Father Time
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2/17/2024 9:09:01 AM
---- Updated 2/17/2024 9:09:01 AM
musical identity, is it necessary to have one?
As you probably know if you've listened to my songs over the years, they often come from totally different places. For instance the band's last 3 releases have been a Motownish dance song, a grungy rocker, and an americana folkrock song. I find some of our fans like only our political songs, or only our non-political songs, or mainly the ballads, or mainly the rockers. Lately I've been wondering if it would be better if we focused, gave folks a style, a box to put us in so to speak. I am considering focusing strictly on Motown style music cause I love it for one and also because i find those songs fun to write, and feel we can do them better than anyone else can, really.
Does musical identity as much as it seems it might?
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Monicka Ferens
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2/17/2024 1:25:32 PM
I relate to that. My discography is a hot mess genre-wise haha. I usually simply call it pop or alternative pop, but it's a mix of whatever sounds good when put together. I never really pay attention to genres, because I do not really believe in them, sometimes I find them limiting, but perhaps also because I have such a hard time identifying genres in general, I'll admit. Although at the same time if I had bigger resources, a band, etc. I would strickly do rock music. Still more alternative type, but my main genre would be rock and I would experiment around that.
Perhaps it's not really the genre that gives you musical identity, but the personal touches within the song. You could do 10 songs in 10 different genres and yet your audience could still say "yup, that is so Father Time" because it's the lyrics, the mannerism or writing style that makes you stand out. I used to think my music had no personality and anyone could sing it, but them I realized that it does have its identity. My music has always a sad undertone to it, my lyrics are often sarcastic and cynical, my songs have the anger and roughness of rock music, so to speak.
The most important thing, in my opinion, is doing whatever makes you the happiest and most satisfied. If motown is what gives you the biggest musical freedom and advantage, then go for it. It doesn't necessarily mean you will never write in any other genre ever again, right? ??
I am not sure if I answered your question, just like my music, my answer went all over the place????
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Richard Scotti
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2/17/2024 4:11:52 PM
---- Updated 2/18/2024 7:32:13 AM
This is a very subjective topic. Versatility is an important element in songwriting but consistency is also essential to establishing fan loyalty. Frankly, it might be best not to overthink it. To paraphrase Ricky Nelson, you can’t please everyone so you just gotta please yourself. The goal should be to make the best music you can make and not worry about the number of fans who are going to like or dislike certain genres.
Being all things to all people is a tall order which very few artists or bands are able to achieve. Most successful bands like R.E.M, Coldplay and others seem to strive for a vastly different sound from album to album but there’s a thread that connects them all and fans of that thread will stick with the band throughout the changes. Be versatile, be consistent, be true to your influences but above all, be yourself. Build a brand. If you build it, they will come!
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