10. Audience Research

Why do people choose to listen to the music that they do?

There are many reasons why a person chooses to listen to certain types of music,
reasons may include their friends group, as the influence of a friends taste is a very strong one, especially at a young age.

The lyrics may inspire a person, or be a catalyst for emotion, such as 'joy':
'Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right' - The Beatles

Or 'depression':
'I hate myself and I want to die.
do you believe she said that?
can you believe she repeated that?
I said, I hate me myself and I
said I hate myself and I want to die' - Cat Power

Do music videos make a difference to a persons choice of music?


This entirely depends on how a person views their music, I listen to my own music on my ipod, therefore I choose it purely for the sound and listening qualities. Some people will view the majority of their music on channels such as 'MTV', 'YouTube' or a video phone. More and more people these days are not only downloading the soundtrack of a song, but the accompanying video. With this exposure to the music video it does increase the influence that the video has on the choice of music. Generally music video vary with the genre of the music, look at Feist's '1234' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABYnqp-bxvg&ob=av3n
compared to Eminems 'Lose Youself'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRhEcKHU5LY
The difference between the two videos is massive. Feist being an upbeat, 'feel good' song with matching video, shown by the bright colours, smiling faces and quirky dance moves, a huge contrasts to Eminems.  It's dark, dangerous atmosphere gives a scary almost violent feel. On top this, this type of video has a strict narrative that works with the song to captivate the audience, this creates a larger audience, as a sense of story has been created which keeps the interest in both the video and the song.
We can see the difference in video merely by looking at one freeze frame, the difference in video reflects the difference in audience member, showing how a music video CAN make a difference to a persons choice of music.


Difference between '1234' and 'Lose Yourself'

What attracts people to music videos?
People are attracted to music videos that they feel that they can relate to, whether the narrative is similar to their own experience, most predominantly if it was recent, or if they feel connected to the video in some way. A slightly shallow but very true aspect of what draws people to liking music videos, is if there is attractive people in them, generally not wearing much. People also like to watch videos where the vocalist/protagonist is somebody they admire, such as a music artist/band. This can go the other way as well, if they are deeply disliked, for instance Rebecca Black's 'Friday' received millions of hits, although nobody liked the song. People also like to see clever tricks, the works of a talented editor, or some funky animation, this can be seen in Gorrilaz 'Clint Eastwood' or Jamiroquai's 'Virtual Insanity'. It gets the viewers brain marvelling at the impressive technology and effects, making it hard to turn away from the video.


What puts people off?
People do not want to watch uninteresting music videos, that contain people who they have never really heard of, who they will never really care about. There needs to be some form of interest, whether it is the narrative, the actors or characters involved (this includes band members and vocalists) or the skill in the video editing. Some people will be put off by certain genres of music video, for instance violent rap videos may not be appealing to some people, and vice versa. A focal point in the music video is vital as it gives the audience a concentration point, without one interest will be lost. People like extremes, as it is exciting. Boring videos will put people off.