Monday, February 28, 2011

Damon Albarn's use of "Gorilla" Advertising

To many people the name "Damon Albarn" doesn't bear a bunch of significance.  Even if someone were to name the band, "Blur" they wouldn't be able to pin much behind it with the exception of that catchy song, "Song 2."  However It is a fair estimate that many people would be able to say that they have heard of the band, "Gorillaz."  The Gorillaz are a cartoon band comprised of 4 cartoon characters named; 2D, Noodle, Murdoc, and Russel.  The real band is comprised of Damon Albarn and multiple artists.  After Damon had found success as an artist, he felt that the music industry had become too commercialized and sold out.  Therefore, he created the Gorillaz as a means to bring out and advertise those lesser known artists who are trying to get their music out there.  Instead of playing the same style and genre, they incorporate the different styles of the artists they feature to make their album completely unique.  They cannot be simply categorized into a single genre due to this fact.  However, this is wonderful for the up and coming artists such as Daley, or the older artists who are trying to make a comeback such as Shaun Ryder.  In some instances, they simply wish to make instrumental music, calling on the help of both the London Symphony Orchestra or the Lebanese National Orchestra.  Their goal is to simply help advertise those musicians and give them a chance to be heard not just by some big label or recording company, but to be heard by the people, and to let them decide if they want to hear more of them.  This is a very unique style of guerrilla advertising as it isn't just cut and dry, or even a big example in a public square.  It is a subtle use of guerrilla advertising, letting the public hear these artists, and then letting them determine if they want to hear more and search them out.  In a time where there is so much clutter and overly used gimmicks, Damon Albarn's "Gorillaz" change the mold by using this unique approach to advertise those who would otherwise be uncapable of advertising themselves.


An example of an up and coming artist:



Excerpt from a live performance including London Symphonic Orchestra:

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