This comes from reading another batch of "X tips to [something to do with building your career as a musician]."

Every-time someone observes something along the lines of because there are now SO many artists and bands trying to get noticed it is so very hard to actually be the one that is noticed and does attract a fan base.

Which raises the very obvious question "What gets a listener to pay attention in the first place?" Even though all individuals are different, in larger trends I'm fairly sure it is NOT "musical quality/inspiration." Bluntly, it's mostly musicians (and a few superfans) who care about that in acts.

Is it where/under what circumstances music is "discovered?" Are there certain venues where it is more likely? (i.e. bars new music is ignored, community festivals it is the opposite?) Is it subconsciously about how well the artist image is a reflection of the listeners self-image? Etc. We know just how irrational human nature really is.

And finally, this lead to my question, are there already WELL KNOWN published articles where someone with say a psychology background or such has studied under what conditions artists do and don't get noticed, attract listeners, and convert listeners to fans?

Not merely anecdotal or reflective pieces, though I'd be curious to read those as well, but more rigorous studies?

(I'm concurrently trying to Google what I'm clever enough to think of...)

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