Performers Workshop

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Escamillo
Date: 15 Jan 00 - 12:36 AM

Oh, how I like braless audiences especially when they throw their bras to me in the middle of the general euphoria !
Andrés (oops, sorry, this is not a BS thread)

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Sorcha
Date: 15 Jan 00 - 12:23 AM

I agree with a lot of what is said here,dress to suit the audience, dress to suit the gig, dress to suit the bra-less, etc. One other thing to keep in mind is --Are your clothes distracting from the music? My band doesn't all dress "ALIKE" but it is amazing that w/o consulting each other, we all show up in the same type of clothes for the same gig. We play mostly old time and bluegrass, so we usually wear jeans, and quite often we all wear some kind of "blue" tops. If we "dress Up" the ladies usually wear jeans and silk shirts. What you don't want to do is to have the audience looking at your clothes instead of listening to the music.

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: emily rain
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 11:16 PM

i like to dress however my audience will be dressed. at the open mics etc. i've been frequenting, that means ultra-casual. if i was at benaroya hall, i'd wear a dress (grumble grumble). the ripped jeans and disintegrating t-shirt look can just as pretentious as the sequined gown, if worn in the wrong context.

the one exception to my rule: i wear a bra for no one. i guess i can justify that by pointing out that approximately half my audience is male and therefore braless, and surely there must be one or two women out there who feel the way i do... that gives us a braless majority, right?

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Bugsy
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 09:06 PM

And sometimes the First Impression is the Lasting Impression.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Les B.
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 05:47 PM

Just a thought I forgot to add to my first posting -- You never get a second chance at a first impression.

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 03:13 PM

First, do wear clothes unless you are performing at a clothing optional resort.

Second, clothes do carry a message. What is the message you wish to communicate. The jeans and t-shirt attire indicates that you wish to be very casual about this. It might also mean you want everyone to know you are an unrepentant hippie from the '60's. Several posters have noted that "specialty" clothes are helpful if you are giving a "specialty" performance. Certainly, the penquin suit indicates you want to respect your audience, to be respected, and you are serious about this.

Third, clothes can be a "signature" if you are interested in marketing your music. If you wear the same clothes, well, type of clothes, at each performance, your audience will begin to recognize you from a distance. The Clancy's wanted that Irish look just in case you didn't know they were performing Irish music. You could quickly recognize a picture of them without having the faces down pat.I personally think every performer should keep this in mind.

If you see three guys in chinos and broad vertical striped shirts, you are going to expect Kingston Trio style music. If you see bib overalls and plaid shirts, you are going to expect some "rural" music.

Fourth, clothes may hinder or facilitate the actual performance. Reference the poster who felt he played better in comfortable clothes.

'Nuff said.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 07:03 AM

As an audience member I don't care [what I believe our transatlantic cousins call diddleysquat] what a performer is wearing. Acker Bilk and some of the other UK jazz bands wore "uniforms" for tv and concert halls but leather jackets and t-shirts etc for clubs, and usually played their best in the latter. Whe I saw PP&M at Birmingham town hall many, many years ago I was taken aback to see them in "Penguin suits"/evening gown. The Clanceys' roll-neck sweaters were instantly recognisable, the Corries and the Spinners had uniform but casual shirts, but this is probably the need to market an image to a wider audience. Sonny and Brownie wore dungarees both times I was lucky enough to see them. I would have hated to see them forced into penguin suits (which they probably had to in some venues).
Sorry, I'm rambling again.
RtS ( who's never worn a "penguin suit" and gets away with it even at [rare]formal "dos", and no longer wears a suit to work (come to think about it, no longer owns a suit!)

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: SeanM
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 03:44 AM

My group definitely dresses for the occasion... but, we've also discussed that if we were at a show that was just 'us', and not part of an event, we'd do a slightly dressed down version...

Our normal outfit is 'old-westy' duds (casual, miner style), with a thick layer of "coal dust" over it all. But, up to now, almost all of our gigs have been in "old-west" or 49er themes.

