More Than Noise: The Culture that Accompanies Music

More Than Noise: The Culture that Accompanies Music

            “Late night at my place,” my friend resolutely stated. It’s 12:30 am and the band is now drinking with the audience. I meander in a stupor with others at the bar. Luckily the stupor did not hinder the fraternizing, but rather enhanced the small talk. Disengaged from the sphere of communication, I reflect and muse with a gleeful smile on my face. I think to myself, “I love my friends and my life!” “Big City! Let’s go,” my friend beckoned. I glance at my phone, 1:45 am. As tired as I am, I knew refusing would be inexorable. Blissfully, I made my way to my friends and we embarked into the night.

            Music is a common topic of discussion regardless of current residence. Realistically, conversations consist of band names being traded like Pokémon cards at a comic shop. Sometimes, if you’re lucky enough, you get a pack of cards with a gem. Conversations, like a pack of cards, often leave you with nothing but some throwaway names. However, if a gem of a conversation is struck, then discussion may progress further into another realm of music that I feel is neglected:  The culture. Though the story above does not refer to a particular evening there were many nights that alluded to this ending, nights heavily influenced by the culture that accompanied the music.

The type of music I listen to on a given day is usually dictated by my mood. Regardless of mood, I usually have some music playing throughout my day. Music ebbs the daily nerves and stresses that accompany living in a city. Hell, while I wrote this I was listening to music. Since music is usually continuously played, I am always eager to learn about new bands and to spice up my playlist. Without sounding too pretentious, hipster or arrogant, I consider myself a music buff. By buff I do not mean that I will be preaching axioms about pentatonic theory or anything. By buff I am referring to my colorful palate of musical taste.

Not only does one’s palate for food grow when abroad, but it isn’t uncommon for the musical palate to grow as well. Full relishing for this new taste isn’t obtained in one trip, but rather acquired over time. Take wine for example. Trying a Moravian wine once doesn’t make you a connoisseur. The music, like the wine, takes exploring and time to assimilate true appreciation for the new flavor. One must plunge into concerts, parties, and related artists to give a base line understating.

Simply stated, liking the music is one thing, but living and experiencing the sound is different. Using American jam bands and European techno I hope to illustrate this point. I remember my first jam band concert, Papadosio. Before seeing them live I recall enjoying some of their songs. While I enjoyed these songs, I didn’t love them like I do now. What changed was I started to appreciate the sound from a different angle, the live angle. American jam bands are known for their live performances and fans, not always their studio albums. Prior to the concert I was callow and after I saw the light, not just the ones on the stage either, I grew. Partaking in activities more than just listening allowed me to gain this deeper appreciation.

Lockn’ festival in Virginia is the epitome of American jam bands. A perfect place to see the light.

When contrasting this to techno one might see similarities. I know many that don’t like techno and I can understand why. While I am not a lover of techno like I am of jam bands, I feel like I possess a greater appreciation for the sound due to the immersion in the culture surrounding the sound. Techno is usually far from the first thing I will play when I am on my own, however, that doesn’t mean that I can’t find my groove when it is playing. I would be happy to attend a techno with a friend just because I know how fun the night could be. I think the same could be said about some jam bands.

Berlin is known for its night life and technos, a well worthy city to visit to obtain a greater appreciation of the culture.

At the end of the day some people just don’t like some things and that is A-OK. It doesn’t matter how many concerts one attends, times they hear a song or are hounded by a friend on how great the band is. If someone doesn’t like something there is no need to expend energy on changing their opinion. It is important to at least try an event or a night in a different musical sphere, but that sphere does not need to replace the one that might have been preestablished.

Music is more than noise, music is an art, an expression, a lifestyle. Music possesses a culture that is sometimes overlooked when in the light of discussion. The culture of music can be discussed; however, one must truly experience the culture to get full appreciation. My advice:  Grab a friend or two, find a band, venue, and the time and go. The money is replaceable, but the time isn’t, so go make some memories!