Music and Hype
 

I've been thinking for a long time about this particular subject, and I really don't see too much discussion about it, so I thought it would be cool to see other opinions about this.

So, has there ever been a time when you have neglected to listen to something out of pure of hype? I've on several occasions decided to pass on something due to hype, notably bands hyped by "underground" sites like pitchfork, due to the site's overall stance on music. I also pass on hyped music due to the fact that I feel like I'm supposed to find it enjoyable because other people say so, and if I don't enjoy it, then my taste is some how inferior, so I don't bother with it. I know this seems counter-productive when trying to expand your knowledge of music, but I've found it pretty instrumental in forming my own taste.

To provide a counter point, I realize that many people check out bands because of hype, and that's how they find out about different bands/musicians. I may be rambling here, but a friend of mine gave me this interesting perspective on currently popular artists. Music isn't just purely for auditory entertainment, it allows people to form bonds between another due to their opinions on current hyped music, and music in general. Music can help us connect with other people, and make connections where there would otherwise be none. Of course, you may only just enjoy hyped music, and that's fine too.

Just to be clear, I'm not promoting that whole "OMG SO AND SO IS POPULAR NOW SO DEY SUCK" mentality, I'm just curious as to how this subject is viewed by other music listeners.

If I hear that a certain artist/band is getting a lot of attention, I'll see what it's all about. Sometimes, it'll fall into the "Ugh, really?" category for me, although I can appreciate the artistry in most music, I can also usually tell when someone wrote a song just to try and make a buck (using buzz words, or capitalizing on a current event), and that'll kill it for me. I need pure unabandoned from the soul type of music for it to move me into liking it.

As far as "Inferior Tastes" in music. Thats a bit of hogwash, "Taste" in music is "Opinion" in music and there is no scale for measuring an individuals positive auditory responses to a song.

Maybe, maybe not, sometimes if an artist one likes is really popular that can polarize people into camps of so-called "fanboys" and "haters" - whatever they're called. And when you think about it that is one perks of liking some obscure band, you don't have to worry about someone putting the band down and insulting your taste.

I suppose so, but given what I listen to, I've actually been called a snob only because I listen to "obscure" bands, so I have had people insult my taste based on that alone. Even artists like Aphex Twin and Jesus & Mary Chain are practically unheard of around my parts (for some odd reason), so when I try and talk about the most basic artists such as Aphex, Phillip Glass, or Django Reinhardt people give me a blank stare, and call me a hipster.

I thought Aphex Twin was popular, or somewhat so. Mark Foster cites AT and the Beach Boys as major influence of FtP.

I have a friend who is into old Punk and UK Punk era bands (among other things) and I was talking about The Chesterfield Kings. He asked me if they were on youtube and I said 'yeah they do video of 99th Floor by The Moving Sidewalks' he responded "The Moving Sidewalks!? ... now you're getting esoteric on me." he made me lol irl.

Yeah, it can be a mixed blessing. I got some ribbing for like Alt-Rock when I was younger. It's almost like if it aint Bob Dylan or The Beatles who heard of them? yanowhatimean?

Xplicit
 

I am trying to come up with something big and original to change the face of music. I hope I can.