Indie Pop is a sub-genre and is influenced by both alternative rock and pop music. The term 'Indie' was originally used to describe a pop performer who were signed on independent labels, however, now it is a term used to describe music that is different and unique. Indie music often has more of a lighter, softer, up beat rhythm. Indie Pop usually crosses the pop genre and attracts many pop fans as well as indie fans which is why both genres sometimes come under the same charts.
The Indie Pop genre centers itself around being different, trendy and unique.
RESEARCH INTO CHOSEN MUSIC GENRE - INDIE POP
History of Indie Pop
The birth of indie pop can be traced back to the 'post-punk explosion'. In the mid to late 80's, indie pop was criticised for its associations with so called 'shambling'. The indie pop scene is now recognised as a pivotal moment for independent music in the UK. Indie pop continues to have a strong following and inspire musicians, not just in the UK, but around the world, with new bands, labels and clubs devoted to the sound.
Themes of Indie Pop
Many different special effects are used in Indie Pop music videos to create a sense of a visual surrealism. The Google definition of Surrealism is as follows:
"Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920's, and is best known for its visual artworks and writings. The aim was to 'resolve the previosuly contradictory conditions of dream reality'".
The use of surreal visuals are to present the lyrics within the song to the viewer, using surrealism, the meaning of the lyrics can be put across to the viewer so that they are able to gain a greater understanding of the lyrics' meaning.
What is Indie Pop?
Band Performances
Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
Start Point - 4:02
Foster the People - Houdini
Start Point - 0:54
Fun - We Are Young
Start Point - 0:56
Camera Shots and Angles
After watching many Indie Pop Music videos, it came to my attention that there are several camera shots and angles commonly featured in Indie Pop music videos. This inlcudes, extreme close ups, full length shots and crane shots. Pan shots and the use of Tilts are also commonly used when establishing the main location setting for the music video.
Lorde - Team
Start Point - 0:10
London Grammar - Nightcall
Start Point - 0:05
Ellie Goulding - Beating Heart
Start Point - 2:22
Marina and the Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot
Start Point - 0:14
The use of special effects in this Indie Pop music video make her seem as though she is a mechanical creature contradiciting the title 'I Am Not A Robot'. The use of special effects for the background of the stars in the night sky make the video seem more supernatural.
Lights - Drive My Soul
Start Point - 0:10
The use of special effects in this video are used to create the scene of a different planet. Like Marina and the Diamonds 'I Am Not A Robot', the special effects are also used to create a star lit night sky by which starts are shooting around the main artist.
The above music videos all show a range of different camera shots and angles. The camera shot that is most frequently used in music videos is the close up shot. This camera shot is a shot which is taken at close range to the main object that we want the audiences attention to be focused on, for example, the facial expression of the artist or the significance of a certain object. Close ups are featured a lot in music videos and this is explained through Andrew Goodwins theory. He explains that the record labels which the artists are assigned to tend to have certain demands. They often inlude the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist will have a visual style that recurs across their work.
Long shots and mid shots are also commonly used in music videos. Long shots are shots that show a scene in the music video from a distance, they are usually used to place focus on the are surrounding the main artist featuring in the music video. Long shots are similar to establishing shots, however, establishing shots are taken from a greater distance.
A mid shot is where the shot captures the artist from the waist upwards. This type shot is usually used to capture an interaction. The mid shot is usually used in music videos for scenes of action and are used so that the audiences attention is placed on the interaction.
Mid Shot
Long Shot
