3 Ways to Differentiate Yourself: Artist Identity, Vision, and Intention | Music Business

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In this interview, Berklee Online course author and renowned music producer Stephen Webber breaks down his definition of a musical artist’s identity, vision, and intention, which he calls your “I.V.I.” Your identity is who you are, where you came from, and your point of view. Some young artists start by identifying themselves in relation to a famous artist that they are influenced by. As a starting point, Webber advises: think of an artist who influenced you, and think of an artist you have something in common with, and those artists should be as far apart from each other as stylistically possible. Then think about what Webber calls your “unique differentiator.” This is some aspect of yourself that separates you from others, that makes you stand out. Capturing the emotional intention in your music will bring it to life. The difference between intention and vision, according to Webber, is that the vision is what art you plan on creating, while the intention is the execution of bringing your vision to life. As examples of artists who have tied the “I.V.I.” together especially well, Webber points to examples like Lady Gaga, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan.
About Stephen Webber:
Stephen Webber is an Emmy-winning composer and professor of Music Production and Engineering at Berklee College of Music. In three decades as a record producer, engineer, session player, music director, recording artist, DJ, and studio designer, Stephen has recorded with Ivan Neville, Meshell Ndegeocello, the Manhattan Guitar Duo, and the Turtle Island String Quartet, and performed with Bela Fleck, Mark O'Conner, Grandmixer DXT, and Emmylou Harris. A writer for Electronic Musician, Remix, and Mix Magazine, Stephen is also the author of Turntable Technique: The Art of the DJ, the first book to teach the turntable as a musical instrument. Stephen performs and presents clinics and master classes throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia, and has been profiled on the Today Show, CNN, and NPR's All Things Considered, and in the New York Times and Rolling Stone magazine. He is also the executive director of BerkleeNYC, a recording studio refurbishment project in New York City.
About Berklee Online:
Berklee Online is the continuing education division of Berklee College of Music, delivering online access to Berklee's acclaimed curriculum from anywhere in the world, offering online courses, certificate programs, and degree programs. Contact an Academic Advisor today:
1-866-BERKLEE (US)
1-617-747-2146 (international callers)
advisors@online.berklee.edu
/ berkleeonline
/ berkleeonline
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Stephen Webber | Music Production | Music Promotion | Music Business | Berklee | Berklee Online | Berklee College of Music

Пікірлер: 161

  • @user-bu2mn3js9v
    @user-bu2mn3js9v2 жыл бұрын

    Identity: Who are you Personal identity What you stand for Visual Write stuff down Think similar artists to you The artist who is the furthest from you What is your diffentieting factor What Not many people know about you Answer to the question what genre are you Find your specific vision for your album Same vibe in the songs in your album Find the vision you have as an artist Have emotional intention with your performance

  • @thejusticeprice2872

    @thejusticeprice2872

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awsome recap. Thank you so much !

  • @TrackJunkeeMusic
    @TrackJunkeeMusic4 жыл бұрын

    This is probably the most valuable context I have watched in a while. IVI is a great anchor for us as independent musicians building a brand

  • @effisummerscreative

    @effisummerscreative

    4 жыл бұрын

    Completely agree :)

  • @dannyrhym3ztv85

    @dannyrhym3ztv85

    4 жыл бұрын

    I'm a new UK artist My producer sent me this video and it was really interesting and helpful ...Thankyou kzread.info/dash/bejne/p3WpzMR_dsy0oZs.html

  • @fulanodetal4148

    @fulanodetal4148

    4 жыл бұрын

    whats IVI?

  • @MusicCatElliott

    @MusicCatElliott

    3 жыл бұрын

    I couldn't agree more!! This really is brilliant information!

  • @ynfeli8987

    @ynfeli8987

    3 жыл бұрын

    Man what!!! This just opened my eyes sooo much , I was confused when a&rs or people asked me what’s my vision or identity but this clarifies it so much. Really helpful

  • @bobboitt3126
    @bobboitt31266 жыл бұрын

    Great advice. We get so wrapped up in creating music and practicing we forget these things.

