Artist Research

 ARTIST RESEARCH:

Research the branding and the marketing of artists who already fit into your chosen genre.

Incubus

Alternative rock band Incubus, was formed in 1991 in Calabasas, California. 
The band successfully managed to sell over 100,000 copies of their second album S.C.I.E.N.C.E without the support of radio or television exposure. 
This is one of their most admirable achievements, hence the reason why I chose them for this research. Incubus is a truly unique band just like Vampire Weekend.
When they released their third album Make Yourself, they earned mainstream recognition as well as critical acclaim.
Incubus evidently is a band able to evolve and mature in their career. As they have experimented with different instruments and diverse genres of music and ultimately achieved success and critics praise as they have displayed how creative and talented they are.


Like many other rock/indie bands, Incubus did not allow the media industry to exploit their image in order for them to gain success. Their achievements were purely earned by their musical gifts and creativity, by their art. 

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"Classic UK rock delivered with whiskey vocals"

Stereophonics is a Welsh rock band, formed in 1992. The band has achieved mainstream recognition in 1997, with their debut album Word Gets Around, which immediately reached the top six in the UK charts, later followed by them winning an Brit Award for Best New Band. 

Stereophonics

Ever since 1997 the group has been a success, and today they are considered one of Wale's biggest talents.
The band's success was earned as they are a creative and talented group. Their intense & affecting lyrics along with Kelly Jone's husky vocals have made an impact on rock music, and these have given them the success and recognition they worked hard to get. Unlike other artists, Stereophonic's image doesn't draw much attention as they don't rely on it to be a successful band. However they still wear stereotypical rock clothes, such as leather jackets and sunglasses, but that is as far as it gets.


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Research an artist who does not fit into your chosen genre.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Randall Timberlake was first famous for being the lead singer of the boy band 'N Sync which was formed in Florida, 1995. But as it usually happens in the music industry, the band broke up and the lead singer, Timberlake went on in a solo career.

He released his debut solo album 'Justified' in 2002, which sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. In 2006 he released his second album 'FutureSex/ Love sounds' which was just as successful as the first one, reaching UK's top music charts, ultimately winning six Grammy awards, and two Emmy awards.

Like other boy bands and pop/ RnB singers, Justin does use his image to earn success. Ever since he was 'N Sync's lead singer, he has been considered to be an attractive and very well dressed man, he even became a sex symbol.

Ever since he released his latest album 'FutureSex/Love sounds' he has been performing his shows and modelling in his photo shoots wearing a suit and a tie, It connotes elegance and manhood, this has become part of his image, of his style. 

Besides his looks, Justin has showed he is a truly talented man. He doesn't only have excellent vocals and great dancing skills, he also blows away his fans by performing the piano, the guitar and by beatboxing.

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Gorillaz

In 2000 the British music project, Gorillaz was created and it has brought to the music industry a new concept, it launched a new trend: Virtual bands. Where the actual musicians hide their identities behind cartoon characters and genuinely only focus and sell their music.
Their concerts were reviewed as "Awesome, Unique." as they are a mixture of art and music.


British cartoonist who designs the Gorillaz visuals displayed an interesting point of view when referring to the group's image 'If you’re going to pretend to be somebody you’re not – which is the whole point of being a rock star – then why not just invent fake characters and have them do it all for you?'
A virtual band allows the musicians to have freedom, something artists lose as soon as they gain recognition in the mainstream. They have the opportunity to express themselves in their music, be successful without involving their previous identity, allowing them to live their lives like ordinary people.
Their debut album released in 2001 sold over seven million copies, which led to an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful virtual band.