Engage Your Fans: Elvis Costello's "Spectacle" and You by Jake Smith

Jake Smith is a TuneCore Customer Support representative and editor of the weekly newsletter

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This week, the Sundance TV Series "Spectacle: Elvis Costello With..." went live on iTunes, distributed by TuneCore.  I was quite pumped about this (being a big Costello fan), and it got me thinking about the interesting road his career has taken.  I doubt when "My Aim Is True" came out in 1977, Elvis had dreams of hosting his own TV series where he would sit down with iconic musicians, film directors, and even a former U.S. President.  Likewise, Paul McCartney didn't start jamming in Liverpool with visions of his band's career encapsulated in a video game (granted it was the 1960s so it would be pretty amazing if he did). 

The ways artists keep contact with their fans and make new ones have changed greatly.  No longer do you just record albums, play shows, and hope to get on radio and MTV.  Music consumers have grown to expect new and exciting ways to stay connected with the musicians they love, and as a result artists, producers, and labels needs to think outside the box.

There are a variety of ways musicians can entertain and engage an audience.  On top of playing music, maybe you can host  your own online interview or variety program.  Maybe you can run fan art and video contests based on your music.  If you're a painter, sculptor, or graphic artist you can sell or display your original pieces along with your recordings.

Do you have to do any of these things specifically?  Absolutely not, but if you have multiple interests, why not combine them?

Agree, disagree, think I'm crazy?  Share your thoughts here on the TuneCore blog.

Comments

[J Greene]

Ive pondered this before being that i write and engineer music while also build and design functional art and sculpture. The latter was something I got into by building things that made my recording environment more comfortable and efficient. I think it started when I built a rack for my outboard gear, then maybe a desk and so on, and eventually im welding custom lighting installations and sculpture. Being someone that writes and produces with a daw in my own space, I end up with excessive amounts of material that is very cool and creative but just too many pieces to take to the final stages. I have thought about combining sculpture and design pieces with a unique recording that would never be duplicated, thinking of a music piece like a painting. Then if you could really relate the music to the physical sculpture I think it might be interesting... maybe not, something to think on...

[Max Hirtz]

I was listening to the My Aim Is True when I got the email notification for this. I am so glad that the show is available on iTunes now; I love it, but it's very hard for me to find it on T.V.!

[Joe Tran]

As an artist and musician that works and live among many other artists and musicians, I find that many of them aren't only talented in just music but also other kinds of arts like design and fine arts etc...

I say it's a perfect time to combine your talents and 'stand out' among all the other driven and aspiring artists out there.

After all, there are more and more really talented bands and artists popping up left and right all around the world...

You have to constantly develop a way to not only stand out in the sea of talent but also find a way to impact or affect your listener or audience so they will always remember you...

It's a hard game but it's a lot of fun.

[George Terry..The Zealots]

I agree...but what can a poor boy do?

[DeafboyOne]

The Music Industry in its present form will be dead in 10 years. Music that is charged online is a joke, kids can circumvent the system to get their music for free. Record Companies have been far too greedy and the musicians and writers of the music are taking their business elsewhere ie Online. If you're not near the front of this new revolution... I'd get out the way if I were you.
Thankyou for sharing...
DeafboyOne

[Charles Marlowe]

My name is Charles and I'm an artist out of Syracuse NY, and I think youtube is one of THE best ways to connect with my audience. I can upload new songs I've filmed, live footage, and cover tunes. The potential consumer can hear, see, and almost feel my live sound as a songwriter and a rock singer. Even if they live far far away and I can't tour there right now, I'm still building a foundation.
As far as connecting with my audience/consumer AND monetizing my efforts it is very hard.

[Charles Marlowe]

And Deafboy, don't you think that the music industry will evolve sum in 10 year?
I mean ya have ta have sum faith.

[Karen Morand]

Right on - being an artist means more than just doing one thing. We are creative creatures and our lives and the lives of those around us (the audience, if you will) are made richer when we express that creativity in multiple ways. I designed and hand crafted each cd case. It gives me another way of connecting with folks that enjoy my music.