RESEARCH TASKS

Beggars Group

Meet the Artists.

Beggars Group is one of the largest independent record label groups in the world. Founded by Martin Mills in 1977 in London, success was quick to follow via one of their first signings Gary Neuman. With offices in Texas, Los Angeles, and California they're a widespread label picking up different genres of music throughout the entire world. They're based in London with their headquarters being New York. Paul Redding is the current CEO of Beggars Group and the various other primary labels: XL Records, Rough Trade, 4AD and Matador.

Some of the recognisable Artists signed to the group are:

Adele, Radiohead, Bon Iver, and Car Seat Headrest.

However these artists are signed under smaller labels, usually consisting of different genres. The other primary labels are 4AD, Matador, Rough Trade, and XL Recordings.

Each of these artists has their own take on producing music which resulted in great success and widespread popularity for both the artist and the record label.

Adele is arguably the most popular artist signed under Beggars Group, she has been associated with XL Recordings since 2008. Adele has obtained 17 Number One singles in the UK since 2011, making her one of the most successful independent artists worldwide. Adele's music has been featured in many films and commercials, for example, 'Skyfall' which was the main soundtrack for the 23rd James Bond movie. Her music focuses on heartbreak, love, and personal growth often drawn from her own experiences and emotions. Some of her most famous songs are about love and the pain of moving on. Other songs are more empowering and speak to the resilience and strength that can be found in difficult times. Overall, Adele's music is known for its emotional depth and reliability.

Formed in 1985 Radiohead is one of the most successful bands in the music industry. In 2007 they signed with XL Recordings making them an official partner with Beggars Group. Radiohead's music covers a wide range of topics, but some common themes include alienation, societal critique, and the human condition. Their music often delves into complex and introspective subject matter, and the band has been known to experiment with a variety of genres and styles. Radiohead has managed to achieve five number one albums and seventeen top 40 singles. Overall, Radiohead's music is known for its intellectual depth and emotional intensity, and the band has become one of the most influential and respected rock groups of all time.

Bon iver is an american indie folk band formed in 2006, signed with 4AD where he released many of his most popular albums, singles and EPs. Bon Iver's music often explores themes of introspection, personal growth, and emotional healing. The band's lyrics are known for their poetic and metaphorical qualities, and they often use nature imagery and references to relationships and personal experiences to convey their messages.Bon Iver's music is often characterized by its haunting melodies, intricate harmonies, and unique blend of folk, rock, and experimental influences. The band has been widely praised for its emotional depth and musical innovation, and their music continues to resonate with listeners around the world.

Detailed analysis of two music videos.

Music video 1 - Someone Like You

The music video for "Someone Like You" by Adele is a powerful visual representation of the song's emotional intensity. The video features Adele walking alone on a deserted street in Paris at night, with only the glow of street lamps to light her way. The camera follows her closely, often focusing on her face as she sings the heartfelt lyrics. The use of close-ups and medium shots creates a sense of intimacy, as if the viewer is right there with Adele, feeling her pain and longing.

The mise-en-scene is also carefully crafted to enhance the emotional impact of the song. The dark, empty streets of Paris give a sense of isolation and loneliness, mirroring the feeling of heartbreak that Adele expresses in the lyrics. The stark contrast between the black of Adele's clothing and the white of the streetlights and buildings emphasizes her vulnerability and sadness.

Music video 2 - No surprises

The music video for "No Surprises" by Radiohead is a minimalist and evocative visual piece that perfectly complements the melancholic and reflective nature of the song. Directed by Grant Gee, the video features the lead singer of the band, Thom Yorke, floating in a glass box filled with water, while singing the lyrics.

The video starts with a long shot of the glass box, which is suspended in mid-air. The camera then zooms in slowly, revealing Yorke's face, which is emotionless and serene. The shot type used here is a medium close-up, which draws the viewer's attention to the singer's face and his surroundings.

