Analysing 3 Indie Pop Genre Artists/Band And Their Videos:

THE KILLERS

 

The band, the killers were formed in 2001 in America. However, they did not come into the British eye until summer of 2004, with their outstanding hit 'somebody told me'. After touring with not as well-known bands, they established a name for themselves when their first debut album came out entitled 'Hot Fuss'. This took them from practically unknown and unrecognisable artists to award winning artist basically overnight due to the media coverage surrounding them and then attention drawn towards them.

The band has produced a various range of music even an album stated 'Live from the Royal Albert Hall', which was released in 2009.

The killers took a break out from the industry of music to make a resounding comeback in 2012 with their fourth studio album called 'Battle Born'

Overall, the band has sold an incredible 6 million albums alone in the united stated, combined with their success of 5 million albums sold in the UK. Therefore, adding to their overall success of 15millions albums worldwide.

 

 

'Mr Brightside'



 

 

Firstly, there is an establishing shot of the mise-en-scene, being the location of where the music video is set. The mise-en-scene is portrayed to be quirky and original from anything else, which is a well-known factor of the indie genre. There are seen to be large objects presented that have no real relevance to what is placed behind them. Therefore, this adds to the individuality of the piece.




 

 

The next jump cut moves to an establishing shot of the characters/people used within the music promo video. In stereotypical indie pop genre music videos there is always an excessive amount of people of all variations situated around the character therefore, this video fits in perfectly with what is expected.

 

 

This shot on the left, is a close up of the main singers face. This is used to show the facial expressions/emotions trying to be portrayed to match the tone of the song.

 

The next shot on the right, relates to Andrew Goodwin's theory of the lryics relating to the visuals represented within the song. This is due to the main singer putting his hands towards his mouth represent smoking in time with the lryics when they say 'while he's having a smoke and she's taking a drag'

 

 The next long shot used shows a sense of abstract art and an urban feel to the pop promo video. This is down to the imaginative and out there clothing that could almost be replica to the creatures and people the characters are trying to portray.

The next shot is a long shot of the urban characters in a sense portraying a funny side to the promo video, due to the nature of their mannerisms e.g. showing their bums.

 

The next extreme close up shot could be linked to the Laura Mulvey Theory of the 'Male Gaze Theory'. This is that females are only viewed from a male gaze and are only looked upon in a 'sexual way' with no other purpose in the music industry.

 

 

KAISER CHIEFS

 

 

This band consists of five indie pop kids that formed together in Leeds in 1996. The band’s name is originally inspired from the South African football team, Kaiser Chiefs. The band went from having nothing and financing their own first single to then two years later completely turning things around by getting signed by the incredible Universal which led them to become the future and focus of the British music press. They are renowned for their unique contrast on their lyrics, and the infectious chemistry they have with one and another. They are generally classed as five jack the lads having a good time, which makes them so appealing to their intended genre.

The band’s first major breakthrough was in 2005, was there involvement in the NME Awards Tour, at the beginning of the year.

 



 

 

 

Firstly, the establishing shot shows the mise-en-scene, being the location, to be deserted and isolated from life formations and any other form of life. Therefore, due to the nature of indie pop promo videos being individual and different from anything else, this idea certainly plays on the stereotypical assumption.

 

 

The next shot is shows the band placed in the mise-en-scene, due to the nature of the shot being the scene just focussed on the band with no storyline or other action taking place, it focuses on the band and promotes and advertises them as a well-known and established group.

 

The next shot situated on the right is a close up shot of a band member playing a certain section of the song. The reason for the camera shot to be focussed in on the guitar is due to show off and broadcast the individual band member and the skills they attain and what significance they have to the overall band.

The next high angled shot to the right, is also used to focus in on the right timing and skills portrayed by each individual artist and there overall contribution to the band.

 

Both of the above shots gave  myself an inspiration for my music promo video due, to the task set was to give of the idea of being in 'sync' with the lyrics and to show off the artists within the band. Therefore, by using close up/extreme close ups this idea would fit in perfectly with the image i am trying to portray of an indie pop group and the track and performance they would perform. 

 

THE SCRIPT

 

 

The script are known as the cheeky Irish trio that consist of the main artisit of the band, being the lead singer 'Danny', and his two band mates being Mark on the guitar, and Glen on the drums. The band bring a whole new Celtic soul, which blends hip hop and lyrical to pop, with a hint of RnB style melodys. The band released their enormous album in August 2008, which contained some of the bands most memorable tracks such as the 'The Man Who Cant Be Moved' and 'Breakeven' in which the album went straight to number one in Ireland and the UK. The band are known for their sell out gigs, in which lead to there massive sucsess. Their latest album '#3' went straight to number 2 in the charts in the first week of its release.