There are several different music cultures in the Dallas, Texas area that go unheard or unrecognized. I focused on a music culture that was close to home and affects most of my peers around me. I chose to do my music ethnography on Sean Jordan’s Radio UTD – Rockin’ It Old School. “Radio UTD is a student-run, non-commercial internet radio station for The University of Texas at Dallas, located in Richardson, Texas” (Radio UTD). Radio UTD plays several different genres of music but the session that I went to and want to focus on is Alternative Indie music. Alternative Indie music can be classified as the music that rejected the mainstream commercialization and chose to stay independent. Alternative music is close to rock but lacks some of the heavy jam music. Indie bands live the “do it yourself” life and are unique because they are inspired to create music that maintains their original sound and are not subject to the mainstream commercials that you will tend to hear on the radio in your car (MusicMoz). Radio UTD is a link to which brings you indie music, although they only can be heard online, they offer some events and parties at which you can attend in order to help broaden your views on this culture.
Methodology of Collection
The primary method for my data was collected through an interview during the Radio UTD session that Sean was offering. The Radio UTD studio is located in the lower level of the Student Union at The University of Texas at Dallas. I would like to begin by describing the process that I went through in order to conduct my research. Prior to communicating to Sean Jordan, I looked at my life and saw the different music cultures that affected me. At this point, I realized that I wanted to conduct my music culture on the alternative indie music brought to me by Sean Jordan at Radio UTD. So I began by conducting some background research not only on Radio UTD, but also on the music that Sean promotes. I conducting some background research, I thought that it would be an excellent opportunity for me to visit a live showing at Radio UTD. I attended a live session from Sean Jordan on Thursday February 18, 2010. Upon arrival at the studio, Sean procured me a guest badge. Seeing as this would be my primary source of information, we talked about everything ranging from the devices he uses in office, rules that he must abide by, workings of the office (i.e. management), and the type of music that Sean plays, Alternative Indie. A great way to get involved into Alternative Indie music or other independent bands is to search around the internet. A way that I keep in touch with the current news, albums, and top rated tracks is through Pitchfork.com (Pitchfork).
Ideas About Music
Now, we will discuss the different aspects of this music culture including the ideas about the music, activities involving this music, repertoires of the music, and the material culture of the music. Some important ideas about the music culture or Radio UTD include the main belief that music should be shared with others. Those who are unable to effectively go out and find music are given a short cut. Although mainly played through an internet radio station, Radio UTD also broadcasts within the Student Union at UTD for students to listen to when they are eating, playing pool, arcades or just relaxing. The role of music within Radio UTD is that it creates a new outlet for the music that wouldn’t otherwise be heard. Without new independent music, there would not be Radio UTD. Since the spectrum of independent music is so large, music can be aired 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Sean’s timeslot within those hours are Thursday’s from 2pm to 4pm. The history for this music can be traced back to around the 90’s. According to MusicMoz, the Alternative Indie music has its beginnings in 1989 when Nirvana switched from their independent label and began their first commercialized album. From that point there were several Indie bands that followed and also signed onto major record labels while others decided it would be best to remain independent and continue doing what they love (creating music for their own satisfactions).
Activities Involving Music
Indie music has become increasingly popular over the past 20 years. Some activities involving this music include the different outlets to where the music can be reached. These outlets include but are not limited to iTunes, concerts, music stores, radio stations, and the internet. Some of the musicians that play the indie music do it professionally while others do it mainly as a hobby. Indie singers can be hired to do events such as weddings, private parties, or corporate events (Minnesota). Those who don’t perform professionally, tend to perform either within the confines of their own home or at local pub or venue. Locally there may be a tendency for the formation of groups through religions, race, or ethnicity but Alternative Indie is not limited to any type of stereotype. The group is very diverse in nature because of their individuality. Radio UTD helps diversify their music by playing all different types of Indie music, not limited to Alternative, they have a huge collection of music that ranges from Alternative to Metal to R&B. The diversity is really shown throughout the culture, from who performers, records, and distributes. Although Radio UTD tends to stick with the English dialect, Alternative Indie is prominent through several different countries, and is not confined to the individualistic nature of American or British cultures. Since the music is so diverse, it can appeal to different groups separated by age, ethnicity, and geographical locations. Music has always had a way to bring people together. It’s not always the lyrics that catch my attention but rather the tone and melody that capture my interest. It is because of this open nature and variety of sounds that people are attracted by all sorts of different lifestyles. However, because independent music is known for being so creative and without commercialization, sometimes it is hard for the bands to raise money so you find things to be lower budget than you would from these multimillion dollar artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Britney Spears. For that reason, you will tend to find less advertisement for Alternative groups, making it harder for their music to be heard. Radio UTD puts together a couple events every year that consist of dance parties held typically in the art barn at UTD, while larger dance parties take place in the galaxy rooms. Students, faculty, and even outsiders will attend these events. Their main source of advertisement is word of mouth, fliers, posters and announcements. The musicians are not limited to local bands, last year they brought in a band from Las Angeles, CA (Jordan).
