R & P post 10: Album covers that have inspired and influenced my ideas

After having done some research I have realized that generally, album cover can be group together in a number of ways. Firstly, I learnt that covers in the rock genre, tend to be edgier, more layered and more conceptual. There are several examples of this:

Secondly, I also noticed that the main convention of a debut album is that the band is normally depicted on the cover. The most important reason for this is to be able to sell the band as a brand and help the audience identify with the members.

These genre specific covers have inspired me immensely, but I felt that I needed to do some broader research in order to fully understand the conventions and techniques of a good cover. It was for this reason that I made a photo page of my favorite albums from across a range of different genres and eras.

My Photo Page

Through all of this research I feel as though I much better understand the role of a cover and how they can be designed well. Below I have chosen my three most influential album cover and I have explained why they have made such an impact on my ideas.

1 - The Ramones - The Ramones

I love this album cover for its simplicity and the effectiveness of how it represents the band. Every little detail in this cover has been considered, even the order in which they are standing. I like how the cover clearly presents all of the band members and through the use of black and white, manages to create a strong brand and identity for the band.

2 - The White Stripes - Elephant

There are many reasons, for why I like this album cover and they are very different for the reasons I like The Ramones cover. Firstly, I find the magnitude of layers and the complexed nature very inspirational. I am interested in the way they have managed to develop the various different meanings of the image. The image initially seems fairly simple, but as you look closer you see the less obvious, but more impactful,  representations. One example of this is the string attached to the women's foot. At first it is quite hard to notice, but this suggests strong connotations of being trapped or attached. This meaning is then made more significant when you see the skull just behind her. I really like this textured approach to a cover photo and I think the image coding is very unique. It is for these reason that I would like to adapt this approach for my album cover.

3 - Nirvana - Nevermind

Nevermind by Nirvana is arguably the most iconic album cover in the rock genre; for this reason I have decided to decode the connations and use it as inspiration for my own project. The use of a baby is juxtaposed by the greed for money that is suggested, and therefore eludes to a bigger issue in society. By targeting the natural instinct of humans to be greedy, the branding of the band is immediately strengthened and it is for this reason that the band are seen as counter-culture and anti-establishment. I am inspired by the power of this image and its ability to create a strong brand for the band, without using their faces, especially as this was their debut album. 

R&P Post 9: Music videos that have inspired and influenced my ideas.

There are many music videos that have inspired my ideas. I have looked at countless videos from within the rock genre and below are the main few that I have drawn the most inspiration from.

Buddy Holly - Weezer

The Beatles; the look
Weezer are mimicking.

This video uses intertextual references from 'Happy Days' and it depicts Weezer dressed up as a typical American teenage boy band, which is juxtaposed with the rock music they are playing. It is structured as a chronological narrative with slow cuts and still framing, in order to give it an amateur look and more of a  TV show style. It is for this reason that the video is not cut to the music either. The music is made to sound joyful, which is connoted through the theatrical and positive dancing around by the fans, in conjunction with the bopping and cheesy smiles from the band. This representation is made stronger by the constant reactionary shots from the audience, creating a relationship between them and the group; Weezer. The very stereotypical boy band atmosphere is also created through the misc-en-scene. For example, the smart shirts and ties with beige cardigans and the gelled back hair cuts suggest they are satirizing  and Americanizing the look of The Beatles. In my opinion this conceptual performance works very well and helped affirm the branding of the band. The stark contrast of the 90's rock band and the 60's TV programme creates layers of irony within this intertextual reference and as a result creates a very cool and effective satirical tone. Therefore, this video has inspired me to look within stereotypes and try to break them down using irony, instead of avoiding these formulaic connotations altogether.

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire

I have been developing my ideas and I think that I would like a heavily conceptual music video that has a key theme running the whole way through. My primary reference for this is The Suburbs by Arcade Fire. The jarring juxtapositions between the carefree cheeky teens and living in a military state is very complex and very interesting and as a result makes the video captivating and layered enough to be able to watch it more than once. I am really keen to reuse these techniques used by Spike Jonze, in order to create my own interesting and textured plot.

