While She Sleeps are a British hard-core band from Sheffield, England. They formed in 2006 and are now a very popular group in their genre of music. The band consists of Lawrence Taylor (Frontman), Sean Long and Mat Welsh (Guitarists), Aaran Mackensie (Bassist) and Adam Savage (Drummer). While She Sleeps are signed to Search and Destroy records (UK), The End Records (US) and Shock Records (Australia). On 7th June 2012, While She Sleeps won an award for Best British Newcomer at the Kerrang! Awards 2012. They have recently toured around the UK, support coming from Bury Tomorrow. The two bands are closely linked in genre and style, thus by touring together they appealed to the same audience, gaining more popularity from one another.
Their song Crows is one of the most popular songs they’ve recorded. The song comes from the album “The North Stands for Nothing” which was their first debut “mini” album.
This is While She Sleeps live at the Impericon Fesitval.
This is While She Sleeps live at the 02 academy in Sheffield.
Goodwin’s Theory is based on 8 principles to analyse a music video, therefore I am going to discuss each factor for the video to the song “Crows”.
The name of the song itself has a symbol/meaning. The word “Crow” means death. Many multi-cultural myths have included the crow and related it to being mischievous, cunny and also linked with the goddess of war and death –Morrigan. By illustrating that the song is called Crows straight away connotes to the audience that this song has a negative vibe. The lyrics “This is the end” backs up my point. Goodwin suggests that there is a link between the lyrics and the visuals and I think this is true for the music video, as the lyrics mainly illustrate how they’re trying to escape their death and “rise against it”; the background of the music video suggests corruption and a broken life. It could signify that everything has been crushed and creates the atmosphere of impending doom. The lyrics “I’m reaching out to you” could link to the open spaces that they are performing in, suggesting to the audience that they are isolated from everyone else.
The building they are standing in front of has been knocked down and destroyed, however if you look in this shot you can see in the background that the other buildings are still standing, but they are far away from the performance. Suggesting to me that they are stuck in a rut of being unstable and out of reach from them is the chance to escape and become established again.
As the music begins at the start of the music video, the main vocalist (Lawrence) jumps to synchronise himself with the beginning of the song. I think this is quite effective as it’s an interesting way to start the music video and connects him more with the music. The quick edits right from the beginning again compliments the music as it is fast and hard edged. It creates chaos which links with the space in which they are performing in and the sound that they are trying to create.
The slow motion effect that takes place at 0.26 combined with the blurred camera shot disconnects with the music, as this creates a more calming effect rather than a chaotic one. I think this is to contrast the two different types of shots that are continually in the music video.
The black out at 0.29-0.30 goes along with the song as there is a very short break and then the music begins again, this is to signify a break before the vocals come into the song. This is effective as it co-insides with the music and creates the song visually rather than just hearing the lyrics.
At 1.03-1.04 the visuals on the music video amplifies the song as the guitar builds up and the camera shot creates a confused effect, making the visuals look blurred.
You can also see that many band members of this genre are covered in tattoos. In the 1960’s, these were associated with thugs and skin heads; they were a sign of rebellion. To have a tattoo was to go against the mainstream culture, thus as rock/hard-core tries to avoid being a “sell out” (associated with mainstream), tattoos signify that they are breaking the normality. As the pictures I stated above linked with clothing, they also linked with the idea that most hard-core bands will have a member with a lot of tattoos to show the audience that they are not connected with mainstream music.
The skinny black trousers that all of the band members are wearing in the video is largely linked with the punk/rock scene, even though now in modern times they are more commonly found within indie genres etc. However in the 80’s “drainpipes” as they were called were only worn by popular rock groups. Again most hard-core bands will have the same fashion style so that they can all be compared to one another, to show that they belong to the same type of genre.
Along with the fashion elements in the video connoting their genre, the way the music video is set out also goes along with the punk/hard-core style of things. Many bands that are associated with this genre will focus their music video mainly on their performance, some may include footage of them performing live at a venue, and others like While She Sleeps will have them performing in a different location to get a message across to the audience. For example if you look at these music videos, you will see that they too include a lot of performance shots. (Bury Tomorrow and Architects)
A lot of the bands base their music video in wide open locations, mainly outside, to signify that they are separated from other genres, in a sense that they are in their own music category, away from everything else.
In both music videos (While She Sleeps and Bury Tomorrow), they have their action responding to the music.
A proficient commentary linked helpfully with Goodwin's theory. Note the location in the music video is apocalyptic thus amphasising the hard core macho body language of the band.
ReplyDeleteWell done for identifying the tattoos as generic, this kind of body art was originally associated with working class blue collar workers and seaman.