Repertoires of Music
Indie music can fit into nearly every type of genre; the music that Sean Jordan plays during his session at Radio UTD however is strictly Alternative. I tried listening to some of the songs that Sean played while I was interviewing him and it seemed that most of the songs had to do with love. There are other lyrical basis of Alternative music that can range from heartbreak to a variety of other things that have nothing to do with love. The lyrics are a direct reflection of how the artist, normally the performer is feeling. Because of this, you will find that some of the songs are not as melodic as other mainstream songs. This is due to the fact that they are presented through the eyes of the artist. Because alternative is a fairly new genre of music, it is important to stay up to date with current events, albums, and artists (Jordan). Radio UTD is actually sent CD’s from promotional studios every week in which they are required to play throughout the day. This makes this music-culture expanding in nature because of the activity of music being introduced not only a monthly basis but a weekly basis. When CD’s are sent to the studio, they are ranked by the Radio UTD manager, as well as ranked by the overall attitudes of those who listen to it online. Also along with the CDs sent is a list of other musicians that are similar to that. This is how Sean creates his playlist, linking songs that are similar in nature because you don’t want to go from a song that is mellow to a song that is harder rock. There needs to be a smooth transition of music. The internet is the primary way in which this music is transmitted. Several different colleges and schools around the United States provide this same type of service to help promote Indie music.
Material Culture
Due to the size of the Alternative Indie culture and the budget associated with it, the material culture for this group is sometimes limited. Instruments typically used consist of electric guitars, drums, microphones, and synthesizers. For Radio UTD, the instruments they use to promote the music consist of several computers, internet, mixer, turn tables, speakers and headsets, and a huge collection of CD’s. Most of the instruments that are required for recording and distribution can be found at any typical music store. Not many indie music books are sold. Some other types of goodies that are sold that aren’t directly related to the recording and distribution include t-shirts and other types of fan gear that are sold are the concerts.
In conclusion, we have established the history of Alternative Indie, how it is promoted, and who promotes their music. Radio UTD has established themselves among the majority of campus, as well as many other individuals. It is through a medium like Radio UTD that most indie music gathers its fans. From that point, it is up to these promotional mediums to help keep listeners up to date on current events that are happening around their area. Individualism and Creativity have maintained the music culture of Indie music even through times of greed and money making opportunities. With this stream of music pouring in, there is a dire need for students to take it upon themselves in order to spread the news and albums. Events are happening all around, you just need to stay tuned or visit some key websites on the internet in order to find a place near you to experience Alternative Indie. Your mind is the creative limit and Indie music is the exploration of that mind we see in our music today.
Links to Alternative Indie Music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e0u11rgd9Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpMPJWcC1Dk&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNgyFJOzbs4
Work Cited:
Jordan, Sean. "Radio UTD." Personal interview. 18 Feb. 2010.
"Minnesota Indie Rock Musicians, MN Indie Rock Music, Indie Rock Musicians MN, Indie Rock Music Minnesota." Event Entertainment Planning: Live Music Bands, Wedding Musicians, Party DJs, & more. Web. 19 Feb. 2010.
"MusicMoz - Styles: Rock: Alternative: Indie." MusicMoz - Open Music Project. Web. 28 Feb. 2010.
Pitchfork: Home. Web. 15 Feb. 2010.
Radio UTD. Web. 15 Feb. 2010.
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