Music Video AnalysisAndrew Goodwin Theory

“Homesick”Catfish and the Bottlemen

Homesick is the opening song to the album ‘The Balcony’ which reached number 10 in the UK Album Charts, released in 2014 by the indie rock band, Catfish and the Bottlemen.

“Catfish” have previously released 4 albums, two of which being studio albums, and recently published their fifth album titled ‘The Ride’.

All of their album covers follow the same design as they are black and white cartoon pictures, featuring an unusual and different nature, which follows conventions of a indie rock genre as the band stay within the restrictions of the indie design.

The and are able to show diversity and independence by their choice of instruments, clothing and musical talent.

“Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. (e.g. stage performance in meta lvideos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop)”

Through the way that the artists dress and behave indicate characteristics of the indie genre. For example the outfits and clothing that the band choose to wear would be categorized as indie as they present individuality and a slight contrast. The band seem to wear shorts and bomber jackets in several shots during the video, showing a disparity to other genre bands such as pop as they choose to dress more similarly. It is easy to identify that the band dresses homogeneous to the genre of their music.

Their hairstyles are again all very independent as none of them look the same and don’t have very popular or highly rated hair cuts. However, the audience are aware that they fit into the indie genre because of how diverse each member looks.

The way that the band act throughout the video is also comparable to the genre of music. Their actions during the shots have close similarity to the indie genre.

In certain shots the artists can be seen smoking, either individually or with other band members. This indicates characteristics of the songs genre as it suggest through the video that the artists aren’t afraid to be different. Smoking is very much frowned upon by a lot of people however, during the video their actions indicate their individuality showing a contrast between certain genres. For example, if a pop artists were to smoke in their music video they may be penalized, although due to the genre of the music it determines the artists behaviour which changes the audiences perception, shown greatly through the “Homesick” music video.

More characteristics that are demonstrated in the video, include the instruments that are played by the band.

Throughout the whole of the video we are aware of each instrument being played, as the amplification of the video emphasizes the sound that the instrument make.

Common instruments used during indie music performances are bass, electronic and acoustic guitars; frequently used in the video to “Homesick”. Other instruments often used is the drums, which are used in practically ever song of “Catfish and the Bottlemen’.

The vocals of the artists also follow the indie genre by rhythm, melody, harmony and pitch. However, bands such as The Smiths, Viola Beach and Oasis, may not sound similar yet the share similar characteristics which contribute to the indie rock genre.

“There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images.”

During the video the lyrics aren’t represented with images as the video is neither illustrative or contradicting. There is no relationship because the video is set on a stage which shows the band performing to an audience, indicating that the music video is amplifying. By using Sven E Carlsson’s theory this video is one of many performance clips, a song and instrumental performance in particular.

Further in the video when an instrument is heard to be played for longer, louder and it is more in focus, the camera will again show the amplification. However, it can be viewed that although the ‘Homesick’ music video is amplifying, the video also takes the audience on a journey.

To start with the band are setting up and practicing, it isn't until the chorus that the audience appear in front of them, In the creation of the video a jump cut is used at 0:47 to add in the band. This creates the music video to be both contradicting and amplifying.

For example when the bass drops the camera shot at the guitar or the drum when the drummer had an important sequence to play. During several points in the video such as 0:20 a small beat is heard from the drums and the camera allows the video to emphasize the sound by capturing one of the band members playing them. During certain parts of the video when instruments create a loud and prominent sound, the camera will shoot at that instrument to amplify and heighten the sound.

“There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).”

There is definitely a clear relationship between the music and the visuals on screen, in ‘Homesick’.The atmosphere is clear even without the music as the shots, put all together, are quick and up beat, With the music on top it hugely adds to the ambience of the music video.

Throughout the whole video, only a small amount of shots seem to be over a few seconds long, as the video uses lots of small shots. This technique is used to create a bigger and more of a thrilling atmosphere by the way they’re all put together. Just between 0:47 and 0:50 over 10 shots are used within a 3 second frame., representing how the music would stimulate an electric and exhilarating mood.

