RTP-area local music and culture

[John Iwaniszek <not AT hotmail.com>]

clo AT nc.rr.com wrote in 
1110144166.737751.291630 AT g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:">news:1110144166.737751.291630 AT g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> I moved here in '98, so I don't claim to know whether the scene is
> better or worse than it was in what many locals refer to as it's heyday
> (some time in the mid '90s I guess).    I will tell you that many of
> the common generalizations you'll hear about the music community in
> Chapel Hill/Carrboro are by my estimation more the product of certain
> people's social anxieties than any actual, valid observations of
> individual or collective behavior at bars and at rock shows.    For
> instance : just yesterday at work I overheard some folks dragging out
> that tired old Chapel Hill stereotype - the "hipster" who is too cool
> to dance at shows and stands there with his hands in his pockets.   I
> don't know how many times I've heard this complaint, too many.   It's
> one that mas made some traction even outside of town.   I guess the
> idea is that people at indie rock shows (which is in itself so broad a
> classification that it's essentially meaningless) are so self-concious
> that they're afraid to indicate whether they like the music or not, by
> dancing and such, for fear of being out of step with the herd or
> appearing uncooly enthusiastic in some way.   This is complete
> bullshit.  I don't dance at most shows I attend, I usually prefer to
> snag a seat or a good spot against the wall and drink a lot of beer.
> I don't think I'm alone in this.   I don't think it's a crime.   When I
> was younger and went to more punk rock shows I certainly jumped around
> and slam danced or whatever you want to call it and I'm sure people
> still do at those kinds of shows but is that kind of energy expected
> from me at all rock shows, all the time?   Some bands strive to make
> the underground rock show more of a give and take and think if the
> crowd isn't going completely bannanas something is out of whack, but
> I've got to admit that for the most part I go to rock shows for a
> passive experience on my part, and not all but some of those bands are
> simply trying too hard to get their egoes stroked by the crowd anyway.
>  Looking out off the stage to a mellow crowd just doesn't do it for
> them I guess.   When I hear someone in a band say "hey, move up to the
> front, c'mon, lets get into it" or whatever it's a big turnoff for me
> personally; not damning but definately annoying.    I just want to see
> some bands play, hang out with my friends, and get maybe get loaded.
> I don't expect to be judged on how much I appear to get into the music,
> no one should.    If I'm particularly moved or in a certain mood, yeah,
> I might get up and dance or whatever.    But this idea that Chapel Hill
> is so up it's own ass that it can't express itself is plain stupid.
> Let's put it to rest.  And for that matter let's stop perpetuating the
> myth that the music scene is so exclusive.    There is no secret
> handshake, you don't have to know every bit of local music folklore
> minutia to fit in, and from what I've seen since I moved here, people
> are for the most part pretty darned friendly.   No place is perfect,
> but not many cities in this country have music scenes that are as open,
> inclusive, supportive, and non-competitive.    Believe me, travel
> around a bit and you'll find that some music scenes can be pretty
> cutthroat and even downright nasty.   We've got it good.
>     I applaud your efforts to analyze and document the story of the
> Chapel Hill/Carrboro/Triangle music scene for the academic world.
> Best of luck with it.    I believe it is a worthy endeavor.  Make sure
> you make note of these things in your thesis so our rock-music-playing,
> rock-show-attending grandkids might not be subjected to this brand of
> weird, self-defeating reverse-snobism!   It's only rockandroll, but
> darn it, I like it.
> 

Get your hands out of your pockets and dance.