Re: Use of Music by Dancers
Did it say what she interpreted as more empowered songs? You could also find a way to work a thesis that girls who dance to disempowering songs "resist" by the empowering way they dance or something like that. Enthnographic studies are very flexible like that.
Re: Use of Music by Dancers
Music selection as a form of protest is not limited to exotic dancers ::). I think we figure that out as pre-teens using our music selections to annoy our parents and to send a statement to them that we are not happy with the current situation.
Just visit Myspace.com and you will see all kinds of music in people's profiles, and most of the time the songs themselves are a form of protest, or an expression of dissatisfaction with the individual's current situation.
In dictatorship run nations, musicians are sometimes jailed or forced into exile because of the messages in their songs of political dissent. The Taliban was known for this kind of attempt of "thought control".
Re: Use of Music by Dancers
Though its intersting that dancers would be using music as protest when their main motive should be sales...
Re: Use of Music by Dancers
Quote:
Originally Posted by calliope7
Did it say what she interpreted as more empowered songs? You could also find a way to work a thesis that girls who dance to disempowering songs "resist" by the empowering way they dance or something like that. Enthnographic studies are very flexible like that.
Yes, one of the clubs was a middle class "respectable" club that catered to white collar workers, mainly white men. Rap, heavy metal, and hip hop was forbidden, top forty encouraged, so some dancers used these types of music and paid the fines or paid the DJs extra to play them. In this club, finally management relaxed the music rules because they couldn't win. I agree with your comment about empowered dance regardless of the music.
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Re: Use of Music by Dancers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paris
Music selection as a form of protest is not limited to exotic dancers ::). I think we figure that out as pre-teens using our music selections to annoy our parents and to send a statement to them that we are not happy with the current situation.
Just visit Myspace.com and you will see all kinds of music in people's profiles, and most of the time the songs themselves are a form of protest, or an expression of dissatisfaction with the individual's current situation.
In dictatorship run nations, musicians are sometimes jailed or forced into exile because of the messages in their songs of political dissent. The Taliban was known for this kind of attempt of "thought control".
You are absolutely right, but is music as a form of protest a standard thing for dancers or is it limited to only certain situations?
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Re: Use of Music by Dancers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eques
Though its intersting that dancers would be using music as protest when their main motive should be sales...
Yeah, this makes sense on the surface, but what if they can do both? One thing mentioned in the article was dancers using their customers to request music that management disapproved of. Management couldn't say no. I thought this was pretty cool.
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Re: Use of Music by Dancers
I think individual expression is more the aim of dancers. They are trying to brand themselves, and their "theme" music is one way to do that. The music I choose has more to do with my mood, than any protest or political statement. