Institutional research

The big 3 
WMG(Warner Music Group)
Being an American multinational and entertainment company, being one of the 'big three' recording companies and the third largest in the music industry next to universal music group and sony music entertainment. Founded in 1958 but begun in the 70s had a multibillion dollar turnover and employs 3,500 in more than 50 countries around the world. As this company is so successful, it owns and operates the most successful and largest record labels in the world such as Warner bros records, Parlophone and Atlantic records. 

Artists connected with WMG: Macklemore, Ed Sheeran, Red hot chilli peppers, Coldplay and Madonna.  
      

Sony Music Entertainment UK
From columbia being formed in 1887, being the oldest label in the  history of the recording industry, Sony music evolved and progressed, making it the best record label and industry leader. sony are known to include a broad array of not only local artists,but international superstars. 

Artists connected with Sony: Olly Murs, Miley Cyrus, Paloma Faith, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley. ect.



Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group, also known in the unites states as UMG Recordings is an American global corporation. It is focused in more than 60 countries and was founded in 1934 and was originally known as Decca Records.
  
Artists connected with Universal music: Amy winehouse, Elton John, Florence and the machine, Sam Smith and the beatles.  

Independent companies 

PROPER MUSIC DISTRIBUTION - Since 1988 Proper music distribution is now the largest with annual sales of over £25 million and have a full service independent distributor of music on all formats in the UK. In recent years they have been nominated for the coveted sales team award at the music week awards, being the winner in 2017.
They provide personally tailored range of 'label services' for individual artists that are planning their own release. With 'PMD' having UK physical distribution, a worldwide digital service and comprehensive international export networks, they are able to deliver all music formats in the 'wildest possible market'. As well as this, they handle new releases and catalogue titles from many known independent labels working across all genres, including alternative which is what we are focusing on based on the artist we chose as a group. 


GLASSNOTE RECORDS - Founded by Daniel Glass 10 years ago in 2007, Glassnote Records is a full service independent music company which is one of the most respected companies in the industry. With each member of the glassnote team being passionate for music and having an understanding of the evolving industry, they have established a strong internship-mentorinf program and focusing on finding talent, creating music and drawing in an audience for a specific artist which is what we achieve to do. The popular artist that Glassnote are known for are Childish Gambino, Daughter and Mumford and sons. 

"Glassnote focuses on what we do best: finding talent, creating music, and bringing it to the audience. By having fewer artists with a high level of focus and continuing to leverage Daniel Glass’s unparalleled relationships in the entertainment industry, each Artist receives the resources required to reach their full potential."

Glassnote appealed to our group because they are an artist centric company that appeals to the creative nature of individuals and artists who want to take ownership of their career. 



All My Friends Records (AMF)

Founded by Korda Marshall and Pat Carr in 1993 it was home to great indie artists such as Garbage, Ash and cable which helped shape the musical education for the formers workers and the team have worked with major artists and groups such as Alt J.  

                                      

Audience research survey analysis

To make sure our group gets the most appropriate audience for our artist, we created a survey to help with this. The age group of our target audience are people aged 16-35. These were the results.

We asked people what they like most about their favourite artist which helped narrow down to what people would in some way expect their favourite artist to convey.

Questions 1 & 2 :
What is your age?
What is your genre?
From this we discovered that females preferred originality of videos, especially with indie and pop genres.

From question 9, the results weren't expected, as we thought more people would say that they did download music from illegal sites. 50% of people said they never stream music illegally which was shocking as 95% of music downloaded was illegally done and with the UK being the second worst in the world for illegally downloading music online.



The top 3 genres that were most popular were pop, rap and indie/alternative which came under the genres that are in 'The beigeness' which helps us massively.



























In the results from question 4, it wasn't surprising to me that the majority of people consumed their music through streaming because it is the easiest way to play music from portable devices and can be used on the go, sometimes even without having to have an internet connection. Youtube is the second most popular way of how the public consume music which is good to know as we will publish the video on there and it will be appreciated.



















The results from this question on the importance of music in everyday life reveals how significant music has as a way of people getting by with their everyday life. Music is a way of life for many people which is shown from the results of 8.10.

The total of people who watch music music videos everyday and a few times a week, add up to 47.43 which is almost half. This isn't a lot in terms of everyone but we only asked 78 people.  The majority of the people we asked, said that they only watch a music video if its trending or if the artist they like has released a video. This means that it depends more on the artist and the music they produce over anything.



In this question about what people are most interested in when watching a music video, we found that  style, as well as hidden messages were really important.

From this survey, i have learned the basic but most important aspects of a music video that people want to see but will also benefit entertainingly from. This will help to create the best possible music video for the song 'Beigeness' we chose as group.

