Visual appearance........how important is it it?

[Beau Landry]

I think Kurt is pretty dead-on on this one. These times are strange. Have you heard that quote "In lew of creativity, there is an undo emphasis on sexuality" ? I think that's what is going on these day's. Even most of the independant music sucks (if you ask me) and the worse it gets, the better looking the "talent" becomes. It's hand in hand. It will change though. It seems like these Waves have been happening all through the history of popular music, right?
"Ugly" and talented, Beau Landry

[producerman1]

Hey Everyone,

Nice topic... perhaps if R.O. gets to launch an independent label they can be one of the first labels to break the "Brittney" model. Now I am not saying that all labels operate the same way regarding looks. For instance many of the alternative rock bands that have that "Doom and Gloom" feel to them are far from modelesque. Although they do have an image. It seems you have to be extremely beautiful and sexy or extremely (how can I say this) tatooed and beligerant to get a break these days.

Since I was 17 I have had many people tell me (because of my playing) "You should be in L.A. or New York". So I went to these places and let me tell you... Unless you have the apperance of a skinny heroine addict or you look like you are going to kill your parents or are pretty enough that both men and women want you, then you are in for a big let down.

It surprises me though when I go to shows like Steve Morse, Yes and the like, how many people actually show up because of the musicianship. Not because their names were plastered all over MTV or because they were having sex with a dog in a video, but because they are "True Players". It seems those days of "recognizing" musicianship are long gone, and thats a shame. Now I am not claiming to be God's gift to the music world but I have a few chops and I would hope I put them to good use when needed.

Well thats enough of what seems to have turned out into a rant. I will just keep on playing and writing in the same melodic fashion and hope for the best before I have to trade in my guitar for an oxygen tank and wheelchair.

Best of luck to all in attaining you dreams.

Regards,

( o}===;;;

[Divo]

I was working with a vocal Quartet in Australia, and at one stage we managed to get ourselves signed to a reasonably large label by Ausie standards. Unfortunately it all went belly up when two of the members didn't reach "optimum physical condition" in time for a promo tour and pre press shoots. I think you will find that most contracts will have the 20 Kg clause written in somewhere. For Guys, you don't have to be a complete sex god, as long as you can photograph ok. and are not distastefull. For Chicks it's a totally different story, if they have any Fug value then they don't stand a chance regardless how good they are. Thats what it's like over here anyway..

[Kurt Foster]

If I were running a record label, looks would certainly be a consideration in my decision making process. 60% of the brain is dedicated to visual, and it would be simply a case of "sticking your head in the sand" to ignore that. Television plays an important part in promoting a record these days and hell, even if you go back to the 50's and look at the comparison of Elvis and Roy Orbison. Many would say that Roy Orbison's talent exceeded Elvis' being that Orbison could technically sing better, was a far better musician and wrote his own music. But look who became the bigger star. Looks play a part in everything in our society. Pretty girls are more likely to graduate high school, attractive people do much better in the business and job markets. This phenomenon extends far beyond the music business. Kurt

[HiString]

Divo,

Where in Aust., are you based?

It is interesting to look back at photos of bands/artists from the 60's onwards. I did this as a result of the comments in this thread...........I dragged out all my old sheet music (started buying that in '62), as well as album covers. It would almost appear that as long as people were physically "acceptable", within photographic or marketing standards, then the visual image wasn't going to be a huge issue...........however, one thing that did stand out was that there was almost always, at least one person in a band who had "that something" that made them attract your attention, or the way a band was photographed gave them an edge as far as visual presentation is concerned. They NEVER looked like guys that had walked in off the street. It's an indefinable "something" that can vary from person to person, BUT it IS necessary if a band is going to be marketable.

[Divo]

I'm in Brisbane Dude... Howboutchu?

[HiString]

Newcastle, in the beautiful Hunter Valley..........home of Australia's finest wines.

[UncleBob58]

Wazzup People!

I agree that todays performers/bands either have to be "pretty" or have a definite image. That being said, I don't know if any of you have ever watched FOX's American Idol. One of the guys still making the grade week after week is Rueben, who without doubt could lose a few pounds. (I don't really watch it myself, but my 11 year old daughter is hooked on the show.) He may be big, but he has that "teddy bear" quality. What about Marilyn Manson? The MoFo is so ugly he had to cover it up with that outrageous image. In the post-MTV era the key I guess, to take a negative and turn it into an asset or just cover it up. God knows even in my prime I would barely have qualified by todays standards.

:p:

[kaverinator]

I would like to add some of the female Logic (no comments please) on this issue. Whatever works. All of these people have a definite image that they stick by.

[HiString]

Laura (I may call you Laura? :D ), and one point that came out of that discussion was that it is always possible to turn a negative into a positive............similar to your "cute boy with personality/stud with attitude" thang.

If, as in the present case, the bass player is rather "solidly built" without the height to match to put it politely, ......aahh damn it.........he's built like a brick shit house :D , one option is to get him to almost flaunt it, to take an aggresive approach to his whole "on stage/live" image............kind of like saying visually to an audience....."I'm THE bass player......if you don't like it, well tough!!!" Whether he has the confidence to do this is another matter though.

Time will tell.

BTW, welcome to RO.