INDIE MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS

INDIE MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS

INDIE MUSIC

The term indie is used to describe a genre such as indie rock, indie pop or indie metal. Most independent music artists do not fall into a single, defined music style or genre and they usually create music that can be categorized into other genres. The word indie comes from the word independent because this style of music was originally owned by independent record labels. Indie music represents the independence within an individual. Uniqueness is embraced through the lyrics and visuals Some successful indie artists include Ellie Goulding, Bastille, Birdy, Florence and the machine and Lana Del Rey.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF INDIE MUSIC VIDEOS

INDIE MUSIC VIDEOSSETTING Indie music videos were originally quite low-budget. A lot of indie videos are set in studios or cities or places with beautiful scenery such as parks and beaches. Settings are usually kept quite simple so that the audience is more focused on the artist rather than on where the artist is.PERFORMANCE/NARRATIVEIt is very common for Indie videos to include the artist doing a live performance. This focus the audience on the main artist and it also gives the artist the opportunity to show that theyre good at what theyre doing and to show how much they love what they enjoy. Some indie artists prefer to film their music videos using a narrative or storyline instead of or along with a performance. This is to help the audience relate to the lyrics of the song and to help them connect with the visuals in the video. Creating videos using a narrative style is quite popular among indie artists as it holds the audiences attention better. CAMERAIt is really important for a indie video to include lots of close up and extreme close up shots. Close up shots of when the artist is performing helps to convey the artists emotion and it helps the audience to understand the artists strong passion or rawness or extreme feelings that are portrayed in the lyrics. Close up shots also play a role in advertising the artist as the audience are more likely to remember the artists face if there are lots of close up shots. Another common camera shot is a crane shot. A camera that is placed on a crane is used a lot in indie videos because live performances can be filmed at a lot of different angles that you wouldnt usually be able to reach just using a camera.SOUND MISE EN SCENEEDITINGA lot of indie music videos have a very retro feel to them. This retro look can be created through the sets, the props and the artists appearance itself. Make up and costumes can be either really subtle or very extravagant in indie music videos. This is so that the artist has a very distinctive identity and so that they stand out and will be remembered to the audience. Some props that are commonly used in music videos are music instruments such as guitars and microphones so that they can be used during performances. Sound is an important aspect in all music videos. In indie music videos it is especially important especially if the artist is doing a live performance. If the music video is filmed using a narrative, there may be some use of diegetic sounds whenever their isnt vocals. The artists vocals need to be amplified so that the audience can really hear and relate to the lyrics. A lot of indie music videos use editing to make the audience feel as if they are in the music video or to make them connect with their feelings. Very commonly, more sad songs have a video that includes lots of black and white. This gives the video a more melancholic feeling and it also gives the video a more retro edge. Cuts used in indie music videos usually relate a lot to the song. For example, if the song more more slow and emotional, the cuts will be slower.

Goodwins TheoryMusic videos demonstrates genre characteristicsThere is a relationship between lyrics and visualsThere is a relationship between music and visualsMusic video meets demands of the record label

Lana Del Rey National AnthemMusic Video Demonstrating Genre Characteristics

The most obvious way that this music video demonstrates indie genre characteristics is through the editing. In the beginning of this music video, the image is in black and white. A lot of indie music videos do this because the black and white colours provoke more emotion for the audience. This video also has a retro filter on it to make it look like the film has aged. This is because the narrative of the music video is set in the past and it is meant to portray past events. This creates realism for the audience and allows them to connect more with the artist. Another way that this music video demonstrates common indie genre characteristics is through the fact that the music video is performance and narrative based. The performance in the beginning of this video allows the artist to showcase their talent. The storyline is used in this music video to help the audience to relate to the lyrics of the music through the visuals.

Lana Del Rey National AnthemRelationship between music and visualsIn the beginning of the music video, when the artist is singing the camera focuses on the artist using close ups and extreme close ups to emphasize the fact that she is the solo artist. The relationship between the music and the visuals is also amplified by the pace of the cutting rhythm. When the music is slower, the cuts are slower, and when the music picks up pace, the cuts are faster. In some parts of the music video when the pace of the music is slower, slow motion is used. The use of slow motion allows the audience to take in and understand the narrative of the video.

Lana Del Rey National AnthemDemands of the record labelThis video is heavily edited. In the beginning of this video, it is black and white. This is a common convention in indie music videos as it gives them a more melancholic feel as well as a retro edge. This really helps to meet the demands and expectations of the label because it is important for indie music, along with indie music videos to be able to provoke the feelings of the audience. The demands of the record label are met because the artist represents a specific style throughout the music video. This whole video has a very retro feel and the artist portrays this through her 60s inspired hair, make up and outfits.

Lana Del Rey National AnthemRelationship between lyrics and visualsOverall the lyrics of the song have a have close relationship to the visuals as it is a very patriotic video and it reflects the real life events of what happened to president JFK in the 60s.

Some parts of the music video are illustrative, for example when the lyrics are kiss kiss she literally kisses the male actor.There is also a point in the video where the lyrics are wining and dining, drinking and driving. and at this point the lyrics are Illustrative as well.

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