Posts Tagged ‘Promotion’
Many artists start out trying to be role models for their audience, but then something goes wrong. It seems that the philosophies and goals of the record labels and the artist don’t always meet in the middle; the philosophies and morals of the artist get derailed by marketing efforts of the labels. Unfortunately, a very large message is delivered through the wardrobe of the artists and when dealing with certain age groups, it is imperative to influence in a positive way rather than negative.
We all know that style is heavily dictated by stars who wear them. Style and the clothes that are worn by the artists on stage make an impression. Therefore, if an artist is made to wear something provocative, it sends out a non-verbal message that it is Ok to wear styles of that type when it really should not be. Wearing those styles can also send out misinformation about yourself. For example, if you’re going to wear something provocative just because an artist wore it, it is saying to others that you are seeking sexual pleasure when indeed you are the opposite.
We need more artists and record labels to promote positive actions in our current society rather than the negative that we have been bombarded with over the last couple of decades. Artists have always been able to make people aware of what is going on in the world and the changes that need to be made. Well…The one change that can be made can begin with them and that is doing what is right if they want to be models for others.
As musicians, we know there are musicians out there putting out quality music. The question that should come to mind is “Why is it so hard to find?” Real talent and new music is out there, but because of the unrest in the music industry, artists who break the mold are not being selected by the record companies for contracts. A&R companies such as Taxi get new talent in all the time, but record companies keep calling for the same cookie cutter sound that no one wants to buy. If you find the good stuff, you have to actively search. Unfortunately, when you contantly hear on the radio the same cookie cutter material, you come to a fast assumption that the talent has disappeared.
Because of this cookie cutter philosophy, musicians have had to become more creative and more self-reliant. Since the big companies are not searching the way they used to, musicians have to promote their work. Getting our work out there and noticed requires relying on connections and increasing the impression upon the target markets. Thus, letting people know you have a unique sound requires some marketing skills.
As listeners, to find new we have to search outside traditional means. Since indie musicians are the ones with a unique product, the most obvious place to look should become the Internet. If we search places suc as MySpace, music download sites, and indie distribution channels, the odds of finding something fresh is likely.
Like a good snack or meal, it takes trial and error and when we find a good one we should notate it and share the word with others. That’s the way music is right now. It’s like that little hole in the wall restaurant that’s been there but had to go out and sample it to realize that it can compete with the current competition.