…musicians have a responsibility to be the best they can when performing and this includes the 'look'!   Article written by Lisa Page       Back to Cover

Since the beginning of time, how ________

we look tells people who we are.   Most of us are drawn in by what we see in addition to what we hear.  There are so many great musicians out there.  What is going to make you really standout?   How are you going to get noticed?  You’ll get that edge you want with your appearance.  

With the music emphasis leaning strongly towards downloading, many bands are not being visually noticed.  However, with the advent of Canadian and American Idol along with Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, we are now becoming more fascinated with the visual side of things and the competition for the best look is on!

To further accentuate the need for a dynamic appearance, we only need consider award ceremonies.  They have become all about the clothes and bling.   The combination of our musical gifts and appearance is important.  Balance.  If we see what we like we will easily loose ourselves in the music.  I'm reminded of the 80's and all

that spandex.  We may laugh but we never forgot those bands, to say nothing of Kiss, Rolling Stones, Madonna, Gwen Stephanie, and my all time favorite Tina Turner!!  Who could forget James Browns’ cape?  Fantasy - that's what music is all about._

Tina Turner

If your investment’s high then so is your return.    We must never underestimate how we look to an audience.  Let’s not let our ‘look’ come last.  We spend hours and many dollars perfecting our craft.  What if I told you that perfecting your image would get you ‘in the door’ with clubs and producers?  You should even be aware of your appearance when you are walking down the street. You MUST be unique.    

So how can we 'have it all' in this amazing art form called music?  Styling for the music biz is a very unique field.   I fell in love with this side of Image Consulting over a year ago when I was asked to do a 'make-over' for a rock band called "Innocent Bystanders" in Vancouver, British Columbia. www.myspace.com/innocentbystander  It was a natural for me as I grew up around my mom, who was an opera singer.  I watched her go all out with her appearance and learned that it was so important to be visually appealing when in front of a crowd.    I got to lose myself in the moment while

watching her live performances.  I was fascinated with the costumes, lights, and of course the music.  I believe it's in the detail that we shine and become our best selves.

Ah...I can hear you all now!!!  “How am I going to get that look?   I spend all this time getting the music together = no time.  It's not my forte to know what to wear.”  This is where a professional image consultant can make the Weekend Musician more visually appealing so people will not only want to hear them but see them which only a live show can provide.
 
I was initially contacted by Weekend Musician Editor, ARNY BAILEY who was considering an Image Consultant to help him with his “Tommy Shaw/Steve Perry” persona while fronting The Grand Delusion, a Seattle area Styx/Journey tribute.  I like to rely on my intuition when I meet a musician.  I listen to their music and have a one on one conversation to find out more about each one so I can take into consideration their likes and dislikes so that their street look is ‘blown up’ on stage.  There has to be a _________
Rock Band - Ratt

difference when you get up there. With ARNY, I had to take into account not only these factors, but consider what image might be true to both the performer AND the original act, or in this case, acts.

Every individual artist is different.  Every genre demands different solutions and every target audience expectations need to be considered when developing an image.  How do you want to be seen AND listened to?    Do you want to connect energies?  That's what live music is all about...giving to your audiences heart to heart.   Your music uplifts your audience and changes their mood.  You have the ability to inspire your listeners and for that moment make them believe they can live their dreams.   As an audience we LOVE the visual.    I honestly believe musicians have a responsibility to be the best they can when performing and this includes the 'look'!  

Perfecting your image is like putting your band on the ‘red carpet’!  Painters use the color red differently.  Forget the grey.  Choose your red and get out there.

Lisa Page

 

MEET THE WRITER - LISA PAGE

MEET THE WRITER - LISA PAGE

A basement band rocker chick and jockette turned fashion model, Lisa is an Image Consultant with Flair Image Consulting focusing on the entertainment industry." I’ll listen to your music at a gig or rehearsal, get to know each of you, and create a unique style that matches your sound with who you are.”
Contact Lisa at