Studio8 - Uniting the Arts

I was assembling a coupla playlists for the MP3 player, and while I was looking through my music collection, I started to really think about some of the music I listen to. Motion City Soundtrack, Hot Hot Heat, Interpol, Queens of the Stone Age, Kaiser Chiefs, Jet, and The Academy Is... to name a few. All bands whose fan base consists of those wicked little scenesters I spend so much time making fun of. Now clearly, I've nothing against the scenesters, in fact, I find several of them quite attractive, but for me to be one would be such an oxymoron. For reassurance, I peaked into my closet. No Vans shoes, thank God, but a coupla pairs of chucks, with things written with a Sharpie all over the tip struck me as mildly scenester. And then there's the pierced nostril. Musn't forget that. The button-chic bookbag w/one advertising "Frankenberries", honestly. One has to rethink one's persona after such an epiphany. Had I been an avid smoker of Marlboro lights, all would be affirmed. Ugh. What does one do when one has such a frightening revelation? I can't be a scenester! I'm too intelligent for that (no offense, scenesters you're not all dumb...) and I actually know who Che Guevara is, so how does that work? No, really, HOW DOES THAT WORK?! Now, forgive me for posting so casually when everyone usually is talking about Politics, authors, or war/military, but I mean, this is the general discussion forum, right? Maybe I should've put this in Culture, instead? AArgh. Okay, okay. So maybe I'm just exaggerating. Of course I'm not a scenester. Of course I'm not. Am I?

--k

p.s For those of you who don't know what a "scenester" is, I wrote this mini-editorial about it as a joke here: http://www.studioeight.tv/phpbb/viewtop ... ght=#18400

i saw queens of the stone age on tv a couple weeks ago for the first time...i was quite impressed, but i doubt i'm a scenester

Well, I hate to add to your crisis, but you might as well know (if you don’t already) that backpacking Europe is totally a hipster rite-of-passage. I did it myself, though I've never been anything remotely resembling anybodies idea of 'cool.' Actually, the coolest thing to do is to study abroad during college and then come back with an empty Euro brand cigarette pack in which to hide your Marlboro lights, ‘accidentally’ call your apt. a ‘flat’ every so often, and talk incessantly about how far superior Europe is to America.

Anyways, my least favorite scenesters are music scenesters. I got sick of being judged by what bands I do or don’t listen to. It’s like, excuse me, but are you in the band, Mr/s. Scenester? Did you write the music? The lyrics? You didn’t? You just happened to have $15 of disposable income which you chose to spend on this particular cd. That’s what makes you better than me, huh? Proper brand identification.

Worrying about scenes is letting other people define you. We all care about what other people think to a degree. If we didn’t, we’d all be insufferably self-centered and intolerable to be around. And we’re inevitably going to gravitate to people with like interests. But mostly, if you like Vans, where Vans. If jeans, black tee and clunky shoes is your thing, do it. It just gets silly when that shit is used to snap judge. I live near a record store (Reckless) and two bookstores (Mypoic and Quimby’s) where some of the employees can barely conceal their distaste for certain customers based on the preconceptions they have based on said customers appearance/purchasing decisions. If fact, my whole neighborhood (Bucktown/Wicker Park) is that uneasy mix of holier-than-thou hipsters and yuppie come latelies.

Maybe we Americans are so obsessed with brands because we don’t have as strictly defined classes as other countries and people at heart just want a group to identify with, because life is simpler when there is an ‘us’ and a ‘them.’ Whatever the reason, marketers have to love it. The more targeted the group, the easier it is to market to each group’s insecurities and sell more product.

I wouldn’t worry to much about looking like a scenester, I’d worry more about letting other people decide for you what you do and don’t like.

actually, I wasn't being to serious with this post, but I agree, Sham, and thanks for the reassurance. You rock ALL forms of Casbas. I live in Hyde Park, where there is an eclectic mix of ethnicity, taste, and fashion, which is refreshing, as opposed to the usual uniformity one can find in one neighborhood or another. I rather enjoy my personality, even in spite of my "scenester" attributes. I ave no problem with who I am. But honestly, if I did become a scenester, I'd tease the hell out of myself. Hmmm, actually I already do. Oh well.

--k

p.s QOTSA Are well worth the listen... I agree that they have a great musical agreement, and talent which always shows up in their work. Awesome bad. Eww... did I just type awesome? LOL.

Look, you're a scenester......just accept it and move on!!!!

I'm a seamstress.....eh......not cool.....but.....what ya gonna do!!!!

No, actually I'm a dreamstress!!!!

No, on second thought, I'm just plainstressed!!!!! With a dollop of nuts on the side.

Hey, Izy.....

ScenesterScenesterSCENESTER!!!!!

*shrinks down* meanie.

--k

You only have to worry if you wear a studded belt, have gauged ears, and instead of a Nirvana, Sex Pistols, or Ramones shirt, you wear a Kurt Cobain, Sid Viscous, or Johhny Ramone shirt. It would also help if you had never listened to any of their music.

You know... I do have a Kurt Cobain shirt, and the only song I know by them is "Smells like teen spirit" but then... who doesn't?

--k

p.s Is that a bad sign?