By Jumana Ismail

Mumford and Sons are a British/indie folk band that includes 4 band members. The band formed in 2007 and are still currently present. The music video I will be analysing for Mumford and sons is ‘The Cave’. ‘The Cave’ is the bands third single that was released on the 26th February 2010. I will be analysing this music video in order to be able to pick out the conventions of Indie Folk music videos through camera, sound, editing and mis-en-scene.

Overview of music video

Camera (Shots, movement and angels)At the beginning of the music video the audience was introduced to the four band

members through a long wide shot. This is vital as it enables the audience that are watching the music video to know who the singers are in the music video. The fact that they are all sitting on the bikes together in this shot emphasises on the unity this band has and how close they are together which may portray the fact that they all feel the same way about this song. Moreover, this long wide shot entails that the director is focusing on the band as a whole rather than just the

lead singer. Due to the fact that this shot portrays the solidarity of the band, the audience may feel that they may also be welcomed and the band may gain more respect from the audience. It is likely that most of the audience may view this as ‘preferred reading’ as it is clear that the band are united as they are constantly

appearing together throughout the whole music video.

When one of the band members is singing, their is a mid up shot on the singer to show that they are lip

syncing. This is important as it allows the audience to be able to identify what band member is behind the voice they can hear on the screen as it will also allow

the audience to be able to connect with the lyrics more and the meaning behind the song. This comes at a

more of an advantage to the audience if they prefer this artist the most as they would want to pay more

attention to this specific artist if the audience is more of a fan. In addition, the close up shot used on one of

the Indian band members highlights his anger or excitement towards his feelings which adds a sense of a narrative change as well builds up some excitement to

the music video.

Due to the fact that I felt inspired by the use of camera shots used and its overall effect on the music video, me

and my group may include many close-up shots in order to portray the

protagonists facial expressions and how she may really feel. Although in

this music video the unity of the band is depicted, we may depict the solidarity and loneliness of the girl,

perhaps by using a wide shot to convey the fact that no one is around

her.

The sound used throughout this music video has a big impact on the audience

as the band members start of the music video by talking to the Indian

group and giving them the instruments. The fact that one of the band members was talking to them in

Indian highlights the fact that this music video is taking place in India. Therefore when the audience are

watching the rest of the music video, they are able to tell that it is filmed in

India.

Sound

The fact that both band members exchanged words at the beginning of the music video is

not very common in most music videos. Therefore this diegetic sound emphasises on the fact that this is an Indie Folk music video

as it subverts other typical music videos within other genres. Furthermore, the non-diegetic

sound that was added in throughout the music video gives more of an upbeat sound to it due to the instruments that are imbedded in, yet their is still a slow pace feeling to it which is

typical of Indie Folk music videos.

In my music video I may add in diegetic sound at the beginning of my music video in order to allow the main character to introduce herself to the

audience. The purpose of this is because the idea of my music video is about the journey and the struggle of a young girl which is also typical of

Indie Folk music videos.

Editing

The constant alternative shots between both bands at the beginning of the music video may suggest the equality their is between both bands even though both

bands are from opposite sides of the world. In addition, although Mumford and Sons are helping the Indian band, their is no difference between the both of them.

This is very effective as this music video is not only just interesting to watch, however it has an important message to the audience, informing them that

everyone should be treated the same in this world, regardless of there ethnicity, age, social class..etc.

Mis-en-sceneThe Indian band members are dressed up in military style clothing which may imply the fact that they are oppressed in India as well as the fact that they have

been witnessing violence. Their facial expression through the close up shots highlights the struggle they

have been through. However, the fact that they are playing on the instruments challenges my point as it shows that although they may seem oppressed and

going through a lot of struggle, they are ignoring everything and music is allowing them to move on.

The lighting is very natural and calm which creates a sense of realism throughout the music video.

Indie Folk music videos usually include many natural settings with natural colours in order to

portray to their audience the beauty within earth . This music video has also done this by using natural colours and lighting that allow the

audience to feel as if they are part of the video, or that the video is filmed in a close place to them.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need’s and Andrew Goodwin’s Theory.

According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need’s theory, this music video of ‘The cave’ by Mumford and Sons sends an important message to the audience which allows them to be motivated by it. For example, according to the pyramid, the audience watching this music video may feel ‘loved’ as the concept of friendship is highly valued throughout.In addition, some people in the audience may feel that there self esteem has improved after this music video as the video also touches upon the fact that everyone should respect each other in order to achieve.

Furthermore, the aspect of ‘Narrative and Performance’ in Andrew Goodwin’s theory is present in this music video due to the fact that one of the band members is singing directly to the camera in one of the scenes. By breaking the ‘4th wall’ and adding in a performance, it allows the audience to feel engaged in the music video and connected to the artist. This has a positive effect on the band themselves as they may attract more of a mass audience if people feel engaged and included.

The band in this music video is represented in a very positive light, portraying unity which is typical within the Indie Folk genre. For example, throughout the whole music video, Mumford and Sons are on motorbikes making their way to another Indian bands in order to collect musical instruments. The fact that they are going together shows how they are sticking together as a band and as a family. I feel as this music video is representing the freedom of the Indian band, as by them handing the instruments to Mumford and Sons, they may be handing them the freedom of having a choice and personally giving them what they want to give them. This is vital as in the past India was colonised by Britain. They may have been handing them the burden of creativity as they were oppressed for many years.

The ideology of people in third world countries are less advantaged than the ones in the western world is present in this music video. This is also evident when Mumford and sons were taking the musical instruments away from the Indian band. It may portray the effect the past of their political state and the effect it had on them. This is a common ideology as we see it a lot around the world, when countries that are strong and powerful oppressing the less advantaged.

Representation & Dominant Ideologies

The audience who are watching this music video may interpret several meanings to the narrative of the music videos due to the visuals on the screen. At the beginning of the music video, the audience is introduced to Mumford and Sons, who are united and are going on some sort of ‘journey’ together. Therefore the audience may react positively towards this music video as it encourages people to stick together and be united.

According to Stuart Hall’s theory, I believe that the audience of this music video may read the music video in a way that believes the code and accepts the ‘preferred reading’, however modifies it in a way in which it reflects their own interests. This is called negotiated reading. This is because the visuals don't clearly explain the lyrics, therefore leaving the audience to be able to interpret and imagine whatever they want from the music video, as well as enabling the reader to think more in depth of what they really mean. For example, the fact that they are taking away the musical instruments from the Indians may either be read in a friendly way, or a way that portrays and reflects on the past political conflicts between Britain and India.

Audience reception and Stuart Hall’s theory

An evident binary opposite that is present in this music video is the Indian band and the British band, Mumford and Sons. Halfway throughout the music video, the band has constantly depicted the contrast in both the bands through editing , sound and camera work. For example, the use of jump cuts between both the bands in addition to the fast paced music builds up excitement and enables the audience to question where Mumford and Sons may be heading towards. Additionally, the use of close up shots on the characters allow the audience to identify their facial expressions and moods and therefore interpret from that what ma be happening.

Binary Oppositions in the video (Levi Strauss theory)