(...Story Continued from Previous Page) But the thing that keeps me focused
is the audience. The audience is different every night. It's a different energy,
a different feeling, you're getting something different back. That keeps you on
your toes. And different things happen. Some people might just go ahead and do
the same show night after night — but for me it has to come from a connection to
the audience. I mean, there are one or two stories I'm guilty of telling every
night [laughs]. But, generally, I roll with what I'm given and try to make
people smile, try to make people cry. I really don't think too much about what
I'm doing when I'm onstage.
Do you find it interesting that radio airplay, which was the
traditional vehicle for success like yours, is only happening now that
television has proved you viable?
But there's so much music out there, and only a finite number of slots. Radio
stations can only play a teeny percentage of the music that's out there, so
people are thirsty and they want more and they're not finding it somehow. And
now, TV, certain music supervisors have become committed to showcasing unknown
artists. And they're in it because they like independent music. People might
picture these fat cats in suits, but it really isn't like that at all. Of course
the real goal is to establish a live audience through touring and find a way to
make a relationship with your fans that's going to last if the radio or TV stuff
does go away.
Speaking of that, are you worried that the narrative of your
overnight success, and the TV shows and the commercial and your indie status,
etc., is going to become the whole story?
Well, I feel that there's an infinite amount of really great music out there
in the world, and in order to let your music rise through all that other music,
you need a hook. Unfortunately! We never planned on having any hook, I just
wanted to put out my record. But first I got the "Grey's Anatomy" placement and
it was "Grey's Anatomy," "Grey's Anatomy," "Grey's Anatomy." Then came
the Old Navy commercial and it was Old Navy, Old Navy, Old Navy. Then it
was, "Oh, she's independent." People hear this story, and listen to the music
and they can buy it or not buy it, you know? So far, people are enjoying it, and
if enough people buy it then the music will overshadow the hook. But you need
that initial story to get your foot in the door.
Sean Nelson is a Seattle-based writer and musician. He is the author of
"Court and Spark," a book about Joni Mitchell, published by Continuum
Books. |
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