Record Labels

Major Record Labels

Britain is highly acclaimed for it's variety of music throughout history. Influential and 'historic' artists are admired and shared all over the world- but their home remains this small island. Good examples of Artists and/or bands that origionate from Britain and have been majorly successful worldwide include the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Muse, Queen, David Bowie and One Direction.

Record labels are responsible for the legal managing, advertising and production of these artists, the bigger the artist, the higher chance they have of being part of a larger record label- these are castle industries, as they have a broad span of heriachy roles that contribute towards the company, (E.g- Manager > Assistant Manager > Sales Assistant).
EMI records is one of the biggest UK record labels that has been established sinse 1972. Other labels also include Island records, Universal Music Group and Sony ME (music entertainment). Below are a few examples of who the mentioned record labels manage.

EMI- The Beatles, Lily Allen, David Bowie, Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, McFly and  Sigur Rós.

Island Records- Ben Howard, Bombay Bicycle club, Florence + The Machine, The Fratellis and The Killers. 

Universal Music Group- 50 Cent, Abba, Akon, The Black Eyed Peas, Bob Marley, Enter Shikari, Dizzee Rascal and Guns 'N' Roses.

Sony ME- AC/DC, Adele, Beyoncè, Bob Dylan, Calvin Harris, The Fray, Foster the People, Jimi Hendrix and Newton Faulkner.  

Many large record labels hold subsidiary labels, for example, Sony ME holds 'Columbia records', 'Epic records' and 'RCA records'. Due to lack of funds, 'Columbia records' had been disbanded and all of the artists were transferred to the other subsidiary labels. Sony ME is interesting as it also created a partnership record label with Simon Cowell- 'Syco' records, focused on the marketing and production for film, music and television. Syco TV is in large partnership with 'ITV', hence we find its key shows 'The X Factor' and 'Britain/ America's Got Talent". This is also explanatory to Sony ME being the record label for the successful winners of these programmes.


Independent record labels

As well as the major record labels, there are independent labels. As opposed the major record labels, independent record labels are more known to be "cottage industries", as they usually have one store with few staff.
'Rough Trade' is most likely the best known independant record label- especially within the indie genre. It was established in 1978 and was originally a simple store to sell vinyl records. It did so well that eventually, it began managing artists, such as 'The Smiths', 'The Strokes' and 'The Libertines'. 

Independent record labels arguably offer more to their audience than major record labels do. This is because they are of a less mainstream repetiore than that of the major record label- therefore have the ability to offer listeners unique, less well-known and  'anti-capitalist' music as good as the music larger companies may produce. This idea is attractive to a widespread audience, and therefore the record label is successful in offering the audience a decent and individual approach to music. However, as the music is less well known, the record labels earn far less than that of a larger company would- this in retrospect could suggest that the labels struggle greatly with finance.

Analysis of Digipak

Each image on the digipak show a different light to Florence's personality. For example, Florence's image is intended to be shown as naturalistic and hippy-ish, this is apparent as her cover page is of her looking down at the earth, with a loose and thoughtful disposition. The image below, however, shows a more serious approach. This could be reflected in her music, as songs such as 'Rabbit Heart' may be a spiritual and up-beat pace, whereas 'Heavy in Your Arms' may be represented through the darker image. The CD shows a religious approach to the album, which could be related to our chosen song, where she feels enlightened compared to other people "when we first came here, we were cold and we were clear". The imagery used is also a traditionalist painting of hands, this also helps to suggest it is more of a traditionalist, religious approach. The final image is the back of the digipak, where an intricate design of white lungs are contrasted by a plain black background. This is an interesting image to the viewers due to the simple intricacy of the design. The lungs also relate to the album name 'lungs', and is therefore well fitting to the album.

With exception of the CD slide, the images are serene and dark, they lack bright colours and are very simplistic images. This I feel I will copy within my own DigiPak as I feel it has more of an in-depth and artistic approach to communicating with the audience. The black and anitque sepia colours connotes and emphasises the serenity and heart felt depth of the images. The neutral colours of the CD slide may suggest a more peaceful and natural approach to the album, contrasting the blacks and antique images that the album appears to promote.

