Week 11 - Does the Music Industry create the Market?

I would say that although the music industry does have some effect on creating a market, it is both the audience and the music industry that are responsible for its existence. On one hand you have the music industry, which owns, produces and sells its own material and on the other hand you have the audience who dictate the market itself – if there was no demand there would be no need for the product in the first place. All in all I would argue that it is the audience who have the greater control as they have the power to choose what they listen to and buy and where they buy it from. In looking at the arguments for both sides I would say that although they do each have an individual case, it could be argued that it is the relationship between the two which has the greatest influence.

 

Week 9 - Are blackness and whiteness useful concepts in the study of popular music?

It is difficult to decide whether music can be considered ‘black’ or ‘white’ as there are many factors to be taken into account. However the concepts of blackness and whiteness are useful to some degree when studying popular music as they allow people to identify where the music is from or where it originated. There are many songs that will be made up from both black and white influences just as there are many that have been written by a white person and performed by a black artist and vice versa. For example Marvin Gaye singing a song written by John Lennon. This further blends the boundaries of what would be considered black or white music. Their will always be stereotypes e.g. most people will say reggae is predominantly black music but you have to remember that stereotypes are only social constructs so can change from one country to the next. I would say that although these are useful concepts they would only go as far as being a starting point as once you go any further it becomes very difficult to distinguish. 

Week 8 - Are subcultures a sign of revolt or an expression of style?

Stanley Cohen saw subcultures as being a threat to the countries social values and interests by either a person or group of people. The skinhead and punk cultures would be considered as a sign of revolt mainly being associated with criminal/anarchist activity, being working class and listening to genres of music that would not be considered popular by the mainstream. However some people would argue that they were just a group of people expressing themselves through their clothing and music, and that there expressions are merely reflective of societies problems at the time. I agree but would also say that although subcultures are often reflective of societies problems they are an expression of style as they often use images or symbols to help portray their message. For example even though the Sex Pistols commented on political situations you have to remember that they were also styled by Vivienne Westwood. So overall I would have to say that subcultures are both a sign or revolt and an expression of style.