Topic: Don't be a hipster snob (Read 27035 times)

Glamdring · « **on:** 22 Feb 2006, 12:21 »

Aye, I know new members are never supposed to "go a-clickin' the new thread button," but I found something on the onlines that simply needed to be seen by qc'ers.

The Field Guide to North American Hipsters, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2

I likely won't be back much, but I thought some of you might enjoy. Others might be horribly offended by all of it, and they deserve the emotional anguish

Zaarin · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 12:33 »

David Thorpe is...God.

Jarne · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 12:44 »

I remember seeing the volume one, but volume two is new for me.

Kai · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 16:57 »

David Thorpe is pretty hardcore.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 17:12 »

Definitely a fan of those articles. I also like the reader response.

E. Spaceman · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 17:36 »

I've loved those articles for a long time. The first one (Radiohead) is not very good but ever since they've been solid gold. I especially enjoyed the Your Genre Sucks series and most of all : How To Fake It

Kai · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 18:48 »

Psh, you're just touchy because you probably like Radiohead.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 18:52 »

How To Fake It is the best thing ever. I've actually met people who did that, having never read the article before.

Kai · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 19:28 »

Oh, it's a pretty accurate article. I've since taken to faking some things just to mess with people. So much fun.

pat101 · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Feb 2006, 09:55 »

I plan on pissing off some music major's by "faking it" this weekend, should be fun.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 06:08 »

Are the music majors at your school that pretentious? Shame on them! It's probably a snobby, elitist program for that sort of thing to happen. That's what I like about here. Most everyone is pretty humble and cool.

Misereatur · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 09:00 »

As some one who study music at school, I just want to say that we may be considerd elitist snobs but we really just want to have a decent conversation about music. And not the "OMG! how can you listen to that Jazz thing? its sooooo boring!". Stuff like that makes me want to punch that person.
Also, if someone trys to fake it, we are sure to notice and take revenge on that person.

That being said, those guids are so true it hurts.
I personally know a "Faker" who trys to pass off as a Metalhead. It is my personal hobby to make fun of him. And he thinks I'm just being friendly.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 09:21 »

Yeah. I think we only seem pretentious because a lot of the time, what we want to describe is best said using more esoteric language. However, we're not trying to look smart, honestly. We just love music!

Edit: Okay, I'm sure some music majors are just trying to look smart, but they're typically the ones who don't cut it.

BPMninja · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 10:01 »

I was friends with a big chunk of music majors when I was at UMBC...none of them really seemed like hipster snobs to me. As long as you would put together a little bit more conversation than "the beat go beeeep boooom bip!", they'd work with ya.

Hmm..faking it among the goths could be fun though. So much music to make fun of, so little time. *glee*

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 10:16 »

Which brings me to an important point, actually. Anybody who is going to college/ever plans to go to college in the future, take a music appreciation class! Seriously, even if you know music reasonably well, music appreciation allows you to talk about stuff more intelligently (i.e. so people can actually know what you're talking about!), plus it's a good excuse to listen to a bunch of music. Of course, this advice may be really horrible, because I've never taken music appri personally. It may teach one nothing of value.

Misereatur · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 10:24 »

Quote from: Bastardous Bassist

Yeah. I think we only seem pretentious because a lot of the time, what we want to describe is best said using more esoteric language. However, we're not trying to look smart, honestly. We just love music!

Edit: Okay, I'm sure some music majors are just trying to look smart, but they're typically the ones who don't cut it.

Exaclly!

I do hate the type that deliberatly uses musical references that unless you had 3 years of musical education there's no way you could understand.
They just take the fun out of talking about music.

And yeah, making fun of idiot goth kids is the best.
Its my favorite pass time in concerts while wating for the horrible local metal band to stop abusing their instruments.

BPMninja · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 10:30 »

Quote from: Bastardous Bassist

Which brings me to an important point, actually. Anybody who is going to college/ever plans to go to college in the future, take a music appreciation class! Seriously, even if you know music reasonably well, music appreciation allows you to talk about stuff more intelligently (i.e. so people can actually know what you're talking about!), plus it's a good excuse to listen to a bunch of music. Of course, this advice may be really horrible, because I've never taken music appri personally. It may teach one nothing of value.