There is little typography within the four slides, however the apparent typography is all the same font and all in white. This is to contrast against the black background and stand out for the reader. The 'lungs' on the front image is also conveniently placed over the artists lungs that are apparent in the image. The typography is simple, therefore maintains the simple information consisting of the album name, the artist name and the listing of songs.

This digipak has been helpful in giving myself an idea of what looks good with the artist image, and what colours match and do not. I thoroughly like the simplistic approach to creating the digipak, but I also feel that more writing should be added for longer attention of the audience. Maybe having some critic reviews would be useful in swaying public opinion to the artist. This I will consider for my own digipak and magazine.

Analysis of The XX poster

This is a magazine poster advertising the band 'The XX'. They are similar to Florence + The machine in the style of music. The artistic and intricate design suits the genre, as it projects a vintage and different approach. The simplicity of the design makes it abstract and interesting. It is a birds eye view of a street, and on the closest ledge of the building there is a couple kissing. This is seen as romantic and thrilling for the audience.

The colours used also conform to the indie audience, as the simplistic colours add to the intricate design of the cartoon. The womans red dress connotes love and passion, which is clearly represented by the intimate couple. The rest of the colours consist of a different shades of grey, this softens the image by not using as bold colours as black. The 'XX' typography is charcoal grey, and placed against  lighter grey road makes the font stand out to catch the audiences attention. The white silhouettes with grey shadows of people walking down the street may be symbolism for every day life, without creating memories that show excitement and spontaneity- something that the indie genre like to promote alot.

The typography is interesting, as the information given is very simplistic and straightforward, yet the writing is reflected below the artist name and upside-down. Thus enabling the poster to be clearly read whichever way it has been placed- this is unique from other posters as it shows a diverse and alternative  approach to using the poster to advertise.

This is a successful poster in representing the bands image and advertising the dates for peoples interest to see the band play live. Analysing this poster will be useful when it comes to designing my own poster.

Planning Artist Image

Within the project, my intentions are to portray the artists similarly to how Florence is demonstrated to the public, as a "free-spirited" person with a unique image. To cooperate with the lyrics we plan on showing her as unique through a troubled personal life, all will be explained within the video to the audience, but the audience will understand her unique appearance is due to her insecurities. This will enable to audience to sympathise for the artist.

The costumes will be used to show the artists unique style, 'Florence' will wear 'spiritual', unique and colourful clothing, as opposed to the other characters plain clothing to represent ordinary and unemotional lifestyles. The antagonist wears a tracksuit to offer the viewer an unwealthy and naive point of view towards conforming to society.

 

Another costume our artist will wear for the 'alternative reality' will be dark clothing, inolving a black leather jacket zipper up to show her confiding emotions. The black connotes her confidement in society, depression and the unwillingness to conform to every day life.

 

At the end the audience will see the protagonist rejecting the antagonist. To this point, she walks away from him and removes her dark coat- revealing colourful clothing underneath. This suggests to the audience that her actions have enabled herself to be freed.

The video will be created with the intentions of the audience sympathising for the protagonist, for her harsh reality and the understanding that the question "what if" plays a vital role within the video. This may get the audience thinking about alternatives within their own lifestyles, and some may even empathise with the protagonist. The relationship can be built with a variety of close up and mid shots, for the audience to familiarise themselves with the artists emotions and image.

Planning Lighting and Colour

Although the genre is a dance track, we are trying to seperate ourselves from the typical convention by giving more of an in-depth narrative with a dark storyline. Therefore, the lighting will have to be dark and dreary, however, towards the end we will use brighter colours to show the artists life in a better light where the audience know she is happier. Pathetic fallacy is also a crucial concept to consider. The current winter weather will also add to the dull lighting substantially, this may prove an issue when attempting to film the artist better lighting, however we may be fortunate enough to get a glimpse of sunshine, but optimism and English weather have never really gone hand-in-hand.
Darker greys, blacks and whites will be shown regularly throughout the video, this is to show an ordinary, boring and repetitive lifestyle. The artist will wear bright colours to 'stand out from the crowd' and to be easily identifiable to the audience.

Analysis of a Magazine Advert

For this assignment, we have been told to analyse a magazine poster based on our chosen artist. The image is of Florence with her arms mid-way in the air, she has her eyes closed and she is looking serene. The back ground consists of a contrasting forest scene, there are bright flowers and lime green birds . This promotes Florence's character and music as being down to earth and 'hippyish'. Florence's body language is open and limpid, her hair is styled yet scruffy to match her known image- this all adds to the image she portrays as liberated and free spirited.

