Star Image

The Felice Brothers

 

Father John Misty

Josh T. Pearson

Daughn Gibson

The image that we want to create for our video and our singer is that of an 'alternative' kind of country, infused with rock n' roll. On the left are examples of the kinds of acts we are looking at specifically, as they have the music and the image that we are going for. We want the singer (and possible instrumentalists) to look like genuine country musicians. This means that in terms of dress, we are talking cowboy boots and hat (that's a given), a work shirt and either blue or black jeans. Because we are using students for this video, the performer will probably not have the Pearsonesque long, flowing beard, but of course we can work around that. Nothing about the singer should be too clean or neat, as the first country/western bands were all working men who sung in their spare time. The way he is dressed will identify him as a star, but at the same time make him attainable to his fans. Our man should have the same kind of anti-authoritarian attitude and appeal that Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson had, as I said, this guy isn't clean cut. This will of course fit in nicely with Richard Dyer's star theory involving rebellion. Another crucial part of the image is the fact that he is most definitely an organic star, and should be depicted strumming on an old acoustic guitar (a la Willie Nelson's 'Trigger' guitar) to emphasise the fact that he is 'the real deal' and not one of the so called Country Pop acts.



Authenticity is one of the key things in country music that attracts listeners and fans of the both the songs and culture that surrounds country. Unlike other pop bands, country singers tend not to fill their songs with melodramatic garbage, they stick to things that happen in everyday life. Things that actually matter to people in their regular, everyday lives weather they want to admit it or not. Through use of a more rustic style, country artists distance themselves from the synthetic pop acts, giving themselves an image that is very much organic. As well as looking natural, they will act natural in the videos too, there will not be any unnecessary mincing about or dancing, they are just going to perform and pretty much just chill out. At the same time though, they do still have a rebellious image, if you take away the beards, the way they dress is similar to that of Elvis Presley and Link Wray (particularly apparent in Daughn Gibson). Country and old time Rock N' Roll are more closely related than you might initially think. The only real difference between the two is that in country there are no amplifiers with the gain cranked, or any black leather jackets.