Making the ordinary extraordinary - shoot

this shoot on making the ordinary extraordinary was just a test to show how ordinary things can be turned into something more mysterious and appealing.

initial ideas

My group came together to discuss the ideas for all of the main aspects that brings an artist's work together,e.g the advert, the artists appearance, music video ideas and album names ect.

Deconstructing music videos - Lyrics

Ed Sheeran - Shape of you

This music video follows the main idea of the lyrics about 'I'm in love with the shape of you' with the main concept of the video being based upon two individuals who meet in the changing room of the area they workout in. The idea on body image and the lyrics match well and follow through with the lyrics 'we're going out on our first date' and 'even get in the taxi and kiss in the back seat' which follow the visuals exactly of a taxi with the couple in the background. 


Sam Smith - I'm not the only one
Sam Smith's 'I'm not the only one's music video follows the storyline of a married woman who has a suspicion that her husband is cheating on her which she finds that she was right about. The wife in the music video is wearing her wedding dress with the lyrics 'Denying every tear' with a extreme close up of her eyes crying.










Logic - 1-800(...)
This song follows the storyline about a gay boy who isn't accepted for who he is and is feeling suicidal. The boy then calls the suicide hotline which helps him save his own life. The name of the song is also the suicide hotline number. Lyrics and the video bond well and is very moving to watch. This is with the help of the good performance by actors and meaningful lyrics together.

Deconstructing music videos - sound

Butterfly effect- Travis Scott

I chose this music video specifically because the beginning starts off with many different sounds all merged into one. This creates a gloomy, sinister effect to introduce the style of the artist as well as the type of music video it is. From beginning to end, the video has a triply vibe to it and this is highlighted by the use of inverted colours and random clips that are inserted that don't completely make sense. The video focuses on the visual side as well as the music. Only 10 seconds in does the song actually start which is very fast paced and takes a lot of focus to actually be able to take in all of the different shots.
Something that runs throughout the video is the 'Pop it, pop it' that you can hear after Travis Scott says ' Drop the top, pop it let it bang'. The tone of the voice is very menacing and deep which creates a dark tone. The song is hazy and 'low-key' and has a eery tone which makes you question what the song is really about.
My initial impression to the sound alongside with the visuals was the effects of 'LSD' (not from experience, but the things I've been educated about it)

Feel good - Gorillaz 
The beginning starts off with diegetic sounds of planes and crashing sounds that you would normally hear in the background. The overall tone is sharp and futuristic in the sense that it sounds electronic which is most probably created by auto tune.The music video follows the tone in which it follows through with a continuous darkness and depressing mood. (which are played out by the way the animated characters appearance)



Calvin Harris - How deep is your love 

As most music videos have, the beginning starts off with sounds that aren't in the main body of the song. These sharp sounds that sound electric are interrupted with short breaks/pauses that create tense atmosphere almost. The overall tone of this video is energetic and vibrant. 

The fast pace carries on throughout the whole video with background voices that are obviously auto tuned saying 'tell me how deep is your love, can it go deeper?' which sound quite menacing and 'club' like.

Audience profile

Audience profile 1 
David Wells
Age: (16-35)

David loves to spend his time wisely to make sure he balances his social life with his studies. He is a focused, well educated student who has ambition and goals in life. As far as music goes, it is his escape from reality and helps him stay mentally focused and healthy. In his second year of university, he has made a lot of close relationships and is always thinking about his family back home in London. As London is his hometown , he makes sure he visits frequently to catch up with home life. Fashion isn't very important to him as his self image isn't his main priority, however, he dresses casual to suit his state of mind to stay calm through every situation and makes sure he feels himself at all times. If he does decide to go shopping to make himself feel good about himself, he will be typically seen in H&M, Topman, Tkmax and Gap. (dressing to impress isn't in his priority list)
David loves Justin Timberlake, imagine dragons, Logic and 21 savage, he will listen to anything that he likes the sound of and which makes him feel involved and free. social media isn't very important to him as his self image isn't his main priority and tv is only a once a week thing for him as he doesn't like to be consumed by the media. Soundcloud and spotify as the on his home screen of his phone and top tabs on his laptop highlighting his frequent use of streaming music online.

Amander Elder
(16-35)
She is an independent individual who doesn't let anything stop her from achieving what she has her mind set to. As far as friends and family go, she puts them first and makes sure she is always available for their needs. Shopping to her is her way of expressing herself, especially fashion and her appearance. Amanda's favourite shops are Victoria secret, Miss selfridge, Topshop, Urban outfitters and online shops such as misguided and Asos. She has 3 close friends who she meets up with after college (she is studying Art, media and English literature) to discuss relationships, the future (she wants to be a journalist) and what their favourite person from love island is up to. Music is very important to her life as she enjoys editing videos for youtube videos. Amanda's favourite artists include Taylor Swift, Adele, Ed Sheeran and The killers who she looks up to highly and which she streams off Tubidy and spottily.