There’s a lot more in how to sell music than just making good music. Whether it’s “right” or not, a musician is usually going to be judged by their looks as much as on their music. Exceptions to this rule are generally few, far between, and involve master-level musicianship.

So, if you’re going to get ahead in the music biz, you need to be thinking about your image. That means fashion!

Make It Work! How To Sell Music With Fashion

DON’T: Just Do The Jeans-and-T-Shirt Thing

First and foremost, whatever fashion you pick, it’s has be unique. Even if you’re a low-key cargo pants type of person offstage, you can’t show up to gigs in boring street wear and get taken seriously.

DO: Bring Out Your Artistic Personality

Think of a few adjectives that would describe your onstage persona. Now, pair these with colors, patterns, or other visual elements that match them. An “angry” artist would have a lot of reds and blacks, with sharp angles and pointy elements. An environmentally-minded artist would work well in earth tones and rounded shapes.

DON’T: Be Schizophrenic

Again, there are exceptions, but your stage wear should largely follow one theme or overall idea. Unless you truly want to aim for being a fashionista, it’s best to show some restraint. You’d need to be as quirky as Björk or Lady Gaga to “get away” with a totally random fashion sense.

DO: Research Symbolism

For ideas, consult sources on mythology, dream interpretation, or even traditional “magick” practices. Fashion and symbolism go hand-in-hand. If you’ve got an idea of what you want to say, but can’t find the imagery to convey it, these sorts of metaphysical references can serve as a dictionary of visuals.

Don’t go overboard. If someone has to learn Kabbalism to understand your outfit, it’s probably too esoteric.

Looks Matter In Music

There are a lot of ideas on how to sell music, but your image must be part of them! Create a look that’s as compelling as your music, and you’ll sell a lot more tracks!