One of my favorite non-major related college courses to date was a History of Jazz class.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 10:32 »

That's one class I'd love to take, but I don't think I'm going to get a chance. I remember suggesting that jazz studies people should be able to take it instead of music history, which is reasonably useless. I mean, music theory courses are basically music history courses.

Misereatur · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 11:00 »

I study music theory, history and Jazz history.
And although theory can be a drag i enjoy them all.

And music theory classes (at least mine, i dont really know what collage teaches) are not related to music history class. Exept the fact that we study at the moment basic classical music harmony (the very basics, there's no demand for more, we're only high school students).
They are important so you can understand how composers wrote their music, and ofcurse, you cant break the rulls without knowing them first.

We study composers in music history class, and we dont go in to how they composed every section.
Although this could be interesting when it comes to modern composers.

Jazz history is alot of fun. We'll start Free Jazz in a few lessons, and that wold be awsome.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 11:16 »

Here's the thing, music theory classes are basically really in-depth music history classes, because all you look at is how composers wrote music through the ages. It's just a really in-depth history class. I mean, a true music theory course would cover all the "rules" behind music composition today. I mean, my physics courses don't teach how people used to do physics. They only teach how people do physics today.

Free jazz is pretty cool. If you have a chance, check out the Woodstock Jazz Festival DVD. There's some more avant garde and free-er stuff. The highlight performances feature Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Anthony Braxton (huge free jazz artist), Lee Konitz, Jack DeJohnette and Miroslav Vitous. They play Impressions, and Chick solos after Braxton. He just ends up looking silly, because Anthony Braxton's solo is better than 'Trane's. There's also this bit where Anthony Braxton sings Konitz's recorded solo for The Song is You (because Braxton learned all of Konitz's solos), and Konitz doesn't recognize it.

GAH! Must stop! Sorry. Jazz is just pretty much my favorite art form, and I could talk about it all day, easily.

pat101 · « **Reply #20 on:** 24 Feb 2006, 23:24 »

As it happens out of ALL the music majors I met this weekend (and there were a LOT) I was by FAR the most knowledgable when it came to music. I mean there was one girl who seemed hopefully when she recognized the 'stars' shirt I was wearing from their show a few weeks ago, I asked her if she was into The Flaming Lips and she said she'd never heard of them, I cried inside just a bit. So basically my weekend consisted of making music majors feel like they don't know anything about music, which was a ton of fun too.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #21 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 01:16 »

I've become stubbornly dedicated to trying to learn as little music theory as possible in the hope of not being constrained by nothin'. Also, I find musical theory appalingly boring. I can hold a conversation with a music major (or the British equivalent), however. Not about jazz, maybe, but definitely about classical music or avant-garde (mostly what the ones at my school talk about), and to a large degree about other genres.

I know a few fakers. They're somewhat annoying, especially metal fakers. Because you cannot get away with faking metal at me.

Misereatur · « **Reply #22 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 05:18 »

Quote from: Bastardous Bassist

Here's the thing, music theory classes are basically really in-depth music history classes...

I wrote This answer last night but the QC server went down, so I'll post this now:

Music theory class teaches you, baisically, how to compose by teaching you the rules of each musical period (Classical, Romantic and so on..)
when you understand how composers wrote music in different periods you can understand their work better.
Music theory should be kept as a class, along side music history. They both complete each other.
Plus, music theory can help you read notes while listening to the music.

My Jazz teacher should have this DVD, I'll check it out. But I cant imagine pat and chick playing Free Jazz. When I think of Free Jazz I think of Ornette Colleman's Free Jazz album and John Zorn.
Joe Handerson played some Free Jazz, as I heard. I have a concert of him and Charlie Haden in the montreal Jazz fest before Joe died. They did "Free" versions of two standarts and another two of Haden's songs, Stretched each song to about 20 min'.
I'm still trying to get Colleman's The Shape Of Jazz To Come cd, cant seem to find it anywhere.

Khar, metal Fakers are just stupid.
A few months ago a horrible metal Fakers band (they ACTUALLY FORMED A BAND) coverd Nevermore's Believe In Nothing.
I died a little inside that night.

And the type of music majors tha pisses me off the most it the type that listens only the the Beatles.
I have a few friends like that, and they cant talk about anything else.

