It always gave me the creeps when I saw performers who desperately wanted the audience to like them. That's not what I'm about.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I always felt, as a listener at a show, that when there was too much banter between the artist and the audience that it detracted from the show. I more enjoyed shows where the guys came out and they just played.
I used to be afraid of looking at the audience.
I try to make myself, and subsequently the audience, as uncomfortable as possible, whether it's completely desecrating a song they thought was one thing, or getting too drunk to really do a very good job.
Most actors want the audience to like them, and that leads to bad acting.
I think a big part of 'American Idol' that scares people and actually has, I'm sure, stopped people from trying out is the fact that you do have to do things that are necessarily not your genre.
Look at the darkest hit musicals - Cabaret, West Side Story, Carousel - they are exuberant experiences. They send you out of the theater filled with music.
My music was never considered cool, but I've always felt that connection with the audience.
The sheer force of the music calls for a wild audience reaction.
I've been told by a lot of people after concerts that they felt the show was just for them. And I try to make it that way.
I think, in music, you're always hoping that you'll have a like-minded audience and that the music you like making will appeal to them, too.