Music TV is crap... mostly.
Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 11:41PM I just read a very perceptive article about the sad state of music television these days, and about how one of my favourite bands has redeemed the art form of the music video.
The music video that inspired the article is 'Glosoli' by Sigur Ros, whose music videos really are exceptional. But don't take my word for it. Go and read the article, then go to Sigur Ros' vimeo page where you can see a whole bunch of wonderful stuff in much better quality than YouTube. My favourites are Glosoli, Hoppipolla, and Untitled #1 (aka. Vaka), but they are all wonderful. This link actually takes you to the second page which is older stuff. They have newer stuff too. I'm sure you'll find it. There are some live clips mixed in as well. Just beware - they like to push the boundaries a bit. In particular, the music video for 'Gobbledigook' has a lot of nudity in it. It's all good fun, but don't watch if you think you'll be offended.
Actually, no. I take that back. Do watch it, and feel offended if that's your honest response. Art is supposed to make you feel something and it doesn't always have to be happy rainbows and fluffy bunnies. Anyway – it's far less objectionable than the pole-dancing C4 serves up these days. "I like to stroke his big... ego". Really – what a load of pubescent nonsense. Sigur Ros' music videos are much less predictable and a lot more honest and tasteful than that.
In case I've made you nervous - here's a safe, delightful one to get you started. Enjoy. :-)
Sigur Rós - Hoppípolla from sigur-ros.co.uk on Vimeo.
music video, sigur ros 
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Reader Comments (2)
The state of modern day music videos are increasingly digits in some vast statistical operation, which while making money, increase creative debt. I wonder how much creative control artists receive when planning clips and whether musicians have all the bad ideas while those musicians who are also artists have the good ones (like Sigur).
I've just finished my first music video in which I wrote the script, designed the set, and organised the choreography. The reason I blow my own trumpet is to say that having so much influence in the process ultimately meant that I have a clip which is authentic and original. I wonder how much majors are allowing their artists to be true their musical calling, After spending exactly $1004 and watching Juice, C4 etc I was amazed at how utterly unique, effective and creative our clip was in comparison. It confirmed my suspicions that the best art is never created with dollars but with a adoration for concepts of originality, sublimation, and beauty.
Hi Stevie,
I think the whole thing has just become a massive marketing exercise – commercial radio's role is to generate a loyal audience for the music videos and then the music videos create an audience for the advertising that accompanies it, shifting vast amounts of money around in the process. It certainly has very little to do with art.
Jo and I have had terrible tv reception for the last 10 years and so we've hardly watched any. Now we have moved house and we have digital quality tv. We were really excited about it, but once we got it hooked up and working we were appalled at how much crap there was. Every night, on every channel, not just C4. So much advertising and trite content. So little of any cultural value. We were left feeling a bit insulted... thinking "do the people responsible for the programming think we are morons?"
Anyway - I'm looking forward to seeing your music video! I'll be at the launch. :-)