John95683
164 posts
Jun 15, 2014
9:59 AM
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Last night, I went to see a friend play at a popular restaurant/bar. He dressed in these old jeans and crappy shirt, and he looked like he just got off his day job at a construction site. This was a paid gig, mind you. I tend to like performers who dress up a little, which shows they are professional entertainers who respect the audience. I'm not suggesting that we all look like Rick Estrin or Rod Paizza, but those guys look really sharp. I saw Dennis Gruenling last month, and he wore this very cool jacket and slacks, and he looked great. What you wear on stage?
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Greg Heumann
2744 posts
Jun 15, 2014
10:00 AM
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Well, if I have to dress on stage, I hide behind my amp....
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
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robbert
319 posts
Jun 15, 2014
10:23 AM
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Any public appearance, paid, trade or charity work, I attempt to dress like I'm a professional on a gig. Usually casual, but nice. And yes, this can include Hawaiian shirts, and fedoras. And no, I don't do shades.
After all, people are seeing you as well as hearing you, so you may as well give them something to look at. I just think it's part of being in the entertainment biz.
That being said, I would rather hear someone who plays well and dresses poorly, than the other way around.
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jbone
1654 posts
Jun 15, 2014
10:28 AM
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Good looking jeans, fairly new, no holes or rips or stains, jeans that are seldom worn except to go out in or to gig. Really nice shirt, a Hawaiian print, solid color, or nice uptown cut and print. Either brown or black dressy shoes and a belt to match. Of course a hat, not just any old gimme cap but a fancy uptown hat, or at very least a nice straw wide brim.
Usually I wear my nice pocket watch which Jolene had inscribed for me. "Harp and Soul". I am not a big jewelry guy. I do like to look presentable and set apart for passersby or the usual suspects.
Even if we are "merely" busking or doing a tip gig I do NOT give anyone the idea we are poor, or urchins, or begging. We have a product which we share with joy, often for pay, and we have a cd to sell as well.
How you dress and present yourself says a lot about how seriously you take your craft.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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Rgsccr
255 posts
Jun 15, 2014
10:38 AM
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Greg, why hide? It could make for a very entertaining part of your gig. LOL
Our band does dress up a bit - nice slacks, button down shirts and ties at nice venues. This summer we will be playing at a farmer's market and a Harley Davidson dealership, however, and I think we will be in nice jeans for things like that.
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The Iceman
1731 posts
Jun 15, 2014
11:06 AM
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My rule of thumb for myself and when I used to be a band leader was to always dress a little nicer than the audience.
We have to remember that most "citizens" don't really hear good or bad music (we do, of course), but are mostly visually oriented.
When I see live musicians and they dress ratty, it diminishes the experience for me.
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The Iceman
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Mirco
177 posts
Jun 15, 2014
1:01 PM
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Steve Martin said that the entertainer should always dress better than their audience.
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jnorem
272 posts
Jun 15, 2014
1:39 PM
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I think dressing up for a gig is the right thing to do, surely, but I always wonder where the "blues dress code" came from. I'm talking about the retro-clothes, 50's style pleated slacks and shirts, bowling shirts, berets and Fedoras, Ray Ban shades and so on, not to mention the slicked-back or pompadoured hair. It's been like that for a long time; I think it may be the Fabulous Thunderbirds who started it going?
I thought Jason Ricci's punk look was cool.
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Call me J
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walterharp
1410 posts
Jun 15, 2014
7:41 PM
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perennial topic
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/539087.htm?page=1
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John95683
165 posts
Jun 15, 2014
9:33 PM
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So, walterharp, I should just read a thread that's almost five years old? Sorry if I offended you by asking this question.
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harpdude61
2015 posts
Jun 16, 2014
4:14 AM
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John, I love seeing the same questions asked over time. Things change, new members, and new perspectives. I've been a member 5 or 6 years. I'm sure most longtime members simply don't click on a topic they have heard many times.
If we just discussed topics that are fresh and new, we simply would not have much of a forum.
I agree with dressing a little better than the audience. We play gigs at marinas with people running around in swimsuits, tank tops, cut-offs, and flip flops. Still, I wear a light dressy pullover, loose cargo pants, and nice sandals. Never hurts to make yourself stand out.
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www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
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walterharp
1412 posts
Jun 16, 2014
6:31 AM
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nah, did not offend me, I just thought the newer members could click back to prior answers if they were interested.. just lazy here. I have also started threads on things discussed already, and have taken to searching the forum and reviving threads instead if possible
i agree, dress nicer than the audience unless you are playing a wedding, then at least as nice...
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