WHAT GENRE DOES YOUR CHOSEN SONG FALL INTO?

Arfa Shah Candidate number: 4739

BACKGROUND ON GENREOur chosen song "Stitches" by The Dykeenies falls under the indie/alternative rock genre. The Dykeenies are an indie/alternative rock band that originated in 2005 from Scotland. The indie rock genre is rock music that was conceived in the UK and USA in the 1980s. The genre is derived from earlier genres such as alternative rock, post-punk and new wave music. The term "indie" itself is slang for independent music meaning that most indie rock bands are signed to independent record labels rather than major record labels however this is not always the case. The Dykeenies are signed to the "King Tut’s" label which is relatively unknown compared to labels such as Columbia under which the indie rock band Kasabian are signed.

THE DYKEENIES- STITCHESThe song "Stitches" falls into the indie rock genre as the song is not mainstream however it has a significant fan base. Indie rock bands are known for having complete control over their music and careers- the song "Stitches" was written by the band which shows complete control over their music. The Dykeenies have taken influence from alternative rock and "Stitches" has many characteristics of alternative rock. For example, the song rejects commercialism of mainstream culture by making the music video very simple and not using any gimmicks to appeal to mainstream culture. "The New York Times" newspaper in the USA stated in 1989 that the alternative rock genre is "guitar music first of all, with guitars that blast out power chords, pick out chiming riffs, buzz with fuzz tone and squeal in feedback". The song "Stitches" starts off with an electric guitar and the use of the guitar continues as the main instrument in the song however the drum gives the song more rhythm and instead of the guitar giving the music elevated power, the strong vocals emphasise the lyrics with the help of the drums, bass and guitar.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SONGAnother characteristic of the song is that it addresses issues that are relevant to society today for example the song touches upon the issues of confidence, dreams, facing your fears head on and the song may by an indirect reference to the pressures of schooling as the boy in the video is wearing a school uniform and runs out of the halls because he is too scared of what he has to do.