electronic music week 2 analysis

The assignment for this week for the topic breakdown flows perfectly into the analysis that was completed last week.  This week we are looking at more into the ritual side of electronic music and also again at some stereotypes.  While there are precious a precious few rituals that go along with electronic music, they are very important to listeners of electronic music and can at times form the core of their interest.  This is done by choosing a genre and deciding to attend electronic concerts and shows.

            There are almost subcultures within electronic music from genre to genre of electronic music.  For instance nowadays the younger generation seems to be taking very well to the genre of dubstep while the older generations still prefer the trance and house genres.  This is a form of ritual within electronic music itself because your age dictates what you like most often, for example it is rare to find an older electronic fan that likes dubstep or a younger fan that truly enjoys trance.

Another ritual for electronic music is attending live performances or concerts of their favorite artists.  It is almost a requirement within the electronic music culture is that if you truly like an artist then you music attend one of their live concerts or performances.  This is done because much of the time electronic music is not only just about the music but about an entire experience and feelings the music can evoke.  Some artists will play different variations of popular songs or even play unreleased songs that have yet to be heard by anyone that does not attend these concerts.  Furthermore one must go to these concerts in a group of friends.  When you go with friends it’s almost a bonding experience because everyone is equal at these shows and it gives a common life experience together.  Unfortunately as there are few popular rituals, as discussed before there are many prevalent negative stereotypes.

Electronic music is full of stereotypes and many of them are very negative and can cause a great deal of judgment to be passed on to a person who enjoys this kind of music. From the drug usage that is thought to constantly take place to the stigma that people who listen to electronic music are also hippies and are extremely lazy is something that electronic music will always struggle with.  When a fan of electronic music is able to realize this though it can help them to protect themselves especially in the workplace.  In a professional setting as stated in the last blog, electronic music can be frowned upon and sometimes it should not be discussed or shared with some of the higher level executives.  Much of the older generation does not care for electronic music and they have some stereotypes that are engrained into their brains and they might look down upon a person for being a fan.  This is why personal interests should only be shared with great discretion and in the correct setting.