A curious answer to the most common question
People will always and forever ask you, “What kind of music do you do?”
You will always and forever have to answer that question. So have a good description prepared in advance.
Many musicians avoid answering by saying, “We play all styles.” No you don’t. That’s like saying, “I speak all languages.”
Many musicians avoid answering by saying, “We are totally unique.” No you’re not. If you use notes, instruments, beats, or words, you’re not totally unique.
If you give people a non-answer like this, you lose them. You had the chance to make a fan, and you blew it. They won’t remember you because you gave them nothing to remember. You didn’t make them curious.
Imagine if you had said, “We sound like the smell of fresh baked bread.”
Or “We’re the soundtrack to the final battle to save the Earth.”
Or “Bob Marley with a Turkish pipe smoking Japanese candy.”
Then you’ve got their interest! A creative description also suggests that your music will be creative, too.
So make up a curious answer to that common question. You don’t have to feel limited by it. Notice that those three examples I gave could sound like anything. And that’s the point.
With one interesting phrase to describe your music, you can make total strangers wonder about you.
But whatever you do, stay away from the words “everything”, “nothing”, “all styles”, “totally unique”, and the other non-answer: “a mix of rock, pop, jazz, hip-hop, folk, reggae, blues, techno, and metal.”
The talking points here are really great!! don't be too generic in your response. So many people answer as mentioned above and It doesn't work. Thanks for the thoughtfulness in writing this.
THANKS
Love, love the "delicate little kiss on your earlobe" approach. I will use something similar on my radio interview later. Thanks Derek.
I tell em' "Geezer Country" grown up songs for old farts who like a great story and a strong melody.
I knew a band that described themselves as "Progressive Rock". They couldn't write or play in time or be in key. Even being a musician, I have to admit, I didn't understand what Progressive Rock is. So the description didn't mean much to me. After hearing their music I thought "Progressive Crap" was a better description.
We've been calling our style "90's Alternative". It seems to tell people what to expect. If they ask for further clarification we say we're along the lines of Gin Blossoms.
To quote from Alice Cooper "It's like someone pissing on your head and calling it rain".
My sound... "Its like sitting outside watching you mom hang out the laundry, with a gentle warm breeze that begins changing into a chaotic wind storm and the temperture drops suddening getting very cold, and some of the cloths fall on the ground. And then you mom runs out of the house and picks you up and holds you in her loving arms for a moment. And like out of nowhere the wind stops its fierce billowing and everything is peaceful".
Like Zakk Wylde from Black Label Society said about his ultra heavy slug metal sound:
"Well... there's Britney Spears, and there's us."
As The Fonz once said, When you assume, you make an ass out of u and me. Love the honesty!!
Progressive Rock is the best. And Derek, yes very wise words.
If you ever want to listen to an elegant journey in the world of music, full of oposite experimental awakinings , contrasting effort, evolving joys and broken paradigmas.
Try this band....of course since their mexicans...the songs are in spanish.
Awesome , you just describe me
I have seen so many bands falling in the error of saying we are a versatile band. Pr people saying I like all kind of music. I agree with you: it is far more effective be more specific and state I like 70s rock us guitar players like j Hendrix or go straight to your guts and say I like music that sounds trashy amd pumps me up.
Sure it's a risk to make a decision, but don't stand there undecided, silently.
Cue the song: "Say something I'm giving up on you."
One of my young groupies scribbled during English class, for "metaphor": I never met a for I didn't like.
I wish I could ask my live audience, but I don't have enough fans just yet, no, not when my groupies outnumber my other listeners.
7/7 let's gooooo!