BPMninja · « **Reply #23 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 05:27 »

Quote from: pat101

As it happens out of ALL the music majors I met this weekend (and there were a LOT) I was by FAR the most knowledgable when it came to music. I mean there was one girl who seemed hopefully when she recognized the 'stars' shirt I was wearing from their show a few weeks ago, I asked her if she was into The Flaming Lips and she said she'd never heard of them, I cried inside just a bit. So basically my weekend consisted of making music majors feel like they don't know anything about music, which was a ton of fun too.

Were they at least well versed in some other kind of music?

I mean, there's nothing really wrong with them never having heard of bands that you like (although not hearing of The Flaming Lips IS scary), since there are sooooo many genres out there. JI have friends that could tell you almost ANYTHING that relates to Turntablism, Hip Hop and Trip Hop...but probably could tell you a song by Elvis.

I think a person should be well versed in as many genres as possible since different kinds of music give you different exposure for truly 'getting' music.

Quote from: Misereatur

And the type of music majors tha pisses me off the most it the type that listens only the the Beatles.
I have a few friends like that, and they cant talk about anything else.

Only listening to one band, no matter who it is, is just sad.

Misereatur · « **Reply #24 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 05:37 »

They know their way around music, but they think that the beatles are the best thing ever and are ready to kill anyone who disagree.

It is sad.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #25 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 10:19 »

Quote from: Misereatur

My Jazz teacher should have this DVD, I'll check it out. But I cant imagine pat and chick playing Free Jazz.

Oh, Chick and Metheny can deffinitely play some free jazz. Metheny's live stuff is wild. Sure, he does all that new agey crap (well, it's reasonably good, but not incredibly special), but his live stuff (like the Trio Live album) and his relatively unrehearsed stuff (Question and Answer etc) is grand. Also, Chick does some crazy stuff. I mean, he was on Bitches Brew.

Also, I am a music major who had never heard of the Flaming Lips before reading this comic. I just don't really find indie music all that exciting. Maybe there's an indie band out there for me, but I haven't found it, and my roomate listens to a good deal of indie music. I mean, even the genres I like, I can't name all the composers/artists/bands. Even some of the bigger names, I couldn't identify any songs/pieces by them. Hell, just yesterday I bought my first Verese CD (though, I had already heard a bit of stuff written by him). I think a big problem with not knowing anybody is that I have a horrible, horrible memory. That's why I also do physics! No memorization needed!

pat101 · « **Reply #26 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 10:46 »

They weren't really into anything, I mean they knew their classical and I'm sure they knew some jazz (we didn't really cover that) but I mean come on you're a music major! You SHOULD know something of 'popular' music, I'd think.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #27 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 11:10 »

Quote from: pat101

They weren't really into anything, I mean they knew their classical and I'm sure they knew some jazz (we didn't really cover that) but I mean come on you're a music major! You SHOULD know something of 'popular' music, I'd think.

Well, they're not going to be playing popular music, though. Pretty much nothing they do is going to have anything to do with popular music. Hell, one of my good friends from high school is a composition and organ performance double major, and he knows pretty much nothing of any form of music aside from classical. Every time he has a question, he has to ask me. However, as far as just general music goes, he knows a hell of a lot more than I do. The guy is going to be famous, I'm almost sure of that. He's already had a piece performed at the Kennedy Center (in Washington, DC) and it was said to be the highlight of the performance by The Washington Post. He's a freaking junior in college!

Misereatur · « **Reply #28 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 12:05 »

Quote from: Bastardous Bassist

I think a big problem with not knowing anybody is that I have a horrible, horrible memory. That's why I also do physics! No memorization needed!

Took the words right out of my mouth. Exept I suck at physics.

And pat, those people probably dont really care about popular music.
Some people would rather listen to Bach then Radiohead
or Brahms then The Arcde Fire.
Nothing wrong with that.

Kai · « **Reply #29 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 13:27 »

Quote from: Bastardous Bassist

Also, I am a music major who had never heard of the Flaming Lips before reading this comic. I just don't really find indie music all that exciting.

Hell, just yesterday I bought my first Verese CD (though, I had already heard a bit of stuff written by him). I think a big problem with not knowing anybody is that I have a horrible, horrible memory. That's why I also do physics! No memorization needed!

That's because it's really not all that exciting at all ever.

