This article attempts to uncover the complex relationship between musical expression, artist discourse and personae, by focusing on the way virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai presents himself and his music in the media. I analyse video and print interviews that span the three decades of Vai's career to trace patterns and contradictions in his views on his music and artistry. This is not to assume intentionality, but rather to ask what sort of gap there is between how Vai sees himself and presents himself as a musician, and whether he sees music as self-expressive, or as involving a constructed persona.

中文翻译：

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'Freak Show Excess'：Steve Vai 和他在媒体上的自我介绍

本文试图揭示音乐表达、艺术家话语和角色之间的复杂关系，重点关注吉他演奏家 Steve Vai 在媒体中展示自己和他的音乐的方式。我分析了跨越 Vai 三十年职业生涯的视频和印刷采访，以追踪他对音乐和艺术观点的模式和矛盾。这不是假设有意性，而是要问在 Vai 如何看待自己和将自己呈现为音乐家，以及他是否将音乐视为自我表达或涉及构建的角色之间存在什么样的差距。