Genre Research
A genre is a category or classification of artistic works, such as literature, music, film, or visual art, characterized by similarities in style, form, or subject matter. Genres help to organize and classify creative works based on common themes, techniques, or conventions, making it easier for audiences to identify and engage with them. For example, within literature, genres include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, mystery, science fiction, romance, and many others, each with its own distinct characteristics and conventions. Genres serve as useful tools for both creators and audiences, providing a framework for understanding and appreciating different forms of expression.
The theme of a genre refers to the central idea or underlying message that is commonly explored within works belonging to that genre. While genres are defined by their stylistic and formal characteristics, themes cut across those boundaries, encompassing the broader concepts, issues, or emotions that resonate throughout the genre's body of work.
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The main genre we chose was indie/folk but ended up choosing alt/indie. The 1000 playlists we had to make to find the perfect song against Zahra’s will to use a song by Coldplay.
Indie(independent) music, refers to music produced independently from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries. It's often associated with DIY (do-it-yourself) characteristics. Unlike major record labels these artists put in more effort in their music with both the lyrics and the visuals.
The Neighbourhood’s music video for Sweater Weather stars off with the band sitting in a lounge area. The music video consists of various locations utilised alongside multiple models/actors. The band is travelling in a classic car throughout the duration of the video. Drugs, money, cars, models, studios, all these things shown in the video end up raising the final cost significantly.
The music video for Beach Bunny’s Painkiller is a far simpler ordeal when compared to the music video for Sweater Weather. The location of shoot is a suburban residential area. The video consists of the band members taking turns sitting on a hospital stretcher while the other members push it around. Multiple locations are not shown in the video, the entire shoot takes place in the suburban area. No cars, money, fancy studios are seen. All this shows that the overall budget of the video was not much.
The differences between independent artists and artists signed with a record label can clearly be seen when comparing the two music videos. Beach Bunny’s expense for their video is only a mere fraction of what The Neighborhood's video cost to make.
Independent artists and labels operate outside the mainstream music industry, often with smaller budgets and fewer resources than their major label counterparts. This independence allowed artists greater creative control over their music and careers, as they were not subject to the demands and constraints of major label contracts and marketing strategies. Likewise major production companies like Disney, universal etc churn out movies for profit at a drop in quality with film while independent studios lean more on the creative side with films such as midsommar, the whale etc.
Indie music is associated with a wide range of styles and genres, from alternative rock and folk to electronic and experimental music. It has evolved
from simply denoting independence from major labels to encompassing a diverse range of styles, approaches, and values within the music industry.
The roots of indie music can be traced back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. In the UK, the emergence of punk rock challenged the dominance of major record labels, inspiring bands to create their own music independently. Labels like Rough Trade and Factory Records played crucial roles in supporting these artists and releasing their music.
In the US, the rise of college radio stations and independent record labels paved the way for indie music. Bands like R.E.M. and The Replacements gained popularity through college radio airplay and tours, without relying on major label support. The 1980s also saw the growth of the DIY punk scene, with bands self-releasing their albums and organizing their own tours.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, indie music continued to flourish and diversify. The advent of the internet provided new opportunities for independent artists to reach audiences directly through platforms like Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and social media. The rise of indie labels like Sub Pop, Merge Records, and Domino Records further contributed to the expansion of the indie music scene.
What unites indie artists is often their commitment to artistic integrity and autonomy, as well as their willingness to challenge mainstream conventions.
They often handle various aspects of their careers, from recording and producing music to booking shows and managing promotion unlike artists signed to major record labels.