  • @3Nardo

    @3Nardo

    3 жыл бұрын

    G the r be by BT ju kikuyu yuyyyttty

  • @ynfeli8987
    @ynfeli89873 жыл бұрын

    This just opened my eyes sooo much , I was confused when a&rs or people asked me what’s my vision or identity but this clarifies it so much. I feel every artist should watch this, it’s very helpful

  • @jusskaymormusic25
    @jusskaymormusic25 Жыл бұрын

    i am sold,i am sworn now that i will apply these phases in all that i do,i mean ,identity ,vision and intetion ,these must be considered every time i pick up the pen to write a song,and when i am planning an album or in his words "working on multiple albums" .the best way to build a brand

  • @TrevenantNights
    @TrevenantNights3 жыл бұрын

    the way taylor swift fits in the descriptions given wow her ivi is so good and clear

  • @bluj1994
    @bluj19945 жыл бұрын

    Thank you to everybody who helped make this video happen. This has helped me in not only music, but life. Peace and love 🎶

  • @dastraa8447
    @dastraa84472 жыл бұрын

    I love how this video is just a relaxed conversation between to nice people

  • Жыл бұрын

    This is such a lovely video, the man knows what he is talking about and most importantly he can really express himself. The woman is doing a very good job by staying silent and letting him talk and then asking very interesting and concrete questions.

  • @thepiyush909
    @thepiyush9096 жыл бұрын

    that was so good! just reminded me how much i love art and music :)

  • @oldunclemick
    @oldunclemick Жыл бұрын

    8:00 this is where I have so much respect for Robert Plant. I know I'm not much of a Zep fan so I'm not going to want to freeze him in time but he has been absolutely right to move forward with only a few nods to the past. Same with Jean-Michel Jarre; I've been a big fan since Oxygène was released but he was a forward-looking musician in 1976 and he's still a forward-looking musician in 2022.

  • @thirtyplusone1893
    @thirtyplusone18932 жыл бұрын

    It's so important for artists to think about who they are, what motivates and inspires you and what you want to contribute to the world and how

  • @MarkJ-vt9jq

    @MarkJ-vt9jq

    10 ай бұрын

    This right here hit 🎯

  • @rmp5s
    @rmp5s6 жыл бұрын

    This is amazing. Awesome info and great things to keep in mind for all of us musicians!

  • @StephenLewisful
    @StephenLewisful3 жыл бұрын

    Philosophy of what is expressed rather than paint by numbers. Thank you so much for this conversation.

  • @benp5528
    @benp55282 жыл бұрын

    These Berkeley online videos are always worth their digital weight in digital gold . Superb advice and different takes that get the brain rolling again and thinking of things in a different way . They’ve helped me get out of mental blocks more than a few times

  • @Nephibis
    @Nephibis3 жыл бұрын

    I really needed this. Thank you.

  • @ColinCayvzmusic1111
    @ColinCayvzmusic11115 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for these amazing, informative videos! I took a class w Steven and I loved it!

  • @russellheuman2824
    @russellheuman28242 жыл бұрын

    This advice is just incredibly important. Thank you !!!!!

  • @jcastra
    @jcastra6 жыл бұрын

    Who would give this a thumbs down? *SMH* Lots of good stuff to consider in this video.

  • @jacksonsmith9652
    @jacksonsmith96524 жыл бұрын

    Really refreshing perspective and insight!

  • @johnrobb850
    @johnrobb8502 жыл бұрын

    This is wonderful, sounds like such a healthy and practical way to pursue this. Thank you

  • @MinatoNamikaze23479
    @MinatoNamikaze234793 жыл бұрын

    This channel is Gold!!!

  • @JiveTAB
    @JiveTAB2 жыл бұрын

    It's really affirming to hear Stephen's three album advice, because I inadvertently dreamed up my first three albums as a big grouping, and I'm almost done making all three! As I write new material, I found myself gravitating toward doing a similar grouping of three albums again. It's been really helpful! And hearing him recommend this format helps me think that I'm not being crazy or "extra," haha

  • @reneesolana6697

    @reneesolana6697

    Жыл бұрын

    this is so cool! what were your three ideas?

  • @alena2736
    @alena27363 жыл бұрын

    Loved this!

  • @shawtchurchjr
    @shawtchurchjr6 жыл бұрын

    Seems like a genuine man.

  • @tristandutoit6678
    @tristandutoit66782 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this videos !!!! great advice here

  • @andreaszircher
    @andreaszircher Жыл бұрын

    Great input! Thanks!

  • @Marzbarz
    @Marzbarz Жыл бұрын

    Extremely helpful! One of the first things labels do is branding of an artist. Thank you for spreading this knowledge 🙏

  • @dead162
    @dead1622 жыл бұрын

    Bro i love this video alot of great insight and you definitely helped formulate my next steps in my career, thanks alot 💯

  • @joejoexm
    @joejoexm6 жыл бұрын

    wow,, this defiantly gave me a lot of good advice!