100% - Sonic Youth

This music video was also directed by Spike Jonze and is regarded as one of his classics. It was shot in Los Angeles and much of the footage was filmed by Jonze while riding a skateboard, following other skaters around the streets of the city. Furthermore, the song was dedicated to Joe Cole and throughout the video it alludes to his death, however the predominate story line is about a friendship between two skaters. The main reason I chose to closely analyse this song is because of the great camerawork and graphics that work in symbiosis with the juxtaposing black and white and color saturated scenes. This video has influenced my ideas massively as I started to develop my concepts based on colours and their roles in videos. '100%' is a great example of how colour contrasts can work effectively together and that the absence of colour (black and white) can bring out more from  layered concepts.

R&P Post 8: Possible tracks for the single

I have found this task particularly enjoyable as I have a very similar music taste to other members in my group meaning that agreeing on a song shouldn't be very difficult. In addition to this, I have also been trying to pick my possible song choices through my thoughts and the ideas I have when listening the the various different songs and reading through the lyrics.

To start finding tracks, I looked at my own music album, this is because I felt looking at songs I know and like would help me build a strong and realistic target audience. As well as, I have been using sites such as Spotify to look at smaller related artists.

Track no.1: Mountain At My Gates - FOALS

This is the first track I suggested to my other group members. I like this song for its clear genre signifiers and conventional representations of a rock band. My group are also fond of the the guitar based rhythms and like the upbeat tempo of the song.

On the other hand, we all agree that the lyrics are slightly repetitive and ambitious, meaning they do not inspire our creativity, in a practical way.

Track no.2: Be Somebody - Kings Of Leon

This is the second possible track for the single. It was Shayam's choice initially, but I know the song  very well, and was immediately keen to use it. The whole group really liked the meaningful nature of the song and thought that a conceptual video would compliment it well. Having said that, after listening to the lyrics several times, we have decided that it may be too slow, and potentially over repetitive.

Track no.3: Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood

The third potential track is this, there are many reasons for why we like it, just one being that the lyrics hold great imagery and ideas are not difficult to create. On the other hand, none of us are satisfied with the constant tempo, as we felt it lacks dynamic or a range of moods we could play with. It was for this reason that we have decided to keep on looking for new tracks.

Track no.4: Trip Switch - Nothing But Thieves

This is the final track that we have chosen as a possibility and I decided to pitch this song to my group for various reason. Firstly, unlike the last few songs, it is very dynamic, exciting and interesting to listen to. Secondly, we all love the lyrics and feel that there are limitless interpretations of the song, therefore there could be limitless layers and concepts within our music video. At the moment we would all like to develop the ideas of power relations in the song; specifically between people and technology. Finally, we think that the singers voice, though quite different, wouldn't be too difficult to find a suitable actor for. It is for this reason that Trip Switch is the most suitable track for our video, and at this moment the most probable.

R&P Post 7: Record labels of interest

The global music industry is a very complicated and has a very intricate design. For this reason, I have decided to research the system of record labels and their layout in the modern industry, as well as a few specific case studies I have done.

First of all, there are the Big Three; which are the major dominating labels since 2012. These are; Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group. Since 2007, the Big Three (previously the Big Four) music groups control about 70% of the world music market and about 80% of the US music market. I find this particularly interesting, as there is such a clear dominance unlike any other industry, including film.

I have also done some research in to the history of this formation of the industry. I have learnt that in the 1970's and 1980's there was a period of industry consolidation, which meant that a lot of small independent companies where bought up and these large monopolistic conglomerates were formed. Despite this, in the 1990's there was a resurgence of independent labels due to advances in technology and also because more established artists began to buy their own record labels. Furthermore, at this time, on the punk rock scene, the DIY ethic encouraged bands/artists to self-publish and self-distribute. Later there was a further increase in independent labels, through the rise of digital labels. Now there are over 7,480 businesses in the UK music industry. Furthermore, independent labels, including the three below, are often considered more artist friendly and labels normally offer a 50-50 profit share agreement

Marshall Teller


Founded in 2010 by a single guy, Marshall Teller is a great example of a successful small independent label. They are crucial  to the alt-rock scene and are known for releasing music from local artists and friends, which means the previously unheard underground sound is being widely released for the general public to consume. Another reason as to why I am particularly interested in this label is because it specializes in American youth culture and 90's nostalgia; a concept I would like to explore in my own project.

