5 answers
Isreal
Student
Pottersville, MO
1
Question
Asked
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As an aspiring musician, how hard would it be for me to find my target audience if my songs encompass a broad range of genres?
I am a huge fan of music of all kinds. As I learn and grow, I'm hoping to use inspiration from a number of different forms of music, ranging from metal to funk to EDM to simple acoustic melodies. In a world where people usually find one or two genres and stick to it in fear of losing their audience, I want to find a community of enthusiasts who are fans of music as a whole.
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5 answers
Jennifer Wilcox
Art/artist promoter
3
Answers
Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Having a variety of genres in an artist's repertoire is a huge advantage in the music industry.
Take metal music as an example. It has many subgenres, like rap, rock, and jazz. A good metal band can draw at least 1,000 fans to a well-priced festival. But if all the bands are thrash metal, the same 1,000 fans will come for all of them, not separately. This means the promoter spends more without earning more.
However, if the lineup includes different types like death, power, glam, black, doom, and more, the promoter could greatly increase profits. This benefits everyone involved, from the bands to the touring crews, local crews, merchandise people, sound and lighting techies, bouncers, ticket vendors, coat check girls ...
Remember, "potential" doesn't guarantee success.
Artists and promoters have different roles. Early in your career, you might do both, but it is a fool's errand to elongate that phase. Once your work begins to gain traction, it is in your best interests as an artist to dedicate yourself to your art. In the meantime, be aware of the players you meet along the way. Keep EVERYONE's contact info; you will know what to do with it when the time comes.
When promoting, target specific audiences. A metal festival promoter, for example, might create posters that highlight different bands for different crowds and place them in spots where those fans hang out.
You know where your fans are—online forums, certain platforms, or local hangouts. Go there and promote your work.
Radio is an undermined resource in entertainment these days. Radio often reaches people where they live. It's surprisingly easy to get interviewed on the radio, especially local stations. And with the miracle of internet, you can do interviews with program hosts across the continent without leaving your bedroom.
To increase impact and extend the shelf life of any interaction with the press, give an odd number of tickets and/or any number of CDs (or subscriptions, or however you deliver your music) to the host to raffle off to his or her audience. Also give the host a pair of tickets and/or a CD/subscription/etc., for their own personal enjoyment. If there's room for it, you might want to also consider giving another pair of tickets and/ or an item "to the station/podcast/magazine/etc." These gifts will hopefully find their way to the host's boss, principal sponsor, or similar.
Consider outsourcing promotion by finding fans who want to help (also called "cultivating grass roots"). If you play in public, you'll find enthusiasts who are happy to carry around a stack of flyers to leave around, host events, put posters up for you in their neighbourhoods, etc. They may seem ridiculously young, old, weird, normal, or some other thing.; don't worry about that. They will spread your word. Love these people until you die (i.e., support fan groups with goodies like limited run stickers, a few tickets or special seating, photo ops, etc.) , and they will faithfully carry your torch through thick and thin.
Best of adventures to you, Israel!
Take metal music as an example. It has many subgenres, like rap, rock, and jazz. A good metal band can draw at least 1,000 fans to a well-priced festival. But if all the bands are thrash metal, the same 1,000 fans will come for all of them, not separately. This means the promoter spends more without earning more.
However, if the lineup includes different types like death, power, glam, black, doom, and more, the promoter could greatly increase profits. This benefits everyone involved, from the bands to the touring crews, local crews, merchandise people, sound and lighting techies, bouncers, ticket vendors, coat check girls ...
Remember, "potential" doesn't guarantee success.
Artists and promoters have different roles. Early in your career, you might do both, but it is a fool's errand to elongate that phase. Once your work begins to gain traction, it is in your best interests as an artist to dedicate yourself to your art. In the meantime, be aware of the players you meet along the way. Keep EVERYONE's contact info; you will know what to do with it when the time comes.
When promoting, target specific audiences. A metal festival promoter, for example, might create posters that highlight different bands for different crowds and place them in spots where those fans hang out.
You know where your fans are—online forums, certain platforms, or local hangouts. Go there and promote your work.
Radio is an undermined resource in entertainment these days. Radio often reaches people where they live. It's surprisingly easy to get interviewed on the radio, especially local stations. And with the miracle of internet, you can do interviews with program hosts across the continent without leaving your bedroom.
To increase impact and extend the shelf life of any interaction with the press, give an odd number of tickets and/or any number of CDs (or subscriptions, or however you deliver your music) to the host to raffle off to his or her audience. Also give the host a pair of tickets and/or a CD/subscription/etc., for their own personal enjoyment. If there's room for it, you might want to also consider giving another pair of tickets and/ or an item "to the station/podcast/magazine/etc." These gifts will hopefully find their way to the host's boss, principal sponsor, or similar.
Consider outsourcing promotion by finding fans who want to help (also called "cultivating grass roots"). If you play in public, you'll find enthusiasts who are happy to carry around a stack of flyers to leave around, host events, put posters up for you in their neighbourhoods, etc. They may seem ridiculously young, old, weird, normal, or some other thing.; don't worry about that. They will spread your word. Love these people until you die (i.e., support fan groups with goodies like limited run stickers, a few tickets or special seating, photo ops, etc.) , and they will faithfully carry your torch through thick and thin.
Best of adventures to you, Israel!
Khalil Oliver
Treatment Assistant
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Khalil’s Answer
To avoid putting too much pressure on yourself early on, I recommend making music in the genre you like the most as you build your core audience. what genre was the one that made you interested in making music? That should be the genre. Remember, you don't want to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. Find success in your primary genre and take risks as you go on. Don't expect instant gratification. Plenty of songs have caught fire later on.
George F Spicka
Compose Music \ Play Jazz Piano \ Curator of Paleontology
22
Answers
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
George F’s Answer
I've written over 700 pieces and I agree 100% that one should listen to and draw inspiration from many sources.
In addition to pop\rock sources, I'd recommend classical from Bach to Schoenberg, and the many genres of jazz.
George
In addition to pop\rock sources, I'd recommend classical from Bach to Schoenberg, and the many genres of jazz.
George
Steve Fishman
Musician Producer
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Steve’s Answer
So Id look at the artists who are eclectic and multigenre. The 1st that comes to mind is Beck (check Odelay album) who does 12 styles in his own inimitable way. Others include Beatles, Bowie, Bauhaus, Raconteurs, NIN, Cornelius., etc... Im seeing a pattern that each is pioneering, has a strong sense of who they are and dont care about industry preconceptions. In fact eclecticism is a selling point alongside the music.
Saint P
SongWriter and Creative writer
59
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Saint’s Answer
Hi Isreal!
It’s awesome that you want to explore so many different genres! While it might take a little longer to find your audience since people tend to stick to one or two genres, it’s definitely possible to build a community of fans who appreciate music as a whole.
The key is to create a unique identity that blends all of your influences in an authentic way. There are tons of people out there who love exploring different styles, so focusing on platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud, or social media could help you connect with them. It’ll take time, but if you stay true to your passion, the right people will find you!
Hope this helps—
Good luck!
Saint
It’s awesome that you want to explore so many different genres! While it might take a little longer to find your audience since people tend to stick to one or two genres, it’s definitely possible to build a community of fans who appreciate music as a whole.
The key is to create a unique identity that blends all of your influences in an authentic way. There are tons of people out there who love exploring different styles, so focusing on platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud, or social media could help you connect with them. It’ll take time, but if you stay true to your passion, the right people will find you!
Hope this helps—
Good luck!
Saint