Ethnography Interview 1 person

I: So what sort of music do you listen to?

T: I listen to a pretty wide range. I like opera; kinda on the far side of classical. I also listen to country, pop, or rock. Pretty much anything.

I: Any examples or favorites?

T: In rock, I like Queen and in pop I like One Republic. Imagine Dragons too. I like indie music as well. In classical music, I really like Lacrimosa.

I: Lacrimosa?

T: Yeah. L. A. C. R. I. M. O. S. A. Lacrimosa. That one.

I: I see. Could you tell me your opinion on all of those music you just told me about?

T: For me, its-I listen to a lot of music when I study because it helps me study. Opera; I can’t understand the lyrics or what they are saying so it helps me focus. When I am riving, I like upbeat music to keep me happy and upbeat.

I: So why do you listen to that music anyway?

T: I never really thought about that. I would say just because I cannot imagine not doing so. I always listen to music. I even have a musical family where we all know how to play instruments and sing. I also listen to music on my own so I can’t imagine not doing so.

I: So how did you encounter such music in the first place?

T: For my classical side, was through my sister. She is trying to get into grad school and opera. My pop side is from my older brother and he introduced me to such when he first started college. My parents didn’t approve but we did so anyway. Country music is from my dad because he plays acoustic guitar.

I: What sort of interactions do you have with your music? Concerts? Listen? Do you make it?

T: No, I don’t make the music. No musical talent. I did go to a lot of concerts. My parents were avid concert goers to the orchestra. I have just never taken myself to a concert I want to go to. I do go to house concerts and those would be with a folk singer or something like that.

I: So what does that genre of music mean to you anyway?

T: For me, the classical music has a lot of history behind it because I know it is old music and the fact that we are still listening to it means something special and it is just that powerful to me. For pop, I like how it doesn’t pretend to be anything it is not and not pretentious. It can be deep at times.

I: What is alternative music to you?

T: What pops into my head is something weird to me. My sister showed me something outside of the norm so that is alternative to me.

I: Any examples?

T: I don’t think so. I think my sister showed me something that came out of WWII.

I: What sort of thoughts do you have with the words ‘metal’ or ‘goth’ music?

T: Hm? Metal… I would just think of a steel guitar or something. I don’t really know anything about it. For goth music, I would think of some screamer music or something like that. A friend of mine liked that sort of band. Its kinda ‘discordant’, ‘loud’ and ‘in your face’ to me.

I: What sort of perceptions do you have with it?

T: I would assume it with big cities. I feel like larger cities have a larger subculture of music to form. To me, it feels like it goes against the norm and breaks the rules.

I: Why do those sort of thoughts come to your mind?

T: In my mind, I feel like going out of my mind and being willing to break music rules is synonymous for being bold and being able to stand on your own.

I: What sort of expereince do you have with that music if any?

T: Pretty much none other than that friend of mine. He would sing to the radio pretty often so that is my only experience.

I: Could you give me your best description of what you think that music would sound like? Even that friend of yours will do.

T: When he spoke, he had a high yet smooth voice. His singing is like a growling with a low tone.

I: Where did you get that sort of impression for the sound anyway?

T: I guess because it is not what I am used to. It is not what I am trained to think of someone singing.

I: So how much do you about the subcultures associated with that genre? Even if it is a shot in the dark?

T: Pretty much nothing. I guess piercings and tattoos would be my honest opinion but I doubt that is accurate.

I: Why do you have that sort of image anyway?

T: Probably because of my parents. It is not the music they would prove of and I can easily imagine them trying to instill that sort of image in me.

I: What is you opinion on the people who listen to that genre anyway?

T: I wouldn’t know. I feel like most of the time, you cannot tell someone about their music preferences. If they enjoy it then they should just enjoy it. I can’t really speak for anyone in terms of right or wrong.

I: Do you believe that the media has any sort of impact on the image of these genres and subcultures?

T: Yes. I do. I really doubt I would have the image I do if I haven’t seen it somewhere before. You know, some book, movie, or description would show the subculture in media.

I: What is you take on the media’s perceptions of these subcultures and genres?

T: I think it is like anything else in the media. Like a really small percentage is being represented but behind that there is a whole sort of culture that is hidden.

I: Why do you think that?

T: I feel that is true for a lot of things becasue in media there is typically a big focus on a single issue. But that can either be very deep but at the same time it could only bring attention to that one single thing and not to anything else. That can lead to something being shown rarely.

I: Why do you think that music can bring all sorts of people together?

T: If it is like me; I feel like music can be a very powerful and natural thing for us to do. I think that making music is soemthing that makes us happy and wish to share. I believe that it is natural for us to share happiness too. It is always better to have someone else there with you?

I: Do you believe that any of the genres or their subcultures have any relevance in today’s world in any way>

T: I think so. I feel like that in any kind of group, when you’re dedicated to something you like it is a very powerful thing. Because, maybe you look up a a musician or music that makes you happy. I feel like having a community that you belong to is really important; whether it is relevant on a large scale is very true to each individual person.

I: Anything else you would like to say about all of this?

T: No not really.

I: Then thank you for your time.