Group issues

When beginning our music video process i started off within a group of four people who all were enthusiastic to create a video with codes and conventions of the acoustic genre. Making crucial decisions based on the artist became difficult and conflicting as the group was split on two artists who both had pros and cons. Following a whole class discussion new groups were formed and this would benefit not just the process of video making but also the final outcome. The group i am now involved with have the same views and opinions on which artist to use and what genre of music. Looking from an outside prospective it was the right and most beneficial decision i have made in the process so far as i think i can now flourish and have a pleasing more satisfying experience. Being in a group which had conflicts early on into the research process created a very negative working dynamic, if carried on i believe we would not have been a team but four individuals trying to communicate.

Mumford and Sons Tour Poster

This is the most complex and extreme tour poster that i came across when researching. It is very different from any other that i have seen, and caught my attention as a listener straight away.  The central image shows how a naturalistic image can easily be destroyed by society. When black and white are used together we get a sense of mourning and a very cheerless occasion, as these colours are usually common at funeral. The white hints at passing onto heaven and the black is for loss. This could suggest that we should be mourning the loss of nature as we have known it, as we are destroying it beyond repair. This is shown by the destroyed car with the headlights giving attention to the innocent cartoon birds. This could have been used to emphasize the destruction we are bringing to creatures that cant fight back and have done nothing to deserve such treatment, it could also hint at the lyrics that are used by the band. It could suggest they sing about subjects that are of a deeper importance than other artists and shows their music has alot of depth.  The open and broken cartoon cages symbolize freedom, this could show how the band have broken all the boundaries of music and have created their own unique sound. They could be comparing themselves to being like birds, they were first trapped by the strict music industry but have now broken out of the cages and identities and are free to show the world what they can do. The two archaic oak trees, could suggest how important music has been to the band- music has always been there for them and remains faithful in their success. It could also be used to show that they are an acoustic band, as all of the tour posters i have analyzed have used images of nature and have been cartoon.

By using blue writing and blue leaves, we get a sense of calming as the overly crowded tour poster on first glance can look overpowering and overcrowded. However i feel the tint of blue adds purity, life and stability to the poster and helps the details of the tour to stand out against the black and white gradient.

Regina Spektor Tour Poster

This artistic and charismatic tour poster can be interpreted in many different ways, Its individuality reflects Regina's style of music and lyrics. The striking image of the cartoon dove usually connotes peace, purity, love and beauty. This could suggest that her tracks include all of these themes to provide for a variety of listeners. It is also a very natural and idyllic image, which could heighten her acoustic and alternative artist title.  The use of the colour green has a calming and serenading effect, it is a colour usually associated with the landscape which helps to portray to new listeners that she is of the acoustic genre. The colour red is the most predominant colour used on this poster, red is a very sensual colour that is used to express femininity. This could have been used to show that Regina is a very strong and emotive artist, who is considered as being very dominant and powerful. I found it very unusual that the colour orange was used on this poster, however when asking my peers they suggested that it is a warming colour and is used to represent the changing of seasons. This could suggest that her tour is unlike any that she has done before, and could reflect a change in the style of her music. Due to others opinions on this colour, it has also changed my own and i now feel that it was used as a symbol of her growing as an artist. By using this colour as the font for the tour dates, it could suggest that anyone is welcome.
The central and main image is of  a giant babushka doll, all the other images on this poster are contained within the doll. This could suggest that Regina feels she is trapped within a painted identity with all these ideas inside of her. We can see that there is a cartoon hand breaking out of the doll in order to play a keyboard. This could be a metaphor to show that music is her only way of escaping the restrictions of her everyday life and could maybe show the importance that the keyboard has in her music. Big hippy flowers surround the tour poster, this is a very common theme on acoustic tour posters and videos as usually it represents the natural worlds effect on the music.
The painted face on the babushka doll could symbolize that Regina could be trying to hide her identity, feels insecure or could feels that she needs to be different to stand up against new artists.

Jason Mraz Tour Poster

The rural landscape in the background suggests that he is a country/ acoustic singer who doesn't need big stages and equipment, all he needs is his guitar to make music and this is shown by a guitar image being central on his tour poster. This heightens his acoustic title as most acoustic singers only use one instrument and this is most commonly a guitar. The country background also presents a calm, relaxed and untouched scene, which could symbolize his style of music. The country setting of his tour poster could also be used to reflect his strong opinions on the environment, as it has been known that Jason Mraz thinks highly about protecting our natural surroundings.  Another pastoral and natural image and symbol used on this tour poster is the cartoon image of the sun. This could have been used as a symbol for happiness and brightness which could reflect his peaceful toned music. There is also use of pastoral colours, such as yellow and green.  Green is the pervasive color in the natural world, it is soothing and is mentally relaxing. By using the colour green we immediately gain an acoustic feel. Also 90% of the tour poster is filled with a blue sky, blue is a very engaging colour which could have been used to gain new fans and listeners. Also we have become very dependent on the colour blue as it is a very constant colour in our lives (colour of the sea & sky). Using these pastoral colours creates an easy feel to the poster and suggests his laid back attitude to his music.
The title 'Jason Mraz' is printed in a stereotypically masculine font, it is black and bold. This is very striking to passers by. The use of this font could suggest that just because he is an acoustic, thoughtful and emotional singer does not mean that his masculine image should be weakened. It is also in a quirky style of font, which could reflect his individuality and his different approach to music. Overall the text printed on this poster is eye catching and even people quickly passing by will easily be able to grab the information they need to attend.
Jason Mraz is usually shown as a cartoon figure, so carrying on this constant theme on this tour poster will attract fans and make his tour noticed. He is also wearing a straw hat which is another idea and symbol linked with acoustic singers, this could attract new listeners who like acoustic music in general. The hat however has been lifted above Jason Mrazs head, this could suggest two things. It could suggest that he is trying to lift the stereotype of acoustic singers, or could suggest that his thoughts have caused the hat to rise above his head.

