Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Pre-Musical Ethnography: A Work in Progress

Just as a small note, this is blog post 8. Its just a little late.

My music culture, which is open microphone events at different places around the western Dallas area near Irving, has an interesting problem. The problem itself is actually as much of an asset as it is a hindrance, making it unique, though unsurprising issue and intrinsic property of the culture. Quickly into the night, people tend to get extremely drunk. Though this helps research, by letting me interview people without even the slightest hesitation, it is a little bit hard to believe outrageous claims made by a man who almost just fell out of his chair while making them.

However, as I said, this is an intrinsic value. When you see two men walk up to their guitars, and set down a pitcher at their feet just in case their glass runs out in their less than 15 minute set, you begin to see this is a common thing.

Of course, there are more mundane problems of getting into researching these music cultures. Scheduling is always an issue, especially when trying to participate as both an audience member and a performer with others. Not to mention just finding the small signs in the sides of buildings pushed back away from the roads, as you drive up to an event starting far after the sun has gone down.

As an interesting note, one of the biggest hindrances in the music culture is just the general timing. Something to do at 8 the next morning? Have fun until 3 A.M. anyway, then drive 40 minutes and wake up in a few hours. However, there is a general sense that everybody is doing this, and just putting off sleep for another fun night.

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