Marilyn Manson
http://marilynmanson.com
You’ve written you’re really amazing songs as per step one. You’ve recorded your super duper hits in a killer studio as per step two. Now it’s time to think about the next rung on the ladder. Here in musician support network part three I’ll list out 3 ideas as to who is desired to start moving forward.
1. You and your music are now a Brand.
2. Be aware what your Brand is.
3. Who helps image that Brand and the music?
Whether you like it or not, intending to sell music makes you a Brand. If you have fans already, it’s probably a good idea to start finding out how they see you in relation to your music. If you don’t have fans yet, it’s a great idea to enlist people who’s opinion you can trust. Because it’s time to start thinking about that Brand and what it means.
From my own standpoint, early on, I never gave much thought to anything but the music. I knew the sound I wanted. I knew the music I wanted to write. I was a nut about how I approached it. But I never thought about the look that went with the music. Major mistake. We all learn by mistakes. My early mistake was not knowing what I should have been looking or dressing like, in relation to the music I was writing. I thought image was a lame waste of time. An example of an image fail.
Long ago, the image of the musician was not nearly as important as it is now. Which is why if you don’t know what you’re music is supposed to make you look like, you need to enlist the help of others who do. It wasn’t until a friend of mine took me aside and said very plainly – your music is amazing, but your image doesn’t fit the music and it’s not helping it sell. Ouch.
He set me on a journey to research the sound I had and what bands were similar and doing extremely well. We visited with a photographer who pictures the Stars where I learned about what colors compliment me. Then we went through my closet and donated a ton of my clothing to Good Will. It was either the wrong color, too dated, worn out, or the wrong look. After that, we spent some time hitting stores along the infamous Melrose Ave as that was the look my sound required. After a couple of days perusing stores and picking up clothing that not only looked the part, but also fit the body correctly (and believe me at 6’4″ that isn’t easy). Which led to a whole new look. A look that fit the music.
At the end of all that, I learned #1 and #2.
On to #3. Who helps you with your Brand? This is where having a connection with a professional photographer and probably a stylist as well certainly comes in handy. Mostly because that look needs to be together before you’re putting the music on a CD or in image for selling. I’m going to mention a need for a good cover artist. These people will work in conjunction with you to make sure your image, music and art all coincide. Like in step one and two. Make sure these three people are people you can trust their judgement and whom you can get along with in an working environment. Be prepared to be shocked at what a difference a professional does to your look. Believe me, I know.
Now, speaking of image and how it relates to the music. I’m rolling with Marilyn Manson today because if there is a better connection between an image and the music that connects the two, I’m not sure what it is. He fully embodied that look and sound. The song is, the beautiful people. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Chances are, you’ve heard of him too. Over the top and full on with the image. That’s what it’s about. Owning the image and making it work with the music you’re creating.
Do you have your image together? Cause that’s what musician support network part three is all about.
Speak up about your image. Speak up about others image. Join me via my email list in the upper right.