To summarise his essay on 'Rock Cultures And Rock Formations' (p.131 We Gotta Get Out Of This Place: Popular Conservatism and Postmodern Culture', 1992), rock music and, by extension, rock culture is defined by its audience (which in turn means that the definition is by necessity fluid, as that audience is not static but defined by changing cultural standards of class, race, ethnicity, sexuality and gender). Is this true? Has it ever been true? Does this set rock culture apart from other cultures? Whatever yr conclusions, surely it is odd that Grossberg seems to take it as accepted that rock is a 'youth' culture?
I'm only asking.
Dear Everett, I found this email as I looked to send a record to London
ReplyDeleteperhaps for a review. So I thought I'd say well done and keep up the
good work. I see parallels with Early 20th Century Paris with all this
musical discussion going on. Composers and critics cussed and argued in
and through the press of the day and it helped to generate a vital scene
for all music and musicians and those within the arts. Discussing why
something exists, why to review, what makes legitimate review is a
wonderful start.
Anyway I'll post my cd to Lauren in London. I don't know if you'll get
this email, but haha technology, I thought i'd send one anyway.
Matt
I emailed this to Everett and he responed that I should post it here. This place in this context is as good as any. Music 'culture' is the same as it ever was. Popular culture swirled around these French composers and critics around the turn of the 20th century. They spoke in press argued sometimes bitterly, undermined each others careers and more. Just because popular culture has different 'tags' does not mean that artists are exempt from being outspoken about the direction of the culture. This is important to remember if we want a truly inclusive vibrant culture.