Research into Chosen Music Artist

When discussing as a group on what music artist we would like to use when creating our own personal music video, we felt that Choosing an artist that is too mainstream wasn't a very sensible idea. The reasoning behind our thoughts were that if we created a music video following an artist like Rihanna, we would end up being compared to her and her high budget production in her original music video, and as a result not doing the song any justice. Myself and my other group members wanted to make our music video dominantly narrative based with a little performance. We analysed a few music video's to see what narratives are popular and felt that a love story was a popular and successful choice within most. Once we got this far, two of my team members, Georgia and Drew mentioned Nina Nesbitt; an artist that was unfamiliar to me and Rhianna. We discussed her as an artist, and viewed a selection of her released songs, looking at individual codes and conventions and how us ourselves would adapt within our own music video, all of which seemed to be adaptable. The two songs that we were drawn to the most was 'Stay Out' and 'Apple Tree'. Personally I preferred 'Stay Out' as I enjoyed viewing the music video so much; it had some really creative editing styles which inspired me and really caught me eye, I also liked how natural all the characters were within the video creating such a fun atmosphere. However when I started picturing how our music video would be if we chose 'Stay Out', I felt myself stealing their original ideas, which as a result would turn out too similar, therefore in the end going with 'The Apple Tree'. Within 'The Apple Tree' the lyrics set a good underlining narrative; being a relationship, which made it a lot easier for us as a group to create our storyboard on how our music video was going to pan out.

Nina Nesbitt is a Scottish singer-songwriter, as well as a talented guitarist that occasionally plays the flute, keyboard, floor tom tom and piano. Nina unfortunately never featured in the mainstream top 40 within the UK charts, for example reaching number 149 with her debut single 'Boy' released in 2012. However, recently Nina entered the top 40 in the UK charts reaching no.21 with her hit single 'Stay Out', released in February 2013. Nina as a young girl was a teenage model and gymnast, that wrote and recorded songs of herself singing that she would then post on YouTube. After meeting Ed Sheeran, he asked if she wanted to support him on his European tour as well as feature in his song 'Drunk'. After hearing Nina's cover song of 'Stay Awake' Example had also requested her support. In 2012  'The Apple Tree' was released reaching number 1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart, and number 6 on the iTunes download charts; her career was quickly developing. Nina Nesbitt is with the record label Universal Music Group; the largest American music corporation, which is currently a subsidiary of the music conglomerate Vivendi.

Stay Out

Within Nina's music video 'Stay Out' she is represented as a typical teenager, going out with her friends and having a good time. This for an audience is very relatable for young adolescents. There is also an elements of humour, making fun of the youth today, for example when Nina approaches the entrance to an over 18's nightclub and she pulls out her fake ID with a very nervous facial expression. This is a common experience most teenagers do before turning the legal age which makes it funny. Her clothing especially is idolistic being very high street; clothing that is fashionable and affordable for most. Nina 's main outfit consisting of black jeans, a simple blue blouse and a leather jacket with silver spikes on the arm is simple yet cool, giving her an egdy style that is different but visually attractive. She comes across as very British in the actions that are carried out within the narrative; playing snooker, having fish and chips, going to a tour bus and so on.  

There is a clear link between lyrics and visuals, as the lyrics tell the audience about going out with friends, hence the title 'Stay Out'. Throughout the video she relates to the typical indie genre, however with a bit of an edge; showing off her character being naughty but up for a laugh. Within the lyrics she often takes the mick, but in a humorous context, for example "They think they're gangsters but they've barely started at sixth form", which again relates to today's youth and their current behavior.

Dyer's star theory of believing stars are constructed to represent real people experiencing real emotions is clearly conveyed throughout Nina Nesbitts song 'Stay Out', and that Stars are manufactured by the music industry to serve a purpose. However, I feel that this theory relates more to mainstream artists like Drake, Rihanna and Beyonce where they discuss their past experiences and deeper thoughts and meanings, but also are manufactured artists that serve the purpose to make money out of an audience. With Nina still being quite a small artist within the industry, as well as targeting a niche audience, she is not as relatable to this theory in comparison to mainstream others. The element of rebellious behavior however does, as an audience are instantly draw into the video.

Goodwin's theory that music videos demonstrate genre characteristics and that there is a relationship between lyrics and visuals is ideal for 'Stay Out' as it is evident throughout the whole video; with the narrative being about a nights adventures and staying out late, alongside the lyrics "Stay out tonight and see through my eyes, Stay out this time, and we'll be home by five, Stay out, stay out, stay out, Stay out, stay out, stay out". As a result of both elements working in correlation, it  gives an audience a greater understanding of the artist and her personality. A prime example of this is portrayed when there is focus on Scottish flags and kilts within the video; therefore portraying her hometown and engaging the audience with her personal life, this as a result builds a greater relationship with the audience and Nina. The next part of his theory is that there is intertextual reference (eg. to films, brands, tv programmes, other music videos etc.). Within the opening scene when Nina is seen in her bedroom doing her hair and makeup, a single Nike trainer sits on the table behind. This however is a contrast to the indie genre as it's not the type of brand that is typically worn, for example she is always in black boots within her video. This makes the video stand out as within indie music videos they don't often promote clothing brands as they typically dress very high street, therefore as a result appeals to a mainstream audience.  His theory then follows on to the demands of a record label having to include many close ups of their artist, which may develop motifs which may reoccur throughout their work. An example of this within 'Stay Out' is seen in one of the opening close and focus shots of a bowl of apples. This relates to her song 'The Apple Tree' which is clearly a developing motif within her music.

Nina typically targets young adolescents, however particularly the female minority that are able to relate to her lyrics the most (eg. heartbreak). Nina's song are commonly soft and meaningful, however do include that upbeat edge to attract a greater audience. Nina as an artist is represented as a typical teenage girl that is relateable to her target audience, particularly through her lyrics and clothing. She promotes herself as a fun and interesting character that is free, wild and just wants to have fun.