Introduction:
In the dynamic world of the music industry, artists and bands often find themselves navigating a delicate balance between artistic expression, marketing, and maintaining a positive relationship with their fan base.
When I started this article, I wanted to title it “Don’t believe your own bullshit” but felt if that might be a little too harsh for some readers. After all, I write these articles in hope to encourage and direct young or inexperienced musicians on the right path.
If it was not already hard enough just playing music, you’ll quickly find the world of music today requires even more strategy than ever before. Failure to know boundaries can can quickly lead to someone crossing the line (until it’s too late).
As an example, marketing. In today’s world, it’s extremely challenging to stand out with all the “hype”. The days of “we are a 90’s cover band”, struggles to stand up against something like “The Ultimate 90’s Rock Experience” when found on google. It’s almost a necessity to over hype.
But.. are they “The Ultimate 90’s Rock Experience”? Maybe to some or maybe not to others but it’s not outside the possibility and is not unreasonable. Moreover, I think it’s safe to say that the statement will not create a storm of negative publicity and generally will gather better results with talent buyers over those who don’t create “hype”.
However, imagine if that same local band said something outlandish like “We’re going on tour with (insert big national touring artist)” or “Our last video of us playing cumbersome (filmed at a local bar on a cell phone) was on at the half time show for the super bowl”.
BS! LOL.
The truth is, the odds of that happening are up there with winning the lottery and honestly require more money than you could possibly imagine (nothing is free).
I don’t want to sound like a Grinch or bah humbug during our Christmas season but… let’s manage our expectations and be real for a moment knowing all other outlets for the band such as followers, video views, and likes don’t represent that level of success.
For the believers of those outlandish remarks, some would congratulate (it’s on the internet, it must be true). However, that generally puts a couple things in motion which become detrimental.
– The ones who congratulated them unknowingly become enablers, encouraging more outlandish statements than the last to maintain “hype”
– Eventually, those who supported the band slowly start to feel deceived and become resentful when those events don’t happen for some other outlandish reason as an excuse.
For me, if I know them and see this activity, I first feel worried for the band and then start to feel like I’m doing a disservice for not speaking to them. The impacts of these activities are not just on fans, the music community, but the members of the band both personally and professionally. When honesty is compromised and lies permeate the artist-fan dynamic, the consequences can be severe. Saying nothing in my opinion is irresponsible. Especially if you know the impacts.
Bottom line: Don’t believe your own bullshit.
Here are 5 reasons to not “oversell”, “overhype”, “stretch the truth”, or other term to somehow dilute the word lie.
1. Erosion of Trust:
Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and the artist-fan connection is no exception. When artists deceive their fans, whether it’s about personal matters, artistic intentions, or promotional strategies, trust erodes. Fans invest not only in the music but also in the persona and authenticity of the artist. Once that trust is shattered, rebuilding becomes an uphill battle.
2. Loss of Authenticity:
Authenticity is a precious commodity in the music industry. Fans are drawn to artists who present genuine emotions, experiences, and stories through their work. Lying undermines this authenticity, turning an artist into a mere facade rather than a sincere storyteller. The result is a loss of connection with fans who seek a genuine and relatable artist to support.
3. Negative Public Perception:
In the age of social media, news travels fast. When an artist is caught in a lie, the repercussions extend beyond just disappointed fans. Negative publicity can tarnish an artist’s reputation, making it harder to secure collaborations, partnerships, or even future performance opportunities. The music industry is a close-knit community, and word-of-mouth can significantly impact an artist’s career trajectory.
4. Decline in Fan Base:
Fans are discerning and can quickly distance themselves from artists who engage in deceptive practices. Social media platforms empower fans to voice their opinions and share their disappointment, potentially leading to a decline in an artist’s fan base. This decrease not only affects immediate album or merchandise sales but also has long-term implications for an artist’s overall career sustainability.
5. Impact on Revenue Streams:
Beyond the emotional and reputational costs, lying can hit an artist where it hurts the most—their income. A loyal fan base is crucial for sustaining revenue streams such as concert ticket sales, merchandise purchases, and streaming numbers. When fans feel betrayed, they are less likely to invest in these revenue-generating avenues, resulting in financial setbacks for the artist.
Conclusion:
For artists and bands, maintaining honesty and transparency with their fans is not just a matter of moral responsibility but a strategic necessity. The consequences of lying extend far beyond the immediate fallout, affecting an artist’s trustworthiness, authenticity, public perception, fan base, and revenue streams. In an industry where success relies heavily on the support of a dedicated audience, preserving integrity should be a top priority for any artist seeking long-term prosperity. If you recall previous articles, you’ll likely see a theme on integrity. Integrity has been found to be a common character trait across successful people.
For the majority, this article should not apply (thankfully), but if you find this article just hit you in the face, it’s time for a change. Please do yourself a service and be truthful to reestablish your integrity and character for a successful run in this world we call the Music business. The majority of us want you to succeed. Cheers.