Don’t Be Afraid to Reinvent Yourself
I wish it were just so simple. But the point’s been missed, you’ve made a mess, and who would have guessed that it’s as simple as it seems.
-Katy Perry ‘Simple’
As I was driving in to work the other day, I listened to radio station Kiss 103.5 in Chicago. Usually, I don’t make it a habit to listen to Kiss because it embodies everything I don’t like about the music industry. Kiss is owned by a large company that basically dictates who is successful and who is not on mainstream radio in America. I do like good songs, however, and you do get a nice blend of songs on that station. A new song caught my ear as I was getting out of my car. It is by an artist named Katy Perry and the song is called ‘I Kissed A Girl’. As soon as I got to my computer, I headed over to MySpace and took another listen to the song. It was catchy, but nothing groundbreaking. It will probably be a hit. It has a few controversial lyrics and a terrific beat. Katy is attractive, and an excellent singer but my first impression is she is a cookie cutter pop singer. Watch a bit of the video below, it will help prove a point later in the post.
I headed over to Wikipedia to a little more investigation. There was very little information about the singer (which has changed in the last few days as the song has started to make it big). One thing that struck me as odd was she released an album when she was 16, back in 2001. Then there was no history until 2007 when she digitally released the single “Ur So Gay” on iTunes.I have been struggling in the music industry for the past 10 years. If Katy Perry was a true artist, there would be a history. No one just starts playing music, stops for 7 years, and then comes out of nowhere with a new look and sound. I just figured her new label buried it. Record labels like to do that from time to time.
I started doing a little web surfing and stumbled upon a handful of YouTube videos. Katy has been working for many years at becoming successful in music. She has starred in other peoples videos (Cupid’s Chokehold by the Gym Class Heroes), and she has been honing her craft for years. You watched the first video, now check out this one. It is called ‘Simple’ - It was on a movie soundtrack released by Java Records in 2005.
In 2004, Katy was listed in Blender magazine as the next big thing. She has been dropped by several labels, and has encountered many a hardship trying to get that big break in the music industry. She has been open in discussing this, especially at shows. In need of a change and, perhaps, better luck, she took a risk and reinvented herself. Ever since unveiling this new, more grownup ‘look’ and sound late last year, it has been full steam ahead for her music career.
I like to incorporate things I have learned in the music industry and apply them to blogging.
If you feel your talents are being overlooked, there is no shame in reinventing yourself. Evaluate what you are trying to accomplish and make changes when needed, even if it means adopting a new persona. As long as you are true to your personal vision, reinventing is a great way to get a fresh start at something you love.
May 27th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Excellent post. I am actually a fan of Katy. The best part is her cats name is Kitty Purry. Thats perfect!!
May 27th, 2008 at 8:06 am
I completely agree - I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve reinvented aspects of myself as I learned my way online. It’s a very smart thing to do.
Enjoy,
Barbara
Barbara Ling’s last blog post..21 Days to a more profitable blog - Day 8! Add eBay to your sidebar
May 27th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Agreed! Reinvent yourself if it doesn’t work out the first few times!
MarketingDeviant’s last blog post..Watch the Fires burning across the River
May 30th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
In terms of the music industry just look at what reinventing yourself did for Kylie Minogue, Madonna, George Michael and other singers/musicians who have constantly changed in order to not only keep up with trends, but to also keep the public interested. The thing with being the new “thing” is people get bored of your very quickly!
Selina Wragg’s last blog post..Tonight’s The Night!
June 11th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Isn’t “I Kissed a Girl” an old Jill Sobule song? It was a lame novelty song back in the ’90’s when she released it to try to get famous by being vaguely “controvertial.” I can’t imagine (I’m assuming this is a cover), that it’s become lyrically less of a cliche with age.
JustHipper’s last blog post..Gig Review: Bob Mould @ Manchester Academy 2, 24th May 2008
June 11th, 2008 at 2:18 am
It’s definitely not the same song. The new one might even be more cliched.
‘I kissed a girl and I liked it. The taste of her cherry chapstick. I kissed a girl just to try it. I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it. It felt so wrong, it felt so right. It don’t mean I’m in love tonight’
The song is bad. Her other stuff is much better.
The reinvention of Katy Perry however is good. She furthered her career 10 fold in one month.
Cheers!
June 12th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Hmm…no it’s not a good song. It’s not far different from the other one though. I have a real problem with singers trying to be “kooky” or startling for the sake of getting attention (pardon the plug but you can see my reputation for these rants: http://www.indiecredential.com/?p=177) and once is enough in these situations.
The problem with this sort of stunt, and make no mistake, releasing this, especially if it’s crap in comparison to her usual output, is a stunt, is that it spoils any sens of realism to what she does and destroys any chance that a discerning listner (i.e., one who doesn’t take her clues from MTV or top 40 radio) will EVER take her seriously. It makes her a one-hit wonder (if that).
Take Jill Sobule - she was never heard from again, despite being a good enough songwriter to get writing credits on Eels first album. If Mark Oliver Everett respects her songwriting talents she must have some, but she blew it….
Justhipper’s last blog post..Gig Review: Bob Mould @ Manchester Academy 2, 24th May 2008
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:18 am
travis from gym class heroes has been dating katy perry for 2 years now. thats why she’s in their video, and he is why she’s made some substantial connections and landed herself in the music biz to the degree she has. when travis is on your side, pete wentz is on your side - and when such happens you’re easily hugetime.