This poster was created for the touring of Florence + The Machines first album 'lungs'. This is apparent by the writing above and below the image. 'With special guests- The XX' shows that a similar artist will be supporting Florence's music, and below the image, lingustics such as "Sunday 8pm - 07. 02 - Espalande Theatre - Tickets on sale now" All make it clear to the reader that this is a poster advertising tour dates.

The black colour in the background is set to simplify the advertisement against the main image. It is also contrapuntal to the white typography, therefore making the needed information more eye catching. The contrasting gloomy forest colours in the back of the image may counterpoint the differences between fantasy and reality, which is something her music explores with her ranging music rhythms. The deep red of the lungs that cover Florence's chest seem to go alongside the emotions she portrays through her facial expressions. The light pink flowers and lime green birds may represent her femininity, likewise the pink faded heart on her right wrist may also connote lost love.

The simple format and colours of the typography work well in this advertisement, as the simplicity draws out the details that are crucial within the poster. The text has been formatted to be in centre alignment, keeping the text simple and in line, and again, encouraging to the reader to gain the needed information. There is one large image on the poster, this is intended to draw the attention to Florence as the artist, giving a connection between Florence and the readers.

The typography seems to be set on 'Times New Roman', in large white writing to contrast the black background. The language is simple and straight forward, this is used to give the direct information to the audience without any play on words or extravagant detail.

Overall, this magazine advert appears to be simplistic in order for the attention to be drawn to the artists image and the dates of the concert. I think the simplicity of the advert is extremely effective, and I will be willing to use this theme as an idea for my own poster.

Spectrum Lyrics

'Spectrum: Say my name' has proven to be a hard song to allocate a specific meaning within the lyrics. However, within some research it seems likely that the lyrics have a form of 'spiritual awareness' to them. Within the lyrics it is apparent to suggest that Florence is singing to encourage awareness of the environment and spiritualisation around us. 

When we first came here, 
We were cold and we were clear, 
With no colours on our skin, 
We were light and paper-thin. 

It is plausible to suggest that the lyrics here reflect our 'ancestors' or the neanderthal stages, saying that our ancestors arrived on this planet without the intelligence and abilities we have today. It could also suggest a newly born child, saying that as a new born, 'no colours on our skin' means no past experiences, no knowledge and no idea of what may happen. 

Say my name! 
As every colour illuminates! 
We are shining! 
And we'll never be afraid again! 

These lyrics are the chorus and main feature of the song. It could be suggested that Florence is spreading her message of enlightenment across, saying that her new found knowledge has created a more in-depth perspective of life, and this shed of light - her understanding- has changed her perspective of life, so she is unafraid of dangers or concerns that previously worried her.

And when we come for you, 
We'll be dressed up all in blue, 
With the ocean in our arms, 
Kissing eyes and kissing palms. 

This may connote her eagerness to spread this enlightenment. The colour blue connotes tranquility, confidence and unity, the ocean could suggest the universe- kissing eyes and kissing palms could again suggest unity within people originally divided through petty faults. 

And when it's time to pray, 

We'll be dressed up all in grey, 
With metal on our tongues, 
And silver in our lungs. 

The idea of praying may be to bring people together and spiritually connect them with the earth. The mentioning of the colour grey could be symbol for strength, as could the mentioning of metal and silver.  "Metal on our tongues" could also suggest they bear strong, meaningful words.

And when we come back we'll be dressed in black! 
And you'll scream our names aloud! 
And we won't eat and we won't sleep! 
We'll drag bodies from their graves! 

This reenforces the idea of power they hold throughout the song. Towards the end, it could be indicated that Florence and a majority of others are standing up to something. The cause means alot to them through the sheer dedication Florence pronounciates within the song. 

This song has more depth than what had previously been expected. It seems as if Florence is singing against something that is destructing the earth in some way, shape or form. This will be taken into great consideration for the creation of the music video. As there are no straight-forward lyrics and the song is most suited to a cencept based video, there will be more shots showing artistic and diverse occurences more than it would having a storyline.