Will
you stand out from the pack?
If so, how? If you can't describe yourself
in terms that are any different from those you would use to describe others, what
will observers subsequently say about you? Your personal style is a creation that
deserves to be just as unique and identifiable as the songs you strive to write.
It is how people will recognize you and your work as "outstanding" in the very
essential definition of the word - how well you stand out against others. Uniqueness
is in all of us. So how do we achieve this? We can't buy uniqueness in a store,
order it online, or take a night course that gives us a degree in uniqueness.
If we remove all of the peel from a banana we are left with the most edible part,
so the process starts with an inventory of our essential ingredients. Every time
we encounter a trait that sounds or looks like other artists, why not dump it?
This is a critical step in the development process, for there is the potential
of achieving a very scary result: If after dumping all the non-unique elements
we are left with nothing, then what were we made of? In this case, we should remove
ourselves from the road to get out of the way of others who have something unique
to offer. I like to think that those we consider to be very unique have made the
effort to show us the very centre of their creative muse, and absolutely deserve
our recognition for doing so.
Do you see yourself as an artist?
Or more specifically, a recording artist? Is that a designation or a limitation?
Only you can define that. If you are a recording artist, I suggest you do not
limit your artistry to recording. Apply your artistry to your posters, your clothes,
the way you dress a stage, what you say between songs, how you move, what you
say in interviews, your photos… everything! Step back and consider all the sensory
perceptions the viewer will take in and tie them together with creative and purposeful
artistry. Don't just be who you are… maximize who you are! But to do this effectively,
first divorce yourself psychologically from your stage persona. Objectivity is
already a difficult exercise, so why hang on to subjectivity consciously? Put
an imaginary cardboard cut out of your artist persona on the wall and assume the
role of the contracted designer. Your new job is to consider this artist's visual
image, write songs for them, script their interview style, cast their videos…
everything! The mission is to weave strong threads of consistency and character
uniqueness throughout all public presentation aspects of the artist's career.
The more objective you can be, the more effective the design. Wherever
possible, supplement your best objectivity with opinions from people who have
proven experience. To concentrate solely on the music and expect to have a successful
competitive career would be tantamount to expecting that if the front of the house
you are building looks good, you can scrimp on the foundation, walls, electrical
system, roof and plumbing. It all has to stand equally well to have structural
strength, because structural strength is the quality that separates the standing
buildings from the flattened ones after hurricanes roar through a town. Build
your artistic strength carefully and creatively. Consider the building that has
a great roof and a strong foundation, but the builder cut costs by forgetting
about every second stud in the walls.
It's the entertainment business
- there will be hurricanes.
Brian
Allen has a wealth of experience in the industry as a songwriter, guitar player,
producer, as well as enjoying 15 years heading up the A&R department at Attic
Records. He knows what it takes to be a winner in this industry, in mind, spirit
and in talent. He has over 10 million in career sales notched on his belt and
will be offering up his insight once a month, as a feature contributor to Songbridge,
with excerpts from his forthcoming book.
For more info on AMPLUS Productions,
contact Brian at brianallen@rogers.com
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