Also, are we talking about the same Varese? As in, Edgar Varese? As in, THIS GUY:

Because he's totally my favorite composer ever.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #30 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 13:52 »

That's him exactly. The guy who wrote Hyperrpism, Octandre and Ionisation (at least, that's the pieces with which I am most familiar). I just got a recording of Boulez leading Chicago Symphony. It's in the latest album purchases thread. It's pretty good as far as I've gotten with it, which isn't very far. I plan on sitting down and listening to it later today, but I have a bunch of stuff to do first.

Also, the album has a Jackson Pollock painting on the cover. How could it not be amazing?

Kai · « **Reply #31 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 14:10 »

Yeah, Edgar Varese is great. For his music, and his influence. Can we say, "Totally made Zappa do the weird shit he did"? I mean, because of it, I have Civilization: Phase III, and that wins.

pat101 · « **Reply #32 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 22:08 »

Quote from: Misereatur

Quote from: Bastardous Bassist

I think a big problem with not knowing anybody is that I have a horrible, horrible memory. That's why I also do physics! No memorization needed!

Took the words right out of my mouth. Exept I suck at physics.

And pat, those people probably dont really care about popular music.
Some people would rather listen to Bach then Radiohead
or Brahms then The Arcde Fire.
Nothing wrong with that.

Oh I know that, and that's totally fine I mean I enjoy Bach and Brahams myself from time to time, I guess I just figured that if you're going to be studing music you'd try and learn as much about music as you can, no matter what the genre. I guess I'm also just sick of peole who tell me that they're fans of independant music but all their favorite bands are whoever's on the OC soundtrack yet they've never heard of Neutral Milk Hotel, it's just getting old.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #33 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 22:24 »

Yeah, but between practicing, and learning all that theory and stuff, it leaves very little time for other types of music. Now, I personally think it helps being well-versed in all forms of music, but that's because in jazz, it really helps with ideas for solos, but a deep understanding of any of those genres (including concert music) is not at all required. Of course, I'm also taking a course entitled "Music After 1950," which deals with all genres of music (concert music, jazz and pop so far, but when "pop" starts splitting into 50,000 different subgenres, as it does really soon in the course then those three won't be sufficient to describe it) and how they're all related to each other. It's great, and taught by one of my favorite music professors.

Rizzo · « **Reply #34 on:** 26 Feb 2006, 00:20 »

I love the way this topic degenerated into hipsters talking about what people should know about music...
So very ironic.
Who'll be the first to reply criticising me?

E. Spaceman · « **Reply #35 on:** 26 Feb 2006, 08:14 »

Rizzo I crticize YOU!!!

Varese is cool but in ,my opinion he loses to these guys

Penderecki
and

Stravinsky.

Kai · « **Reply #36 on:** 26 Feb 2006, 08:30 »

That guy has the best beard ever.

Misereatur · « **Reply #37 on:** 26 Feb 2006, 11:47 »

Steve Reich totally wins this thread.

And our little music major's chat was nice
Anyone's up for another thread?

pat101 · « **Reply #38 on:** 26 Feb 2006, 14:34 »

haha one of the girls (music major girls) that I was bitching at this weekend just emailed me because she wants me to educate her about music. That's just great stuff.

pat101 · « **Reply #39 on:** 26 Feb 2006, 14:48 »

Ok I just noticed she was listening to Evanescene, I dont' care how much of a snob it makes me but I think she's beyond help now.

Kai · « **Reply #40 on:** 26 Feb 2006, 16:18 »

She's fixable. Just kick her in the ovaries.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #41 on:** 26 Feb 2006, 16:55 »

Quote from: Rizzo

I love the way this topic degenerated into hipsters talking about what people should know about music...
So very ironic.
Who'll be the first to reply criticising me?

I'm just stating my personal views on how music majors should be well-rounded, especially since they're going to be making music for a living. In fact, every successful musician I've known (notice, only the ones I've known, not the really famous ones) had a music collection that was widely varied. I just think it's important to know all sorts of music, because it helps one's appreciation of any of the aural arts. I mean, I will listen to all sorts of music. I don't say, "Oh, it's x genre, so I'm just going to hate it because it's not good enough for me." Screw that. I'm happy when I can enjoy music of every genre, because that means no matter where I am, I'll like the music being played. Of course, it just so happens I don't enjoy all the music I listen to, but I don't ever say certain music is below me. That's why I don't consider myself a snob. I'm also not well-versed enough in modern music to be a hipster, I think.

