Static Live Magazine January 2020

IMAGINE
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IMAGINE you are getting
ready for a huge concert. The
lights are up and the crowd is
pouring in, your guitar is tuned up
and your voice is warmed up. The
music is no problem since you know
the material well - you’re not even
nervous, After all, you have been
a pro for years. Then you catch a
glimpse of yourself in the mirror. You
remember the bouncer stopped you
on the way in to ask who you were,
but never questioned the rest of the
band. Bing Ding Ding the bell goes
off - you DON’T look the part!
I discovered Gandhi was a lawyer
who only got into the robes later in
life. Turns out a public image wasn’t
so ‘real’ after all.
This was me as a young guitar
slinger trying to keep it ‘real’. Soon
it dawned on me that I had to get
my clothes and image together but
I had no idea how and began to
study. I tried to reconcile the outfits
that Elvis or Prince would wear with
the Grunge movement or the Earthy
look of college radio stars. Then
I found out that Hendrix wore a
hairpiece and Nirvana had a clothier
who pre-stained and tore the outfits.
Once I was willing to surrender
my comfort zone clothes (no shirt,
shorts, and flops) when in public,
my look immediately improved.
Then I realized that on stage,
comfort was not the goal at all!
See, I’m a musician and I live by
my ears. It’s all about melody and
groove in my limited world. Great
for me but the general public is
much more VISUAL. I think around
70%-80% are visually oriented.
It was imperative for my now 40-
year career to approach something
outside of my natural talents -
fashion and public image.
I started by considering shoes.
Shoes being one of the easiest ways
to stand out. Bright colored kicks
with an unassuming outfit can even
work. I avoid regular walking shoes.
I keep in mind that I’ll be under
bright lights and dancing around
on unfamiliar stages. Good fit and
long lasting quality are what I go
for. Cool boots with a heel for height
advantage, brand new neon white
sneaks or shiny leather are all good
choices.
Next, I think of my shirt. Any loud
shirt can make you stand out but it’s
better to ask someone with fashion
sense to tell you which colors work
better for your skin tone. Beware that
these may NOT be your personal
favorite colors. The point is to flatter
and frame you for the public, not
stroke your ego. Seek advice on
where you need help. Build up a
collection for various scenarios and
add to it regularly. This is one of the
most costly areas because I need
a lot, and good shirts don’t come
cheap. When selecting, I ponder the
venue as well. The pimp suit I wear
at the big shows won’t work at my
coffee house gigs.
If you are going for a relaxed look,
make sure it is very flattering - if
A Day
in the
Life
of a
Gigging
Musician
not outright sexy. You want to be
approachable but not bland. I prefer
to look like I’m a musician with some
fashion pop. It’s good to be noticed
when you are about to perform. A
high collar and pompous hat can add
lots of flair. Fancy clothes tend to get
you noticed online and by the media,
which results in more bookings
since money follows attention. You
can develop a signature look like
your favorite stars or be seasonally
eclectic. Just be sure to get noticed
by the 70%-80% who think with their
eyes. Video killed the radio star after
all.
by Adam Floyd
When I close my eyes sound comes
pouring in. Symphonies and pop
songs, some well known and others
composed in my head on the spot.
I’m making up a song as I type this
article. It’s to the rhythm of a creaky
ceiling fan and cars going by on my
street. Music is in the blood but I
have some sound advice for those
who want to attempt a musical performance
career: You need to develop
your wardrobe so you can become
the rock star that people IMAGINE.
IMAGINEoneself
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