Random Ethnography Interview 1

Interview Random 1

I: What sort of music do you listen to?

A: A lot of types but mainly hard rock. A little bit of alternative and pop too. Rap occasionally as well.

I: Can you give me any favorites or examples?

A: Florence and the Machine, AKMU, Breaking Benjamin, Ed Sheeran, Shadows by IRO, Shawn Mendes, etc. That is about it I guess.

I: Quite a bit I see. What is your opinion on it?

A: I like it a lot. It tells great stories and I feel that it is very fitting for my growth stage right about now.

I: Why do you listen to it?

A: I listen to it because I like the beats and the messages behind the songs as well as the artists’ backgrounds. Really meaningful, you know.

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

A: Mostly through friends and the radio (mainstream media). After that little taste, I used spotify to discover and follow similar artist or playlists.

I: What sort of interactions do you have with the music you listen to? (Visit concerts, make the music, or just listen)

A: I listen mainly. I sometimes make beats, but I also play violin which is different from Hip Hop but also similar. Also, I’d love to go to a concert or an event one of these days though.

I: What do those genres of music mean to you?

A: It’s very fun and upbeat, and I love music I can nod my head to and tap my foot along the beat. But most importantly, I feel it means light and hope. It gives me a sense of purpose, you know.

I: Now what is alternative music to you?

A: Different music with various beats and branches off of a main genre.

I: Any examples?

A: You have rock but then you have alternative rock which are similar but rock is a bit different. Best example is Breaking Benjamin. Maybe? I guess.

I: Any favorites?

A: Just Breaking Benjamin and Ed Sheeran in terms of that genre, I guess. 

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

A: Emo, hardcore, edgy, with a lot of heavy guitars.

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

A: My perception is that people don’t know a whole bunch about it so they have a poor perception because it can be extreme with the main image that it has with media. I know that screaming and black clothes are not the best impression for everybody. You really need to have a listen to make a proper impression.

I: Why does this sort of thinking come to mind? 

A: It is just my own opinion from my own experience, I guess.

I: How much experience do you have with these genres (metal, goth, industrial, punk, emo), if any?

A: I might’ve dabbled into it here and there, but not enough to be even mildly knowledgeable about it. I had friends from back in the day in middle school who listened to it though.

I: Can you give me your best description of what these genres sound like, generally speaking, even if you have never listened to them?

A: There are a lot of different types some of it has really heavy instrumentals and some of the screaming but some of it is a bit lighter and closer to the mainstream but the lyrics may be a bit different or the chords may be a bit more sad and depressing. It is really more about losing yourself to the chaos of noise, which to some is a beautiful experience.

I: Where did you get the impression for this sound?

A: Just from media portrayals on youtube and listening to it.

I: How much do you know about the subcultures associated with these genres even if it is a shot in the dark?

A: I feel like all different types of people as well there’s the stereotypical people with the black clothes and heavy chains but there is also people such as myself that wear blue jeans and graphic tee shirts every day but most of the props I come across are very nice. 

I: Have you ever met anyone who is a part of the subcultures associated with it?

A: Yes, I have a friend who loves such music and they’re pretty cool even though I don’t really dig that music genre. They’re definitely into it, but they’re just like normal people from my experience.

I: What is your opinion on the people who listen to these genres and consider themselves part of the subcultures?

A: They seem like normal people to me. I can’t really say, I’ve only met like one or two folks that are into it. I don’t have any negative opinion other than they’re normal people with a different fascination.It is really more like a do what you want sort of thing.

I: What gave you these opinions?

A: After getting to know them, they were cool people. Society just had different views so they were outcasted. We naturally grouped together and just bonded over whatever sort of common points we had. Music is something that we choose to listen to because it really impacts our lives. While I personally cannot sing or write poems, I feel like I am being heard through others’ songs. 

I: Do you think media has any sort of impact on the views of these subcultures and genres?

A: Definitely. Media portrays everything as stereotypes and categorical ways that make it so that all audiences can easily recognize what is being portrayed to them. This can negatively impact certain views though on different people so I try not to let the media influence my opinions. Typically I see memes making fun of these genres, disregarding subcultures. 

I: Why do you think so?

A: Well I see the news or articles, social media posts what ever it is and it is very different than my actual experiences. Probably because it’s not mainstream and it is very different. When things are very different from the main populations’ liking, people tend to make fun of it. Media does everything they can to portray things to all audiences as easily and effectively as possible, meaning they categorize, compartmentalize, and label people, groups, and associations however which way all audiences can recognize them. It sucks that they do this can it cultivates toxic culture, but remaining open minded and aware of this can allow people to deviate away from being influenced by the media.

I: What is your take on the media’s perception of these genres?

A: As I said, they do all they can to label everything and its not very inclusive of them to do so. You can be into metal but be a sweet, charming person. You can listen to country and be a hipster goth. Labels are arbitrary, and for the media to treat them as set-in-stone is unfair to those people being mislabeled.

I: Why do you think music is capable of bringing so many different sort of people together?

A: Music is a form of language that anyone and everyone can understand and enjoy, its a universal language that everybody enjoys. It brings people of similar tastes close as it does with people of similar values and interests. We’re all but birds of the same feather that flock together. It’s the same as a game of football, everybody is passionate about the same thing and that mutual passion in close proximity does something special.

I: Do you believe any of these genres and/or their associated subcultures have any relevancy in today’s world (musical and otherwise)?

A: Definitely musical and an increasing role in popular culture it’s easy to see the overlap in rap music. Perhaps I’m not that aware of the news extensively, but I know everything intertwines one way or another, and while some are considered more relevant than others, it doesn’t discredit another genre/subculture and their relevancy to the same issue/topic.

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

A: I wish more people would listen to these alternative types of music. I think music is super subjective and each person should be allowed to listen to whatever they want to listen to. There shouldn’t so much judgement around music. Just because it doesn’t match you, doesn’t mean you should put others down. The media’s way of labeling people is bigotry as its finest. It’s unfair and a crude depiction of misrepresentation. Everyone is unique and just cause there are groups of like-minded people does not mean one speaks for all. Phew! Sorry about the rant.

I: No problem. Thanks.