“The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style).”

Due to Catfish and the Bottlemen being a band, the camera focus’s on all of the members rather than just one. Each member is equally focused upon through a variety of shots; two shots, long shots, mid shots. However, close ups are close ups are rarely used in the ‘Homesick’ video. Mid shots are proven to be the most popular in parts of the video; where the artists are in the dressing room or somewhere else which is off stage. The mid shots are the closest that the camera gets to the artists, leaving an ambiguous feeling about them, as the audience watching the video cant get close enough to the band; possibly representing the crowd in the visuals.

As the band fall under the genre of indie music, the diversity of the group is also presented through the use of shots.. The mid shots used later in the video. Between 1:50 and 1:53, give small insights into their personalities through their clothing and their behaviour , however no close ups are done to achieve this.The band don’t seem to follow any particular motifs throughout the video, besides the way that none of them look into the camera lens. The whole way through, the band are presented to be having a good time as the audience are exposed to their natural behaviour due to the music video being one of the bands performances.

“There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body”

In the ‘Homesick’ video there is a mixture of contradiction and amplification. Some parts of the video are of the band off stage, being themselves which again gives the audience a small insights into their personalities . However, on stage is when the amplification is used. None of the artists look into the camera or behave as if they are aware that it is there. In contrast, this creates a feeling of distance and voyeurism, as were watching the same thing that the band are. Although, the band are performing which implies they will be looking on at their audience which contradicts and ignores voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

“The artist may develop motifs or iconography that recur across their work (a visual style)”

A lot of Catfish and the Bottlemen’s music videos are amplifying which implies that they’re performing in their video. Not many motifs occur during their video which again creates a unique look; however it could be argued that, that is a motif in itself.Due to this, the motif would be that their videos are performance based which includes the bands playing to a crowd or perhaps rehearsals of some sort. Throughout the music video to ‘Kathleen’ the band can be seen playing their instruments on stage and singing. No crowd is seen unlike in the ‘Homesick’ video, although the motif is still carried on into this one as they choose to create amplifying videos.

“There are often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc)”

The ‘Homesick’ music video has intertextual relations to the 2003 film, School of Rock. During the video there are shorts clips of the band getting ready to perform and relaxing back stage in the dressing room. Similarly, the American comedy also allows the audience to follow their musical journey. Both pieces of media and are highly music orientated and influenced by both parties musical talents and although the story lines may contrast, the context shows great similarities. For example, both medias perform indie rock music and again both follow the motif of never looking into the camera lens.

If I Stay, featuring Chloe Grace Mortez, also has a similarity that can be intertextually related to the ‘Homesick’ video. The character ‘Adam’ is the lead singer and guitarist in the band within the 2014 film, sharing similarities such as similar bands, music styles and resembling instruments; drums, bass and acoustic guitars, vocal and occasionally keyboard.

“Shake It Out”Florence and the Machine

Florence and the Machine are an English Indie rock band, formed in London back in 2007. The bands individuality shines, through the variety of genres they choose to represent in their music; indie rock, indie pop, chamber pop, art rock, neo soul, art pop and baroque pop. “Shake It Out” was released as the groups official single from their second studio album, Ceremonials released in 2011. The groups piece became their fourth, top 20 single in the UK Singles Chart.

“Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. (e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop)”

The songs genre, indie rock/ pop , is clearly presented through the music video; indicating an instant relationship between genre characteristics and the songs video. The instruments used during the performance consist of organs, bells and tambourines as the main source of sound, highlighting musical characteristics that are followed throughout the video. Were able to hear these instruments throughout the whole song, with drums introduced in certain parts of the video and continuously during the chorus and build up.

