Music Video Analysis- The Drums

The second video analysed in comparison with “Cassius”, is “Best Friend” by 4- piece indie – post punk band The Drums. Taken from the 2010 debut album “The Drums”, the video has received nearly 2 million hits on YouTube.

The extensive difference of viewing hits between The Drums, Bombay Bicycle Club and Foals is over 1 million; this suggests The Drums are more popular or better known; all three bands have been in the music industry circulation since approximately 2005, and all releasing debut albums as well as track EPs around 2009. The difference could also be impacted by record labels and coverage; The Drums are the only band of the three from America, in which the music industry dominates approximately 33% of the market, the UK following behind in third place behind Japan with approximately 9% (in the last 10 years).

 



As the song starts, the set is introduced instantly. The band begin without lead singer Johnathan Pierce as the instrumental kicks in. The shot is long; the audience is able to see the entire band from head to foot, including their surroundings.

            

Approximately 20 seconds in, as the singing commences, Johnathan climbs through a small window to the right of the set. As he joins the others, he collects a pair of Wayfarer sunglasses; the dress style from the band is casual (also commented when analysing that it was vintage), they are wearing dark coloured cardigans and fitted shirts, slim fitting trousers that are an 80s style- typically too short on the leg, with dark trainers or brogue shoes. The style, is quintessentially 80s American prep; the props also are themed in the same manner. An old fashioned recording system is placed alongside the band to the left against the wall, and opposite are two 80s style hard suitcases. These both add to the mise-en-scene of the video; dim natural lighting along with the props give a feel that the band could be practising in somebody’s house, rather than on a set.
The location is non- specific and continuous; the video is one long cut of the band playing. This is fairly unusual of a music video of any genre, as there are typically different cuts, edits and camerawork involved. However, this style is how a live performance of the band would be seen from being stood in the crowd. There is no real element of storyline within the video, although at 2:16 Jacob Graham (guitar/ keyboards), Myles Matheny (bass guitar) and drummer Connor Hanwick begin to pack up their instruments and depart, leaving Johnathan with a pre-recording track to sing and dance alone.

          

The earlier mentioned style of a continuous cut, would be very difficult if not impossible to create within our own music video; this video is possibly an exception to the general indie music video, however has been beneficial into the insight of props and location featured in a video.