Throughout the video, the camera focuses mainly on Yorke's face and his surroundings, which creates a sense of isolation and detachment. The mise-en-scene, which includes the glass box, the water, and the minimalistic set design, adds to this feeling of detachment. The use of minimalistic set design, with only a single light bulb hanging above the glass box, and no other objects or props in sight, creates a sense of emptiness and detachment.

The use of water in the video is also significant. The water represents the sense of drowning or being overwhelmed, which is evident in the lyrics of the song. The camera also uses underwater shots, which create a dreamlike effect, and reinforce the idea of being submerged or trapped.

The lighting in the video is also minimalistic, with a single light source that casts soft shadows on Yorke's face. The lighting creates a somber and introspective mood that matches the reflective and melancholic tone of the song.

The video ends with Yorke closing his eyes and sinking into the water, creating a sense of finality and resignation. The use of the glass box and the water creates a sense of confinement, and the camera's focus on Yorke's face creates a feeling of intimacy with the viewer.

The 1975

The band I have chosen to create a music video for is The 1975. I believe that their unique take on music and production would make them a suitable member of Beggars Group.

Chosen Track / Artist

The track I have chosen to perform is Me & You Together Song by The 1975. 'Me & You Together Song' was the third single released from the album 'Notes on a conditional form' in 2020 which is arguably their most musically diverse album to date, with near enough each song having a completely different genre/style.

'Me & You Together Song' is a dream pop and pop rock power ballad produced in a retro style that emulates rock music in the 1990s/2000s. The song is made up of echoing, jangly pop rock guitars, dreamy guitar riffs, rumbling bass, clanging keyboards, and thunderous drums. It contains themes of romance, love, miscommunication and devotion.

Making a narrative music video for Me & You Together Song could include two people trying to get together, however there will be obstacles in the way that they have to overcome to get what they want. A typical love story.

The band name I have chosen is very similar to the original:

- It's 1975

Brief History of The 1975.

The 1975 is a British pop rock band formed in Manchester in 2002. The band has always consisted of Matthew Healy (lead vocals, guitar), Adam Hann (guitar), Ross MacDonald (bass), and George Daniel (drums, producing). The band's name was inspired by a scribble on the back of a book given to Healy by his mother, which read "1 June, The 1975." However before they agreed on being called The 1975 the band had many pervious names, Me and You Versus Them, Forever Drawing Six, Talkhouse, the Slowdown, Bigsleep, Drive Like I Do and eventually the 1975.

The band started out playing local gigs around Manchester, and in 2012 they released their debut EP, "Facedown". The EP was well received and led to the band being signed to the label Dirty Hit. In 2013, they released their second EP, "Sex", which spawned the hit single of the same name.

Two music videos by The 1975:

Me & You Together Song

Love It If We Made It

The music video for Me & You Together song is directed by Bedroom. It was Filmed in a retro style reminiscent of 1990s music videos, it includes homages to 1990s culture such as mix CDs, boomboxes, Converse, rooms covered in band posters, and retro T-shirts. The music video begins with a young woman inserting a CD mixtape into her boombox before dancing on her bed. The video pivots to a house party as the song progresses, while scenes of the band performing can be seen. The bedrooms are shown to be interconnected, while at the same time the people partying begin locking eyes with each other. As the couples in the bedrooms and the party begin making out, the 1975 are shown performing in the house and the partygoers gather around them. As the video concludes, the entire apartment in which the video takes place is shown to be built on a sound stage of Me & You Together song.

Lyric Analysis:

The song is a nostalgic love song about a person who has been in love with their friend for a long time. The opening lines set the scene for the song's theme, with the singer recalling the moment they met their friend and how he was drawn to her immediately, even though she wasn't wearing a top. The reference to improvising suggests that the meeting was unexpected, adding to the excitement of the moment.

The chorus is a simple and repetitive declaration of love, with vocalist Matty Healy repeating the phrase "I've been in love with her for ages" multiple times. The repetition reinforces the depth and intensity of the singer's feelings for their friend, while also emphasising the frustration of not being able to express those feelings. The bridge of the song acknowledges that the story of their unrequited love " needs more pages ", suggesting that their relationship is incomplete.