Young Turks

Young Turks is a British independent record label owned by Beggars Group. It was launch as an imprint of XL Records in 2006. The label's current roster includes The XX, FKA Twigs, SBTRKT, Sampha and Jamie XX. The main reason that I have chosen to research Young Turks is because I am extremely interested in the company set-up. At first I was unsure about what an imprint label was, but after reading a few articles I have discovered that an imprint label is just a branding technique and that legally it is not a subsidiary company. This means that Young Turks is actually just a group of artists that are signed to XL Records in order to create a quirky and unique brand identity that works in symbiosis with the marketing of the individual artists.

Rough Trade

Launched in 1978, Rough Trade became a well established independent record label and has a number of big name signings such as The Smiths and Buzzcocks. They have always specialized in the indie scene as well as some rock and post-punk. Despite closing during the 1990's for financial issues, the label was revived in 2000 and has since re-confirmed their place in the market with recording acts such as Warpaint and Howler and creating a new chain of shops around London. I find this label particularly interesting as they have a similar target audience as I have in mind and they use various more traditional methods, such as listening stations and special edition vinyl, to keep customers coming back. Also, as you can see from the diagram below, Rough Trade sign a variety of artists, however they are predominately based around rock and indie music; the genres I am most interested in.

R&P Post 6: Current trends in popular music

After having done research, I notice some huge changes within trends in popular music, as well as some clear consistencies. I can see major readjustments occurring in terms of the structure of the industry, however genre tastes seem to have remained fairly constant.

The Industry



Firstly, there is a gradual revolution occurring agains the traditional music business model. Artists and publishers alike, are stepping away from record label conglomerates and are taking control themselves, thanks to sites like Kobalt. This independent online publishing company now offered labels, managers and artists user-friendly analysis tools, which makes it easier for them to review and understand all their varied income, and as a result take control of their music. This is now starting to catch on and artists such as Lenny Kravitz are trying it out.

A photo I took of
'The Weeknd' image filter

In addition, companies that have the ability to distribute content are seeking to partner with music owners. One example of this is between Sony Pictures and Snapchat; who are interested in forming coalitions with the online video channel VEVO. Furthermore, Snapchat are also providing a differe

nt route for artists to share their music and music videos (in competition with VEVO). In May 2015, electronic musician Josh Legg, aka Goldroom, premiered four music videos on the app. The experience included a message from Goldroom and then requires Snapchat users to swipe through clips until reaching the music video. In my opinion, this move represents a new, low budget way to connect with fans, as well as an effort to try and reinstate the significance of music videos.

As a Snapchat user and music consumer, myself, I also noticed this symbiosis start to occur. The first example of this is when 'The Weeknd' was playing live at the apple music festival and there was a image filter made available, denoting this.

Streaming is another aspect of the music industry that is beginning to change. In the wake of Taylor Swift pulling out her catalogue from both Spotify and Deezer, the industry has been left divided over whether streaming benefits the artists or not. With some arguing that you just have to get creative with other forms of advertising on these streaming sites, whilst others are certain that paying for the music before the consumer listens is the only lucrative business model. This debate is crucial to current trends in popular music, as it could potentially completely change the ways in which we consume music.

One of the most surprising recent trends has been the vinyl revival. Nearly 8 million old-fashioned vinyl records were sold last year, up 49% from 2013. In November 2014, it was reported that over one million vinyl records had been sold in the UK since the beginning of the year, sales had not reached this level since 1996.  Professionals have been shocked at the revival of this old trend, but as can be seen from the graph below, it shows no sign of stopping.

The Audience

In 2014, there has been some re-adjustments in the way the UK audience consume music.

