work. However, this isn’t to say that they can’t learn to become much better at pre-selling their releases visually.
But, as an artist, perhaps, your argument is that your music is, primarily, based on the “sonic” aspect…that it will mainly be “heard” and not “seen.”
This is, in part, true but also consider that, generally, before your music is HEARD, it is first SEEN (unless you are sending ‘plain vanilla’ promotion singles to radio or handing them out at will to friends, associates, etc.). And, here is how:
Radio:
Due to added expense, most independent labels forego manufacturing ‘singles’ and, thus, usually send their complete retail releases out as promotion copies to the media. Hence, the radio music directors and program directors will SEE your release before they open your case to HEAR your music.
And, as the MD/PD takes your CD out of its package, does it, *POW!*, hit him with a bang visually, and immediately instill deeper interest *BEFORE* he hears your music?
Or does your, possibly, average to boring cover instill a blasé feeling that causes the MD/PD to presume that your music is, yet, another below average release, and is a further waste of his valuable time without giving it, at least, a listen?
* Press
The same thing applies to press music editors, reviewers and calendar editors as with radio personnel. Will the press personnel see a boring, posing cover and get that “Geez, here we go again” feeling, or will they assume that your lackadaisical cover will be accompanied by even more boring content, such as your bio, press release, fact sheet, etc.?
* Retail Consumers
While many potential retail consumers will, indeed, “hear” your music first (on radio or in