Is the audience for popular music created by the music industry

Defining the music industry at times can be difficult as it consists of multiple things. Most would associate the music industry with major recording companies’ i.e. Def Jam records, Sony/BMG, Warner and Universal. Although accurate it is however not just limited to this you have to take into account the retail and marketing side of the industry. This is often in the form of artists merchandising, concerts and sales at record stores/online stores (HMV/Amazon) where consumers can buy their music. All of these factors contribute to the success of popular music within the music industry, as consumers are happy to get involved which inevitably generates a large audience. Horner and Swiss support this “ audiences depend on the music industry for access to music- access which is available predominantly through such economic transactions as purchasing records and ticket selling and advertising” (p228). Music is created to be listened to and the music industry is a business that is very much aware of this. Therefore in some respect I believe the music industry does create the audience for popular music, but is not solely down to them it is dependent on the individual.

review on magazine UNCUT

This charming magazine is definitely one for those gentlemen of a certain age, with recognition for those classic musicians like MORRISEY, Phil Collins and the magazines featured artist David Bowie all pioneering influences of their time. What more can a man in his late 30s mid 40s ask for? Boasting adverts for products ranging from technology, cars and male grooming products; it appears that men have something they can claim for themselves. Although the target audience for this magazine is very much to engage with the male spectators, women get a look in too. Giving you release dates for artists such as soul singer Otis Redding who’s huff ‘n’ puff gritty vocals sent females into romance mode with tracks like ‘my girl’ and ‘sitting on the dock of the bay’. UNCUT offers a wide range of places to get tickets to see their favourite Rock and Indie bands, both new and old artists are advertised. So there is something out there for anyone who enjoys these genres, however if I had to pick Allan Jones’s UNCUT priced at a hefty £4.30 against my regular choices it’s unfortunate to say it doesn’t cut the deal.

Are blackness and whiteness useful concepts in the study of popular music?

When we listen or interact with different genres of music, consumers are often unaware of the cultural influence behind it. Race within music has always been an issue that has caused debate; it was during the earliest recording of music from the 1920s that race was a big problem. During these times leading record companies i.e. Colombia would have separate labels for black and white artists. Obviously as times have evolved and legislation has changed, something as drastic as distributing music by appointment of skin colour would be completely inappropriate. Some of today’s most famous popular songs that were originally sung and written by people from ethnic groups (i.e. blacks), have been covered by white artists which consumers are unaware of. I believe that it is useful to know these facts as it acknowledges the sources talents and triumphs, especially black artists that were involved and possibly exploited during the earliest days of recording. However I don’t think it is as important within our current social context, as racial discrimination would not be tolerated. Therefore the music will be judged and successful down to vocal talents not skin colour

can popular music achieve genuine political change?

Achieving genuine change is debateable as it is difficult to pin point whether that initial thought or idea proposed, is in fact to be used for the better. Promoting genuine political change through popular music proves to be a complicated task, as it is important to remember that the music industry is a business and within any successful business profit needs to be made. Having famous artists fronting various campaigns will surely grab a vast amount of consumers attention, although this could be seen a positive it also brings negativity too. It is worrying to admit that we are more likely to pay celebrities attention and feel more of an emotional attachment to what they are fronting, than that of any ‘normal’ individual. I don’t think that popular music could solely hold credibility for achieving genuine political change, as it is hard to determine whether people’s intentions are to really help stomp out the bad or to help (record companies) line their pockets.

Are youth subcultures genuine signs of revolt or simply the manifestation of style?

Subculture is often associated with the development and ever evolving factor of style, behaviour and interest. As we are aware youth is an early stage in life where you are of young age and are prone to experimenting and learning new things, whether it is from parents or society. Youth Subcultures are often developed due to that individual wanting to be identified as changing their views. Hebdige highlights that youth is only present when there is a problem and identifies two distinct themes, youth as a painful transitional period or juvenile delinquency as a consequence of urban deprivation. The Hip-hop culture is an example of this the baggy clothes and baseball caps are styles which were meant to highlight the poverty struggles of people of the ‘ghetto/streets’, and this was also reflected in the artists lyrics. It’s all about embracing something and making it your own, therefore I believe subculture is more a manifestation of style. It may start off in the perspective of rebellion, but as soon as it becomes accepted and it’s appropriated society sees it as style.

does digital download signal the end of the music industry?

