How does indie rock music magazines present the representation of the audience and artists

For the indie magazine genre normally the artists on the front cover follow the same mis-en-scne to create the aspired look for this particular genre of magazine. Often male artists will follow the same messy unkept hair do with skinny jeans, ripped baggy t-shirts, vintage coats, harrington jackets, and desert boots. This is often portrayed, depending on the magazine, in a white studio background or with a dark quirky setting to translate the style of the band. Props on the front cover would normally contain instruments such as a guitar so that it clearly demonstrates what type of music they will be promoting. The targeted audience would be seen to be copying this type of trends and style as this is what they aspire to be, therefore will be interested in gaining as much knowledge to become their aspiration.

Females artists presented on front covers of indie based magazines usually have quirky hair cuts or colours, as well as iconic fashion and make up. The imagery would be of a vintage style again located in either a plain studio or a slightly colourful dramatic background to captivate what there music and themselves represent. Female artists are not only put on the front to captivate the female targeted audience but also as sexual objects for males. Furthermore this could lead to revealing outfits and jewellery so that even though the male target audience look at the magazine and see a woman, they have elements about the artist that are made to attract both genders. By having an expressive female artist of this genre on the front cover of a indie music magazine the editors are choosing a target audience of females who are interested in music and standing out from the crowd with their dress sense therefore will want to read this magazine not just for music advice but also fashion if a music icon is on the front wearing an outfit similar to their taste. 

On a double page spread magazines still captivate the artists 'look' by sticking with the same mis-en-scene but rotating poses so that they can reveal more about the bands personality and what edge of indie they are presenting. By having the artist on a double page spread with images and their interview it is made clear that the magazine understands what representations it should present. In my magazine i would produce photography evident to other indie artists following traditional conventions indie magazines often follow. If a male was the main image of a music magazine their look would be made more authentic and messy as this is what they like to present, whereas if it was a female who graced the front cover she would have to represent quirky beauty as not only do females aspire to look like this but the targeted male audience aspire to go out with females who look like this. 

Deconstruction of indie rock Music magazine covers 

• The magazine sticks to 3 main colours, in this case it is red, white and black. There is also pops of yellow but not much as it is only used to highlight the most important news that wants to be recognised. It could be seen as exclusive news as it is in yellow attracting you to buy the magazine more as you feel as if you are personally receiving first hand information about music before any one else therefore you have exclusivity which you wouldn't want to miss therefore you feel more inclined to purchase it. Red has been used as it is a colour that catches your eye and therefore attention first. 
• It contains a lot of cover line's to represent its large content, they have also been made in the colour red and in a larger font than the extra information beneath as it wants to attract your attention first to then go on and read about the extra information that interests you. They all include some significance to showing you what type of music magazine it is such as 'Rolling Stones Exclusive' which you instantly link with a rock or indie genre magazine. 
• Its masthead is in the top left hand corner as people read from the left and look at the top first so your instantly attracted to it. It is in colours of ounce again red so you are attracted to it first and outlined in white to further enhance what the title is. All of the three main colours are interpreted in the masthead so that when ever you see them colours or that font you immediately link it with this magazine increasing its popularity. 
• Underneath the masthead is the puff/plug which is normally shaped as a star however it is now in a circle as it suits the genre of the magazine more. It contains a small piece of information which stands out instantly as it is a different colour from the usual main colours therefore it is seen to be one of the most important cover lines on the magazine as it seems to be the most exclusive. 
• The main image is of an indie band named 'The Last Shadow Puppets' which is made up of Alex Turner and Miles Kane who are both icons of the indie genre confirming who the magazine is aimed at. They also have the 'indie look' which is seen as they both have similar haircuts which is long and messy and have black harrington jacket types. 
• There is a model credit beneath the image and the name of the band, 'I was worried the monkeys would think i had an affair' which clearly shows the article is also going to be a bit about Alex Turner's other band Arctic Monkeys who yet again follow the indie trend. It also reveals a bit about his personality therefore how the interview will be carried out as he seems laid back and comical which we can see through the line 'think i had an affair' with a different band. 
• All of the cover lines are on the left third so that when advertised on a newsagent stand therefore all there key selling information can be seen instantly. This is why it is important the cover lines are short but can instantly provide you with the genre and meaning of the magazine. 
• In the bottom right corner there is a bar code which also includes the date it was issued and with the price therefore you can see whether it is the latest issue which is normally out a month before the month its written for therefore you get instant news before everyone else finds out the month after. 
• The selling line beneath the masthead is what NME stands for which is New Music Express, this is another clear sign to what the magazine is about and will deliver. The message is clear that the magazine will be delivering 'new music' information quickly which is what the target audience is basically buying it for.
• It has a simple clean cut sans serif font with no extra flourishes which again links with the type of magazine it is and suits this type of genre. It demonstrates the magazine will be sophisticated compared to others this also can be shown through the price. 
• The magazine has a banner above the masthead including information that also wants to be recognised instantly as it is written in yellow so that it stands out from the main colours. It also includes another two bands that are seen as the 'indie' genre of music to reinforce ounce again what sort of magazine it will be.