Today's Journal:
Today we decided what song we wanted to do, we chose Bjork's "Oh so quiet". We also spent our whole double lesson making mood boards to show the main themes in our music video. We used origami flowers, birds and 3D-stars, this connotes the other cultural influences to our music video and the bohemian nature of the music video. We also decided on the bands name this links to the bohemian theme also, our band is now called "Anima" which is Latin for soul. We thought we would change the brief a bit more that our band will be far more serious about music. So they were deserving of a deep and meaningful name, we have not yet finished the mood board. But we will have tomorrow at our school's open morning, the pictures shall be on the blog of it on Monday.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Our Chosen Song..
Bjork
"Oh so quiet"
"Oh so quiet"
Shortlisted songs..
Stereophonics- Dakota
Stereophonics- Dakota (Acoustic)
At the moment we are still trying to choose between the acoustic and original version of the song. This is due to the fact we want our music video to connote a sense of youthfulness and to be relaxed with an artistic flow, this part will be shown through the camera work but we would still like it to match up with the music. The acoustic gives it a relaxed tone however our other idea for our music video is to be upbeat with fast editing. Which primarily does not match with the acoustic version, once we conclude the brief to our video we will be able to make this decision.
Bjork- It's Oh So Quiet
We do really prefer the idea of it being quirky, youthful and just overall artistic. We really want to use a range of intricate camera angles and shots and editing, we want the music to match this and Bjork's strange style really matches our brief. We want a female singer and the idea of a back-up band, but in the music video you primarily see the lead singer.
Stereophonics- Dakota (Acoustic)
At the moment we are still trying to choose between the acoustic and original version of the song. This is due to the fact we want our music video to connote a sense of youthfulness and to be relaxed with an artistic flow, this part will be shown through the camera work but we would still like it to match up with the music. The acoustic gives it a relaxed tone however our other idea for our music video is to be upbeat with fast editing. Which primarily does not match with the acoustic version, once we conclude the brief to our video we will be able to make this decision.
Bjork- It's Oh So Quiet
We do really prefer the idea of it being quirky, youthful and just overall artistic. We really want to use a range of intricate camera angles and shots and editing, we want the music to match this and Bjork's strange style really matches our brief. We want a female singer and the idea of a back-up band, but in the music video you primarily see the lead singer.
Muisc Video Breif..
Tonic:
You have been asked to devise and make a promotional music video for the new act 'Tonic'. As a new act the record label is keen that this first release appeal to a wide audience and establish an image that is both recognisably unique and appealing to their target audience. With this in mind, their release will be a cover version and will be used as a platform for future original releases. The record label is happy for this release to be any of the three songs listed below or another to which has been approved by the teacher and would like you to choose whichever on you can make a dynamic promo for, as the key thing is to get them exposed.
Rob(25), James(25) and Nick(23) are middle class lads from Portsmouth, Sussex. they started the band when they were in school and after performing in local pubs and clubs for a few years were sounded by a local producer and eventually signed to Rough Trade.
Sound: 'Funky pop with an indie undertone'
Music Ideology: 'It''s not nuclear physics, it should be fun!'
Influences: 'Supergrass, Blur, Pulp, Queen'
Likes: 'Gigging, jamming, music festivals, laughing, eating, drinking cider, mates
Dislikes: 'Frowning, people who take themselves too seriously, politics, dance music, musicians who mime, fakery.
We would like to keep most of the brief the same, however we would like to replace the lead singer with a woman. This is an unusual aspect that can make a band look perhaps stronger willed and can give it a quirky edge, due to the injected femininity in the music video. Our friend shall hopefully appear as the lead singer and the key focus is we want a girl to be relaxed yet be able to act well in front of the camera. We are still in discussion about the age group but we want to keep it early twenties.
We want it to have simplistic and quirky tricks within the music video such as inanimate objects talking, such as the "natural confectionery co." adverts were they make sweets talk. Also Garth Jennings "Coffee and TV" music video were the milk cartoon walks around. This is one of our intricate yet easy to do ideas, we want the video to be consumed of simplicities like this. Such as time lapsing is my main focus in the video to incorporate this in the most natural way. Mise-en-scene could be used as we like the idea of our lead singer changing outfits when the music is quiet, she is dressed naturally and as if she is at one with the earth. Then the music switches to a high beat and so her make-up and costumes are bright and eccentric. We have also thrown around ideas for locations and really like the idea of the quirky London scene, with crazy and unruly buskers on the street and London's hip street style (for e.g. fashion, music, dance and art). These are still only ideas and shall be updated as we have more discussions.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Adorno and Horkheimer- "Culture Industry" Theory
Adorno and Horkheimer-
Adorno and Horkheimer both argued the same theory that was centered around the "culture industry". That the industry were standardizing everything so that every platform of media had a standard that was stuck to, this left no room for individuality. That their is no spontaneity left within the media industry, when their is a certain standard and way expected from everyone who wants to succeed. They argued that everything had a formula they looked especially in to music and certain songs, as in the 1940's and 1950's blues and RnB songs were being copied if found successful, so that more people can join the band wagon and gain from this new success. Also that the song has to be commercial so that audiences will not forget it due to its catchy, simplistic and mainstream sound, that they were all used to by know. Adorno even compared the making of a song as a "mechanical" system.
