I've finished my magazine.
Thank God.
Monday 25 April 2016
Friday 22 April 2016
Still Blue? Static Blue.
My double page spread had changes the most... apart from the pun. Instead of an action shot with a fire engine in the background I used a more moody shot in front of a church which had a big red door which I changed to blue purely for the pun as well as fading the write to black so my article could be read easily. I added a lot to my article to make it more interesting as well as changing the intro to a more appropriate pun.
Thursday 21 April 2016
Thin Blue Line
My contents page hasn't changed very much as it's draft was definitely my best page. I retook the image in the studio rather than outside to make it more professional and added the same blue used one the cover for the titles and page numbers to give the contents page clear branding as well as a thin blue line to give it a smart finish.
Wednesday 20 April 2016
Input a Drummer
It's changed so so much and definitely for the best. The only things that's the same is the font I used for INPUT, the band (although they finally got a drummer) and my bar-code.
I took the photo in a studio like most magazines do rather than in the dark which brightens everything up and I followed more of the conventions to get it to look more professional.
A lot has been learnt.
Tuesday 19 April 2016
Thursday 14 April 2016
Wednesday 13 April 2016
What I've got now...
For My cover I've used a full body shot of the band similar to many other magazines with a small portrait in the corner like MOJO and a variation of fonts and a Blue, black, white colour scheme.
I've kept my contents page very similar replacing the photo to have a blank background. It uses a grey, black, white colour scheme and 3 different fonts as well as details on each story.
On my double page spread I chose to use the photo in front of the church to give the page a religious feel which I linked in with the subtitle and the article. I used a fade to black on the write so all my text is visible and and it creates a black, red and white colour scheme. Let's not talk about the puns...
Feeling a little blue?
The Article....
What on earth is Post-Indie? The literal definition, of course, is what follows indie. But to the new scene developing in the North East of England it means so much more. This is the birthplace of Sting and Frankie and the Heart Strings so whatever is coming next has to be fantastic.
And along came Static Blue… To the singer/songwriter and guitarist Fran Mclaren post-indie is “False Sense of Security Music” and I have to agree. Their song “John the Milkman” starts with a classic Beatles-esc 4 chord pattern but suddenly changes to a distressing misbeat in the centre before returning to the first pattern. This is a similar form to Math Rock but lulls you into a false sense of security before seeming to shake the world around you.
Not everything they do is so alarming though, their title song “Static Blue” is about having to let the girl you love go and is emotive and heartfelt with a catchy chorus that is pleasant to listen to… perhaps enough to make them a relatable teen band...
“Joey” talks about in a strange way about religion. With lyrics “Believe in yourself you are your own god” It expresses the bands need to stay true to who they are and not let their decisions be swayed by anyone, be it god or a manager. This self-belief and scepticism of religion resonates with the alternative teens and twenties who are rebelling against ideals that have been forced upon them from a young age.
Static Blue means to Mclaren, at least, “constantly depressed” which is reflected through their song writing. “Silence” about wanting to be locked away so you can no longer harm yourself is a haunting melody and is definitely sad.
However, they do also have a lot of upbeat, cheerful, funky songs such as “Kool Kat”, “Killer Whale” and “On Top of the World” which are great to listen to and can definitely put you in an energetic cheerful mood. Not to mention “Sound of the Century” which is a funk song bragging without shame about their own music, and I’m not going to lie, a fantastic tune.
Live, with mad guitar, drum and bass solos they are definitely an experience and conduct an incredible energy with the crowd making it impossible not to have a good time. Their choreographed dance moves reminiscent of Talking Heads and Fran who has a habit of climbing on the drums is enough to make even the grumpiest of people want to move with them.
What’s coming up next for Static Blue then? They’re riding the waves of the start of their success and are preparing for a gig filled 2016. Starting off by playing the 02 Academy in Newcastle supporting Hedges (who are talking about their experiences later in INPUT) and then in the summer playing none other than Mid-Fest, the Middlesbrough music festival where they will be playing on the main stage!
