Artist Research 

The Black Keys

Formed/History

 dThe Black Keys were formed in 2001 and have been active ever since. Being created in Ohio, America, Patrick Carney & Dan Auerbach were two best friends since childhood, they played instruments in their parents basements, one day day dreaming of becoming big in the industry. They released one of their first album in 2002 and later built up a small fanbase/community which had gathered around in town since hearing their music. They performed in underground clubs growing larger every year, when eventually in the 2010s hit success, with their popular single called Tighten Up, winning three Grammy Awards, alongside this, signing contracts with professional music industry companies gaining ever more attention. 

USP

They are a rock band combined with instrumental and electronic elements. The songs they release can compose a mixture of emotions being sent by the self-producers and will be sadness and hyper energetic, the two emotions can even be in one song released. The genre of this band is Indie Rock, Garage Rock, & Blues Rock. Depending on the 'mood' of the song, the instruments of the song can become low played, slow words come out of the musicians mouth, resulting in a depressive state; however, the music can surprise the audience by suddenly getting hyper-active and excited. They also mostly perform in garages and underground clubs as previously mentioned, not high budget concerts with massive audience followings present. 

Music Focus/Demographic

The songs can be emotional prospects, coming in such relation from the artist themselves, the artist sends a message about 'hoping' for something, "The voice is calling me" both getting understanding from the artist and audience. The song can also come from feelings of a broken heart, from a lost relationship, as that almost everyone can relate towards to; and the feeling of something being 'stolen' from you. All of these examples came from The Black Keys song writing. That I very much enjoy as my type of music balance. 

My Music Video demographic towards this artist

My music video has relations towards the artist because I wanted it to be similar because from the starting point of the band, The Black Keys, they begun their careers. into successful musicians quite introverted and reserved; not contacting record labels and being self-produced. They begun producing their music videos in their homes, garages and eventually into underground clubs at their starting point. So I took inspiration from that to produce and shoot my music video in my house and studio room. I wanted to imagine that the studio room I wanted to use (131), was an underground club with the lightings being used. And therefore, creating the 'vibe' with the lighting being tinted orange, which The Black Keys have, their lighting is tinted with warm colours and sometimes 'moody + dark' so I thought I would try to recreate the lighting as well. 

What parts of artist research have been included/useful in my music video

The parts of research that have been beneficial for my music video are histories of music video production, because it allows me receive information from this band and give an idea of how this was an inspiration for me to make. Also styles and symbolism, as it allows me to research into what makes this artist different from others, as a band, visually, with audio and their USP. And last, construction of image, which is what the songs and the band are all about performing - It's what I find visually appalling and generally good to listen to because I enjoy the band's songs and respect the artist, because I fit into their aesthetic demographic. 

Chosen Music Video & Artist Analysis/Demographic

I have chosen this music video in particular because it was my likeable impression of the band The Black Keys, so that's why I had decided to do it on a band I'm familiar with. I enjoy the music video because of it's atmosphere and content involved in it. I enjoy the lighting because it gives a 'gloomy effect but it's bright' that could be a symbolic way of putting the song on what's being said. I also enjoy this music video production because I think the lyric singing alongside the drumming is a nice touch; I enjoy the beat/rhythm in a calm and relaxed setting. They're target audience demographic is aged at 16-25 year olds, coming from their music videos and seeing the crowds, it's older teenagers/young adults. 

Song Example

My Chemical Romance

Formed/History

My Chemical Romance was formed in New Jersey 2001, by Gerald Way, who would become the lead guitarist of the band and drummer Matt Pelissier. The band was formed just after the 9/11 attacks in America, the founders of the band witnessed the towers fall and decided to create music because of this event because it was 'a way of life' in such of an event. So therefore, a changing of humanity, or what humanity was like towards the founders of seeing such an event. Gerald Way wrote the song "Skylines and Turnstiles" which was a song about the 9/11 Attacks later. The bands genre is a Rock Band. 

USP

My chemical romance is known for a specific audience type, it is a rock band, but the audience and style of the music is meant for mostly consisting of 'emo or 'goth' fashion sense of individuals. Explaining that in sense, the music can be depressive, however, the band adds a comfort to these songs, to keep the audience alive and thriving throughout daily life. It talks about depressive state songs and mentioning trauma but adds comfort to connect with the audience to emotionally help them. 

Music Focus/Demographic

One of the bands most popular songs/albums called "The Black Parade" which centres around the attention of an individual known as "the patient" the song and album tells a story of him having cancer, eventually passing away and his experiences in the afterlife & therefore reflecting upon his own life. They tell a story with the albums. 

NF

Formed/History

NF, a rapper, which is initials for his full name, Nathan John Feuerstein, his rap career became a success in 2010, and after that, gained even more success when his 2015 album mansion went viral; including his later album therapy session made even more records and both reached number 1 on  the charts. He began taking the stage with his new "Let you down" song. Other worldwide successful rapper, Eminem, was NF's inspiration for making music, because NF had a difficult childhood and soon made a song which came from how his mother was, in many terms, a lot of NF's music is about the struggles he himself endured. 

USP

NF's music uses a special genre named "Christian hip hop" which gives word from the Christian perspective of the world, because he himself is Christian. His records/albums have been on Christian charts and has signed a deal/contract with those companies - signing to Capitol Christian Charts" 2014 and "Christian Charts" getting high on the charts with No. 2 & No. 15 for example. 

Music Focus/Demographic

NF has said his songs are not primary about christianity, the record labels he signs with, that he writes his songs about his own experiences. It's not really known if he implements christian viewpoints into his music, although, his music is about feelings in dark places, and how it can turn into hope in a mainly first perspective view point. 

Music Competitors

The Black Keys competitors can consist of other/similar rock bands the same as them, because The Black Keys use old style rock, composed of a little of modern music in their songs. Bands from the past can be seen as a competitor in today's age -  e.g. The Beach Boys, The Beatles can be considered as bands of interest in the same markets as The Black Keys in today's age. Because they have the same audience demographics in similar taste of music and age.