Curb your enthusiasm: kerbs in music and popular culture
1 April Fun
Kerbs, those often overlooked elements of urban infrastructure, have quietly made their way into popular culture, leaving an unexpected imprint on various forms of entertainment. From films and literature to art and music, kerbs have played intriguing roles, symbolising boundaries, transitions, and even metaphorical journeys. In this blog, we embark on a journey through popular culture to explore the surprising presence and significance of kerbs in our favorite realms of entertainment.
Visual Symbolism: Kerbs in music videos often serve as visual symbols that enhance the storytelling or evoke specific emotions. They can represent boundaries, transitions, or pivotal moments in the narrative. For example, a music video might feature a character standing on a kerb, symbolising a crossroads in their life or the edge of a new beginning.
Dance and Choreography: Kerbs offer unique opportunities for creative choreography and dance routines in music videos. Artists and dancers can incorporate the raised edges as a prop or an element to interact with, showcasing their skills and adding dynamic movement to the visuals. Dancing along or on the kerb can create visually striking moments and enhance the rhythm of the music.
Urban Aesthetics: Many music videos feature urban environments as backdrops, and kerbs naturally blend into this aesthetic. Kerbs can add an authentic and gritty touch to the visuals, capturing the essence of city streets and urban culture. They contribute to the overall atmosphere and help create a sense of place and realism in music videos.
Symbolic Boundaries and Freedom: Kerbs often represent physical boundaries between the road and the sidewalk. In music videos, they can symbolize the limitations, barriers, or confinement that the artist or characters are trying to overcome. Jumping, crossing, or leaping off a kerb can signify breaking free from restrictions, embracing newfound freedom, or taking a leap of faith.
Cinematic Perspectives: Music videos often experiment with unique camera angles and perspectives. Kerbs provide an interesting platform for capturing shots from low angles or showcasing dynamic camera movements. They can be used as a visual focal point or as leading lines that draw the viewer's attention, creating visually appealing and immersive experiences.
Metaphorical Journeys: Kerbs can be metaphorical representations of the ups and downs, the challenges, and the twists and turns of life's journey. Artists might navigate the kerbs, showcasing their resilience and determination. Alternatively, kerbs can represent obstacles to overcome, obstacles that shape the artist's character and inspire growth.
The presence of kerbs in popular culture might seem like a minor detail, but it can have a significant impact on the visual storytelling and aesthetics. Next time you watch a music video, keep an eye out for the subtle yet impactful appearances of kerbs, adding depth and a touch of visual poetry to the melodic journey. Who knows, maybe we’ve been involved in the design of it!
Inspired to find a kerb-themed soundtrack for your drop my kerb project? There’s even a four-piece independent Irish rock band called The Kerbs from County Mayo. Here’s our run-down of the best kerb-based songs and artists:
On the Kerb by The Honeydrips
Edge of the Kerb by Manic Street Preachers (from the album Generation Terrorists)
Kerb Hits by The Durutti Column
Creep by The Kerbs
If you know of any others, drop us a line.