the third country on this list, I'm really concerned about the countries further down the list. However, our scene (if you could actually call it that ) is not as bad as some portray it...

[hipshaker 05]

i can confirm that portsmouth is the UK's "soul city" and that hipshaker is indeed the future of northern soul!

[Guest]

Has it ever mattered ?. People who listen and collect this genre of music will always be about, i could care less over some statistical conclusion, conducted via the internet. Bottom line for me is that certain folks want to collect rare American vinyl records and also attend certain venues where you have the chance to hear similar sounds. Yeah there are those who only listen via mp3 etc, and never venture beyond the armchair, once again (yawn) i could really care less. Thank god for those who still champion this sound and long may it last, it will in my closed world.

[Dave Abbott]

i can confirm that portsmouth is the UK's "soul city" and that hipshaker is indeed the future of northern soul!

Oh Dave, please read the third post. It was stated and, i think, taken on board that Portsmouth's sudden rise in Northern Soul fame has nothing at all to do with Hipshaker, but ME. While i appreciate yours and Simons input i think you realy ought to change your blinkered self-centred opinion and recognise the real reason of ME. I thank you in anticipation.

[Bjorn Nilsson]

Yeah, go Sweden!

Seriously, if Sweden is the third country on this list, I'm really concerned about the countries further down the list. However, our scene (if you could actually call it that ) is not as bad as some portray it...

Maybe we are just more into technical stuff in Sweden?

Anyhow I'm glad to see that we're up there with the best!

[Helena]

"Maybe we are just more into technical stuff in Sweden?"

Yes, thought about that myself after I first posted. I'd say almost everybody's got easy access to internet in Sweden.

Well, off to meet with Soulof, Mats and the Malmoe crowd. And where to?

A club that's got hundreds of punters (young "trendy" people) and which used to spin soul records only, but has now for unclear reasons decided to play more across the board, including 80's pop music from what I've heard. :angry:

Would just like to clarify that the hundreds of hip people are not part of the soul scene at all, they just go out to have a drink and dance to whatever comes out of the speakers. Don't think they reflect that much over what music is being played. I cannot see any of them rushing to the computer next morning searching the internet for "northern soul".

But these clubs give us soulies a chance to hear soul on a night out and even dance a little on the packed floor, we aren't exactly spoiled here. Great night yesterday, Sebastian and Jonte.

Edited May 14, 2006 by Helena