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Subject: RTP-area local music and culture

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Chronological Thread  
  • From: John Iwaniszek <not AT hotmail.com>
  • To: ch-scene AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: Anthropology
  • Date: 7 Mar 2005 01:36:29 GMT

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.




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