Overall, "Me & You Together Song" is a heartfelt and bittersweet love song about being in love with a friend and not being able to express those feelings. The song's chorus and nostalgic lyrics make it a unique track on The 1975's album 'notes on a conditional form'. Its themes of identity and unrequited love resonate with listeners of all ages.

The music video for Love it If We Made It is the complete opposite of Me & You Together Song, both lyrically and visually. It comments on the current state of the fractured world we live in with a graphic slideshow containing abrupt and flashing images/videos of police brutality, war, pollution, black Friday, riots, social media impacts, Trump supporters and more of the problems people face on a daily basis. Throughout the video, the lyrics of the song appear on the screen in bold block letters, underscoring the urgent and confrontational nature of the message. Overall, the music video for "Love It If We Made It" is a visually stunning and emotionally charged critique of contemporary society and culture. It challenges viewers to confront the harsh realities of the world we live in, while also offering a message of hope and solidarity.

Lyric Analysis:

The song "Love It If We Made It" by The 1975 is a politically charged song that criticises modern society's failures and societal issues that humanity has created. The lyrics cover a wide range of topics, from drug use and controversial behaviour to police brutality and racial injustice. The song's themes seem to be a reflection of the current state of the world, where people are facing everyday challenges such as climate change, social and political division, and a lack of trust in government/leaders.

Full Lyrics for Me And You Together Song.

I can remember when we met
Because she didn't have a top on (A top on)
I improvised a little bit
She said my references were spot on (Spot on)
"Can I take you for a drink?"
She said, "Oh God, I'll have to think
Because we're mates, it doesn't feel right" (Feel right)
And I said, "It's cool, " and "I was messing" but it's true
Yeah, it's you, you're the one that makes me feel right

I've been in love with her for ages
And I can't seem to get it right
I fell in love with her in stages
My whole life

I had a dream where we had kids
You would cook, I'd do the nappies (Nappies)
We went to Winter Wonderland
And it was shit but we were happy (Happy)
I'm sorry that I'm kinda queer, it's not as weird as it appears
It's 'cause my body doesn't stop me (Stop me)
Oh, it's okay, lots of people think I'm gay
But we're friends, so it's cool, why would it not be? (Not be)

I've been in love with her for ages
And I can't seem to get it right
I fell in love with her in stages
My whole life

And that's been now way for me to say
That I felt a certain way in stages, oh
I think the story needs more pages, yes

I've been in love with her for ages (And ages)
And ages, I've been in love with her for ages (And ages)
Ages, I've been in love with her for ages
And ages, and ages, I've been in love with her for ages

And ages, and ages, I've been in love with her for ages
And ages, and ages (Yeah), I've been in love with you for ages
For ages, and ages (I've been in love, yeah)
I've been in love with you for ages

What conventions should a narrative music video contain?

Considering the chosen genre for the music video is 'narrative', the music video will have to tell a story that is able to be understood within the video. It will have to relate to the lyrics which will support the narratives understanding. This can all be done by using simple storytelling elements. The video will need to consist of characters, a plot, clear emotions and eventually a resolution.

Permission Request letter

Dear Dirty Hit Record Label and to whom it may concern,

I am writing to request permission to use a song by one of your artists for my upcoming media project. As a fan of your label and the talented musicians you represent, I believe that the inclusion of one of your songs would be a valuable addition to my project.

My project is to create a music video/blog using your band as well as one of their songs, and I believe that: Me & You Together Song by The 1975 would be an excellent fit for the project. I understand that the song is the property of your label and that permission is required to use it in any media project. I am willing to comply with any licensing or usage requirements that your label may have, including appropriate attribution in the credits of my project.

I would be grateful if you could provide me with permission to use the song and any necessary licensing details as soon as possible. Please let me know if there are any fees or other requirements associated with the use of the song.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Sincerely,

Charlie Evans