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Album Covers Simon Bradshaw

Bradshaw's' Album Covers

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Album  Covers                              -­‐  Simon  Bradshaw  

We  were  recently  introduced  to  an  ar:st  who  has  worked  and  lived  in  the  music  industry  and  previously  held  a  great  talent  in  the  industry.  Simon  Bradshaw  has  witnessed  and  experienced  many  different  aspects  of  the  music  industry  and  soon  my  class  and  I  are  going  to  have  a  Skype  call  with  him  by  throwing  as  many  ques:ons  and  queries  as  we  can  at  him.  In  this  presenta:on,  I  have  annotated  my  thoughts  and  analysed  Bradshaw’s  covers  with  the  inten:on  of  the  Skype  call  in  mind.      By  analysing  and  annota:ng  Bradshaw's  albums,  I  liked  guessing  and  assuming  ideas,  however,  I  am  longing  to  know  the  answers  to  my  ques:ons  regarding  the  ideas  and  thoughts  behind  the  crea:ons  of  these  interes:ng  album  covers.  For  example,  these  are  some  of  my  ques:ons  I  noted:    

Simon  Bradshaw                                                    -­‐  Skype  Call                  

-­‐  What  were  you  inspired  by?  -­‐  How  did  you  generate  your  ideas?  -­‐  Which  was  your  favourite  cover?  -­‐  How  did  you  get  into  your  career?  -­‐  Which  album  was  the  most  successful?  -­‐  Could  you  compare  yourself  to  any  bands?  -­‐  As  I  found  ‘Test  Card’  the  most  interes:ng  cover,  what  was  your  ideas  behind  designing  

this?  

   

marlowe              -­‐  “it's  turning  me  on"  debut  EP      -­‐  Primarily,  from  observing  Marlowe,  the  strong  

emphasis  of  the  colour  red  spills  out  of  the  cover,  making  it  an  successful  opening  and  instant  eye  catching  feature.  This  bold  colour  can  create  a  mysteries  seduc:on  towards  connota:ons  of  the  band.  

   -­‐  When  viewing  the  album,  I  rapidly  no:ced  no  band  

member  feature  on  the  front  of  cover;  instead,  a  hand  drawn  image.  This  could  suggest  the  act  being  organic  as  they  care  more  about  their  music  then  their  star  image.  It  also  leaves  viewers  ques:oning  the  ar:st,  considering  their  appearance  and  gender.  

   -­‐  Similarly,  the  dated  image  looks  comparable  to  a  

comic  drawing  and  shows  a  women  vulnerably  posi:oning  herself  forward,  perhaps  becoming  sugges:ve  to  the  audience.  The  character  is  also  puSng  on  red  lips:ck  and  is  revealing  her  leg,  this  can  communicate  subtle  themes  of  danger  through  conna:on's  of  the  colour  red.  

 -­‐  Another  immediate  feature  one  no:ces  is  the  use  of  

no  capital  leTers  on  the  cover.  The  braving  band  has  diverted  to  stereotypical  text  used  on  a  sleeve.  This  suggests  the  band  are  slightly  different  and  are  not  afraid  to  make  unusual  or  bold  decisions,  however  the  typography  does  not  stand  out  to  the  audience.    

     

Bradshaw   has   featured   in   various   different   bands   through   the   years   under  opposed   names.   However,   marlowe   was   Bradshaw’s   first   album   cover   and  surprisingly  his  most  successful  sleeve.  The  first  of  Bradshaw’s  album  is  an  EP,  meaning  and  extended  play.  The  band  have  have  made  some  mature,  bold,  strong  and  brave   choices   for   their  first   album.  For   instance,  usually   a  bands  first  releases  are  played  reasonably  safe  and  low  key  due  to  risk  of  success  or  failure,   however   marlowe   fell   confident   with   their   choices.   The   use   of   the  strong,  bold  and  burning   red   colour,   also   the  use  of   imagery   chosen  on   the  front  of  the  sleeve;  doesn't’t  feature  themselves.  Lastly,  the  use  of  typography  highlights   this  as  no  capitals   leTers  are  used,   instantly  making   it  difficult   for  viewers  to  remember  the  band  and  their  iden:ty.      