Adorno and Horkheimer mentioned the "pseudo individuality" that they were making artists in to what they wanted and what would be commercially viable. Yet they would state their artists had some form of individuality, when in fact they were the same as many others in the mainstream music system. Thus meaning that everyone is practically the same, this can be shown in shows like the X Factor when looking at the history of the show all of the artists are similar, as they are following through with the same criteria on what mainstream artists personalities should be like. X Factor links in to their lock and key theory, which is an product that has been mass produced. In which the uniqueness can come from a few and slight changes to them. Finally overall their theory works within hegemony the idea that "mass culture" is diluting a "real culture" from being able to naturally come through.
Adorno and Horkheimer both argued the same theory that was centered around the "culture industry". That the industry were standardizing everything so that every platform of media had a standard that was stuck to, this left no room for individuality. That their is no spontaneity left within the media industry, when their is a certain standard and way expected from everyone who wants to succeed. They argued that everything had a formula they looked especially in to music and certain songs, as in the 1940's and 1950's blues and RnB songs were being copied if found successful, so that more people can join the band wagon and gain from this new success. Also that the song has to be commercial so that audiences will not forget it due to its catchy, simplistic and mainstream sound, that they were all used to by know. Adorno even compared the making of a song as a "mechanical" system.
Adorno and Horkheimer mentioned the "pseudo individuality" that they were making artists in to what they wanted and what would be commercially viable. Yet they would state their artists had some form of individuality, when in fact they were the same as many others in the mainstream music system. Thus meaning that everyone is practically the same, this can be shown in shows like the X Factor when looking at the history of the show all of the artists are similar, as they are following through with the same criteria on what mainstream artists personalities should be like. X Factor links in to their lock and key theory, which is an product that has been mass produced. In which the uniqueness can come from a few and slight changes to them. Finally overall their theory works within hegemony the idea that "mass culture" is diluting a "real culture" from being able to naturally come through.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Additional Questions:
One: Independent music:
This style of music derives from bands and artists working independently, away from the confinements of the larger record labels and doing things themselves. It focuses mainly on the meaning and structure of the instrumentals apposed to creating something catchy and commercialised.
Two: Why was the punk rock era seen as the birth of independent labels:
Punk was so unlike any other genre of music, it gave with it new art forms and ways of expressing yourself throughout fashion, personalities and music. Fundamentally it brought to the front how important it is to have individuality. It was also about anarchistic ideologies, this would have enabled this new music style to be independent and rebel against the norms of the music industry.
Three: In what ways is web 2.0 having the same effect on the music industry as independent labels did during the early punk era?
Anyone who is interested in music and deems themselves a singer/song writer can simply put a video of themselves up on the Internet. With websites such as YouTube enabling varying artists to be shown to a wide variety of audiences thus leading to a music career. It is just like the early independent music scene as it has the old ethos of doing it yourself. People do not need any one's help to post their own music online and websites giving them easy coverage free of charge, has another old ethos of helping each other out.
Four: Why would some bands choose to stay with an independent label rather than singing to a major?
Some bands may fear that major record labels may wish to make big changes to the groups dynamics. For example getting rid of someone in the band or changing their image or manipulating their lyrics. Some bands may deem a major label too heavy handed and patronising and just prefer to stay as they are and the best way to do that is with an independent label. As they won't change the band at all and will give them time to come up with their own image and lyrics. Also they may get far more equal pay rights with a minor label than with a major label.
Five: Find the definition of Hegemony how can this be applied to the independent vs. major war?
Hegemony means leadership and predominance and the expansion made by larger nations towards smaller nations to create world domination. This can be applied as the major labels buy out minor labels all of the time so that they can get far more and better artists. Majors introducing vertical integration prove this theory of trying to have it all, by them trying to make better independent labels than the original minors.
Six: Define the terms Capitalism and Commodity. Apply the terms within a description of the Rough Trade documentary:
Capitalism means an economic system in which productions are privately owned and for profit, usually in competitive markets.
Commodity means something of use, an advantage or value it can be turned in to a commercial product.
Rough Trade the documentary focuses on the independent music scene being vastly against the major record labels. Who use capitalistic ideologies to make an artist viable and successful, by making them appear in multiple media platforms. They use artists as if they are in a vast commodity and that more shall appear all of the time. This is shown in the documentary when the major's jump in to every music scene constantly, from the quick pounce on the late 80's rave scene and when they focused a lot on indie artists.
Seven: Describe five differences between major and independent record labels:
One. Majors care too much about profit and money whereas minors do not.
Two. Majors will only back music that is marketable and will sell, minors will back any artist no matter how obscure their musical tastes are.
Three. Minors do not venture too much in to band merchandise and coverage, majors love branding their artists and getting out as much stuff with their name on it.
Four. Majors like to build up an empire of various other companies so they can catch any new music trend, whereas minors are predominately one company.
Five. Their are definite capitalistic views amongst the majors that leek in to their ethos, however the minors are communist and activist and their ethos are full of these ideas.