  • @RemarkMcLennan
    @RemarkMcLennan5 жыл бұрын

    Nicely broken down Stephen, thanks.

  • @maryfedotova4406
    @maryfedotova44062 жыл бұрын

    brilliant chat! thank you

  • @DerrimilkPE
    @DerrimilkPE6 жыл бұрын

    Some really good points!

  • @BAD1NFLUENSELB
    @BAD1NFLUENSELB2 жыл бұрын

    Need more of this awesome videos 👍🏼

  • @GoldenCobra222
    @GoldenCobra222 Жыл бұрын

    great talk! thanks!

  • @101DaExclusive
    @101DaExclusive4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this video!

  • @Berklee_Online

    @Berklee_Online

    4 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @LionsLambano
    @LionsLambano4 жыл бұрын

    Great insight!!!

  • @RajBeats
    @RajBeats2 жыл бұрын

    Great video & breakdown thank you

  • @bgimusic
    @bgimusic5 жыл бұрын

    amazing! thank-you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • @JimSnedekerMusic
    @JimSnedekerMusic4 жыл бұрын

    Very helpful. Planning takes work for sure. Thanks for helping us build a foundation.

  • @Berklee_Online

    @Berklee_Online

    4 жыл бұрын

    Happy to help!

  • @bboymac84
    @bboymac844 жыл бұрын

    Do what you love and it will show!

  • @reinhardtega
    @reinhardtega2 жыл бұрын

    Wow...thank you for this!

  • @diusvelikiy3286
    @diusvelikiy32862 жыл бұрын

    So useful for illustrators too!!! Happy that I saw it))

  • @dsinha99
    @dsinha993 жыл бұрын

    Who are you? What do you want to say? How are you going to say it? Perfect! Loved this

  • @jackmosssongs
    @jackmosssongs2 жыл бұрын

    Songwriter here - come by and visit! I started writing songs as a way to find myself and expressing my feelings and ideas. As the decades proceeded (had to work for a living), I developed a vision and concept for a rock band and wrote a novel about this called the Last Apocalyptic Blues Band. Spirituality without boundaries and moving beyond the current paradigm is the vision. Writing as a journey of self-realization and healing is important whether you're an average Joe or a professional - an authentic expression is one derived from an inner core experience.

  • @theothermilesdoodling6489
    @theothermilesdoodling64895 жыл бұрын

    Some very important points not many consider when starting their music career.

  • @savykane2323
    @savykane23234 жыл бұрын

    Very good & very important

  • @willbfreed
    @willbfreed2 жыл бұрын

    Great stuff!

  • @jimmoreal
    @jimmoreal9 күн бұрын

    lets make it happen

  • @FelOld
    @FelOld3 жыл бұрын

    He's awesome!

  • @joelstephenson8017
    @joelstephenson8017 Жыл бұрын

    What if you genuinely can't put your music into one genre? Like, you make lofi, you make folk, you make rock, you make EDM, you make hiphop. That's how I listen to music, and that's how I want to share my music. I can't imagine not playing all these genres, but at the same time, I think it's going to hurt my identity. Idk. My biggest problem is that I do music by story, not genre. If I'm making an angry song, I want it to sound like rock or something. If it's nostalgic, maybe some folk. If its happy and hype, EDM. Etc.

  • @Anw120

    @Anw120

    Жыл бұрын

    You could make an album for each genre. I hear you on the hurting your identity. Maybe you could tie all of them together with a signature "sound". But it seems alot of artists are creating music in varied genres these days.

  • @frankyq1757

    @frankyq1757

    Жыл бұрын

    Then I would think of something along the lines of the Gorillaz, or Linkin Park, where you focus your identity to an overall theme. Maybe the overall theme of the stories you want to tell. IE. Linkin Park was focused on emotional turmoil, Gorillaz focused on being "that cartoon band."

  • @annechrystelleetemengono1858

    @annechrystelleetemengono1858

    Жыл бұрын

    I think what you should do is trying all these differents genres but still infuse something that made ppl think like "yeah YOU are the one who made this song" even if the genre is different. For example, look what Doja Cat is doing rn. She's doing differents genres but still infuse her own identity on every song and we know everytime it's a Doja Cat song

  • @ZayPG_
    @ZayPG_ Жыл бұрын

    Great Content! 🙏🏾

  • @EyazMusic
    @EyazMusic5 жыл бұрын

    Amazing.

  • @adamkomusic
    @adamkomusic6 жыл бұрын

    wow very interesting! wise!

