How is it possible I haven't posted in a MONTH!?
Sorry.
So I've been thinking of late about the concept of "audience" and "fans."
I remember once as a kid watching a Michael Jackson concert on TV.
The screen revealed women crying and basically going into seizures at thechance to touch his gloved hand.
I've watched the dedication of jamband followers, who literallydrive from concert to concert making each new venue a home.
I've been in crowds of Josh Ritter fans or Swells Season fans who
sing every word and are an integral part of the show.
I've watched a town pick a band to stand behind and every
show becomes the hip scene that you would be drastically
insane to miss.
So my question today....How does that happen?
What separates, in your opinion, music that you find enjoyable
from music that you would tell your friends about, or make sure
you waited in line to see the show?
Is it the songs? Is there something about the live show? Is it because
someone you trust told you, you must check out their tunes? Do your
favorite performers give back to their audiences?
Being around music as much as I am, I still feel at a loss sometimes
of pinpointing what is working and what is not. I know of many talented
musicians who I believe are deserving of a larger fan base, but how does
that connection happen?
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Who are your
favorite bands? What about them makes you want to be
involved?
xo
sarah
PS. HAPPY RECORD STORE DAY! Especially to my own Boise Record Exchange and SLC Slowtrain Records. I was in SLC this weekend for shows and I saw some mighty fine bands play this afternoon. Worthy in my mind of your listening ears :)
That's one of the big questions isn't it?! As a fan myself, I sometimes am totally baffled when I look around the same venue on two different nights and to me the artists are of similar if not equal caliber, and I can't for the life of me figure why one crowd is packed and the other is sparse. I think one part is just getting people's attention in the first place but after that you have to keep it!
ReplyDeleteWord of mouth from someone I trust definitely helps me be willing to check out someone new. But with so much out there and so little time, sometimes it takes me hearing about someone from 3 or 4 different sources before I get really inspired to check their stuff out thoroughly.
Someone who I think is doing a really good job at building a fanbase from the ground up is Kina Grannis. One thing she does is little shoutouts at the end of each of her videos, or sometimes she does them in a separate video afterward, like these ones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ-XLfCfeDw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToOWvbobUGg
Jennings and her band did a video scavenger hunt on their way to SXSW with ideas from fans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDNJN-0m-RA
That's not so much to say "start a regular YouTube channel/video blog" as it is to show some ideas of how people are involving the fans and making them feel really invested and a part of things. People want to feel connected and special, and there are so many ways to do that I think. The trick is finding a way that works for you, one you can maintain without draining yourself out.
Jana Pochop is starting in on this conversation on her blog, and I think more about it is going to come sometime soon, so she might be another one to follow. Here are a few of her posts to check out:
http://janapochop.com/?p=218
http://janapochop.com/?p=222
There are plenty of popular and well known performers out there who put out music I like, but of whom I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a "fan". People like Katy Perry or Justin Timberlake... Then there are the musicians who I consider true artists, many of whom I have found by a stroke of luck, that become my favorite bands. They are the ones I save my fandom for. Artists like The Civil Wars, Parlor Hawk, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, Sara Bareilles, and most recently, YOU!
ReplyDeleteFor me it's in the heart of the music and the music that touches my soul. Personal lyrics, a connection with the art they create, and the ability to connect with the audience on a different level. Some of the bands/artists I listed are not particularly well known (yet), which is why I feel lucky to know about them, and I have had the privilege of attending shows in small venues, like house concerts and little 100 seat concert halls. Those intimate settings seem to allow for a special kind of magic to happen, and then word spreads.
These are the artists I follow, waiting for concert dates and tickets, sometimes travelling for a show, because I know that when I go to the show it will be another magical musical experience. I become a true fan of an artist when I know I can go to their music looking for inspiration, comfort, or something to relate to and I find it every time.
I'm by no means an expert but here are my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI'm inclined to check out an artist when:
1. a friend recommends them (usually Marilyn)
2. I've heard a song or two + their lyrics speak to me
I become a fan when:
1. I'm hooked on the artists entire album (or multiple albums) not just a song or two.
For me, becoming a super fan has to involve a live show.That is where the magic happens. An artist has to be a great performer, have true musical talent, and be so personable with an audience you feel like you're best friends when the night's over.
One of my favorite bands, and a show I will never forget is The Avett Brothers. Have you seen them live? I get goosebumps just thinking about it. The energy in that venue was amazing, the entire audience was putty in their banjo playin' hands. I love when artists really feel their music. And they did.
Sarah, you're doing an INCREDIBLE job. When I saw you live you had me laughing, crying and singing along. And your talent? Well dear, that speaks for itself. You just need to keep on keepin' on.
xo.
When I was 17-18 it was The Who for me (showing my age here). Pete Townshend's songs, musicially and lyrically, captured the frustration and anger that a lot teenage boys feel-- the ones who weren't popular or in the in-group. When he'd hit those big chords, the jumping up and down, Roger Daltrey's amazing big voice, it was a way to vent the anger and frustration. It was like, "Pete understands me".
ReplyDeleteMs. Dandee summed it up for me. So ditto. :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, it's all about my connection and level of love for the music for me that has in the past driven me to go to a concert. Although, location (the Gorge here in WA for me) can sway me.
Of course, I did come see you because I saw Marilyn's blog and trusted her taste in music. There's the ditto again...you were all the things described above and as I brought my hubs along you got a 2for1 fan special that night.
I trust that you'll continue to be inspired as to what things will work because that's just how you roll. Hope we'll get to see you again soon!
Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I am really interested in the process of what grabs at our hearts and makes us want to be involved. Keep em coming.
ReplyDelete