Subcultures of Music Listening: Motivations and Underlying Messages in Music Genres

Abstract

Music subcultures have traditionally been linked to specific music genres (e.g., punk, hip-hop, metal) (Slobin, 1993) and have revolved around conventional modes of affiliation such as fashions, music collection, cultural influences, speech patterns, class, and mannerisms, among other factors (Hebdige, 1979; Thornton, 1996). However, modern technologies and media consumption trends seem to be re-shaping music listening and participation behaviors as culturally embedded experiences (Bennett, 2011; Nwalozie, 2015). Moreover, the increasing access to different kinds of music among different audiences and the growing number of listening features available on virtual platforms are facilitating the emergence of online-based music subcultures through unconventional modes of affiliation (Gildart et al., 2020; King, 2007; Reia, 2014; Slobin, 1993; Strubel et al., 2013; Williams, 2006). Despite these observations, research has yet to fully explore the nature of online-based music subcultures, especially when addressing subcultural levels of affiliation and descriptors linked to specific music genres. Drawing on the works of Bennett (2011), this dissertation project proposes a model that could better explain online-based music subcultures. In particular, the project focused on music listening as a discrete activity in this context. With this objective in mind, a series of studies and empirical assessments were conducted in order to examine four elements that help shape music listening as a culturally embedded experience, based on the works referenced in this project (Bennett, 2011). The four proposed elements are: 1) underlying messages in the lyrics of the music, 2) motivations for listening to specific types of music, 3) distinctive audio features in the music, and 4) emotional references in the music. Three studies were performed in order to explore these four elements within the context of online subcultures and culturally embedded experiences. This project will make valuable contributions to the fields of music media studies, arts research, and data science by proposing a conceptual and methodological framework to better assess online-based music subcultures.