On the surface, the goofy 90s movie about aliens, “Coneheads,” and the talented 90s singer Jeff Buckley don’t appear to have much in common.

But when I watched “Coneheads” and saw the documentary “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” recently, I found a common thread.

Here’s what I mean:

The movie “Coneheads” follows aliens Beldar and Prymaat who crashland on Earth. Their chances of rescue are slim, so they assimilate and raise their Earth-born daughter Connie while eating piles of  processed foods. Aliens: they’re just like us!

The Coneheads’ awkward and earnest efforts of assimilation is the schtick. Neighbors and friends appreciate and love them for their unique skills and abilities.  Few seemed to notice or mind the cone-shaped heads.

Part of what makes the family so likeable is their literal way of looking at things. Eating was “Consume mass quantities,” for example.

The documentary “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” shares the life story of the musician, an incredible artistic talent perhaps most well known today for his version of “Hallelujiah.”  I knew almost nothing about him when I walked into the theater.

I loved the way he gave media interviews. You could tell he was never trying to be anything other than himself. Like the Coneheads, he gave deadpan answers. Unlike the Conheads, he had a little twinkle in his eye. His father Tim was a folk musician who abandoned his wife and son before dying young of a drug overdose. Being asked about his dad was the younger Buckley’s least favorite subject.

Asked what his father gave to him, Jeff Buckley responded something like “People who remember my father. Next question.”

He redirected without coming across as rude or combative. (The dream!) In doing so, he exerted control over how his story was told while he forged ahead creating own artistic identity.

Sincerity is the common thread between these otherwise unrelated 90s throwbacks. Maybe that and the fact Buckley’s vocals were otherworldly.

I work with clients to prepare them for media interviews and public events. This 90s nostalgia reminded me to never coach the ‘you’ out of you. Too much polish will make what’s really special disintegrate. You’ll sound just like everyone else.

That’s boring. Let’s never be boring.

Until next time,

Juliana

Jeff Buckley image credit: Jeff Buckley” by richoz, licensed under CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons).