Week 11 – Does the Music Industry create the Market?

It can be argued that the Music Industry creates the Market. It has a lot of control over what it promotes and it chooses music that will make a profit. Therefore it will only promote a type of band or artist which it believes the consumer will like. The success of bands makes their style popular so the music industry scout for bands of a similar style, they then push the success of the new band to make them profitable. This means that at that time there will be a lot of bands or artists that sound similar. This can be seen as a way the Music Industry creates the Market. However, it can also be argued that the Music Industry does not create the Market. Many state that you cannot force the consumer to like certain music and that they are free to choose what they listen to. Also, not everything that is marketed by the Music Industry becomes a success, showing that they do not create the Market and it is the consumer who dictates what is popular.

Week 10 – Magazine Review – MixMag

MixMag is a classic dance magazine. If you’re a proper expert in the deeper side of dance, techno and house and between the ages of 18 and 25 then MixMag is your thing. At the heart of this magazine there are adverts for festivals, upbeat venues and a variety of technology. This magazine could be considered to appeal to all from rock’n’rave to tech house, male or female. It shouts with loud colours and the more pictures than words blasts the mope away! The fusion of the new bands being showcased gives dynamic new music a platform. MixMag manages the trick of joining the dots with its separate vibrant sections for each genre of sonic tunes when reviewing recent releases. Its electro attitude is informal and chatty but undeniably informative. The interviews with its effervescent guest artists are relaxed with a Q and A feel. The fusion of MixMag works, pushing boundaries whilst staying engaging.

Week 9 - Are Blackness and Whiteness useful concepts in the study of Popular Music?

The concepts of Blackness and Whiteness can be seen as a way of defining the origin of certain types of music. Some argue that specific genres of music can be separated in to either category. This can be seen as a useful feature of the concepts as it can help to identify the sounds, rhythms and melodies which might be heard in the music in each category. Therefore musically there is a difference which separates certain types of music into Black or White. However, these concepts may not be entirely useful, as it is now difficult to separate styles of music into just two categories. Many artists perform in different genres of music which does not depend on whether they are Black or White. It may have been easier to define styles of music into the two concepts earlier in history when the divide between the two was more pronounced. However, in today’s music, styles are borrowed from all different genres: Black and White styles are mixed.

Week 8 – Are Subcultures a Sign of Revolt or an Expression of Style?

Subcultures can be seen as a sign of revolt, for example, the skinhead subculture was argued to be a way for working class people to react to the changes occurring at the time in working class jobs and industries, as well as rebelling against their parents. Their music was seen as part of a degenerate culture and was completely different to anything that their parents would have listened to. However, subcultures can also be seen as an expression of style, for example, the Punk subculture made fashion and style a huge part of their culture. They used their style to shock people and make a point about the economic conditions of the time. They tried to make something and be creative with the mess of the economic conditions. Their different style defined them and their culture from other subcultures. Therefore subcultures can be seen as both a sign of revolt and an expression of style.

Week 7 – Can Popular Music be a genuine force for political change?

It can be argued that Popular Music is a genuine force for political change. For example, Elton John recently used his music to raise money for and promote Hillary Clinton’s campaign in the US elections. Although the Labour Party did not win, people still believed that the music could have an effect. Another example is the idea of ‘conscience rock’ such as Band Aid: music was used to raise awareness and motivate people. Similarly, songs sung at football matches by many together can be as a uniting force. Also there are some songs that have a political stance to them. However it can be argued that Popular Music cannot be a force for political change. A song with a political message may highlight the issue but many argue that this will not make people go out and act on it, since people may only appreciate it as music rather than for its political message. Overall, Popular Music can attempt to be a force for political change and may help in raising awareness but overall will not be the underlying reason why political change occurs.

Week 6 - Is DRM the best way to save the Music Industry?

