The document discusses codes and conventions of indie rock music videos. It notes that indie rock videos typically feature male solo artists or bands playing instruments like guitar. The settings are often simple, natural locations like streets, parks or studios to give a raw, down-to-earth feel. Artists have a casual, retro style with minimal makeup. Music videos focus on live performances to showcase musical talent. Common camera shots include close-ups of emotive faces and wide shots of performances. Editing aims to match the rhythm of the song.

1. Codes and Conventions of
an Indie- rock magazine

2. Codes and Conventions of the genre
Mainly male solo artists and bands who are usually British, there's also solo
female artists
● They seem arrogant from having a laidback approach.
● Very neutral or lack of emotions in their facial expressions
● Having their own instruments that they can play during performances at
gigs mainly guitar
● They live a hedonistic lifestyle where they may have the appearance of
being drunk or hungover
● Indie artists tend to adopt a “I don’t care” attitude along with the
disorganized vibe which enhances the individualist attitude of not trying
please people and standing out rather than fitting in.
SETTING - The setting used in indie music videos are mainly shot in the studios, city,
parks, stations,carparks and on roads and streets as Indie music videos are known to
be slightly low budget so the locations are kept simple. The artists mainly use natural
surroundings and backgrounds in order to to produce the feeling of comfort and a
sense of familiarness for the audience as the locations are all familiar to them. This also
helps to introduce the rawness of their work in producing their music,which shows how
down to earth the artists are. The chosen location are easily accessible and they are
also associated stereotypically with the Indie Genre for giving off a mysterious vibe.
The settings are kept simple as the music video main focus is more on the
artist/performance.

3. MISE-EN-SCENE -plays an important factor in representing the indie rock genre as it
contributes to helping the portrayal of the artists and the music in a way of having
laidback and chilled vibe. Indie artists often have a retro and casual look which is very
comfortable and simple and this is created through their costumes and the use of their
makeup.The costumes help to give artists different identities and how they should be
interpreted making it easier to understand the music video and the concept of the music
video,which then therefore helps to set them apart from other artists. The props are very
important to ensure that the music video looks realistic as it helps to set a tone for the artists
and the genre as to what type of music they endeavor to have. For a indie rock genre the
key props would be instruments e.g. drum kit, guitar etc,which shows that the artists have a
passion and love for music and they have full dedication to it.
PERFORMANCE -It is common for the Indie genre to include live performance as it
helps to increase the main focus on the main artists showing the audience and fans
their love for music and how much they enjoy performing. It is typical in the genre to
be focusing primarily on the actual talents of the artist from their instrumental talents
to their vocal skills & talents in order to really show off the vast amount of talent that
the Indie genre has within the music industry. Within the recent years it has become
common and increasingly popular to include a narrative in-between the
performance to help add more meaning and emphasis within the music video, this
helps the artists to communicate with the audience at a deeper understanding
musically as it speaks to the audience in a direct address which helps them to relate

4. SOUND -For the music video, sound is an important aspect especially during the live performances where the audience can
directly hear the instruments being played, so the indie genre tends to adopt more instrumental sounds that they can
later perform. If the music video adapts a narrative it might have diegetic sounds to make the scene look realistic.
Sounds may sometimes overlap for example the vocals could still be playing but the audience can hear someone
screaming/crying which helps to convey emotions of the song.
CAMERA -The most common camera shots used in indie genre music video would be close up shots as it helps to introduces
the artists and from the use of the close up it really helps to advertise the artists such as their looks and their main points
as an artist. Close up shots really helps to highlights the artist’s talents when they are singing as it it also helps to
emphasize their passion and emotion for the music and in the music music video in particular as it helps to set the mood
based off their facial expressions. Crane shots are also popular when filming live performances as it allows the music
video to incorporate different angles giving off a more a realistic vibe so that the audience can feel that they are
visually there. Long and wide shots are used as establishing shots to help set and open the scene of the narrative in the
music video.

5. EDITING-The indie genre likes to ensure that the music video is interesting so the editing has to be consistent and well
planned. Most indie genre videos would have editing to help make the video run smoothly and to also give it a
good flow to help the rhythm and pace of the song or , is also used to help create a vibe that makes the music
video feel more realistic which allows the audience to feel included as though they are apart of the music video.
Shots that are used are usually cut which can be fast or slow to reflect the pace/beat of the music but it also sets the
tone for the music video, which allows audience to react according to the pace of the song. The effects are usually
added over the top of the video to create an old,retro look which gives off the nostalgic indie vibes within the
video. The black and white effect is highly popular to use as it makes the appearance of the video seem old
fashioned giving off a sentimental feel and nostalgic vibe which really evokes emotions and thoughts.