Firstly, album sales generated £713m last year, compared to £773m in 2013 - a decline of 7.8%. Meanwhile, singles revenue went from £168m in 2013 to £142m in 2014, representing a 15.3% slip. However, the  value of streaming soared in 2014, with revenues of £175m easily surpassing 2013's £106m - a £65.1% increase. Furthermore, the number of audio streams from digital services such as 'Spotify' and 'Deezer' doubled. Through analyzing this data, I have a better understanding of what is selling and what isn't, but it has also taught me that my album would need clever marketing and packaging in order to be successful.

Secondly, in the genre market, Pop music overtook rock as the UK's most popular genre by album sales, holding its biggest market share since the late 90's. It is for this reason that I think creating an alternative-rock band with wide appeal would be a great way to revitalize the rock market whilst also interesting some of the pop fans. In addition, rock music's share of the singles market grew to its largest in four years, to 24.3%, meaning a single from a debut rock band would have the potential to do well.

R&P Post 5: The kind of video I would like to make

After watching a magnitude of music videos I feel certain that I know the style of music video I am after. Below I will reference current music videos in order to clearly denote what I want from my own project.

Firstly, I am interested in making clever conceptual music video that is potentially satirical. 'Money' by Peace is a very good example of this. At first the video appears to be about a man and his venture through a serious business setting, making the audience understand the representations as quite somber and humorless. This is then cleverly juxtaposed with the extravagant hand-shakes. At the surface this concept can be perceived as simple light comedy, however if you look closer it holds deeper meaning that reflects on the working world and the system of promotion. The video uses Freud's theory of humor (that jokes let out our forbidden thoughts and feelings that the conscious mind usually suppresses) to pose subtle questions about society. This video is very inspirational as it uses complex conceptual ideas, without overwhelming the audience. I am very keen to replicate this structure as well as the ambiance and meaning that is created.

In addition, I would also like to incorporate interesting cinematography into my video that would work symbiotically with a highly conceptual narrative. 'Water Me' by FKA Twigs is very strong example of careful artistic design being used as a tool for more intense storytelling.

Lastly, I would also like to create a technologically sound video that incorporated small camera tricks along side clever editing, in order to create an exciting and fun piece; whilst still keeping it interesting and conceptual. 'Fear and Delight' by The Correspondents is one influence for this. It contains flawless camera tricks that create a distorted reality and plays with the imagination of the audience.

R&P Post 4: Audience groups of interest*

There are two primary audience groups that I am very interested in; the UK market and fans of the rock genre. I have decided to follow up my interest by doing some research into facts and statistics as well as talking to different people from these audience groups.

The UK Audience

Firstly, the UK market is the world biggest consumer of music relative to its population with 1.6 album bought per head. This information is extremely surprising, considering that the UK industry is only the third biggest in the world and this information signifies that the UK market is highly lucrative. It also reveals that this market has strong potential to expand further; a good market to invest in. Furthermore, the UK music industry has originated whole music genres from punk to dubstep and grime. To me, this proves that the UK audience has very broad genre tastes, as well as an
adaptive and experimental nature.

For all of the reasons above, I think the British market is very important and will prove to be an essential part of my music video audience.

Fans of the Rock Genre

The second key audience group I am particularly interested in are fans of Rock. The main reason for my initial interest was the huge age range within this group as well as the variety of cultures and backgrounds of each different fan. In order to gain some valuable evidence of this, I have spoken to some people from within this fan base, (as well as some outsiders) to hear their opinions and music habits.

Here are the notes I made throughout the interviews:


In addition, I also did some research into the audience listening and purchasing habits. Firstly, in terms of album sales by genre, rock took up 33.8% of the market in 2013, beating pop music to the top spot by 2.8%. Secondly, in reference to streams by genre, rock beat pop once again (34.6% to 27.7%). In fact, the only time pop beat rock was in singles sales. From this I have learnt a lot about the Rock audience and that they tend to buy by album and use streaming as their alternative method of listening. This information will be crucial to my project when deciding on the marketing strategies.