Aphex Twin How your reputation affects people's perceptions of your music.

The reason I talk about this is because my motivations for making music are starting to change. I want to start making stuff that I can play live with my mates, or share online and have other people enjoy. Some people think this is the wrong approach, I used to. But like I said, my attitude is shifting.

Sometimes I think about how your reputation affects people's perceptions of your music.

I could be wrong and it's difficult to prove... but it seems to me that if you have a high status, like Aphex Twin does, people will turn a blind eye to your mistakes (for lack of a better word). They'll treat poor sounds as intentional, be more patient with repetition etc. Like how people will laugh at a good comedian's bad jokes. Whereas the guy who normally tells shit jokes and has poor delivery will need to really come up with a peach of a joke in order to make people laugh.

Same goes for music, if you are some random guy on the internet, not particularly popular, people will be far less forgiving.

Obviously AFX isn't immune to criticism. At the same time, he can put anything out, safe in the knowledge that at least a certain percentage of his fans will like it and praise it.

Anyone else have any observations / opinions on this side of music making? Does posting mediocre tracks on a forum actually hinder your chances of gaining popularity in the long run? Should you post your creations anonymously? How do you build a brand in the electonica / idm scene?

My opinion is that one should run as far away as possible from someone trying to "build a brand".. Just make some fucking music already! It doesn't matter if anyone likes it or not. Really.

I believe it's the artists intention, not his reputation, that affects the perception. If the music comes out of a natural, unpremeditated state, it will gain a sense of fullness, regardless of how simple it may be by technical standards.

I see what you're saying about the music having to kick ass at the end of the day. But you can't deny that your reputation matters.

I want other people to like my music. It seems so taboo to say that these days, but it's just how I feel.

Also, you could have fun with "branding". Give yourself a sweet name, a smart logo, title your tracks using certain conventions etc. that's no different to what the big guns are doing.

reputation, if you are serious about this, is a brand. In the 90's the mystique of Aphex building and using only his own gear. driving a tank around london. All contributed to the Aphex image in a very positive way. even if it was lies. We didnt know and it was cool. Im thinking he didnt plan half of it. Richard is really lucky in many ways. but the music was always amazing. You can have a few clunkers if you make a bunch of bangin tracks. Even Aphex shitty tracks a very aphexy sounding. Thats the key really, having your own sound

  On 9/20/2012 at 6:38 PM, chimera slot mom said:

If the music comes out of a natural, unpremeditated state, it will gain a sense of fullness, regardless of how simple it may be by technical standards.

what is this natural, unpremeditated state and how do i get there?

I think to be successful you need a bit of both. You can't really expect to be heard if you don't try to sell yourself, yet you can be as pushy as you want but if your music is shit it's not gonna fool anyone.

I also don't think there's anything wrong with wanting people to like your music.

Good thing I'm the friendliest person in the entire world then.

Yeah, having a "sound" is also an interesting and integral part of this. Obviously, at the most basic level it this means "songs that sound similar to each other".

Up until now, I honestly don't think I've used the same drum sample in more than one track. I always create new synth sounds from scratch when starting a new project. It's been enjoyable but I think I'm going to try and make a few tracks using the same sound sources.

I'm starting to invest more time in learning theory, buying gear, learning effects inside out. And I hope to get a return from it, which is making songs I like, and which other people hear and say "sweet track man".

I just wanted to say, I don´t think the word "sound" should be taken so literally... Someone´s specific sound can be a lot more things than just the sounds they use, it can be particular melodic patterns, the sort of harmonies, rythms, the structures of the pieces, pretty much anything you can think of that describes a piece of music :)

  On 9/20/2012 at 6:49 PM, NZT said:

I see what you're saying about the music having to kick ass at the end of the day. But you can't deny that your reputation matters.

Yes I can. I just did.

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I want other people to like my music. It seems so taboo to say that these days, but it's just how I feel.

I'm not saying that's wrong. Just don't assume it applies to everyone. I think everybody goes through that phase and either sells out and makes some bank, or they realize that if the whole world likes their music, but they don't, they will never feel satisfied about it.

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Also, you could have fun with "branding". Give yourself a sweet name, a smart logo, title your tracks using certain conventions etc. that's no different to what the big guns are doing.

Big guns, lol. I don't consider that branding. I mean branding for the sake of the hell hole called marketing.

  On 9/20/2012 at 7:07 PM, marf said:

  On 9/20/2012 at 6:38 PM, chimera slot mom said:

If the music comes out of a natural, unpremeditated state, it will gain a sense of fullness, regardless of how simple it may be by technical standards.

 

what is this natural, unpremeditated state and how do i get there?

stop thinking and feel it.

  On 9/20/2012 at 7:46 PM, NZT said:

Yeah, having a "sound" is also an interesting and integral part of this. Obviously, at the most basic level it this means "songs that sound similar to each other".

I know what you're saying but it's somewhat messy to try to figure out all the necessary aspects of "sound" on a conscious level. We are incredibly fine tuned for sound in both our communication, playing and listening, but that doesn't mean we're able to think out what works and doesn't.

It's nice to hear people like your music but in the long run it doesn't matter at all. You cannot expect it to provide your music with meaning, because it really doesn't. What matters is that you put your own sweat and blood into it, and go through that alchemy of mind into matter. A big part of music excellence is coming to the point that you fuse with your tools and realize, hey, I can actually do this with this stuff!

