The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat
Songwriter Forum => Resources & Marketing => Topic started by: Captain Andy on September 16, 2009, 02:21:08 PM
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This is something that's been weighing on my mind of late.
When you set up a website or a microsite (ie. a Myspace page or a PureVolume page etc.) is it a good idea or a bad idea to list your influences?
I've always left the influences field blank when setting up sites for the reason that I worry that listing influences will encourage lazy-arse journalists to blindly compare you to said artists. Also, I worry that by saying I'm influenced by a certain artist I may give the false impression that my music sounds like said artist when often that may not be the case.
That said, when I check out other artists on Myspace I do find it quite interesting to read their influences, if only out of pure curiousity.
Any thoughts?
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Good point Andy! I'd go one step further - don't even list your genre :o let those lazy-arse journos work it out!
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Good point Andy! I'd go one step further - don't even list your genre :o let those lazy-arse journos work it out!
That's also a good point.
I do find that bands/artists can often be almost pedanted to death by the critics for listing themselves in a genre bracket that some may not agree with.
I also find that music journalists are very ignorant to the true definitions of certain genres.
For example, the music press has been incorrectly calling a large number of bands emo for the last ten years. They have also corrupted the terms R 'n' B and metal.
Unfortunately though, if you don't list your genre then it does reduce your chances of being checked out by fans of that genre.