 

marlowe              -­‐  “darksparklecorner”      -­‐  We  immediately  no:ce  this  album  doesn’t  include  

an  image  of  the  band  nor  any  hints  to  who  the  band  are,  which  again  leaves  us  asking  ques:ons.  However,  we  are  made  to  focus  on  the  bold,  polarised  snapshot  of  a  young  startled  child,  repeatedly  following  an  unusual  and  mysterious  cover.  Immediately  this  makes  the  viewer  feel  a  sense  of  discomfort  and  unease.  The  alarming  imagery  used  could  mirror  the  style  of  music.  

-­‐  The  use  of  lower  case  leTers,  small  font  sizes  and  the  deep  blush  of  red  is  presented  on  both  albums,  sugges:ng  a  repe::ve  theme  or  link  between  albums.    

 -­‐  Similarly  the  typography  used  is  ambiguous  as  one  

world  ques:on  why  there  is  no  spaces  between  the  usage  of  the  words.  

Darksparklecorner  is  marlowe’s  first  official  album  but  their  second  release.  From  viewing  both  “it’s  turning  me  on”  and  “darksparklecorner”  I  feel  both  album  covers  share  interest  in   alterna:ve   ideas   and   possibly   share   fascina:on   in   indie   aspect   through   the   use   of  mysterious  imagery  and  unusual  typography.  This  could  hint  ideas  of  the  band  consis:ng  of  alterna:ve/indie  rock,  although  it  is  hard  to  guess.    

marlowe              -­‐  “a  day  in  july”      -­‐  I  recognise  firstly,  the  consistent  similarity  between  

typography  between  both  previous  albums  as  well  as  this  one;  including  the  same  font,  similar  colours  and  lower  case  leTers,  showing  a  link.  However,  the  size  of  the  :tle  and  ‘marlowe’  has  increased  and  doesn't’t  follow  the  same  red  theme,  instead  white.  This  could  imply  the  band  have  grown  since  the  first  two  albums  and  become  more  recognised,  purposely  making  their  name  more  clear.  

-­‐  The  main  feature  I  no:ced  was  the  change  of  mood  between  imagery  on  the  front  of  the  sleeve.  For  instance,  the  previous  two  albums  have  followed  a  similar  murky  and  deep  image,  although  ‘a  day  in  july’  uses  brighter,  scenic  views  of  mountains,  sugges:ng  the  sounds  of  this  album  are  lighter  and  cheerful.  However,  the  image  s:ll  looks  dated  and  has  no  image  of  the  band.  These  signs  force  us  to  believe  the  band  follow  traits  of  an  organic  act.    

 -­‐  From  these  changes  in  the  third  album,  ques:ons  

and  queries  are  star:ng  to  appear  in  prepara:on  for  the  Skype  call.    

 -­‐  It  is  also  making  me  ques:on  the  target  audience.    

This  album  was  the  bands  second  official  album.  As  the  band  con:nued  by  crea:ng  a  third  album,  the  previous  two  sleeves  obviously  held  a  success,  however  this  album  has  slight  changes  and  differen:ates  from  the  others,  which  could  represent  a  change?    

marlowe              -­‐  “deep  breathe  fake  air”      -­‐  This  cover  par:cularly  contrasts  from  the  other  

albums.  For  example,  the  imagery  on  this  album  falls  into  the  category  of  being  more  ar:ficial  as  it  is  an  illustrated  coloured  drawing  and  introduces  new  colours  of  blues  and  tones  of  greens  to  the  audience;  this  could  reveal  the  band  are  further  changing  and  progressively  changing.  Also,  the  image  of  the  scien:fic  diagram  shown  feels  more  futuris:c  and  more  thought  out.  This  could  suggest  the  sounds  in  this  album  are  more  intellectual,  personal  and  modern  response.  Again,  no  appearance  of  the  band  is  shown;  by  the  third  album,  usually  the  audience  wants  some  indica:on  of  what  the  band/ar:st  looks  like  a  connec:on  to  the  ar:st/band.  