Digital Rights Management is used to protect copyright on things such as music and films. Many people illegally download music from peer to peer file sharing networks online. Some state that this is a problem for the Music Industry as it means they are losing money. It is argued that using DRM is the way to save the music industry as it means that more people are paying for music, as music protected by DRM cannot be shared with many people, which will help reduce piracy. This means that artists and record companies will receive money for their music. However, it can also be argued that DRM is not the best way to save the music industry as there are still many ways to get around it. Also, depending on where the music is downloaded from affects the compatibility with music players, which puts many people at a disadvantage. There are many arguments for and against DRM as there are many pros and cons related to it.

Week 5 – Can Popular Music ever really be Unplugged?

Unplugged popular music is music without technology. Technology, in terms of music, can be seen as recording, amplification and equipment. It has been argued that ‘without electronic technology popular music in the 21st century is unthinkable.’ It is stated that popular music can not be unplugged as the music would have no way of being distributed since artists would be unable to make a recording.
Therefore it cannot really be seen as ‘popular’ music as it would not reach many people. Technology also has a part in the way that popular music sounds: the way singers use the microphone, how the musicians use their instruments or the way a song is technically put together all have an effect on the outcome of the music. If it were unplugged it would become something quite different. However, many believe that it can be unplugged as demonstrated by the popularity of musicians who play acoustic music in order to reveal the skill of their musicianship without the aid of technology.

Week 4 – What is World Music and why does it exist?

World Music is a category of music that many believe cannot be clearly defined. However, it has been put in its own genre: it has a separate section in music shops, specific magazines, record labels and radio and television programmes. It is argued that World Music has been institutionalised. In musical terms Jocelyne Guilbault states that ‘world music is usually described as the blending of modern and traditional musics’ and usually is associated with ‘the musics of the first and third worlds’. Although World Music has always existed as music that was specific to a country or region, it is argued that countries such as England and America now increasingly acknowledge it. This is because of the development of new technologies reaching much more of the world. Therefore artists from other countries can now record, sell and promote their music, which leads to World Music finding its way into America and England.

Week 3 - Is Popular Music a Mass Produced Commodity or a Genuine Art Form?

Some argue that popular music is produced as an art form by musicians. However some believe it is a mass produced commodity, such as Theador Adorno, who stated that ‘the whole structure of popular music is standardized’. He believed that popular music was a product of the culture industry and the capitalist system to make a profit, keep the people passive and stop them questioning society. He stated it was not an art form like classical compositions as it was too simplistic and not challenging to listen to. However, many argue that popular music is an art form as it is more than just a product: it can be interpreted in many ways and more can be taken away from it. There is art in the creation and people will understand it in different ways. Popular music can be seen as both an art form and a mass produced commodity as there are arguments to support both statements.

Week 2 – What are the strengths and weaknesses of Peterson’s Production of Culture Perspective on the birth of Rock and Roll?

Peterson’s Production of Culture is a useful theory that helps to define when and why the birth of Rock and Roll was. There are many strong points to Peterson’s theory such as his attention on the technical and legal issues and industry structure. He studies the technical and production details that were occurring at the time to help to clarify a reason why Rock and Roll was born. He concentrates on issues that affected the technical side of the music, however he does not include other factors such as the artists and audiences. This is where it can be argued his theory has weaknesses. He does not consider the artists making the music and also he does not take into account the fact that this music was different to any music people had heard before. Peterson’s theory is a good way to understand many reasons for the birth of Rock and Roll although he misses out some other important issues.

Week 1 - What is Popular Music?

Popular music is difficult to define as there are many terms used to describe it. Popular has many meanings from belonging to the people to meaning vulgar or common. It has also been used as a synonym for good. Popular music has been said to be something that is accessible, simple, and easy to understand and accept. It has also been said that it is from and of the people and therefore referred to as folk and homemade. However it is sometimes thought of as being something that is mass produced and commercial. Robert Burnett states that popular music is music that is commercially orientated: it is seen as something to generate profit rather than artistic values. Popular music is argued to be something ‘lots’ of people like, although people like many different things, and overall there are many arguments as to what popular music is and how it can be defined.