Through the atmosphere of the video, it is clear to identify at which points the drums would have been introduced within the musical performance. At the start of the video before the vocals have begun, the organs can be heard clearly and at a low pitch; representing the mood at the beginning of the narrative. Similarly, the organs are heard prominently once again at the end of the video, when the vocals are finished. However, this time they are at a high pitch possibly mirroring the happier and more upbeat mood that has arose during the progression of the music video

Throughout multiple music videos to Florence and the Machines music, she is presented through side shots. This could represent an indie approach as several side shots are used rather than front view shots, which are used heavily in pop videos. For example, during both ‘Cosmic Love’ and ‘Dog Days Are Over’, side shots are used regularly as a replacement to front shots, just like in ‘Shake It Out’.

The clothing and costume used in the video can be classed as characteristics of the indie genre, as all the actors and the main singer, ‘Florence Welch’, are dressed in classy attire, but with an individual and distinctive twist. For example at 0:50, Florence is presented in a dress that appears to look some what like a suit or blazer, as the audience are only exposed to the top half of her body.

This is particularly diverse for a woman to be wearing and a subvert to the seductive stereotype of a woman. Also, it rises hints of ambiguity as it suggests the camera man doesn’t want the audience to see all of Florence, leaving them to wonder about her.

“There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).”

Florence and the Machines ‘Shake It Out’ music video is presented as illustrative, indicating a relationship between the lyrics and visuals. During the line ‘Its hard to dance with a devil on your back’, the video presents visuals of a man dressed as a mythical, demon looking creature. Supporting the relationship between the lyrics and illustrative video.

In the chorus, the visuals present the actors jumping around, dancing and spreading a wild, fun atmosphere. At this point the lyrics are ‘Shake it out’. Between each ‘Shake it out’ line, Florence can be seen at 2:03, 2:11 and 2:15 vigorously attempting to shake something off of her back, creating a striking link between lyrics about a devil on your back and the visuals. At 2:54 in the video, visuals show a crowd of people gathered around a table, arguably summoning a supernatural presence. We are also presented with a dark room, filled with candles and skulls; the actors also appear to be wearing dark clothing. For example the man at 2:43 wears a cape, a pendent and dark makeup. Again, this is presented at the time that the lyrics are ‘I’m ready to suffer’ and ‘looking for heaven found the devil in me’. This presents the illustrative music video to have a dark, eerie nature featuring negative vibes throughout, reinforced by the lyrics.

Anyhow, something can be said about the way that Florence is dressed, and those around her. At the start of the video, Florence tells us she is ‘always dragging that horse around’. As horses symbolise destruction, her dark attire and tedious surroundings may represent her tendencies of destruction. However, later in the video the visuals present the lyrics of ‘shake it out’ as she wears an energetic, red dress whilst she and her companions enjoy their night.

“There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting)”

During the music video to Florence and the Machine’s ‘Shake It Out’ the relationship between music and visuals appear to be amplifying. At the start of the video the music is created through the organs which are played slowly and at low pitch. At this point the music creates a dismal effect represented through the dark clothing and slow, lifeless movement displayed by the visuals. At 0:39 the organs low pitch stops and the drums are introduced, starting with a sudden, loud crash of the cymbals. As soon as the cymbals and bells become the focus of the music, the visuals then present the actors dancing, drinking and laughing; this indicates a happier, lighter atmosphere. Further into the song, the chorus also suggests a relationship between music and visuals. Again, the drums are played and a lead up to the main drum performance which is played for a few seconds, then joined with the bells and tambourines. At this point visuals then present the actors in the video to be jumping around and spreading an up beat, wild vibe. A match cut is also used to represent the lively vibe. At 3:22 Florence aggressively swings her arms down for her to them brings them up and carry on dancing in the next cut, 1 second later.