No download just slows down and disrupts the physical side of consumers going out to purchase music. Music will still continue to be listened to and brought, industries will just be more aware that their artists’ products are being heard online. It is important to know that digital doesn’t necessarily mean better quality in sound, it mainly just heightens accessibility. Downloading has its perks i.e. it’s less time consuming and we have instant access to our desired songs. We want to be able to have more control over what we watch and listen to; digital download assists us with this. Consumers can create their own playlists and download music when they feel like it; this power previously would have heavily been controlled by the music industry. Record companies would market and release songs with no worries of having their songs previewed and downloaded before release date. Although downloading is high in popularity consumers still prefer to go out and buy CD’s its just personal preferences, and not law breaking. Music is entertainment and will continue to be brought whether it’s in physical form or via the internet.

Can popular music ever really be unplugged?

Within some aspect popular music can be deemed unplugged. Many relate unplugged to being a musical instrument, arrangement or performance that does not feature electronic amplification or modification. As with all types of music there are often acoustic versions of songs that have been sung without the backing of various instruments i.e. the keyboard or electric guitar. However the very fact that when singers perform to an audience, whether it be acapella or pre- recorded they use technical equipment the microphone. This vital piece of equipment ensures that the best vocal sound is being given out and heard by all members of an audience. It is important to highlight that without electronic amplification or modification many of the music that we enjoy and listen to today wouldn’t really create much of an impact. Technology continues to be an evolving factor within society and music heavily depends on it, to get their (artists) songs heard by mass amounts technology comes into play.

What is world music?

My initial thought on world music was that it sounded like the obvious name, music that is produced and listened to worldwide. World music is often associated with Third World countries, but is not subject to. Other countries i.e. Canada, New Zealand and France, are countries that are also involved. They are all incorporate cultural imperialism; here consumers prefer to listen & buy foreign music or songs, rather than the product of their own local artist. History provides evidence that the rise of global dominance and subordination was primarily seen in the USA and Western Europe. A number of things we find within our culture today are heavily influenced by the American way of living i.e. fashion (baggy clothes, Hip-Hop) music is the same. We predominantly follow a one way international media flow, the Anglo- American way. When you listen to music from different countries whose first language is not English for e.g. African Hip-Hop music, you realise that a major influence of styles and patterns from America has been imported within their (African) traditional sounds.

Is popular music a mass produced commodity or a genuine art form?

Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. Therefore it has been created to capture an audience or spectators’ attention, music is also created for this effect. As within all genres of music i.e. popular music it is marketable and standardized. Part interchangeability for instance is a trait you find within this for e.g. pop boy bands Westlife and Boyzone. They are owned by the same management company and produce the same kind of music, which often if not always all the songs sound the same throughout their albums, or are cover tracks that they have sung on. This similarity however is what makes both bands successful as consumers know what to expect to hear, when they buy these artists music. To some extent popular music is a mass produced commodity as it is the particular sound and regularity that people buy into.

How useful is Petersens production cultural perspective of Rock n Roll?

Myths lead us to believe that the supply of artists i.e. Chuck Berry and Presley, and the high audience demand (baby boomers) they attracted were behind its triumph. The advent of Rock n Roll as suggested by Petersen is down to six factors; law/regulation, technology, industry structure, organisation structure, occupational career and market. All of these factors were vital to Rock n Roll’s ‘real’ success. For instance Patent law, the transition from making larger (78s) expensive records that were fragile to smaller (45s) vinyl’s which needed less care when shipping and handling. Saving independent companies’ money allowing distribution in bulk, therefore their music can be promoted and listened to nationwide. This genre of music was something different audiences enjoyed this variation, as it was not the crooner or swing music they were used to hearing. These smaller companies also realised that there was not a market for these new sounds, and took priority in signing these acts. Evidently the more popular Rock n Roll became so did the company. Petersen’s perspective of Rock n Roll is useful as it explores the foundations to what happens behind the scenes and final product.

what is popular music?

My initial thought on the definition of popular music aka POP was that this type of music was commercial chart topping music thats produced in mass quantities and is to be enjoyed by everyone. Defining POP or 'popular' music would be difficult. Early research provides contrasting evidence to what we know of the term today. The word 'popular' in the earliest centuries was seen as a negative term, as it was linked to the characteristics of common people for e.g. vulgar. However as centuries passed the term was used to mean 'widespread' and positive meanings began to be associated with it. 'Popular' could be justified as being made from and of the people i.e. singing in church or in the shower, it is home made. This particular style of music follows traditions and has influences of culture, we as consumers want to be involved in what is current and popular music is part of this. Music does not have to be enjoyed by all, as long as it appeals to some then it could be accepted as 'popular' as it is being listened to by people.