Jason Mraz 'We sing. We dance. We steal things'

This vibrant illustration of Jason Mraz has been clearly designed so we can gather an insight into his artistic mind. This cartoon image of him could symbolize his unfulfilled state of mind. It could suggest that he feels almost like a character within each story of his lyrics. This simplistic pen drawing of Jason Mraz appears to be a recurring theme for his albums and this cover image of him seems to be the most detailed , exquisite and artistic so far.
Within this vivacious image we can see that the colour and excitement is escaping from Jason's head. This could suggest that his music and lyrics are based on the crazy, every day thoughts of Jason mraz. There are many unusual and intriguing images within this mess of drawings, one of these being a destroyed television with a snake replacing the cables. This could be an open metaphor to suggest that television and media is injecting poisonous ideas and images into our minds.  Other intriguing visuals are strongly associated with music, such as an amplifier, an 80's style boom box and a early 20's style grammar phone. This could emphasize that music is of extreme importance to the artist and constantly surrounds his thoughts and feelings. These old style music instruments could also suggest that music has always been important to him, and he has been making music for a long time. Both show his extreme dedication to music.
Jason Mraz has always been one to express his strongly held opinions on subjects such as war and the environment. These viewpoints are subtly suggested on his album cover, where there is a visual of a cartoon man pointing in the direction on a tank on where he wants to go.  This could make listeners suspect Jason's lack of faith and trust in the army. It could also suggest that Jason is quite and wise and thoughtful man, whose head is filled up by thoughts of worldly issues.
The title of the album 'beautiful mess' can also be a phrase used to sum up Jason Mraz's erratic thoughts. There is no organisation of the images coming out of his head, they are unexpected and random. This could suggest and reflect his thought process and his lyrics by portraying them as erratic but thoughtful.
The use of pastel colours is of extreme importance on this cover. The colours are bright and associated with summer, using rainbow colour tones. This could be strongly connected to the idea that acoustic music can be seen as 'summery', so there wouldn't be an dark and gloomy colours featured on the cover.

The Script 'Science and Faith'

The beige background creates an archaic feel which could symbolize the album is about subjects that everyone can relate to, such as love. This neutral colour also helps the cover image to stand out and become the focus of the listeners attention, this emphasizes the importance and significance of the grasped hands. The cover image could have been used as a symbol to represent the close bond between 'science and faith'. The grasped hands could also connote violence, as this is the usual position of arm wrestling, this could represent a disagreement or two ideas colliding towards each other (these colliding ideas could be 'science and faith'). This image is also a representation of the scripts inspirational and motivational lyrics about holding on through hard times and heart break.
The albums theme is based around the current economic and social climate that surrounds them, this could suggest that the cover image is about making peace or pacts in order to benefit and cooperate with other countries.
The album title portrays quite a controversial image as science is about facts, and faith is about self belief. This could highlight the idea that their lyrics could be contradictory but also full of wisdom and heart. The album title 'science and faith' shows the primacy of love in the universal equation. This suggests how love cannot be broken down into a science, it is an ineffable emotion and unlike anything else in this world it cannot be made into an equation.
Their album title and cover is very simplistic, “We're dealing with complex emotions in the simplest of ways, that's what we battle with in these songs.” This suggests that the Script wanted their cover to reflect their songs, lyrics and overall image but to also have an irrevocable impact on their listeners.

Regina Spektor CD Cover Analysis

The piano being the central and main image suggests that most of her music is created just through her voice and a piano. The piano standing out in contrast to the black and white background could show that it is important to her music and helps take listeners 'Far Away' . The clouded image painted onto the piano portrays a very calm and simple image that could represent her style of music and her freedom.

The open window could suggest she is trying to escape but she cant go 'far' as there is an unbreakable brick wall behind it. Also the room is enclosed, trapping her with her piano and thoughts suggesting that her music metaphorically takes her 'far away'. The room on this cover is in black and white and incredibly small. The connotations of this gradient could represent Regina's mood, suggesting that her piano is in colour to emphasize the happiness of her music and passion to create it. It is what helps her escape the normality of life. The image contradicts with the album title, this could reflect that her music and lyrics is trying to break the boundaries, this could potentially draw new listeners towards her album when on display in stores.

This cover intrigues me as it is very artistic and the cartoon image could suggest that she is trying to hide her identity behind a mask and could reflect the insecurity of the artist. Also behind Spektor's cutesy cartoon outlines lie songs full of adult drama and death with details that catch the imagination when you're least expecting them to.

The titles font: 'regina spektor' (font colour is black) and 'far' (font colour is white) presents a very contradictory thought in my head. These colours suggest very different things, white presents me with connotations such as purity, peace and spiritual ideas whereas black adds a touch of mystery and darkness and can make rooms immediately appear smaller. This could suggest the artist is confused and her thoughts and lyrics could reflect very different ideas. This could be an overall reflection of acoustic artists as a whole. The image that Regina is hiding her identity is backed up by her being behind the piano on the cover. This could suggest that she hides behind her music, and her lyrics could be a way to release deep feelings.