“The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style)”

The need for lots of close ups isn’t met during this music video, however are replaced with zooms. This technique is used to create an up close and personal relationship with the artist, although this music video uses different shots to do so and in the progress produces a more in depth insight into the artists personality.Throughout their work, Florence is presented to have a melancholic expression during her performances, demonstrated clearly through the zooms. The camera also has a tendency to only show certain parts of her face such as eyes, nose and lips. This is done to emphasize her singing and embrace her feelings through facial expressions.

“There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body”‘Shake It Out’ music video is presented through only one screen which denies references to the notion of looking through several screens such as mirrors etc. However, notion of looking and particular voyeuristic treatment of the female body is included in the video. Florence is presented to appear seductive or tempting. This is highlighted through the choice of attire she wears, as she wears several bright and captivating dresses.The dress she is captured the most in, during the video, is a long red one which shows off her chest and cleavage. Also, the dress being red represents passion, seduction and danger, emphasized more due to her pale skin which strengthens the dress’s colour. The masquerade masks that Florence and her associates wear highlight a mysterious aura about them as it isn’t visible who one another are, creating a greater more desirable attraction.‘Shake It Out’ music video supports Laura Mulvey’s theory; the purpose of having a female in the video is for voyeuristic purposes. This is shown by the clothing and colour of the artist and the way she acts within the video.

“The artist may develop motifs or iconography that recur across their work (a visual style)”

Throughout Florence and the Machine’s music video to ‘Shake It Out’ she creates a motif that is shared amongst her other music videos. For example at the start of her videos she acts quite slow and try's not to look into the camera lens but focus’s more on herself and her surroundings. There also a frequent use of close ups and zooms to the beginning which focus upon her face as we see her slowly unwind as the chorus begins to be introduced and the rhythm of the music pick up.During ‘Cosmic Love’ examples of these motifs are shown.

During these screen shots they present the close ups in both videos, and the way that Florence chooses to ignore the camera and concentrate around her.

“There are often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc)”

Florence and the Machine’s music video has an intertextual link to 2001 teen romance, A Cinderella Story. During the film the audience are aware, in the prom scene, that Austin is searching for his Princess but is yet to do so as everyone attending Is wearing masquerade masks. Similarly, in the music video the actors also wear ball gowns and masks, concealing their faces and identities.

Comparably, The Great Gatsby is intertextually related to ‘Shake It Out’, again with the costumes and outfits. The gold dress that Florence wears includes similar characteristics to the one that Daisy wears during the party scene, thrown by Gatsby himself.

It could be considered that ‘You Belong With Me’ music video as that’s also includes references to prom or masquerade ball scenes. Again, the artist and her associates dress in classy attire much like Florence. At the end of the video there is also a zoom shot to bring the clip to an end. This highlights comparable characteristics to those of which shared by the ‘Shake It Out’ music video.

“Something Good Can Work”Two Door Cinema Club

“Something Good Can Work” is a single from Two Door Cinema Club’s first album; ‘Tourist History’. It was named after the reputation of the bands home town, Bangor, which is a tourist attraction. The 3 member band formed back in 2007b and later released their first album in 2010. It was nominated for the NME Award for the Best Album and sold 266,389 copies in just the United Kingdom. The main instruments used are rhythm and bass guitar, drums and the vocals, from all members; Alex Trimble being the lead vocalist.

“Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. (e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop)”

From the very start of the video, indie characteristics are shown as the audience are straight the way presented with unique and different camera angles. One that really stood out was an over the head shot as the artists jumps into the pool. The next one used is a hand held shot; the shots used during the video represent the artists personality as they have individuality and a uniqueness about them much like the rarely used shots and angles in the video.The clothes that the band members are presented in also demonstrate genre characteristics as they wear unusual or original clothing that contrasts to clothing that would normally be worn by other genre bands such as pop and rock. Shirts, chinos and desert boots are seen on the band at the start of the video.As well as clothing the instruments used in the visuals of the video are bass guitars which again are a convention of the indie rock music genre. Again, al of the camera shots used throughout the video are ones that aren’t usually used however during this video they were used to create a fun and individual vibe about the video. Lots of whip pans, handhelds, over the head shots and fades are added in, representing the energetic and distinctive genre.