 -­‐  The  text  is  similarly  prin:ng  the  words  marlowe,  

however  it  is  presented  even  larger  and  greater  then  last  :me,  hin:ng  growth.  Although  the  red  coloured  theme  and  the  font  has  remained  the  same,  the  bold  :tle  of  colour  has  altered  to  black.    

 -­‐  Equivalently,  the  :tle  ‘deep  breathe  fake  air”  might  

confuse  viewers  as  it  doesn’t  read  easily  and  isn't  a  normal  English  phrase  or  :tle,  this  could  imply  the  further  ideas  of  ar:ficial  sounds  or  subjects.  However,  personally  this  is  my  favourite  cover.    

The   third   official   album  made  with   the  band  marlowe  was,   ‘deep  breathe   fake  air.’   This   album   also   separated   itself  from   the   other   sleeves   as   it   use  different,   unique   conven:ons,   yet   s:ll  holds  similar  curious  imagery.      

TESTCARD              -­‐  “Lines”    -­‐  The  colour  scheme,  font  and  style  

has  changed.  For  instance,  the  use  of  a  grey  scale  is  forced  on  this  sleeve  and  ironically  the  use  of  capital  leTers  are  introduced.  Although  this  cover  is  basic  and  minimalis:c,  it  is  very  aesthe:cally  pleasing  to  viewers.  I  am  also  mostly  intrigued  by  the  idea  behind  this  cover.    

 -­‐  The  smooth  and  straigh^orward  

album  cover  could  suggest  the  music  in  this  album  follows  a  chilled  vibe,  maybe  hindering  indie  rock  or  alterna:ve  genres  or  even  indie  acous:c.    

This   album   ‘Lines’   follows   a   completely   different  theme  and  style  and  has  an  altered  name,  this  could  suggest  the  band  has  changed  their  name  and  style  or  Simon   Bradshaw   has   joined   or   created   a   new   band.  Ideas   spring   sugges:ng   maybe   the   previous   albums  weren't  as  successful  so  they  had  to  change  their  look  to  catch  a  new  audience.  However,  I  will  wait  un:l  the  Skype   call   to   find   out  my   intriguing   ques:ons   about  reasons  and  ideas  for  changes,  such  as  Testcard.    

ROJA              -­‐    “Promises  I  Should  Have  Kept”      -­‐  On  the  last  album,  there  is  s:ll  no  sign  or  

indica:on  to  the  band  members.  Therefore  viewers  can  clearly  tell  the  band  is  an  organic  act  who  are  more  interested  and  focused  on  their  music  their  star  image,  following  Negus’  theory.  Instead  the  front  of  the  sleeve  is  filled  with  aspects  of  foreign  hand  drawn  imagery,  including  a  slight  humorous  response  of  a  very  detailed  and  dated  drawing.  This  could  suggest  the  music  is  light  and  personal  but  with  a  La:n/  Spanish  rock  twist.    

 -­‐  The  text  has  been  altered  for  this  sleeve  as  the  

font  and  size  are  different.  The  only  use  of  colour  is  in  the  :tle  ‘ROJA’  making  it  stand  out,  this  could  suggest  ‘ROJA’  is  an  important  feature  in  this  album.    

 -­‐  This  is  my  least  favourite  album  personally  I  don’t  

think  it  appeals  to  people  of  my  age,  however  the  older  genera:on  might  appreciate  it  more.    

The  album  ROJA  diverts  from  similar  styles,   :tles,   and   themes   to   the  previous  albums,  therefore  I  assume  Bradshaw  joined  or  created  another  band.   This   album   created   by   ROJA  follows  themes  of  cultural  elements.  For  example,  as  well  as  the  imagery  consis:ng   of   foreign   subjects,  ‘ROJA’  translates  to  Red  in  Spanish.