Sunday, 29 May 2011
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Independent Record Labels In America And The Velvet Underground
Indie music stems from independent music - simply being free of major commercial record labels. However, recently, it has developed into more of a broad genre of music, as opposed to referring to the record label to which a particular artist is signed to. The genre can be split into two separate sub-genres: Indie Pop and Indie Rock. However, a lot of so called Indie music incorporates significant elements of both.
During the post-war period in America, independent labels played a big part in developing artists who would later go on to become major Pop stars on major record labels. One example of this is Sun Records giving Elvis Presley his first recording contract. However, 'Indie' as a genre was not yet created; the majority of the artists signed to independent record labels such as Sun Records were Rockabilly and Folk/Country Rock acts.
Despite the modern Indie scene seen to be primarily in the United Kingdom, America produced one of the most influential bands as regards to Indie music: The Velvet Underground. Although Indie as a genre was not technically in existence when The Velvet Underground first came around (1960's), some elements of their music can be seen in Indie music. For example, they were known for their provocative lyrics, something that can be identified with many Indie artists such as The Smiths, and subsequently Morrissey's solo work. Additionally, their use of alternative guitar tunings to create a droning sound can be seen in modern Indie bands such as Chapel Club and Arctic Monkeys's more recent work. More specifically, the introduction to their song "Sweet Jane" is sampled in Foals' song "Like Swimming".
During the post-war period in America, independent labels played a big part in developing artists who would later go on to become major Pop stars on major record labels. One example of this is Sun Records giving Elvis Presley his first recording contract. However, 'Indie' as a genre was not yet created; the majority of the artists signed to independent record labels such as Sun Records were Rockabilly and Folk/Country Rock acts.
Despite the modern Indie scene seen to be primarily in the United Kingdom, America produced one of the most influential bands as regards to Indie music: The Velvet Underground. Although Indie as a genre was not technically in existence when The Velvet Underground first came around (1960's), some elements of their music can be seen in Indie music. For example, they were known for their provocative lyrics, something that can be identified with many Indie artists such as The Smiths, and subsequently Morrissey's solo work. Additionally, their use of alternative guitar tunings to create a droning sound can be seen in modern Indie bands such as Chapel Club and Arctic Monkeys's more recent work. More specifically, the introduction to their song "Sweet Jane" is sampled in Foals' song "Like Swimming".
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Brief And introduction
For my A Level Media Studies course, I am required to produce a promotion package for the release of an album, including a music promo video along with two ancillary tasks (a website homepage for the band and the panels for its release as part of a digipak.) I am using this blog to keep track of all of my research and planning for such work.
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