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Hey all,

Just popping over from good ole Lyric Forum 3, where I've only recently been introduced to Andy and his music. I was, though, immediately intrigued by his avatar portrait (both my parents are artists) and when he gave me a bit of history and told me there was a thread about it over here, I thought I'd throw in my two cents.

First, obviously, I really liked the sketch. I agree it's a bit rough, but that's partly why I like it....I'm so sick of all the stylized covers out there...or as I told Andy on the other forum Man In Shadow Giving Suggestive Smile or Trying to Look Fierce or whatever. I think it's very evocative of the mood his songs create. (That isn't to say I wouldn't consider a tighter rough version....)

I suppose I'm probably the only person projecting THIS take on it, but I also felt it had the semblance of someone sitting on a witness stand. I thought this would be very cool from an artist's standpoint -- aren't we all basically "on trial" when we put our music out there? I didn't get the sense he was looking at me, so much as looking down, though, so I'll have to check that angle out more closely...

I do think the idea of testing the waters at a venue is a good one....b/c essentially, those people are your audience. The question then becomes if your audience is ho-hum about it, would it make them less likely to buy it? Probably not....and perhaps more importantly, might you reach an additional segment of the market by taking this risk? I guess then, I would take the focus group idea to the next level, and ask some regular Joes (and Josephines) on the street, to see what they think as well.

But ultimately, it needs to be what's going to make you happy, Andy (don't know where you lie on the "commerce vs. artistic integrity spectrum"!)

One last thought....don't know about your resources or anything, but might you consider an A version and a B version of the cover? Or maybe you can work that into your "testing" somehow?

Anyhoo, you folks are the experts in this arena, I just wanted to show my support of Andy's idea. Good luck to all of you, and see you around the boards!


Cheers,
Beth