Sounds like a college paper title, yes? That's because I spent the last few hours on a history of discrimination paper that ended up revolving around music sites.
Any hue...
We've briefly touched upon Garth Brooks' days as Chris Gaines in the Shiny Random Thread, so I know a few of you are familiar with the subject. Now that Amanda Palmer & Jason Webley have taken on the identities of "Evelyn Evelyn" (See Evelyn Neville and Evelyn Neville), I'm wondering if this idea will catch on. (These are far from being the only available examples - yes, I'm aware) What do you think?
How do you feel about musicians taking on additional identities? It's an easy half-step from writing outside of personal experience. When you write, you almost have to separate yourself from it - isn't that how concept albums are formed? Yes, there's always something personal in them and often enough the concept has a physical element (the artist may take on a new hobby, get a tattoo, grow/cut their hair, or intentionally develop a habit or tick in order to relate to the character they are writing - they might even do something specific like getting very drunk or very tired or very hungry before heading to the studio to record each track), but it isn't generally translated into their stage show.
I want your thoughts. Specifically: What about when the alternate personality takes the stage? How do you feel about Amanda and Jason playing as Evelyn Evelyn's opening acts? How about when Tori Amos' "American Doll Posse" tour was opened first by a traditional opening act and then by one of the "dolls"? (Note: I saw Tori Amos as Pip from the second row, dead center. Very impressive. Fairly convincing. Still not sure I liked it, but I'm sure that I liked Pip more than I would have liked Izzy, Tori, or Santa... I doubt I'll ever suss out my feelings toward Clyde.)
Evelyn Evelyn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCPnTHXj8b0&feature=related
Tori Amos as Pip (poor audio): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8da8wluRrk&feature=related