The only time that it will matter if they say "sweet track man" is when you yourself have been intimate with the song, know it in and out, and feel like you've put every inch of your soul into it. But the important thing is that it won't make or break your artistic integrity if they don't.

Aphex shit tracks aren't shit because the music seems to come out directly out of his subconscious without any policing thoughts determining what works and what doesn't. That's surprisingly fresh and personal, if not timeless. If you think it's just because he's "aphex" and a big name, you're mistaken. There is loads and loads of great music out there that will never be popular, much of it in our very own YLC section.

I tend to hang with a load of other musicians and musos alike so whatever everyone else likes its mutually respected for being liked by such and that the music is of some caliber even if the other doesn't personally like it.

I hope I'm not sounding like a hipster

I agree with some of what you say chimera, tired so I'll leave it at that ;-)

I get you soundwave. Although sometimes I really can't respect anothers opinion e.g. smashing pumpkins. The vocalist sounds like a little boy crying because his mum won't buy him an ice cream. Absolute shite. If you are reading this and you like the smashing pumpkins... shame on you. lol.

  On 9/20/2012 at 8:44 PM, Hermann said:

I just wanted to say, I don´t think the word "sound" should be taken so literally... Someone´s specific sound can be a lot more things than just the sounds they use, it can be particular melodic patterns, the sort of harmonies, rythms, the structures of the pieces, pretty much anything you can think of that describes a piece of music :)

exactly. its not the sounds. its all that other stuff.

Actively seek opportunities to play your music for others online and offline more than you are currently.

Find people to collaborate with. Movie makers, visual artists, video game producers, anyone really.

It's all a game of chance. Give yourself more chances, and just act. Thinking too much can be paralysis.

If you're a badass, people will like your music more.

  On 9/21/2012 at 2:52 AM, apeterlives said:

Actively seek opportunities to play your music for others online and offline more than you are currently.

 

Find people to collaborate with. Movie makers, visual artists, video game producers, anyone really.

 

It's all a game of chance. Give yourself more chances, and just act. Thinking too much can be paralysis.

Good points. I've got an opportunity to make a couple of music vids actually. First video will just be a jokey thing but we'll see where it goes from there.

Have found also found cheap rehearsal rooms (3 hours for £10) with marshall stacks and drumkits, where I can run my synths through pedals and the amps, then mic the outputs of the amps, and even mic the room ambience for a three dimensional sound. I can practice live stuff there, and make as much noise as I like.

  On 9/21/2012 at 4:38 AM, EleminoP said:

If you're a badass, people will like your music more.

Well I wear a leather jacket, does that count?

  On 9/21/2012 at 10:31 AM, NZT said:

 

Have found also found cheap rehearsal rooms (3 hours for £10) with marshall stacks and drumkits, where I can run my synths through pedals and the amps, then mic the outputs of the amps, and even mic the room ambience for a three dimensional sound. I can practice live stuff there, and make as much noise as I like.

 

That sounds like the best deal I´ve ever heard of. I want to be you.

It really is great. In case I was unclear, I have to supply the mics and pedals, but the drums, amps and a mixer are all part of the deal.

If you're interested you could google rehearsal studios for your area. If you live in a decent size city they will compete with each other and offer decent deals. If you are a student it will probably be even cheaper.

I will say that as a working artist, you need to be a nice, easy-to-work-with person if you want to make it in the industry. Going around and being a dick will cost you a lot of clients.

There are a few people that got really lucky and can just sit back and make albums, but most people have to network and make friends with a lot of people.

Braintree's advice is valuable.

My take on it is this: Your rep/marketing definitely matters. HOWEVER: Unless you love this fact and want to make it part of your life, don't even give it a thought. Just make the best music you can. You'll get a rep from making good shit. It's a lot harder to make good stuff if you get caught in the mental loop of how you'll be perceived.

haha yeah not everyone has the good fortune that allows them to be a dick

Right now I'd rather be independant in my output than my income.. do something on the side for income. but I never really delved into it tbh.. afraid I would burn out my ideas if all I do is make lame chirstmas jingles for a radio station. I just spam my shit a little on some good places, give certain people my stuff and see what happens. Sometimes send out some demos and see what comes out of it, but haven't done that in a while.. I want to do more though but I'm really not very good at it. I enjoy this like visa versa thing though between people that make tunes, soundcloud is pretty cool with that.

Really interested what you are doing though Braintree. And is it a big addition to your income? Or really independant, no extra income?

i have a friend who produces generic DnB and cares not about his music but his brand and reputation. HE got semi famous for that attitude. The world is jsut shitty like that

I like James Ferraro's public methods.

I'm trying to put a bit more work to everything surrounding the music itself. The number one thing I'm working on, is making myself known. I do that by being super friendly and sending random people on youtube links to my soundcloud.

The second thing i'm working on is my album covers. needs way more work. Might be more important than the music, actually. Videos too. I'm very fond of doing moody ambient tracks, and then recording some footage of empty chairs in black and white.

Last, but not least, I'm going to start writing an essay for each new album I put up. The thought behind the music is super important, and very interesting to read. For everyone.

At this point, this is what I focus on, when it comes to the musics:

50 % Promotion

18 % Visual stuff

30 % Essays

2 % Music