Better! The Single

[XAtlantic]

What a show! I am not totally surprised, because why take it down in Europe if the same reason doesn't apply elsewhere. I am sorry that I did not pre-order it on Amazon Europe (which was an option there, too) because now I don't get Emails about their expected new date and whether it matches.

Hopefully some day we're going to get the full story about this EP and all that happened to get it to here!

[JMT]

It never made sense to me that they'd release the single while Haley was on tour with PMJ. You'd hope Ole would do some promotion just before and after Better was released, and that would (should) consume Haley's time. Perhaps the Nov date was set before CHFIL was released and Haley signed on with her PMJ dates?

[john]

What a show! I am not totally surprised, because why take it down in Europe if the same reason doesn't apply elsewhere...

Hopefully some day we're going to get the full story about this EP and all that happened to get it to here!

It never made sense to me that they'd release the single while Haley was on tour with PMJ. You'd hope Ole would do some promotion just before and after Better was released, and that would (should) consume Haley's time. Perhaps the Nov date was set before CHFIL was released and Haley signed on with her PMJ dates?

Lots of moving parts that need to be managed and coordinated.

[Rachel]

Maybe I'm being over dramatic but it's a bit frustrating. Obviously November 13th was the original release date of SOME sort. However that works, ole submitted it to Amazon and iTunes and obviously they became available for us to see because the release date was coming up.

Clearly, that has changed and they had to I'm assuming contact Amazon and iTunes to take it off because plans have changed.

I sometimes wish we could get explanations for stuff like this lol

[mercfan3]

That's typically what it is. That was the original release date, and then Ole changed it.

[Rachel]

The only problem I have with "We've waited this long, what's a few more weeks gonna be?" is...

LOL IT'S TORTURE THAT'S WHAT.

First the EP was supposed to come out "Mid-July" apparently.
Then "Better" the single was supposed to be out in August. Then September. Then October. Then November. *NOW* December 11th. Lol let's hope it doesn't get pushed back, again.

I also hope this isn't affecting/pushing back when the actual EP is set to come out either.

[Tusk]

I've grown kind of calloused about it, in a way. Trying to look at the bright side, I have heard more than my share of "Better", so I'd rather they do what they think is 'right' instead of rush it out.

InIt's post about Ole acquisition of Anthem... I guess they are getting serious about getting into the "music business"/ label game.... I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing? Hopefully good in that they will continue to innovate, possibly invigorate the industry. Bad in that "the Industry" has been around for a long time, seemingly not as flexible about the ways they do things...hopefully Ole infects the industry w/ their ways and not vice versa....

olemajorlyindie
We are proud to announce our latest acquisition of #anthementertainmentgroup, the home of @rush and the launch of ole label services! #musicbiz #oleallday

On the other hand, we did get something wonderful and unexpected when the Extra Gum ad and CHFIL came out of nowhere?

[john]

I can get that things changed a lot for Haley after the EP was originally set in motion. First PMJ, then CHFIL. There are more balls in the air now and one thing affects another. But this creates even more need for communication with the fanbase.

Ole' is a moving target, too. Now that they have acquired a recording label, should be expect that kind of role with respect to Haley's EP? Many have been expecting that already, but it is not clear that they are assuming that kind of promotional role.

[XAtlantic]

Yes, but still, it is the opposite of getting material out there and moving on to the next thing. It is not like it is the impending carefully crafted release of a major album by an established superstar. It is "just" an EP by someone still working on getting established with her own material. So why not just put it out there and let it grow or die? I am completely at ease with not rushing things before they're ready, I am absolutely certain that Haley works hard to ensure that this release will make a mark (again) so that, independent of the actual business success, she can be proud of her work and will be recognized for it by people who know their music. But how much can you put into 6 songs? They were so satisfied and enthusiastic after the recording sessions and the mixing - what is the hold-up in this day and age when it could even be download-only to start with, it's an EP, it can be posted quickly, it can start living, and then there can be something subsequent. She could already be working on next material. I am sure she's full of ideas (not to speak of a jazz recording). So it must have some other reason, I'd speculate. A good reason would be if a tour were planned and musicians need to be lined up, and the funding for that, but we have absolutely no indication of that. Reasons could be of a legal nature, of a "management central" nature, of a "wait for our division xyz to come online" nature or some such. I agree with the comments that the inactivity of haleyreinhart.com which still ends on September 11 and does not even list her current appearances does not seem like gearing up, even if as we heard web pages are in the works. This is not complaining, as I am also more than willing to wait for however long it takes as long as it fits Haley's arc in a way she wants it and likes it (but I did like your comment about torture, Rachel, had to laugh because it is so true!!!). In Haley we trust, I am on board with that totally! It is just wondering, wondering what the holdups are, just wishing to understand these fascinating things while we pine for original Haley music and get treated to amazing innovative covers to tide us over. Somehow I am suspicious of the December date, it seems like an odd date to me, in my mind I clearly see January or February, making the next year a Haley-beyond-PMJ-year. And maybe, maybe we will find out that they are actually waiting for something to happen or take place that we'll be totally surprised about (also part of the Haley experience, like with CHFIL) and that turns out to be pretty neat. Such as if a movie had picked up one of the songs in a major way, for example, and the release is being timed to coincide. Who knows what the deal is! Or has Madonna called to ask whether she can sing these songs first!? Just kiddin'

[JMT]

And maybe, maybe we will find out that they are actually waiting for something to happen or take place that we'll be totally surprised about (also part of the Haley experience, like with CHFIL) and that turns out to be pretty neat. Such as if a movie had picked up one of the songs in a major way, for example, and the release is being timed to coincide. Who knows what the deal is! Or has Madonna called to ask whether she can sing these songs first!? Just kiddin'

This has been my suspicion (hope, really). My gut tells me the delay is more than just related to Haley's PMJ commitments. While Haley may 'go with the flow', I seriously doubt Ole would.

The theme of Better COULD fit a movie, I think. However, after listening to the 1:30s clip that was posted on iTunes I'm not so sure. What do others think? Maybe an upbeat empowerment flick?