Should I wear a Utilikilt as a 'rep'?

[mugman]

I've just completed a new CD which I intend to market to local outlets, as it is essentially music with a local flavour.
I shall be sending a number of sample CDs with info to chosen outlets. Question: Should I do follow-up calls in my Utilikilt, and come across as a more memorable image, or turn up in one of my rep-like 1980's suits and a tie?
I want to make a first impression of being a creative, forward looking guy (which I am), selling his own product, but don't want to come across as an aging 'hippy', as I won't see 60 again.
Should I be growing old (if you can call 61 old ) gracefully, or should I portray a more lively and adventurous younger attitude wearing a denim Utilikilt?
Answers on a postcard....

[Heavy Duty]

Hi
Suit & tie, every time if you are selling.

Heavy duty

[JRMILLER]

I would go with a suit coat, bow tie and a kilt. Would make an impression and frankly, in the music biz, people "expect" us to be a little odd.

[mugman]

Heavy Duty - sounds like you speak from experience, being so emphatic on recommending the suit image. Pity, 'cos I hate suits. Loath them. But if that's what it takes to gain trust....

John - if a kilt, I don't want it to be tartan as it will confuse the client, and confound my selling pitch. I can see me coming out having used up his/her valuable time explaining the tartan, but with the main issue of business unsettled. It would have to be neutral blue denim...oh, I have got a plain black one. Maybe that will do. I could do with a plain black jacket though to go with it. A trip to Marks & Spencers maybe.
You do have a point about some musicians being oddball characters...I must confess I probably fall into that category , so why try and fight it?

[crfriend]

[... I]f a kilt, I don't want it to be tartan as it will confuse the client, and confound my selling pitch. I can see me coming out having used up his/her valuable time explaining the tartan, but with the main issue of business unsettled. It would have to be neutral blue denim...oh, I have got a plain black one. Maybe that will do. I could do with a plain black jacket though to go with it.

Cessna152towser posted a picture of him in an ourstanding-looking jacket/black kilt rig a while ago -- a very professional-looking outfit. It's probably in the "Pics and Looks" forum someplace.

A black jacket with a black kilt should work just fine so long as it's "accessorised" (I need to get over my apprehension about that word) properly.

[Since1982]

I heartily disagree with wearing a suit for anything. PLEASE lets not regress to the "Penguin" look.

[AMM]

I've just completed a new CD which I intend to market to local outlets, as it is essentially music with a local flavour.
I shall be sending a number of sample CDs with info to chosen outlets. Question: Should I do follow-up calls in my Utilikilt, and come across as a more memorable image, or turn up in one of my rep-like 1980's suits and a tie?...

I gather you are promoting your own music. Since you (or your musical persona) are part of what they are buying, you want to dress in a style consistent with your music. If you're doing Frank Sinatra songs, you should, indeed, wear a suit-and-tie ("penguin suit".) If you're doing folk songs collected from old Yorkshire shepherds, you would need to wear something different.

How do you dress when you perform? What style of music is it?

[mugman]

Much as I am a fan of Ol' Blue Eyes, my music is light orchestral/light classical - but - produced digitally (ie, I don't play a bank of real strads). I'm a keyboardist.
But the way I see it is that the client will have already made his/her mind up on the music before I put in an appearance. If he/she isn't interested I won't even be there to follow up anyway. I can't see that a guy turning up in a Utilikilt will necessarily change their mind. Maybe it's the 'gimmick' I need to make a mark as I'm still an unknown artist. The kilted keyboardist.
I think I've answered my own question. Thanks for all your comments.

[Uncle Al]

The kilted keyboardist.

Best title I've ever heard! I like it

I haven't done any gigs in a kilt yet. Most are at formal
( That's Tux or Suit ) events. Then, it's my keyboard or
at a 2-3 manual console. Kilts and an organ bench don't
get along to well together after a 60-90 minute performance.

( Sticky is putting it mildly )

Uncle Al
Duncanville, TX

[cessna152towser]

I'd go along with what AMM said. If selling Frank Sinatra/Perry Como sort of music, penguin suit and tie, for folk or rock music definitely the utilikilt.

[imadube]

From my discussion with Utilikilts Sales Manager - they would rather NOT have any one marketing for them.
Just something to keep in mind.

[mugman]

From my discussion with Utilikilts Sales Manager - they would rather NOT have any one marketing for them.
Just something to keep in mind.

Thanks for the info. I wouldn't even dream of marketing Utilikilts on their behalf. I shall be promoting myself - not a kilt I happen to wearing at the time .

[imadube]

"Should I do follow-up calls in my Utilikilt"
I guess I missed that as Not an actual Utilikilt -

However, I once thought of getting one myself, but found the arogance of the staff to be a real put off. I can't stand pushy or arogant people.

[mugman]

A bit of confusion creeping in I think.
I have a Utilikilt (the real thing) which I wouldn't mind wearing when I confront possible buyers. The fact it's a Utilikilt would be neither here nor there, but I prefer it to my others for this particular exercise as it's more modern.
Maybe it's a duff idea and I should play it straight. But I find playing things straight and 'safe' all the time boring. If the venture bombs with clients because I don't come across as being a professional musician (but I don't see why it should - look what Elton got away with), it's not the end of the world, and my career won't be in ruins, as it was never there to start with. My music is more a hobby than a stab at making a living from it.
The more I think about it, the more this appears to be situation where a modern kilt might lend some colour to my 'product'.

[Uncle Al]

All musicians are a bit qwirky anyway, so
Go for it!


Uncle Al
Duncanville, TX

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