Discussion Thread

Hello, I've been with my band for a little over 2 years now and we seem to be having trouble branding ourselves. I think a big part of it has to do with the fact that we have a hard time categorizing our music and coming up with an elevator pitch.  

I know that sounds lame, but I ask people all the time what they think we sound like and I've heard everything from They Might Be Giants, Modest Mouse, & Beck to The Kinks, David Bowie, Lou Reed, & The Rolling Stones. My concern is that maybe our music is all over the board in a way that's difficult to market. Any thoughts? Recommendations?

Thanks for reading,

Mike

http://www.HoracePickett.com

http://www.myspace.com/horacepickett

Maybe grab a couple of specific things to get people to focus on?

I checked out the myspace - maybe "surreal lyrics", "big twangy guitars" "funky keyboards"?

Good stuff by the way.

Eesh. That is a toughie.

We run into that as well, though. We have nearly 500 songs, and really have explored a lot of styles. I've given up on picking just ONE thing to try to describe ALL of our work. I actually just tweak the message to the person I'm talking to to get them interested enough to check us out.. I use "Geek rock with horns" when I'm talking to someone who likes that kind of music. Or "In the Tradition of They Might Be Giants" for people that know that band. Or I talk about our rocked out Irish album to others.

 Yeah I mean, along the lines of what Randy's saying, if you're having a hard time finding a term that describes you, invent one. Combine something with "rock" or whatever your primary genre is, and then let curiosity lead people to your website and/or shows.

All good replies. Thanks for the input!

Hey man,

Don't worry if your sound is broad, sometimes that's a nche in and of itself (Blitaen Trapper's album, Wild Mountain Nation- eclectic as they get).  all of those bands that you mentioned are good in my opinion. Brand your band as just that, a band with eclecticism.  You may get a lot of fans who download a handful of songs, but really love THOSE songs.  You can show people what music CAN be- it doesn't have to be anything other than what YOU put together and consider artful.  If you need a mascot use a kid with severe ADD.  Embrace the fact that your band is musically diverse!!

-Charles

Oh, hey dude!!!! I just realized you're in Seattle!!!!  I'll come and see you at the Tractor- can't wait!!  Digging "a king still needs his vitamins!" Let's cross promote if you're into our stuff:

we are a brand new duo- no website yet, hang in there. 

youtube.com/LightseyandCorr

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LIGHTSEYCORR/308603794543

take care.