Profile Project

Scene 1: Embracing Authenticity in Music

The dim glow of stage lights flickered overhead as I sat across from Lee Jennings in the backstage lounge of The Masquerade. A faint hum of conversation and distant bass vibrations seeped through the walls, a constant reminder that beyond this quiet moment, an electrified crowd was waiting. Lee, dressed in a theatrical, dark ensemble with smudged eyeliner, leaned back in his chair, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. His posture was relaxed, but his energy was undeniable. Every movement, from the way he tapped his fingers on the table to the way he adjusted the rings on his fingers, seemed charged with a performer’s instinct.

"You know, the moment we stopped trying to fit into a box was the moment things started working for us," he said. "We used to stress over whether our music fit this genre or that, but the truth is—we just needed to be ourselves."

This philosophy, as supported by Uğur Güven's analysis, emphasizes the endurance of musicians who stay true to their core identity even while evolving. Güven notes that "musicians who successfully evolve their sound without losing their core identity are the ones who endure the test of time" (500). Lee's decision to embrace theatrical rock was not a gimmick, but a deliberate choice to reflect who they were. Like My Chemical Romance—who revolutionized the emo and alternative rock scene through theatricality and storytelling—The Funeral Portrait began crafting shows as immersive experiences, rejecting the idea of simply performing a setlist.

"Was there ever a time you doubted that shift?" I asked.

Lee's eyes narrowed slightly. "Absolutely. There was one tour where we toned it down—tried to play it safe. We thought maybe the theatrics were too much. But the response was flat. It just didn’t feel like us. After that, we decided: no more half-measures. Go big or don’t go at all."

When they finally leaned into full theatricality—with elaborate outfits and gothic opera-style staging—Lee described it as "the most freeing experience ever." The authenticity they projected sparked fan engagement in ways they hadn’t seen before. Rick Everts' research aligns with this, noting that artists who foster "an active, evolving connection with their audience... are more likely to sustain their careers" (670). That emotional bond is what Lee and his band were finally tapping into.

Scene 2: Overcoming Challenges in the Music Industry

The sound of an out-of-tune bass echoed through the nearly empty recording studio. It was early 2020, and Lee Jennings and his bandmates sat hunched over their laptops, frustration etched into their faces. COVID-19 had shut down in-person sessions, and now they relied on Zoom calls and cloud-based software to finish their long-anticipated album.

Lee exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "This is not how I imagined making this record," he muttered, watching a lagging video feed of his guitarist.

"We just have to adapt, man," the drummer said through a slightly distorted mic.

Despite the exhaustion, Lee nodded. Adaptation became their mantra. Their label, Better Noise, still expected results, and the band felt the pressure. Lee told me, "If we care—if we put our hearts in it—they will. Music is connection, and connection doesn’t stop just because the world hits pause."

Through digital collaboration and sheer persistence, they completed the record. It was a testament to resilience. As Everts discusses, musicians who maintain visibility and evolve with their audience—whether through livestreams, digital releases, or social media—can extend their relevance and deepen loyalty. The Funeral Portrait’s journey mirrored that: moving from in-person energy to virtual commitment without sacrificing identity.

In hindsight, Lee reflected on it as "the hardest thing we’ve ever done," yet also the most transformative. They emerged stronger, more cohesive, and perhaps more grateful for the very connections they once took for granted.

Their story illustrates what scholars like Güven and Everts argue: that longevity in music requires both rooted authenticity and ongoing adaptation. Lee Jennings and The Funeral Portrait have lived both sides of that truth—and turned it into something unforgettable.