One of our features this month spotlights Cake, a band that's definitely not a slave to musical fashion. Cake's uniqueness got me thinking about the importance of finding one's own sound. Thanks to the band's individuality, listening to Cake is a refreshing experience. Unlike a lot of acts that sound, shall I say, reminiscent of artists who've come before, Cake does its own thing musically.
Of course, sounding like somebody else is nothing new; whenever an act becomes hugely successful, a host of copycats follow in its wake. That's been the pattern throughout the history of pop music. But the artists who really stand out from the pack are those who have their own sound. (Case in point: who do you remember better — Nirvana or Dishwalla?)
Originality is one of the most important aspects of being a musician. Although you can get to a certain level by just playing “licks off of records” (does anyone remember the funny Martin Mull song with that title?), eventually, if you want to make a name for yourself, you have to come up with your own ideas. It's more of an imperative for some players than others. Personally, I always chafed at having to learn somebody else's parts — especially solos — when playing cover material. I grudgingly learned the parts, knowing that the audience (not to mention the other players in the band) would expect to hear what was on the records, but I always wanted to play my own thing.
Of course, copping someone else's licks has an important place when you're learning (and who ever stops learning?). Everyone's style is based on someone else's to some degree. I remember an instance in which learning a particular Eric Clapton riff opened my mind to a world of new playing possibilities. While that specific lick did become part of my arsenal, I also adapted it, changed it, and made it my own.
Developing your own style (even if it's only a refinement of someone else's) is crucial to realizing personal musical satisfaction, and it might just be a key to your ultimate success. Even putting career and financial issues aside, being creative is one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a musician. After all, we're all creative types, or we wouldn't be in this crazy business, would we?
What I'm really saying is this: whether you're a solo artist or part of a band, don't get hung up on trying to sound like somebody else. Let your own musical personality shine through as much as you can. Be a leader, not a follower; you'll be glad you did.