I guess it all depends on what you're honestly being hired for. As much as we'd like to think that we're star attractions, we're honestly being hired to provide atmosphere for the show. As such, I'd no more dream of showing up to a gold panning festival in a 3 piece suit than I would show up at an office building in jeans, collarless flannel shirt, suspenders and muckboots.

M

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Owlkat
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 03:28 AM

Hi hi,
There's nothing like the traditional black suit vest with four pockets for picks and capos. It's also good for hiding the extra poundage around your waist.
There's nothing to be lost by accessorizing with a nifty hat, either.
Fashionably,
Owl/Mart

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 02:58 AM

Comfortable clothes for me. I can't play well unless I'm feeling relaxed and comfortable. Usually this means jeans or cotton trousers, DMs (I never wear anything but anyway!)and casual shirt or sometimes a Breton (Jez Lowe type)sweatshirt. If it's a hot smoky pub gig I'll sometimes wear a teeshirt and avoid my best casual clothes to avoid them getting impregnated by smoke (as a non-smoker my lungs are another matter and I've drastically cut down on these type of gigs as a result!)

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Bugsy
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 02:23 AM

Little Dorrit, Funny you should mention Jez Lowe and the fact that you cannot remember what he wore. To me he stands out as one Folk Performer who always wears a "Uniform". His "Matelot" striped T Shirts have become his trade mark. Personally, I like to be be dressed in clean, presentable clothes. ie, no holes in jeans or sweaters as is the trade mark of some of the more off beat folkies. I have been known to perform in Black suit with yellow shoes, punjabi suits, shirt, vest and chords, etc etc. I think a lot depends on who you are performing for and what the occasion is. I hope that by the time I have introduced the first song (sometimes up to 15 minutes into my set) the audience has forgotten what I am wearing and is just enjoying themselves.

I remember the "larger than life" Hamish Imlach, performing in Western Australia in his customary Jeans and T Shirt. Standing with his foot up on a chair(as was his wont) with a large split in his jeans from the bottom of his Zip to the back of his crotch, and half his wedding tackle in plain view! In spite of this, he was still delivered a consumate performance.

Cheers

Bugsy.

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: JamesJim
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 12:48 AM

Don, thanks for this thread. Really interesting. I am an amateur compared to many of the Mudcatters (play and sing as a hobby), but perhaps one thing I've learned from various performances with my friends (over a 15 year span), is that you have to make an early connection to the audience - especially if you're relatively unknown. During the days when we had 1 or 2 gigs a month (sorry to say, we are not performing much any more), we had a following of friends, but most of the audience didn't know us. In my opinion, dress plays an important role in making that "early" connection. I'm turned off by sloppiness and I think most people are. No need to start off on the wrong foot. Indeed, while I don't think it's necessary to dress "uniformly," it doesn't hurt to dress in "constumes" if called for. In any case, dress should be neat/proper. Having said all of this, I do have to admit that I've seen some pretty sloppy but very talented people whose sloppy dress I have forgotten, once they start performing. Thanks, Jim

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Escamillo
Date: 13 Jan 00 - 11:04 PM

As we would never offer to our wife or girlfriend a jewel packed in a supermarket bag, in my opinion we should perform in an adequate environment and take some care of dressing, nothing exaggerated, but simply to make people feel our consideration to them. (at least until we start screaming). As a choir member, we use the penguin siut as a rule, and I appreciate it. When ocassionally I perform as a soloist, if it is classics, then the penguin again. If jazz or traditional, I prefer all in black, with a Mao black shirt with small (false) diamonds on neck and wrists, no rings, no watch. I'm very comfortable with the impression this produces in the audience. And all-black makes a fast escape easier, just in case.
Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Little Dorritt
Date: 13 Jan 00 - 06:37 PM

I went to see Jez Lowe on Monday -to be honest I cannot remember what he wore because he was so wonderful and the image was outweighed by the performance . Sing in what your comfortable in, what makes you feel relaxed so that you can concentrate on your performance. The only singer I can ever remember for his clothes rather than his perfomance was Adam Ant -and he was a prat.

