All systems go!
Unfortunately, it boiled over :(
I'm talking a lot. It seems to stem from my mind. This is how I deal. The cards.
Some justification: I've (presumably) remarked numerous times (possibly to no one in particular) of my general distaste and dislike for what might be named dance music (really, as the link states, more correctly, electronic dance music, music played at clubs, discotheques, raves and the like) My reasons for this range from the aesthetic to the philosophical, and i'll try to go through as many as I can to prove my point.
To me, however lax I may be about it, music is an artform. It is a platform from which to express, from which to edify, educate and entertain (I mean entertaining solely through the music itself) Really, I can find no better aesthetic position on which to explain it from as well as: Do you dig it? I mean, man, do you really dig it? When someone says something like, 'It's all about the music', that's what I mean.
What 'dance' music seems to do is subordinate that talent, that ability, merely to the point of sounding non-offensive (might as well say boring), providing a beat to move to. Technically, it seems dull. 4/4? C'mon, that shit went out with Beethoven. Music should be listened to, not measured in bpm. If you want to dance (physical sense of the term) to a beat, get a metronome.
The social reasons: most clubs, discos, raves, hell even most bars play this sort of 'dance' music. I dislike most of these places, not only due to the type of music being played, but due to the fact that they play music too damn loud, making it near impossible and seriously infuriating if you try to have a half-decent conversation. The innate seediness of many of these places doesn't help either; it's like a real-life version of people asking "R U FOR SECKS????", with louder music, and overpriced drinks.
Now, the disclaimatory personal reasons: I've remarked (again to someone) how much I hate my brother (goddamn douchebag). He listens almost exclusively to dance music (although recently he seems to be broadening; i've caught him listening to both my (that's right, my) MIA (that was most likely because of hearing her at Parklife, again an event I do not like) and Gotye))) In addition, he frequents many of those places i've mentioned above. In particular, he goes out specifically to 'dance clubs'. If my impression that my brother is the average sort of solicitor of such places is correct, well that really explains my dislike of those places.
Lastly, the philosophical/psychological: I've wondered whether my opposition to dance music (and its [is this the right apostrophication, or lack thereof? Apparently, grammar nazis read this, so I be wary. I've never really been solid with rules of possesive apostrophes; I feel there should be a ' after the 's' of the 'its' I just did] wider association with clubs, bars, et al) comes from that wider association. I've never really been comfortable with those places; I do not enjoy flirting/hitting on people, I'm much more of a direct lecher for that. Primarily, I talk a lot; this is most how I make friends, socialise and develop (secret) crushes on people. I do not 'groove', nor 'move', nor do I 'tear up the dance floor'. Those places seem like places where looks and style (how I loathe that word) seem to dominate, filled with younguns full of hormones aiming to have fun and casual sex, with a minimum of talking or engagement. This distinctly doesn't suit me, as a) I lack looks b) I lack style and
c) my greatest strength is most likely my intelligence, which I express through talking. Put me in an environment where you cripple that, and it's natural I get defensive. I'm still wondering whether all this talk is just a post facto rationalisation for my dislike of dance music.
Obligatory caveats: Generalisations apply heavily in above. I acknowledge that there exist artists who make great music, utilising 'dance' techniques, or even artists who make great dance music (Kraftwerk comes to mind). However, I should have made it clear by now that i've talking about a different subset of music (read: fuck you Purple Sneakers), of which again i'm generalising. Please filter where appropriate.
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4 comments:
Man, I made some pasta today, some fettucine. The sauce was not as good as the last time I tried it.
Every so often, someone makes music that is danceable and awesome and the world goes nuts. Track down the Diplo mix of Gold-digger for a great example.
My take: Anything developed for a specific purpose tends to have very little depth besides its intention. Without an interest in dancing, it has no value.
I have pretty much identical personal biases. Replace "brother" with "sister" and you're pretty much done.
1. I go to clubs/bars sometimes. There is normally more then one room (gasp)so your not inundated with huge magnitudes of dance music unless you actually feel like dancing.
2. I also lack both a) and b) but this hasn't stopped me enjoying myself.
3. When I'm home alone I'll often turn on my electric metronome and break into dance. How did you know? Are you watching me?
4. I mostly posted to protect you from grammar Nazis. They'll be far too distracted now.
5. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/slippy0/caturday/hugstime.jpg
6. Dance music sucks. Dancing to awesome music is less sucks.
Are you sure your dislike of dance music isn't purely related to some unconscious class bias - ie, dance music is a dirty, sexualised, working-class thing? I've never been able to reject anything like this completely since I read an article on how people's attitudes towards social networks (mostly myspace/facebook) can be more or less read as class-based.
Like any other genre, there's plenty of value in electronic music so long as you understand how you're supposed to frame it and you know that 90% is, as in any art, pretty much bullocks. I'd recommend things, but you probably already listen to them but don't class them that way, like the girls I know who listen to a million emo bands but insist, futilely, that they're 'alternative rock'.
Mintie: Yes.
Jared: 1. I have no qualms about this. My experience (albeit limited) with bars and clubs and the like have left me annoyed. Most of the time, there was music everywhere, very loudly. As always, YMMV.
2. You're a liar. You have self-confidence (and alcohol), which compensates well for everything else.
3. Yes. (As an aside, is there such a thing as a non-electric metronome? Some kind of wind-up version, mayhap?)
4. Any help in taking down the grammar nazi regime is appreciated. Now, go buy some grammar war bonds.
5. Good kitty.
6. Just to clarify, I have nothing against awesome music or dance. It's just that most clubs/bars don't play awesome music.
Matt: Where to begin. Let's get to know each other. Please don't take that or the following in the wrong way. I'm an angry old man, indulge me.
(Who are you? As in, do I know you somehow? Are you a matt I know? If you just kinda stumbled across this, that's cool. I am in wonderment.)
Class basis: No to the false consciousness thing. I'm sorry, I'm just sick of people bringing that up. It's everywhere, apparently.
The other thing is, I don't see dance music as a working class thing AT ALL!
Dirty? Seedy is different from dirty.
Sexualised? Of course, but as it should be clear, I have nothing against sex.
Working class? Are you kidding me? Overpriced drinks, not underpriced. Clubs/bars are places people routinely drop hundreds of dollars per night, with the majority of them located in either city or inner-city locations. If the working class has that much money to burn, well then, I would sincerely like to be working class.
(If anything, the class bias I would see would be that it's full of rich people throwing money around)
The article you mention is from the rather awesome danah boyd, I'd recommend reading through her other shit (if nothing else, just her reasons for naming herself the way she does), as the thing on the myspace/facebook class distinction thing was (ironically, I see now) a blog post where she was ruminating, with anecdotal evidence. I wouldn't put too much weight to it.
I understand the importance of context and all that. And I do try my best to listen to dance music and enjoy what I can.
As an aside,I actually really love electronica. M83 is a usual fave, and I enjoy (some of) Daft Punk. The Books are rad too. Please do mention bands I may like or have been to listening to, cause I would hate to be a denialist. (or 'hater', as a different working-class would say)
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