6. Artists within the Genre
● Typically from the Indie genre we can expect to see mainly male bands where the main artist of the group
would be the vocals and the centre in music videos where the attention is focused on them.
● Informal and laid-back with a “ i don’t care” attitude
● Appear drunk or hungover due to their hedonistic lifestyle
● They smoke frequently and are keen lovers of alcohol and getting drunk daily
● Artists each play an instrument be it the drums or guitar, they are all instrumental players
● They are artists who really like to let loose and have fun where they enjoy partying and drinking
● The artists within this genre main fashion statement are big chunky boots,parka jacket,jean jacket,graphic
tee. Their style is casual,fashionable but also comfortable
● They appear to be very arrogant believing that their music and themselves to be the best

7. Representation
The Indie genre within the music industry has a more open-minded sense and approach on gender within the music
community This is a positive representation of women and men within the the genre as pioneering co-ed bands such
(Pixies, Arcade Fire, Lush, the White Stripes, Elastica, My Bloody Valentine, Quasi) are being acknowledged for the positive
portrayal of both genders and is boosting in popularity by being able to give the opportunity to promote females. There is
also the blending of gender-coded imagery where androgyny has been consistent in clothing and physicality. The
blending of gender imagery is common in rock and pop which is not incorporated to the genre where equality between
performers of both genders are equal. Additionally, female spectatorship and fanship is sexualised.
In terms of class and ethnicity the representation that we receive from the genre is that mainly white lower middle class
young men are more into the hedonistic lifestyle where they party and drink for fun. It represents that the artists of this
genre at around that age and ethnicity value letting loose and having fun rather than be confined, they enjoy
drinking,smoking and partying and they don’t care about other people's opinion on their lifestyle and behaviour.
The representation for ethnicity in the indie-rock genre is
that there is acceptance to mixing co-ed ethic bands as
seen by the band BLOC PARTY where the lead singer is Kele
Okereke who is off a different race and that there is also a
female presence within the group.

8. Fashion style and trends
● Skintight , ripped or baggy Jeans
● Leather ,denim or parka jacket
● Rounded sunglasses
● Graphic t-shirts
● Loose baggy t-shirt
● Striped,checkered shirt
● Chunky shoes
● suspenders
● Statement accessories
● Bohemian,tasseled dresses

9. Disheveled hair looking very laid back and disordered
giving off that chilled vibe
Large white graphic print t-
shirt shows that the fashion is
casual but also comfortable
Still in trend for fashion
Messy curls and slicked
back hair shows how
much they care for their
appearance
Rounded glasses, to
make him seem more
mysterious as you can’t
see his eyes but you can
feel him gazing at you
with direct address. It
also gives of cool vibe
making his aura more
appealing to the
audience
Denim shirt
that gives off
a well
dressed but
casual vibe,it
looks
fashionable
and in trend
Black leather
jacket is
associated
with the rock
genre so
wearing it
represents the
blend and mix
of two genres
Casual white t-shirt to wear to show the simplicity of their

10. Casual large block coloured t-shirts and
checkered t-shirt with a simple style and
fashion it makes the audience relate more to
the fashion as it's all about feeling comfortable
Denim jean
jacket is
fashionable
making him
seem cooler
Pale nude
coloured jacket
that a statement
piece to make
him stand out
Baggy jeans for
casual look
Curly hair which is neat to
show how much Lorde looks
after her hair
Simplistic
makeup
which is very
subtle and
natural
keeping in
the neutral
tones
Statement necklace
piece to show that
Lorde is on track with
the trends and
doesn’t mind
Simple striped t-shirt
showing the
simplicity of the
fashion

11. Existing Media Brands
XFM was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob. The station became full-time radio on September 1st 1997.
During the following year the station played a range of music from its studios however a mass appeal was prevented
by the lack of awareness due to an unsuccessful marketing campaign.
Following the take-over by Capital, the station became a more male-orientated audience which featured football
coverage and more macho behaviour output. This came to an end when the Radio Authority fined XFM £50,000 for
breakfast presenter Tom Binns joking about bestiality of men on air.
Radio X is a radio
station brand that
focuses mainly on
alternative music,
essentially indie
rock. Radio X
launched nationally
on 21 September
2015 as a rebrand
of Xfm and
displaced Radio X
London to Xfm
London.

12. Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 appeals to male target audiences based on the
playing of alternative music playlists but also a wide range of
Indie-rock music. The style of music played appeals more
towards the indie-genre fans as it is very masculine and lively
which makes them want to really go out and party. They also
do competitions for free tickets to festivals and gigs which
would really appeal to the target audience.

13. TOPMAN
Topman is a brand predominately associated with the indie genre in
terms of their fashion choices and their target audience of males being
around 20’s-30’s. They feature free issues of NME quite frequently to
really spread the word of Indie music. The values for Topman are in
correlation to the values of indie music lovers such as being active and
going to gigs, really living live to the fullest(hedonistic lifestyle), this can
be seen for the promotions of festivals and gigs where the outgoing
customers can participate.