Posted August 3, 20186 yr Claire Richards from Steps is launching a solo career! She's signed with Sony, and her debut single 'On My Own' is out on Monday 6th August. It's described as "an old school power ballad". Her debut album 'My Wildest Dreams' is scheduled for 2nd November. "I don’t feel this is going to take anything away from Steps, it’s very much an entity in itself. No single one of us is ever going to be bigger than Steps as a whole, I don’t think. Everybody’s been aware from the very start that this was my plan for the gap during albums. It’s actually been very good this time because there hasn’t been the shock. I don’t feel like there’s anything that can damage that now, we’re in such a good place. We’ve been through our ups and downs and our difficulties but I don’t think that’s there any more. And we’re all old enough and ugly enough to realise now that the only way to make it work is to be honest and be up front about everything." More here: https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/69372...rds-solo-album/
August 4, 20186 yr Glad she had told the others this was her plan as it may have split steps again. I look forward to hearing this and I hope she can do ok with it. I like the album cover.
August 4, 20186 yr This is now my most hyped album of 2018. Love her voice. Not that it matters but I hope the album has more than 10 tracks, just love her voice that much!
August 4, 20186 yr I like her voice but can’t really see her doing well sadly. I remember H & Claire - the album didn’t do great at all & that was when they were at the height of their popularity!
August 4, 20186 yr I think this will do better than the h and claire album as tgat was handled badly plus there was a bit of a backlash.
August 4, 20186 yr I can see this doing way better than the H & Claire album, especially if it's more MOR and catered to the Radio 2 audience. Probably a top 10 album in early November I would say.
August 4, 20186 yr I too, can see the album going Top 10. Great time for Steps fans, nothing for years, then a wonderful Steps album, plus extras and now a solo Claire album.
August 4, 20186 yr Now we just need a DJ to pick up "Electric" by Lisa Scott-Lee and 2018-ify it into a future number 1 hit, right?
August 5, 20186 yr Interesting she got a deal with Sony yet Steps struggled to get any major interest from big labels when they returned - maybe the success of Steps made Sony think she could be a good investment. I could see her album doing reasonably well - she’s not shy of doing any and all promo and all the daytime TV shows etc., will welcome her on with open arms.
August 5, 20186 yr Now we just need a DJ to pick up "Electric" by Lisa Scott-Lee and 2018-ify it into a future number 1 hit, right? This! Superstar DJ to do a ‘B List at Capital’ remix please! :lol:
August 5, 20186 yr Pre order up on iTunes. Standard has 12 songs, Deluxe has 15. Also looks like we’ll be getting three sings before release as they’ve got times next to them.
August 6, 20186 yr On My Own is very enjoyable on first listen. Think it’ll be a grower too. Will buy when it’s on iTunes.
August 6, 20186 yr If she goes top 10 I will be very surprised tbh. When you think of the likes of Nicola Roberts, Kimberly Walsh, Shazney Lewis, solo Spice's not achieving top 10's I can't see Claire managing it... I wish her all the best though and I will likely go and buy it if the first single is any good. I'd love a Faye Tozer album though :wub:
August 6, 20186 yr If she goes top 10 I will be very surprised tbh. When you think of the likes of Nicola Roberts, Kimberly Walsh, Shazney Lewis, solo Spice's not achieving top 10's I can't see Claire managing it... I wish her all the best though and I will likely go and buy it if the first single is any good. I'd love a Faye Tozer album though :wub: I think this will go Top 10 if she can get Sony to get behind physicals and bundles as that’s what the Steps fans have shown they want. With a standard CD/Vinyl release she might struggle. I think she’ll get a ton of promo opportunities though - she’s very daytime TV friendly.
August 6, 20186 yr I think this will go Top 10 if she can get Sony to get behind physicals and bundles as that’s what the Steps fans have shown they want. With a standard CD/Vinyl release she might struggle. I think she’ll get a ton of promo opportunities though - she’s very daytime TV friendly. I really hope she does, and if she does Melanie C's team could do with watching as she still has that physical fan base. Fingers crossed for Claire.
August 6, 20186 yr Author There’s a standard CD, deluxe CD (personalised by Claire) and a box set (that includes a candle! :’) )
August 6, 20186 yr ^^ Not the best then, the maximum will be 3 sales per fan (That’s if the box set doesn’t already include all formats so will count as 1 sale?). Acts like Claire etc., need to follow what Steps and Kylie done with their most recent releases to encourage 4-5 sales per fan.