PS I think Jez Lowe is touring USA/Canada in Feb and March catch him if you can!

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: sophocleese
Date: 13 Jan 00 - 06:34 PM

I took my brother, who performs in Germany, and his girlfriend to see the Barra McNeils in concert. He laughed when he saw them on stage and said "In Germany "stage clothes" would mean at least black pants and a good shirt, in Canada it means you make sure you've got clean jeans." He rather liked it.

I am not, in any way, a seasoned performer but I like to dress up a little for any performance as it gives it spice for me. I like to feel that I look as good as I can as well as sing as well as I can, problem is my everyday clothes are also my most comfortable. I'm more distracted by a performer who looks overheated in fancy dress than I am by somebody who looks cool and comfortable in daily wear. I tend to watch faces and hands rather than knees.

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 13 Jan 00 - 06:26 PM

I always try to dress nicely (professionally)...Nice "dress" shirt, vest, nice jeans, boots, fedora...check

http://terryallanhall.theshoppe.com/images/4star.1.jpg

to see precisely what I'm referring to.

I also feel that it's my sacred duty to be professional in deed and word while on stage...for instance, when requested to sign my autograph, no matter how many folks are there, I'll take the time to talk, pose for pictures, whatever...these folks are the reason I have the honor of making a living as a singer/picker....So I feel I owe them EVERY courtesy...and they'll remember who remembered them!

It's worked for me for 25 years!

Subject: RE: Performers Workshop
From: Les B
Date: 13 Jan 00 - 06:11 PM

Good thread, Don. I've wondered about the same question. I'm in a group that sometimes plays at historical venues, where a town is having "frontier" days, etc. We try to dress appropriately for the 1860's to 1880's e: top hats, bowlers, vests, watch chains, ruffled shirts, boots, etc. But, I feel really weird dressing that way in more modern venues, even though we're playing somewhat the same set list. You've really got to match the costuming to the event.

I also see a lot of acts come through the small performance theater I work for, and you're right -- some groups look like they lost their luggage!! I find it somewhat insulting. Even for modern, hip, laid-back audiences, a group should dress up a little, not jeans with holes in the knees! I've seen this "casual" look in everything from rock to jazz to bluegrass groups and they all come off as not caring for the audience.

I've mentioned these feelings to the group I play in, and they always turn up looking decent -- not dressed the same, but dressed up. It really helps the group energy. Whether or not we should all adopt the same "uniform" is another matter. It's expensive and takes away from individuality. Still pondering that.

Subject: Performers Workshop
From: DonMeixner
Date: 13 Jan 00 - 05:08 PM

As a performer I am always looking for ways to improve the show that I do either as a single act or as a member of The Flyin' Column. As a single, the stage is al mine and I have a great degree of latitude in what I sing, say, and even how I dress.

Volumes can be written on the art of stage presence. How its done. When to do something. What to avoid doing. I'd like to compole anote book of the tricks that we employ and why employ them in our stage acts. I hope to get useful information for me and my band and I hope to supply the same for others who are now performing and others who are just stepping out.

I am going to assume that a degree of compitence is already attained here. We know enough not sing in three keys at once. Dead strings are not allowed. And we aren't taking the "Come for to Sing" binder up on stage with us.

I want to start with clothes. Is it important to have an identity based on how we dress? Is it enough to take the stage clean and comfortably dressed or should we dress in a manner similar to our music style? Utah Phillips in his hobo kit for instance or Leon Redbone in his suit and Panama Hat? Lately I've paid serious money to hear bands that looks like they have their good clothes stuck in customs and are wearing gardening duds. Is it important for band members to all dress the same? Band uniforms. The Kingston Trios Chinos and stripped shirts or the Chili Peppers lack of clothes period. Should the bands identity be in the music and not in the clothes?

"That band sound just OK but boy are they snappy dressers!"

Opinions?