  • @ellenmcneill969
    @ellenmcneill9693 жыл бұрын

    Who is the woman interviewing?!? So curious!!

  • @hydrangeadragon
    @hydrangeadragon6 жыл бұрын

    great tips :)

  • @veganstevenmusic
    @veganstevenmusic4 жыл бұрын

    very helpful

  • @johnpucilla7157
    @johnpucilla71574 жыл бұрын

    Excellent advice. Thank you for sharing. Regards, songwriter, John Pucilla

  • @YariBeatsMedia
    @YariBeatsMedia2 жыл бұрын

    Planning within the rapid changes of these times aren't easy & the artist needs to be extra flexible.

  • @daneelcram6085
    @daneelcram60852 жыл бұрын

    Play the turntables, love it

  • @oldunclemick
    @oldunclemick Жыл бұрын

    Great video 👍

  • @salcasabianca
    @salcasabianca6 жыл бұрын

    Sounds good

  • @PeteBuchwald
    @PeteBuchwald3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Stephen and host (I didn't catch your name). This is interesting, and helpful. Pete, a Berklee Alumn.

  • @sanatani2864
    @sanatani28642 жыл бұрын

    how can any1 for anything dislike this??? i am amazed

  • @DDDDDDD34
    @DDDDDDD344 жыл бұрын

    Great interview

  • @Berklee_Online

    @Berklee_Online

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @johnkehe9082
    @johnkehe90824 жыл бұрын

    One goof here - Beatles fans DID NOT hate Sgt. Pepper's when it came out. The continued growth of the Fabs was gradual, very public, and Pepper was just a continuum on that arc. It was wildly popular instantly, not at all like Dylan going electric. Otherwise, a helpful and useful discussion.

  • @VISION-so3mo
    @VISION-so3mo3 жыл бұрын

    Direct and intact

  • @WaterTeam
    @WaterTeam2 жыл бұрын

    This channel is gold

  • @Berklee_Online

    @Berklee_Online

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @peoplevibration
    @peoplevibration4 жыл бұрын

    i enjoy being here i am people vibration

  • @ThomasJakobMusic
    @ThomasJakobMusic4 жыл бұрын

    He looks like the bigger, American version of Gary Barlow. Awesome video 💪🏽

  • @SANADAZIZIEH
    @SANADAZIZIEH Жыл бұрын

    That’s really something

  • @ovalmuttz7479
    @ovalmuttz74793 жыл бұрын

    greaaaat advice! now i'm going to write a word file about who i am xdd

  • @Alpha-Andromeda
    @Alpha-Andromeda4 жыл бұрын

    I don’t know who the young woman interviewing is, but she was top notch. Really top notch questions. Nice advice, we’ll take what is useful, leave the rest. Good food for thought. ✨

  • @Berklee_Online

    @Berklee_Online

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @floretfauna
    @floretfauna Жыл бұрын

    So inspired and so demoralised at the same time. mi vision goes as far as tomorrow :) hahahaha

  • @priscillawilliams2576
    @priscillawilliams25765 жыл бұрын

    I just enrolled in Berklee coursera class.

  • @HairGlitter

    @HairGlitter

    4 жыл бұрын

    How did it go?

  • @normapadro420
    @normapadro4202 жыл бұрын

    This is the reason that I did a lot of research on different types of music. I learned about noise music. All types of sounds are important. I wanted to create worlds with music. I wanted to create visions with sounds. This is what called me into music production.

  • @NeerajSharma-xo9hd

    @NeerajSharma-xo9hd

    Жыл бұрын

    and that's why your music is basically noise!

  • @christiedrahnak9059
    @christiedrahnak90593 жыл бұрын

    After watching I wanted to go hear the interviewers music...here is her band name Elisa Smith & The Tiny Little Lies.

  • @chrisnorman3421
    @chrisnorman34213 жыл бұрын

    Nobody’s gonna talk about the outro? That was soothing... who wrote that??

  • @michaeldanny6122
    @michaeldanny61225 жыл бұрын

    who's the interviewer? i'd like to check out her music. since she mentioned she worked with a producer before :)

  • @lewidreamsstudio5608
    @lewidreamsstudio5608 Жыл бұрын

    Very true! But as an Upcoming Artist itself not easy to do 3 Albums back to back ,takes alot of Money.. 😅 But yeah this is real hard core facts.

  • @nickpejic
    @nickpejic5 жыл бұрын

    Smashing pumpkins had a record with techno, country, ballads, and heavy metal. Love that band.

