For this evaluation task it was advised we took a picture of our artist (preferably the front cover image) and compared them to a similar artist and discuss the similarities and differences of the artists shown. I decided that I wished my artist was to be similar to ones featured within the indie genre; Julian Casablancas (lead singer in The Strokes), Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, and Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand. I felt that I wanted my artist to produce music similar to those produced by the bands featured above.
Of the listed band members above, I don't feel that I based my artist on one particular artist. This is because I felt that to make my article (on the double page spread) I felt that I had to have a story informing the reader as to how my artist - Jerry Cooper, came from a alcoholic college drop out, to a number one selling artist. Contrasting to my featured artists above who all have lived fairly privileged lives and ave good qualifications, apart from Alex Turner who dropped out to pursue a career in music.
However the main comparisons I was looking for were those featured in the clothing and in their style of performance. Some similarities between some of my artists is that they all have a similar hair length. The most similar is Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand. This hair style of longer hair seems familiar with many artists, especially those within the Indie genre. I feel that this is because it is an extension of their personality, and shows that they care about their looks and appearances in public. This is reflected in the clothing they wear. This is because all of these artists wear similar clothing as you can see from the picture above, Casablancas and Turner are wearing similar clothing. This is something I originally looked at - my artist to wear a jacket for the main image. However, I felt that with my model (Jerry Copper) sitting on top of an already dark speaker, it would make the overall feel of the image very dark. So I insisted on a light t-shirt to help emphasise the contrast, not only between the colours, but also the contrast representing the differing fortunes of his life to date. Overall the main style of clothing they are wearing are simple indie clothing, jacket and jeans. Which enables the audience to connect with them, because many members of the public will have similar clothing to these musicians. As you can see from the photo above, you see Kapranos wearing sunglasses. Yes this is due to the photo being taken at an outdoor concert, however Kapranos, is known to wearing sunglasses at one or two indoor concerts in arenas etc. The reason why I feel this is, is because I feel that he wants the sense of arrogance to come across. This would work in that he feels he doesn't feel the need to reveal himself and make contact with the audience.
How this relates to my musician is that I wanted to try and portray that arrogance both through his appearance, and his interview on my double page spread. As you can see from all of my photos, my musician Jerry Cooper is not looking towards the camera, replicating the Kapranos feel where he doesn't make direct eye contact. This gives my musician the arrogance feel about him which I wanted to try and create. This is enhanced by the way he is sitting on my front cover photo. He is seated on top of a speaker playing the guitar. This pose reflects a casual look of Jerry Cooper, again giving the sense that he is 'chilled' out and doesn't really care too much - enhancing that arrogance feel. Finally, as I said previously, I wanted Jerry's arrogance to come across in the interview on my double page spread. This is becuase he knows during his up-bringing, he was a arrogant, tearaway who didnt care about life, and his future. However now he has got his life back on track but not lost his arrogance.
