"It seems like if you are not painted up special way or have some tailor made outfit to put on to go out on stage... I don't know... there's too much of it out there"
- Phil Anselmo
About this Quote
Phil Anselmo's quote addresses the developing nature of performance aesthetic appeals in the music industry, emphasizing the stress in between credibility and theatricality. In stating, "It seems like if you are not painted up an unique method or have some custom-made clothing to put on to go out on stage," Anselmo highlights a growing trend where visual discussion sometimes eclipses musical skill. The images of being "painted up" or using a "custom-made attire" suggests a level of artifice or contrived persona that artists might feel forced to embrace in order to stand out in a crowded field.
Anselmo, known for his function in Pantera and his raw, genuine technique to music, appears to express concern that authentic musicianship and the psychological connection with the audience are being compromised by this emphasis on image and phenomenon. His words echo a sentiment shared by lots of artists who feel that the industry's focus has moved towards visual branding instead of the artistry itself. The remark "I don't understand ... there's excessive of it out there" suggests a sense of disillusionment or weariness with the repeated nature of this pattern, recommending that it has ended up being pervasive to the point of saturation.
The quote may likewise show wider cultural characteristics where the line between substance and look is increasingly blurred, affecting not just music but other forms of home entertainment also. Anselmo's critique can be viewed as a call for a return to credibility in efficiency, where the focus is on raw talent and the music itself rather than on fancy costumes or remarkable presentations. His point of view welcomes a reflection on what truly makes an artist resonate with their audience and serves as a pointer of the power and importance of genuineness and stability in art.
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