There is a fine line between “who you are” as a person or as an artist, and “how you’re perceived”. Ideally, you should “naturally fit” your niche perfectly. If you’re performing music that certain types of rock audiences like, you will tend to wear the kind of clothes they wear – jeans, t-shirts, leather jackets, whatever. If you’re in some kind of neo-punk niche, you may also want to add weird and colorful haircuts to the mix. And so on.
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And then there’s also the consideration of whether you want to “stand out” from your crowd – or be “just like” them. Indistinguishable.
As with everything else you’ll do in your music career, your image needs to reflect your personality as closely as possible. But it also needs to differentiate you in some ways. People will, in many cases, SEE you before they HEAR you. What they see may affect their desire to listen. The opposite can also be true. If they hear you first and like what they hear, once they actually see you, they MAY revise their opinion!
Your “public image” should be the reflection of who you dream of being. No compromises.
It’s a good idea to surround yourself with people who understand these things. But not merely the way you should look or things you should wear on stage, but also how your particular niche looks or what they wear. And then enhance it. This is NOT about shallow vanity. It’s about product targeting!
Personally, the “image” area is one which interests me the least. This said, I know very well how important it can be in forming an artist’s career. I’m from the generation where prog rockers dressed up just like members of the audience and just stood there, hardly moving! And we SO thought that was COOL! The entire focus of their audience was on the music they played and their individual artistry. Dancing around or dressing outrageously would have been seen as laughable, “girly” and “too pop.” But later on things have changed dramatically. Image played increasingly important role in all kinds of rock genres, from glam to punk and beyond, and it’s become all-important in “pop”. To the point where, personally, I find it rather ridiculous and distracting.
For example, I can’t stand the look of Marilyn Manson, but I do like his music. Weirdly, I do like the look of Alice Cooper AND his music. I heard him first and only later saw him. But it took me years to finally give Manson a grudging listen. I saw him first before I heard him.
Another aspect of your image is your stage act. Do you dance? Do you move in sync with the rest of your band? Do you have special effects on stage?
Try not to use sex to sell your music. I’m definitely not a prude, so why am I saying this? If you’ve got it shouldn’t you flaunt it?
I don’t advise you to focus your image on your sex appeal not just because it’s kinda cheap – but – because everybody’s doing it.
It stopped being a clever thing to do long ago. Today it’s more demeaning than anything else.
Also, if you’re building a career which you hope will last, keep in mind that your sex appeal will not remain at its current level for all that long. But most of all, if all you can think of is “sex” as a differentiator… perhaps you’re in the wrong business? So, if you’re naturally sexy, let it come out subtly and unselfconsciously. Don’t flaunt it. Find a better way. Just my thinking.
The total image of your act is an area you should spend some time researching. It extends far beyond what you look like and what kind of moves you make on stage. Your graphic designs are another area of interest (and one we’ll delve more deeply into in part 3), and there’s also your PERSONALITY which needs to infuse everything you do – including your approach to sales.
In fact, your personality is the most important aspect of your image. In simplistic terms, it comes down to your ability to communicate and the content of your communications.
The more true you can be to “the real you” in everything you undertake musically and otherwise, the better it will be for you. To a point. Many artists need to remember to push their own envelope, however. It’s a delicate balance.
You’ll find that the process of defining and refining your “image” will be an ongoing one, possibly lasting throughout your entire career. But whether you decide to be low-key “guy/girl next door” or a human equivalent of a neon light, understanding your image is the ultimate test of your ability to empathize with your audience. And your empathy with your audience is one of the biggest keys to your future success.
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| Book 2 – Chapter 8 Audience Feedback |
Course Overview | Book 2 – Chapter 10 Your Music vs Your Business |
Book 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 14b, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, Overview
