[Last modified: October, 23 2024 12:04 PM]
After adjusting my research focus, I decided to investigate how artists mediate and navigate between their public persona and private lives in the digital age. As a Japanese and Chinese singer-songwriter who relocated to London, my position within this research is shaped by my dual role both as an artist and a researcher.
Working as a musician and being in the industry for over two years offered me first hand insights into the ways both I and other artists manage two sides of themselves. One of the challenges I encountered is the expectation to project a constant state of optimism and perfection, especially in online spaces. Regardless of personal challenges and often vulnerable creative process, there’s immense pressure to always appear enthusiastic when sharing and promoting music. This expectation can clash with the reality of the artistic journey, creating a disconnect between how artists truly feel and the personas they must maintain for their audiences.
In acknowledging my positionality, instead of addressing aspects like gender, race or age, a more appropriate aspect would be power dynamics. Music industry is unlike the corporate world in which people draw distinct lines between work and personal life. So much of aspects including music marketing, networking, meetings take place in private offline and online spaces in order to appear authentic. Therefore, by investigating from the point of view of a researcher, this introduces another later of complexity and nuance, which could lead to ethical concerns making my participants wonder – if I’m a friend, collaborator or ethnographer? The central theme I’m investigating already deals with the dilemma between online public persona and private authentic lives, therefore, I have to carefully acknowledge my roles, and not to further pressure for people into performing authenticity.
My insider perspective shapes my approach to the study, being familiar with the pressures and nuances of the music industry allows me to empathise with other artists. Another aspect I need to consider is the close proximity to the subject matter, which could lead to potential bias. Since I’m personally face the same pressures of public/private mediation, it’s important to remain reflexive and acknowledge how my own experiences might shape my perspective and analysis of the participants.
Some other ethical concerns in this research involve privacy issues, especially when discussing sensitive topics like emotional struggles, mental health, or private feelings that may contrast with peoples public personas. I have to ensure explicit consent from participants and protect their anonymity. Also, being both an artist and a researcher may introduce power imbalances, as there’s a blurring of roles, there could be confusions about my role at different moments, which I have to carefully acknowledge.