  • @casymichelle4581

    @casymichelle4581

    4 жыл бұрын

    woah what?! what record?! I'm so curious!!!

  • @bboymac84
    @bboymac846 жыл бұрын

    I spin records and spin on my head! Pretty unique😁

  • @TayyJayy
    @TayyJayy2 жыл бұрын

    I keep looking to sound like someone else who has more experience that me but the thing I realize is I have to be myself and put in my work not copy others

  • @acharich
    @acharich6 жыл бұрын

    Excellent points..! 💣 - @Acharich

  • @bernatmola6142
    @bernatmola61424 жыл бұрын

    YOU KNOW

  • @ZacharyAghaizu
    @ZacharyAghaizu6 жыл бұрын

    Nice insights. I would say I'm similar to- Pharrel williams, I'm similar to Kaytranada, because I DJ. My unique differentiator hmmmm... I am an animator/artist who's into motivational topics.

  • @06middleoftheroad87
    @06middleoftheroad872 жыл бұрын

    Vibe

  • @sebastianfmusic
    @sebastianfmusic2 жыл бұрын

    He said I play the turntables 🤣🤣🤣 great vid though

  • @chomppadub
    @chomppadub3 жыл бұрын

    is there a podcast on this topic? this was so helpful and i’d love to learn more about it

  • @Berklee_Online

    @Berklee_Online

    3 жыл бұрын

    While not on this topic, Berklee Online has a podcast called Music is My Life that you may like. You can listen to it here: berkonl.in/39DFhxy

  • @aceaguilar8360
    @aceaguilar83608 ай бұрын

    How can this apply when you are a Electronic Dance Music Producer? At least the part of your influencers?

  • @LushElectricExports
    @LushElectricExports2 жыл бұрын

    the idea of think of three albums was a good point just look at kanye first three makes sense

  • @Multi-Waves_Sketchbook
    @Multi-Waves_Sketchbook Жыл бұрын

    So uh... If anyone has an album with a country track a hip hop track a big band track etc I will be THERE

  • @ZacharyAghaizu
    @ZacharyAghaizu6 жыл бұрын

    My Genre is a fusion of Soul, Electronic, Hip hop, RnB & House

  • @yungpuerto9035

    @yungpuerto9035

    5 жыл бұрын

    Zachary Aghaizu so like Lo-fi trap?

  • @samlee2562
    @samlee25626 жыл бұрын

    I always thought many Beatles tracks were random experiments..!? they have songs which defy genre and still don't sound like anything else, like Eleanor Rigby or Because.. I'm all in favour of beautiful anomalies :)

  • @HairGlitter

    @HairGlitter

    4 жыл бұрын

    There is something to be said about that.

  • @andylandAMband
    @andylandAMband5 жыл бұрын

    Who is this host? I want to play her CDs

  • @bryanfein41
    @bryanfein414 жыл бұрын

    I actually thought they were interviewing Zach Galifianakis in the thumbnail. Got my click lol

  • @IndraBahiaMusic
    @IndraBahiaMusic3 жыл бұрын

    nice, thank you! vibrate those molecules :) what is the interviewers name? I couldn't find it anywhere. great job!

  • @Berklee_Online

    @Berklee_Online

    3 жыл бұрын

    Stephen Webber

  • @davidfreyre

    @davidfreyre

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Berklee_Online The interviewer's name? not the interviewee.

  • @Berklee_Online

    @Berklee_Online

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@davidfreyre Our apologies! Her name is Leah Waldo.

  • @IndraBahiaMusic

    @IndraBahiaMusic

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Berklee_Online awesome!

  • @Catthepunk
    @Catthepunk Жыл бұрын

    Problem with me is I barely listen to albums. I find songs I like, and it goes into my Spotify likes. Needless to say, it's all over the place genre wise.

  • @taylorb6374
    @taylorb63743 жыл бұрын

    I find myself in a few genres and I want to release loads of singles not albums. What advice would you give?

  • @FirstNameLastName-pg3pi

    @FirstNameLastName-pg3pi

    2 жыл бұрын

    i definitely think albums are incredible for artists and storytellers but if you're just going for hits then singles and ep's are best. get a good following, learn what they like, do a good bit of that but change it up a bit too

  • @jason.h
    @jason.h6 жыл бұрын

    he loves a bit of gaga

  • @lavendergilly5843

    @lavendergilly5843

    3 жыл бұрын

    I think he was using her as an example because she created a very specific vision with her outfits and music. Unique, crazy out there stuff, lgbtq+ community advocate, etc. I'm not a big gaga fan so I don't know a lot.