Here's examples from classic J+MC tracks which exuded Indie attitude, by which I mean...
- low-key, naturalistic lighting (practical as much as aesthetic: low budget!)
- some strange, elliptical framing
- whip pans that lead to ... nothing!
- distorted footage
- performance which is so wan, exuding such froideur, its the antithesis of the exciting, energising rock performance we're so used to seeing
- the lipsynching in particular is reluctantly done, but shots of drumming and guitar playing also slowed down to be out of synch with the music
- just like Iron Maiden on the German Top of the Pops back in the 80s (when the band swapped intruments repeatedly, making a mockery of the miming) these vids stand as an uneasy compromise: marketing and commercial returns seem like a dirty word to Indie bands and fans BUT the band's record co needs the vids to sell records and the band to raise their profile + build their fanbase
- this reluctant, contrary attitude is also where the Pixies' Velouria single-shot vid arose from
- neither are so surreal as to be not be recognisable as m.vids tho: we see many of the standard signifiers of performance (some focus on singer, MS/MCUs of playing instruments, reasonable pace of editing), its just that the delivery is alien to the hyped up norm
JUST LIKE HONEY
HAPPY WHEN IT RAINS
APRIL SKIES
HEAD ON
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