INDIE RESEARCH: Record Labels

Having looked at a few Indie Artists, I decided to look research further into them. 

Below are a list of Indie artists that I have chosen to research, and information about the record labels that each of them are signed to. 

Gabrielle Aplin

Gabrielle Aplins song 'Evaporate' (one of our shortlisted options) is a single on her album 'English Rain' which was released on 13 May 2013, and is part of Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company. 

Parlophone is a British record label, which originally developed its reputation in the 1920s as a leading jazz label. The label achieved placement of 7 singles at number 1 during 1964 and claimed top spot in the album chart for 40/52 weeks during that same year. 

Parlophone Records

The label also hold the likes of artists like Connor Maynard, Gabrielle Aplin, Kylie Minogue, David Guetta, Coldplay, Disciples, Gorillaz, Lily Allen, Tinie Tempah and many more. 

'English Rain' Album Cover

Chvrches

Churches single 'The Mother We Share' is a single on their album 'The Mother We Share' which was released on 01 January 2013 under exclusive license to Virgin Records Ltd.
Virgin Records is a British record label which was founded by entrepreneur Richard Branson in 1972. The company grew to a massive phenomenon with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Spice Girls and many others.

Virgin Record Ltd

Artists currently signed to Virgin Records include; Chvrches, Corinne Bailey Rae, Ella Eyre, Bastille, Avicii, Emeli Sande, Elton John, Iggy Azalea and many others. 

'The Mother We Share ' Album Cover

Pvris

Pvris' single 'Let Them In' is part of the album 'White Noise' (released on 31 October 2014) is a product of record label 'Rise Records'.

Rise Records

Rise Records is an American, Oregon, USA-based independent record label. Because it is an independent company, its music is distributed in the U.S. by 'Alternative Distribution Alliance' by their parent company Warner Music Group in many European countries like Germany and the UK. 

Rise's signed artists include the likes of Pvris, 7 second to Mars. Issues, Transit, Only Crime, Of Mice and Men and many others. 

'White Noise' Album Cover

Sia

'Free the animal' which is part of the album, '1000 Forms of Fear' by Sia is under exclusive license to RCA Records. 

RCA Records

RCA (Radio Cooperation of American) Records is an American group flagship recording label of Sony Music Entertainment (SME). It releases a range of music of various genres such as pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, Blues, and jazz and country. 

It is the second oldest recording company in the US history (after Columbia). While RCAs Canadian unit is Sonys oldest recording label in Canada. 

RCA's artists include; Becky G, Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, Chris Brown, Cristina Aguilera, Foxes, Fantasia, Hilary Duff, Jamie Foxx and many more. 

'1000 Forms of Fear' album cover

Choosing An Indie Song - Shortlist

Listening, Listening, Listening 

After shortlisting the artists we wanted to consider and look into, we went on to listen to almost a numerous amount of songs from each artist, in order to make an informed decision as a group.
Generally, when picking a song, we wanted something quite upbeat and not too slow. This would allow us to edit to the beat. We also wanted a song that helped us visualise the type of music video we wanted to create, which is an Abstract music video.

1. Gabrielle Aplin - Evaporate 

2. Chvrches - The Mother We Share 

3. Pvris - Let Them In 

4. Sia - Free The Animal

Overall. the songs we have shortlisted are all Indie songs that we believe will reflect our ideas and our music video as a whole. They are all quite upbeat with a range of beats and sounds used. These songs also allow us to do an abstract video without having to add a narrative to the video.

Although 'Birdy' was included in our research, we didnt shortlist any of her songs due to the fact that we found most of them quite slow and not upbeat at all, which was important to us.

Looking Further Into INDIE genre

Researching

Looking at some Indie Artists 

After doing some genre research, my group and I have decided that Indie is the genre we would like to look further into, as it allows us to make use of all the conventions and ideas we have and would like to put forward.

A few INDIE artists we've looked at:

1. Sia

Sia 

2. Pvris

Pvris 

3. Gabrielle Aplin

Gabrielle Aplin

4. Birdy

Birdy

5. Chvrches

Chvrches

Genre Research: Indie

Indie

1. Live Performance 

Indie artists tend to do a live performance for their music video. This puts them in focus and at the center, as they do what they love to do the most. Live performances also tend to show how natural the artists can be as they sing their own songs even when live, Therefore live performances often highlight the artists talents and abilities. 

A modern twist on live performance is now how a narrative is added in between the live performances, in order to add a twist and play around with the video. Making the video based around a story, also makes it memorable. 

2. Narrative 

Narratives are used to tell a story with an Indie genre music video. This is by using a sequence of images and videos that relate to the song. This helps the audience to understand the narrative and follow the story with the lyrics.
This leaves room for the imagination and creativity, which results in a memorable music video.
Due to new technology, Indie music videos can be made using special effects which can add to the storyline or make them more interesting.

High By The Beach - Lana Del Rey

Save Me Now — Toyboy & Robin from Delcan & Company on Vimeo.

This music video makes use of special effects which makes the video interesting to watch, Even though this isnt a narrative but more of an abstract video, it still incorporates the conventions of an Indie song.

3. Mise en Scene 

Mise en scene plays a vital role in the making of many music videos, and can also be symbolic. Indie artists have a retro look, which can be created through the sets, props and their overall appearance. 

The props change the look of the music video and provide meaning. 

E.g. Lana Del Reys song 'National Anthem' shows a performance video which entails a glamorous young woman who is pictured in a glamorous big house with expensive things. This suggests her status and position in society. 

Costumes allow us to follow the narrative of the video (if it has one) in order for us to know what era the video is set in. Costumes can also help us to identify with the artist, as what they wear, their make up, hair or style in general could be their signature look. 

E.g. Sia

Sia's blonde hair is her signature look which helps to identify her 

Indie music videos are known to be made on a low budget, with the main setting being studios, cities, parks and in even in a tunnel. These are places that can be easily accessed and can create a mysterious setting. 

Genre Research: Pop

Pop

Conventions of a Pop music video:

1. Link Between Lyrics & Visuals

"Shake it off, Shake it off!"
Taylor Swift - Shake it off

The following screenshots show how the lyrics of a pop song usually link to the visuals shown in the video. For example Taylor Swifts 'Shake It Off' shows a group of people moving to the beat of the song and literally 'shaking it off'. Also Miley Cyrus' 'Wrecking Ball' a section of the song says 'All I wanted was to break your walls' - while the visuals show a wall breaking down as she walks towards the camera, away from what is going on behind her.

"All I wanted was to break your walls..."
Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball

"Baby you're a firework..."
Katy Perry - Firework

2. Lots of bright colours, Make-up and props                                        

This is different to the 'Indie Rock' genre, which makes use of darker colours and lighting, make up and props. 

Rihanna - Only Girl In The World 

Rihannas 'Only Girl In The World' makes use of bright colours and even flowers, which contributes to the mood of the song, which is a dance pop. The mise-en-scene includes lots of make up, dancing and fashion accessories. Tints and filters have been added to boost the colours and perhaps photoshop has also been used, in order to improve the appearance of the artist.

Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)

Katy Perry's 'Last Friday Night' features a range of props and made use of a range of bright colours. This makes it more appealing to teenagers, and also makes it memorable for young people to remember. The music video is a narrative video which is centered around teenagers and the party life.