Unlike pop or rock genre music videos, indie have their own style of expression which is shown thoroughly through their music.

“There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).”

The music video is presented as both amplifying and contradicting as the lyrics to the song ‘Something Good Can Work’ aren’t associated with the music video; however by using indie characteristics in the video it still works well.Throughout the video the camera angles and shots change which then changes the way the performance is presented. For example at 0.42 seconds until 0.48 the video the amplifying as the band are performing however it then changes to contradicting when the camera angle changes to over head.However, at one point during the video the lyrics stop but between the verses there is distant laughter and chatter heard from the band, to which could be argued that the video becomes illustrative for just a few seconds. This is due to the visuals being at a fair ground, and the band are all having fun and laughing on the rides.

“There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting)”From the very start of the video it is clear to see there is a relationship between the music and the visuals. The opening music that starts the video is a slow repetitive beat from the guitar and the visuals present a dark morning with the sun about to come up. The slow speed of the music links to the visuals because during the morning things are taken slowly as they are awakening. A drum beat is then introduced with soon after a steady rhythm on the guitar as the visuals start to become more active. When people are introduced into the video the music again begins to pick up and become more up beat; at 0.15 seconds in particular.

As the weather and the atmosphere change, the visuals do too.

Again, as the visuals become more exciting and energetic the music also contributes towards it as it also performs a energetic sound; when the man jumps into the pool a quick burst of music is heard over the rest, from the drum.Further into the song, before the chorus is about to start the band members are seen walking in the beat of the music to which is then introduced to another performance to the drums. The visuals then flash forward in time with the music and the camera points at the bands feet as the edit used, creates them to walk in time with the drum beat as well as the previous rhythm.

“The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style)”During the music video an increasingly large amount of close ups are used throughout. By using these shots the audience are brought closer to the band which allows a relationship to be made; suggesting that the audience have more of an insight into the artists personality. Whilst a lot of the close ups take place, the main artist of the band either looks straight into the camera when the video is amplifying and when it turns to contradicting, the close ups show the band looking away from the camera and acting as if they aren’t aware that it is there.

However, as much as the close ups are used a more varied range of shots are also used, some that wouldn’t usually be put into music videos. Instead, shots and camera angles such as long shots, over the head shots, hand held camera and whip pans are used to create a better, more intriguing effect to the video.

This music video supports the theory of John Stewart as he makes the point that good lighting and lots of close ups are to make the audience feel closer to the artist.

“There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body”At some points in the video there are frequent shots of the band looking into the camera. This helps the audience to connect with the musicians and become more intrigued and involved in the music video. However, there are no other notions of looking for example through mirrors, stages or screens within screens. As are there no voyeuristic treatment of the female body as the band consists of only men and there doesn’t seem to be any women in the music video.

“There are often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc)”

It could be argued that the music video to Two Door Cinema Club’s ‘Something Good can Work’ has intertextual links to One Directions ‘That’s What Makes you Beautiful’. This is due to the band both featuring parts of their performance on a beach. Also, both bands seem to wear similar clothes despite the genre of One Direction. Both of the boy bands can be seen wearing shirts and chinos, a characteristic of the indie genre.

“The artist may develop motifs or iconography that recur across their work (a visual style)”

Throughout the bands work they have formed several motifs and iconography during their music videos. For example, in the video ‘I Can Talk’ similarities consist of the hand held camera being used often, similar style of clothing, different settings and looking into the camera. In most of the bands work they are seen to look into the camera lens and are fully aware that the camera is there.During this video in particular the whole of it is recorded on a hand held camera which creates a shaky and unstable effect. This bring the audience closer to the band just like in their other videos such as ‘Something Good Can Work’.Also, this video also shares similarities within motifs as the band are seen to be performing and playing their instruments such as the bass guitar.