Genre Conventions in Music Videos- Indie

Concept-based Music Videos

I have found that concept-based videos are very common for indie songs. They reflect the alternative style of the music; this also means that the video I likely to be well suited to their fans.

An example of this would be Alt-J’s Hunger of the Pine, which features a young man running away from some unknown enemy which is firing arrows at him. He is stuck by many but keeps running. The mystery of the video leaves it to raise a lot of questions; Who is he running from? Why are they attacking him? How is he surviving? This makes the video unique and interesting, and means that viewers have to understand the symbolism in order to find the true meaning. My interpretation is that the video relates to the lyrics, and the arrows reflect the pain of missing someone. The man is trying to avoid his emotions however in the end they consume him. 
 

 Bombay Bicycle Club’s Feel video is also concept-based. The theming of the video around an Indian wedding links to the band’s name and so may be more recognisable and memorable for viewers. It also fits with the sound of the song, which has subtle Bollywood features. The video features actors and dancers rather than members of the band, suggesting that they are focussed on their music rather than their individual fame. The bright colours reflect the happy emotions in the song, and also look very extravagant and exciting.

Similarly, their Luna video features synchronised swimmers, dancing to the beat of the song. The water suits the song’s sound, which has very gentle backing instruments which almost sound like trickling water. It also links to the lyrics; “I will bathe myself”. The washed out colour of the video also links to the lyrics, which describe “colours fading” and “your face so pale and white”.

 

 

 

 

The 1975 also use a concept-based video for Settle Down. It is a very obscure video, with a rather ambiguous meaning. It is based on a recurring dream from lead singer Matt Healy’s childhood. It explores the experiences of children in an environment conflicted with both taboo and open mindedness. The blinding light when the boys’ hands meet suggest something very powerful in the single action. Furthermore the way the adults collapse suggests that their relationship- whether it be plutonic or otherwise- is challenging old beliefs and opinions.

 

Low Budget

R U Mine, like many indie music videos, is shot to look very low budget. The video is very simple, mostly consisting of the band lip-syncing in a car. The image is in black and white and flickers slightly, giving the appearance that it is bad quality. The effect of the handheld camera gives the video a homemade look. Overall this suggests that the band are not bothered about making massively extravagant videos, which in turn implies many ideas. Firstly it suggests that the band is very blasé about their music, helping their cool image and also presenting them to be modest. Secondly it suggests that the Arctic Monkeys are so talented that they don’t need a dramatic, expensive video to promote the song.

HAIM’s Forever features the band performing in living room of a house and contains home video footage. This shows that it was a fairly low budget video, but emphasises the homely vibe of the band; they are sisters. Like the Arctic Monkeys the video suggests a carefree attitude, however as their debut single, the song established the band and so is presenting the first image of the band. By performing in a house and showing childhood footage, HAIM appear to be sticking to their roots and a nostalgic ambiance is created. The dance moves suggest that they are in sync with each other, and get on well.