We are all super hyped up for the gig/art gallery opening at the Saville Exchange featuring several acoustic acts alongside the art by local artists and ending with the strange, weird but definitely fantastic performance by Static Blue. With Mclaren helping to direct a short, silent film specially for it alongside Jonathan Varty, everyone there on the 22nd is guaranteed to have an incredible night.
Overall I’d say that the new genre of post-indie is certainly beginning to gain the following it deserves and the north east music scene is still as fruitful as ever. Static Blue are infinitely creative and are constantly altering their style to whatever they want, this makes them one of the most intriguing, entertaining and bizarre bands around. Perhaps they can spark the neo musical revolution and really use their musical power and talent to open minds and really make a difference to modern listening as well as changing the world.
I can’t wait to see what in the world they’ll do next.
And along came Static Blue… To the singer/songwriter and guitarist Fran Mclaren post-indie is “False Sense of Security Music” and I have to agree. Their song “John the Milkman” starts with a classic Beatles-esc 4 chord pattern but suddenly changes to a distressing misbeat in the centre before returning to the first pattern. This is a similar form to Math Rock but lulls you into a false sense of security before seeming to shake the world around you.
Not everything they do is so alarming though, their title song “Static Blue” is about having to let the girl you love go and is emotive and heartfelt with a catchy chorus that is pleasant to listen to… perhaps enough to make them a relatable teen band...
“Joey” talks about in a strange way about religion. With lyrics “Believe in yourself you are your own god” It expresses the bands need to stay true to who they are and not let their decisions be swayed by anyone, be it god or a manager. This self-belief and scepticism of religion resonates with the alternative teens and twenties who are rebelling against ideals that have been forced upon them from a young age.
Static Blue means to Mclaren, at least, “constantly depressed” which is reflected through their song writing. “Silence” about wanting to be locked away so you can no longer harm yourself is a haunting melody and is definitely sad.
However, they do also have a lot of upbeat, cheerful, funky songs such as “Kool Kat”, “Killer Whale” and “On Top of the World” which are great to listen to and can definitely put you in an energetic cheerful mood. Not to mention “Sound of the Century” which is a funk song bragging without shame about their own music, and I’m not going to lie, a fantastic tune.
Live, with mad guitar, drum and bass solos they are definitely an experience and conduct an incredible energy with the crowd making it impossible not to have a good time. Their choreographed dance moves reminiscent of Talking Heads and Fran who has a habit of climbing on the drums is enough to make even the grumpiest of people want to move with them.
What’s coming up next for Static Blue then? They’re riding the waves of the start of their success and are preparing for a gig filled 2016. Starting off by playing the 02 Academy in Newcastle supporting Hedges (who are talking about their experiences later in INPUT) and then in the summer playing none other than Mid-Fest, the Middlesbrough music festival where they will be playing on the main stage!
We are all super hyped up for the gig/art gallery opening at the Saville Exchange featuring several acoustic acts alongside the art by local artists and ending with the strange, weird but definitely fantastic performance by Static Blue. With Mclaren helping to direct a short, silent film specially for it alongside Jonathan Varty, everyone there on the 22nd is guaranteed to have an incredible night.
Overall I’d say that the new genre of post-indie is certainly beginning to gain the following it deserves and the north east music scene is still as fruitful as ever. Static Blue are infinitely creative and are constantly altering their style to whatever they want, this makes them one of the most intriguing, entertaining and bizarre bands around. Perhaps they can spark the neo musical revolution and really use their musical power and talent to open minds and really make a difference to modern listening as well as changing the world.
I can’t wait to see what in the world they’ll do next.
Tuesday 5 April 2016
Static Blue Studio
Static Blue's studio antics are an experience
Cute family photos
Ridkulous
Head stands
What do they actually look like?
And then there were 3
Clock?
Boogie on
Stand up you lot
What's the time?
Always have a good time...
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