Also, one of the best rock guitarists I've ever seen (including anyone famous) was a big Evanescence fan, or at least he was. He went from genre to genre of music every few months. He'd absolutely love a certain type of music, but then get bored with it and move on to something radically different. It was frustrating, because I was in a band with him.

Combinethresher · « **Reply #42 on:** 02 Mar 2006, 14:05 »

Quote from: Misereatur

They know their way around music, but they think that the beatles are the best thing ever and are ready to kill anyone who disagree.

It is sad.

It is sad, but they aren't nearly as delusional as people who think that 80s music was the best thing ever.

As for hipsters, just wait them out. In time, whatever they're holding over your head for cool points will lose its edge, and they'll turn to a new, even more abstruse genre to exclude people from. All part of life's great cycle.

Misereatur · « **Reply #43 on:** 02 Mar 2006, 15:04 »

Just ignore hipsters. They take pride in humiliating people who dont "understand" music like they do. although they know nothing of music.
I just ignore them because thier opinions dont matter, and I dont wast my time talking to people who humiliate other people for fun and superiority.

And once again, I pretty much agree with everything Bastardous Bassist wrote.

E. Spaceman · « **Reply #44 on:** 02 Mar 2006, 16:31 »

Quote from: Combinethresher

Quote from: Misereatur
They know their way around music, but they think that the beatles are the best thing ever and are ready to kill anyone who disagree.

It is sad.

It is sad, but they aren't nearly as delusional as people who think that 80s music was the best thing ever.

As for hipsters, just wait them out. In time, whatever they're holding over your head for cool points will lose its edge, and they'll turn to a new, even more abstruse genre to exclude people from. All part of life's great cycle.

Hey man, the 80s were awesome, Sonic Youth, Pixies, Jesus and Mary Chain, Hüsker Dü, Dinosaur JR, REM, The Cure. Talking Heads, Blondie, The Mission, Sisters of Mercy, New Order, Spacemen 3, My Bloody Valentine, The Smiths, Cocteau Twins... and the list goes on.

penpen17 · « **Reply #45 on:** 02 Mar 2006, 18:49 »

Quote from: pat101

Ok I just noticed she was listening to Evanescene, I dont' care how much of a snob it makes me but I think she's beyond help now.

Listening to Evanescence doesn't make her beyond help. Sure it's melodramatic and immature, but Amy Lee has one hell of a voice

Houdinimachine · « **Reply #46 on:** 02 Mar 2006, 18:56 »

Yeah I loved my History of Jazz class. It introduced me to Weather Report and Thelonious Monk.

Misereatur · « **Reply #47 on:** 03 Mar 2006, 07:02 »

Weather Report can be a bitch to play.

And yes, the 80's had some awsome artists. But I think he was reffering to the guys who like the pop 80's.

Combinethresher · « **Reply #48 on:** 03 Mar 2006, 07:31 »

Quote from: Misereatur

Weather Report can be a bitch to play.

And yes, the 80's had some awsome artists. But I think he was reffering to the guys who like the pop 80's.

Yes I was, although Sonic Youth is one of the worst bands I've ever heard. For 80s music I turn to Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Government Issue, Bad Brains, Zero Boys, etc.

BillyxRansom · « **Reply #49 on:** 03 Mar 2006, 12:40 »

Quote from: Bastardous Bassist

Which brings me to an important point, actually. Anybody who is going to college/ever plans to go to college in the future, take a music appreciation class! Seriously, even if you know music reasonably well, music appreciation allows you to talk about stuff more intelligently (i.e. so people can actually know what you're talking about!), plus it's a good excuse to listen to a bunch of music. Of course, this advice may be really horrible, because I've never taken music appri personally. It may teach one nothing of value.

i did this. it was okay. just not worth the 3 hours more or less per day that i took out of my SATURDAY AFTERNOON. we listened to a lot of classical and baroque period. some romantic period. and like a day on the more "modern" stuff (like when pianos were used to make really fucked up sounds, like that one guy who "wrote" like a 45 minute piece by just activating one thing, setting off an entire chain of weirdo sounds and shit).

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Don't be a hipster snob (Read 27035 times)

Glamdring

Zaarin

Jarne

BPMninja

BPMninja

BPMninja

Combinethresher

penpen17

Combinethresher