Music artist image

[Der Nister]

That's the question everyone. How important is a group/singer/band's image to you. Even if you think it isn't important, think back to when it did play a part in you choosing whether to listen to a band or passing on them.

Whether people know it or not - sometimes just seeing a picture of a band can be powerful. When I was a teen I seen a picture of Iron maiden in a magazine and (without hearing them first) decided that if they sounded half as cool as I thought the looked I'd be a fan. Sure enough after one listen I was hooked.

So I guess more to the point - if a group knows it's target audiance and projects the right image does it help grow their audiance?

I myself feel that image is like a greeting from band to fan.

[phee]

It helps... but I focus on the sound

[torn asunder]

interesting question! i think image has a lot to do with attracting an audience.

[Blackmail]

image helps alot.

I was really into New Order in the 80's and they had the coolest artwork on their cd's and the coolest videos. Artist Peter Saville said New Order's image was to pretend they didn't have an image. So what did this do for New Order? Well Quincy Jones liked their artwork and videos so much that he signed them to his quest label and New Order went on to have 2 gold and 1 platinum album for his lavel. Yes Quicy Jones, Jazz legend and producer of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'.

Kraftwerk - perhaps the greatest electronic band of all time. Their "image" of robotics and technology is almost necassary to understanding why their music sounds like it does.

Now, as far as how the band themselves look? Yes it is important, maybe not to everyone but do you think Britney Spears would have sold so many records if she looked like Rosanne Barr?

Another anecdotal childhood memory was that I got into Public Enemy simply because they looked so angry on the cover of their albums. I was curious, they were the first angry rappers. There was gangsta rap like schooly D and NWA, but PE was the first really angry, serious and politcal rap group.

The black clothes, the scowls on their faces, the uzi's they were holding, the black Raiders hats.....it all helped make me want to hear what it was about.

[Der Nister]

There was gangsta rap like schooly D and NWA, but PE was the first really angry, serious and politcal rap group.   

The black clothes, the scowls on their faces, the uzi's they were holding, the black Raiders hats.....it all helped make me want to hear what it was about.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly - something about the way an artist looks either draws you in or turns you off.

I can recall a few times seeing cd covers by bands that I later got into. My first thoughts were, they must sound like shit with artwork like that. But after hearing a song or two from friends I would change my mind. Strange how images can help form opinions about sound.