This style of music derives from bands and artists working independently, away from the confinements of the larger record labels and doing things themselves. It focuses mainly on the meaning and structure of the instrumentals apposed to creating something catchy and commercialised.
Two: Why was the punk rock era seen as the birth of independent labels:
Punk was so unlike any other genre of music, it gave with it new art forms and ways of expressing yourself throughout fashion, personalities and music. Fundamentally it brought to the front how important it is to have individuality. It was also about anarchistic ideologies, this would have enabled this new music style to be independent and rebel against the norms of the music industry.
Three: In what ways is web 2.0 having the same effect on the music industry as independent labels did during the early punk era?
Anyone who is interested in music and deems themselves a singer/song writer can simply put a video of themselves up on the Internet. With websites such as YouTube enabling varying artists to be shown to a wide variety of audiences thus leading to a music career. It is just like the early independent music scene as it has the old ethos of doing it yourself. People do not need any one's help to post their own music online and websites giving them easy coverage free of charge, has another old ethos of helping each other out.
Four: Why would some bands choose to stay with an independent label rather than singing to a major?
Some bands may fear that major record labels may wish to make big changes to the groups dynamics. For example getting rid of someone in the band or changing their image or manipulating their lyrics. Some bands may deem a major label too heavy handed and patronising and just prefer to stay as they are and the best way to do that is with an independent label. As they won't change the band at all and will give them time to come up with their own image and lyrics. Also they may get far more equal pay rights with a minor label than with a major label.
Five: Find the definition of Hegemony how can this be applied to the independent vs. major war?
Hegemony means leadership and predominance and the expansion made by larger nations towards smaller nations to create world domination. This can be applied as the major labels buy out minor labels all of the time so that they can get far more and better artists. Majors introducing vertical integration prove this theory of trying to have it all, by them trying to make better independent labels than the original minors.
Six: Define the terms Capitalism and Commodity. Apply the terms within a description of the Rough Trade documentary:
Capitalism means an economic system in which productions are privately owned and for profit, usually in competitive markets.
Commodity means something of use, an advantage or value it can be turned in to a commercial product.
Rough Trade the documentary focuses on the independent music scene being vastly against the major record labels. Who use capitalistic ideologies to make an artist viable and successful, by making them appear in multiple media platforms. They use artists as if they are in a vast commodity and that more shall appear all of the time. This is shown in the documentary when the major's jump in to every music scene constantly, from the quick pounce on the late 80's rave scene and when they focused a lot on indie artists.
Seven: Describe five differences between major and independent record labels:
One. Majors care too much about profit and money whereas minors do not.
Two. Majors will only back music that is marketable and will sell, minors will back any artist no matter how obscure their musical tastes are.
Three. Minors do not venture too much in to band merchandise and coverage, majors love branding their artists and getting out as much stuff with their name on it.
Four. Majors like to build up an empire of various other companies so they can catch any new music trend, whereas minors are predominately one company.
Five. Their are definite capitalistic views amongst the majors that leek in to their ethos, however the minors are communist and activist and their ethos are full of these ideas.
Major Vs. Minor
The Sony corporation is a huge institution that uses vertical integration which means they can have many other companies from different media platforms, stemming from their name.
One: Which subsidiary labels do Sony BMG own?
-Arista Records & Nashville
-BNA Records
-Columbia Records
-jRecords
-Epic Records
-Jive Records
-Masterworks
-Sony Music Latin
-Legacy Recordings
-Provident Label Group
-Columbia Nashville
-RCA Records
-RCA Records Nashville
-Verity Records
-Roc Nation
-American Recordings
-Battery Records
-Beach Street Records
-Day 1
-Essential Records
-Flicker Records
-LaFace Records
-Polo Grounds
-RCA Red Seal
-RCA Victor
-Sony Classical
-Star Time International
-Verity Gospel Music Group
-Volcano Entertainment
Their are other labels that were previously apart of Sony BMG but for various different reasons are not anymore, these are:
-Def Jam Recordings (1985–1993) (now part of Universal Music Group under The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group)
-Loud Records (1999–2002) (now part of Universal Music Group under SRC Records)
-Chaos Recordings (1993–1995)
-The Work Group (1995–2000)
-Date Records
-Alaska Music Publishing
Two: How are Sony vertically integrated (how do they profit from the different stages of music production, distribution and consumption)?
Sony have their own production companies and distribution centres set around the world. So they do not own another company any money, they are just putting more in to their own company. They are also able to supply audiences with different media platforms to consume their music from. For example Sony makes laptops, mobile phones, televisions and MP4's, audiences can avidly consume Sony's music through all of these.
Three: How do Sony profit from media convergence at the level of the media product (for example, a film soundtrack or music in a video game)?
From media convergence Sony is able to get a wider coverage of audiences, also their artists songs will be heard multiple times due to the advertising coverage. Another example a song attached to a film will be played a lot and will forever be connected to that film, thus meaning played in film music charts and can artists can win awards for their songs being featured in a film. Overall the profit is huge as they are supplying to everyone, plus their is not purely enough money in music media convergence means more money and good links to other media platforms.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)