Ben's Philosophy Of Popular Music - Part II
People involved in alternative popular culture have a reputation amongst the straights for
living thoughts and lifestyles which conflict with the status quo. These include individuality,
imbibing to excess, antisocial behaviour and a love of indolence. Of these four, it could be
argued that the last is the most intense shunning of modern respectability. Individuality is
quite fashionable at the moment, with people with funny coloured hair able to walk around town
without being beaten up. As for the second point, quite frankly everybody does something to
excess and drugs and alcohol seem to be a more socially acceptable way of being excessive than
other addictions (eg golf/shopping/trainspotting/sex).
Examples of typical antisocial behaviour include swearing in front of old people, not saying
thank you, lots of young people gathering in one place and being very loud (eg. festivals) and
breaking things. These behaviours are associated with those in alternative popular culture but
could easily be assigned to any young person, and not necessarily in this day and age either.
The love of indolence however is peculiarly linked to alternative popular culture and is
seen as a badge of honour, something to be proud of, within this substratum of society. A love
of indolence can be described as idleness, and indeed Samuel Johnson created a magazine called
the Idler based on that theme. The title and the ethos of his monthly missives was resurrected
in the late 20th century to again appreciate the life of an idler, and I owe a certain amount of
inspiration to both for these articles.
If we enter the realm of normal culture, a love of idolence is described as laziness. The
hatred of laziness is prevelant through the whole spectrum of Western life. The main problem
with laziness at this moment is that it is the antithesis to working your guts out. Capitalism
has become established by people working their guts out and now to continue must have a constant
stream of people working their guts out.
In order to have a highly motivated workforce, the illusion of the work ethic must be
instigated and maintained. To be lazy means letting the side down, not pulling one's weight. To
be lazy means letting yourself down, not becoming a respectable member of society owning houses
and cars, travelling and having personal possessions.
Therefore, to be involved with process of creating beautiful music is also seen as being
lazy. A composer does not enter the world of work because ironically they are too busy living
the life of an aesthete. They must sit in darkened rooms for days on end listening to their mind
produce crazy rhythms and ideas. They must read; they must get drunk and take powerfully strong
drugs. They have to wander around town aimlessly, drink coffee and smoke. They have to listen to
music intently and intensely. To quote Calvin, `the days are just packed'.
I think this is why some music can be perceived to have soul and some music not. Certain
music produced at this time actually physically smells of capitalism, either on the production
line of corporate pop, or the small businesses of bandwagon jumpers. The members of these bands
have exactly the same routine as the worker and as much musical merit.
These musical forms are appreciated by those who are unable or unwilling to face the idea of
embracing indolence, finding soul in soulless music. Those who are brave enough to say `I can't
be bothered' are rewarded with an exquisite sense of soulfulness and freedom despite adversity.
In my next piece I shall be writing about those brave people who have to do what they feel
and sometimes take indolence to unprecedented levels.
by Ben Bailey.