Self :\ˈself, Southern also ˈsef\
Posted in: Idenity, Media
Let me preface this post with two thoughts: 1. I am not cool, 2. I am not as smart as I would hope.
I feel that I am constantly trying to discern what is my “taste” and what fad I am buying into. There are a few pseudo-anthropologists who can nail down my lifestyle choices with pinpoint accuracy. While I find it fascinating they can be so insightful it is also quite disturbing. Am I simply a pawn to some unseen force that is able to dictate my future choices and preferences? Yes and No.
This is a hard concept for me. Maybe it’s because I’m too shallow, maybe I’m materialistic, maybe I’m just American and trained to think in a certain way… Whatever the case I’m all too aware of it’s implications.
The picture above is of a band (actually just a guy) who was recently featured in Relevant magazine.
When I saw them covered in a review I got a bit squeemish. That was MY band. I listened to them, how dare a publication I did not approve of bring the spotlight on them!
Now everyone will listen to them because “that” magazine identified them as a great band. It’s one of those things that influences culture (alt-Christian in this case) and brings somewhat exclusive items into the mainstream. Somehow this hits me on a level I can see but is hard to control.
How ridiculous! Right? They are still the band that I listened to, their music hasn’t changed. Somehow I consider my interest in them slightly invalidated since they were mentioned in a publication that is sold outside of mom & pop record store newsprint. Since they will now be embraced by “the masses” aka those “who are tasteless” (wrong I know) was I really that insightful in the first place?
It’s a little less about being exclusive than it is about questioning my own tastes… do I lose a bit of my individualism? Maybe I just have a hard time seeing myself as a demographic, like twenty-something, Christian, musician… who likes long walks on the beach?
That’s when the questions start and thoughts are re-examined.
Because I can do that, too easily.
It’s a line I’m constantly redefining and redrafting but I’m glad I see it, I suppose that’s half the battle.
(The band is called Bon Iver, here’s one of their videos for your enjoyment!)
I listen to bands that aren’t even bands yet.
Saw it on a t-shirt but I wanna tattoo it on some people’s forehead
This is coming from someone who used to proudly announce I don’t listen to the whatchamacallit band any more because, well, they just got too popular!
Good music is good music; when did popularity become a make it or break it factor in music taste?…..guess I need to erase the Beatles from my ipod. so uncool.
I feel like I completely know what you mean.
look at you, you are so indie! my husband and i have this conversation all the time. we will love a band and be devoted to that band, until that band is featured in some magazine-especially Relevant (don’t get me started). Case in point: eisley, bright eyes, sigur ros, andrew bird, just to name a few. these are bands that if someone mentions how much they just LOVE them, I don’t say anything. I don’t even agree. Does this make me a snob? Yes, it probably does. the sad truth is, I am a huge Coldplay fan. This is a mark of shame for any scenester kid and I never tell anyone how much I love them. Sad. Just sad.
Dear Archie,
Is Relevant like People Magazine for cool kids?
Signed,
The Willing Lemming (future blog title FER SURE!)
Now for the serious comment….
I am currently living in a community where Mom’s buy Coach handbags for their Middle School age daughters. I am SO willing to NOT go along with a trendy (and ridiculously expensive) life style. So I am sort of ANTI cool in the way I dress and live and encourage my daughters to dress and live (modest comes to mind with my girls). Which makes me an individual around these parts! I stand out because I am cheap and not fashionable!! So in a way, doesn’t that make me elitist and cool?
I didn’t think so.
The best that I have to offer is not what I am wearing or what is going in… it is what comes out. The way I manage to make others feel, and the way I am able to get a surprised laugh from almost anyone? It’s what makes me unique.
And I LOVE classics. Led Zeppelin and The Beatles? Love Me Do!
I think I am this way more with local bands than big acts. Folks I know that never go to shows suddenly “discover” a band because they read the RFT at Uncle Bill’s at 3am? Well, I’m OK with it now- considering if the music rocks, then everyone will love it. Period.
I used to listen to them, but now that I know that you listen to them – my relationship with them is over.
Curse you Archie…
Cara: Regardless we need to get Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts on vinyl, then we’ll figure the rest out
Stephy: Thanks for stopping by!
Kate: Two things, I have the original Laughing City EP and loved Mos Eisley
And I suppose we’re both snobs 
No comment on Coldplay, they are apparently the best band in the world, so who am I to judge…
Jennifer: Grr, I CAN’T STAND Coach bags!! I always think it’s funny when ugly things become fashionable… Your words are wise beyond your years, great thoughts! (and anti-cool is the new cool, trust me all the cool kids are doing it)
Courtney: John Hardy and The Public will be famous, mark my words
Ben: “Curse-a a you tank man!”
Part of me understands this, and doesn’t at all.
I would think if you really believed in an act, you’d believe in them regardless of whoever else is buying or listening to them, right? And if you did believe in them being so great at whatever they do “best” then wouldn’t you wish them to have the most amount of success as possible so they can continue on doing what they are so great at doing (in your eyes/ears) for a long time to come?
I know you’ve been in bands, so you’re well aware that to continue on in that business, you have to make money somehow or another. Normally it’s from selling merchandise. That’s just the nature of the beast. But like I’ve always said, good songwriting is good songwriting, and bad songwriting is bad songwriter…regardless of who puts there name on it.
Some give up, get real jobs, blog, tweet, etc…others continue on because they truly do love music and believe in what they’re doing regardless of their sales. That’s life.
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