{"id":18839,"date":"2013-10-14T20:20:45","date_gmt":"2013-10-15T04:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/?p=18839"},"modified":"2024-01-26T03:39:04","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T03:39:04","slug":"musicians-gimmicks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/musicians-gimmicks\/","title":{"rendered":"Famous Musicians and their Gimmicks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you like it or not, gimmicks play a big part in the music industry.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve said over and over that a career in music requires more than talent- it requires <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/branding-musician-checklist\/\">good branding<\/a>\u00a0(which could include the gimmicks), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/7-traits-musician-develop\/\">winning traits<\/a>\u00a0and 10,000 other things.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-18844\" title=\"Flaming Lips concert gimmicks\" src=\"https:\/\/unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/4e052199d4323.image_-520x343.jpg\" alt=\"Flaming Lips gimmicks\" width=\"600\" height=\"396\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A gimmick is a strategic stunt or look that makes people pay attention and talk. It could be as flashy as Flaming Lips rolling in a human-sized hamsterball\u00a0or as simple as giving away <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/20-unconventional-ways-to-release-your-music\/\">limited-edition newspapers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Anyway, we put together some gimmicks made by famous musicians:<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2bd8df4892c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2bd8df4892c\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/musicians-gimmicks\/#crowd-surfing-in-a-giant-hamster-ball-flaming-lips\" >Crowd-surfing in a Giant Hamster Ball- Flaming Lips<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/musicians-gimmicks\/#tie-records-to-helium-balloons-and-set-them-free-jack-white\" >Tie Records to Helium Balloons and Set Them Free- Jack White<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/musicians-gimmicks\/#life-size-coffin-kiss\" >Life- size Coffin- KISS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/musicians-gimmicks\/#getting-naked-and-asking-fans-to-write-on-body-amanda-palmer\" >Getting Naked and Asking Fans to Write on Body- Amanda Palmer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/musicians-gimmicks\/#honesty-box-or-%e2%80%9cpay-whatever-amount-for-our-music%e2%80%9d-radiohead\" >Honesty Box or \u201cpay whatever amount for our music\u201d- Radiohead<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"crowd-surfing-in-a-giant-hamster-ball-flaming-lips\"><\/span><strong>Crowd-surfing in a Giant Hamster Ball- Flaming Lips<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-18849\" title=\"flaming lips hamster ball gimmicks\" src=\"https:\/\/unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/flaming-lips-live-520x346.jpg\" alt=\"flaming lips crowd-surfing\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The &#8220;Lips&#8221; make good music AND they are also known for their shocking, one-of a kind gimmicks&#8211; from p<a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/keshas-blood-flaming-lips-album\/\">utting blood of famous artists on the album packaging <\/a>to releasing a six-hour song (I know).<\/p>\n<p>During their concerts, Coyne maneuvers atop the audience, surfing in a giant hamster ball. He really seems to be enjoying himself rolling in this ball while the fans go wild.<\/p>\n<p>BUT, warning to new artists, you really have to be famous before you can do this or else you&#8217;re more prone to getting yourself into an embarrassing situation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"tie-records-to-helium-balloons-and-set-them-free-jack-white\"><\/span><strong>Tie Records to Helium Balloons and Set Them Free- Jack White<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-18855\" title=\"jack white balloons gimmick\" src=\"https:\/\/unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/c164468aae658aaa750d99d8795bc04f-520x346.jpg\" alt=\"jack white album release balloon\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Jack White released a limited-edition single by helium balloon from his\u00a0Third Man Records\u00a0label headquarters in Nashville. The track is \u201cFreedom at 21\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>White and colleagues at Third Man filled 1,000 blue balloons approximately two feet in diameter with helium, attached flexi-discs and released them into the sky.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"life-size-coffin-kiss\"><\/span><strong>Life- size Coffin- KISS<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-18857\" title=\"kiss coffin merchandise\" src=\"https:\/\/unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/kiss_coffin.jpg\" alt=\"kiss coffin gimmick\" width=\"599\" height=\"344\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We know KISS wouldn&#8217;t be KISS without their make-up and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/top-10-kiss-merch\/\">crazy merch<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Their faces are everywhere from breakfast cereals to coffins. Yep, this one is a real coffin folks. What a practical item to buy, right?<\/p>\n<p>As long as you\u2019re alive, it would serve as beverage container or a perfect hiding place if you want to shut off the world. It&#8217;s a good way to go in style, eh?<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"getting-naked-and-asking-fans-to-write-on-body-amanda-palmer\"><\/span><strong>Getting Naked and Asking Fans to Write on Body- Amanda Palmer<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-18860\" title=\"amanda palmer gimmick\" src=\"https:\/\/unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/amanda-palmer-gimmick-520x309.jpg\" alt=\"amanda palmer fans\" width=\"599\" height=\"356\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As a thank you to the fans who supported her in the Crowdfunding campaign, Amanda Palmer got naked surrounded by about 250 people and said: &#8220;I trust you, come close and paint on me&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Amanda&#8217;s one of the female artists who sure knows how to leverage their career using their bodies. No wonder she wrote this letter to \u00a0Sinead re Miley&#8217;s stripping in her music video.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"honesty-box-or-%e2%80%9cpay-whatever-amount-for-our-music%e2%80%9d-radiohead\"><\/span><strong>Honesty Box or \u201cpay whatever amount for our music\u201d- Radiohead<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-18864\" title=\"radiohead honesty box\" src=\"https:\/\/unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/radiohead-its-up-to-you-520x316.jpg\" alt=\"radiohead album release\" width=\"600\" height=\"364\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u2018In Rainbows\u2019 was made available online in 2007, with fans able to pay whatever they think the music is worth.<\/p>\n<p>One third of the downloaders did not pay a single cent but the ensuing hype and publicity led to \u2018In Rainbows\u2019 being the most profitable album of Radiohead\u2019s career.<\/p>\n<p>What do you think of gimmicks? Are you for them or against them?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pressofatlanticcity.com\/\">Image source<\/a><\/p>\n<p>____________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<p><b><i>James Hill<\/i><\/b><i>\u00a0is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope\/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole\u2019s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer follow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><span class=\"s1\"><b><i>Unified Manufacturing<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/a><i>, a CD\/DVD,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/vinyl-pressing\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer follow\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">custom vinyl records<\/a> and merch company in LA.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you like it or not, gimmicks play a big part in the music industry. We&#8217;ve said over and over that a career in music requires more than talent- it requires good branding\u00a0(which could include the gimmicks), winning traits\u00a0and 10,000 other things. A gimmick is a strategic stunt or look that makes people pay attention [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":18851,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cd-manufacturing","category-music-industry-news","category-musicmakers-filmmakers"],"contentshake_article_id":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18839"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18839\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39056,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18839\/revisions\/39056"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}