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QuoteI have songs across a variety of sounds and styles, which would not, could not be consolidated under one artist moniker, without alienating everyone who becomes a fan of one of the particular sounds/styles. Sure there are those that appreciate a broad palette, but they are few. So, my question is... : ...
Why can't a music artist do things like writers do; adopting multiple pen names/personalities in order to tell stories in the various styles/genres without alienating their fans in each style?
Any thoughts?
You can, and I don't think there's any harm in it.I don't even think you have to adopt a pen name, but you will need to separately target the audience.
I have two completely distinct bands that are completely distinct from what I do as a singer songwriter. One of them is a reasonably popular Iron Maiden tribute. It might not harm us when our fans find out that I write what they would consider 'sappy love songs', but we sure as hell don't mention it. There's no point.
7:14 pm
June 10, 2011
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You can, and probably should do exactly that. I write all kinds of songs, but only some of them are a fit for my band "Sapphire Rebellion." Others are clearly of a different genre and I look for artists that fit that genre in order to find a way to release them, since there simply won't be enough time for me to release each one myself.
7:51 pm
June 10, 2011
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Frank de Boer said
You can, and I don't think there's any harm in it.I don't even think you have to adopt a pen name, but you will need to separately target the audience.
I have two completely distinct bands that are completely distinct from what I do as a singer songwriter. One of them is a reasonably popular Iron Maiden tribute. It might not harm us when our fans find out that I write what they would consider 'sappy love songs', but we sure as hell don't mention it. There's no point.
I think you can even cross-promote. Some people will like music that's not their normal style simply because they like you. Craig Chaquico does a show where he does his smooth jazz stuff the first half, and then does the Jefferson Starship thing the second half. They are two very different halves. People love the whole show because they love Craig.
4:11 pm
October 27, 2011
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I work for an artist that goes by his own name as a singer/songwriter and a Sanskrit name for music he performs at yoga studios and churches. It's a bit more work for him to have two separate identities but it does help make it clear what type of performance he is offering.
I also work for an artist that is both a very well known children's singer and a not very well known singer/songwriter. She uses the same name for both. It doesn't seem to be alienating to her audience, but there is not much crossover between people who buy her kids music and her 'grown up' singer songwriter music unfortunately. Sometimes she is able to perform a 'family' show that mixes both, but usually it is one or the other.
10:46 pm
June 7, 2011
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As everyone has pointed out, you definitely can do that. I remember a while back hat Garth Brooks went and released a pop album under the name Chris Gaines. Don't think it was all that successful in this particular case, but it's an example of a huge name doing it.
Another thing you can do is simply create unique squeeze pages and lists where you niche out your music, but ultimately tie it back together when you push your albums. My three records have been quite different. Pop, then rock, then alt country. At a certain point it's your personality that takes over with your list. You can weave eclecticism into your branding.
I like focused branding better, but that is an option.
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8:33 am
June 10, 2011
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This is a great thread. I have the same sort of eclectic thing going on. I tend to group like-sounding songs onto albums. I also decided to turn the whole thing into an identity, billing myself as a 'Schizophonic' artist....I even put out a wildly dissimilar collection called 'Schizophonic'. I think the trick is to think about what your 'tribe' really digs about you. And there are all kinds of artists like Rush, Zappa and others who created quite a following while covering alot of musical territory...
Michael
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10:08 pm
June 7, 2011
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Michael Pickett said
And there are all kinds of artists like Rush, Zappa and others who created quite a following while covering alot of musical territory...
Great point!
Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.
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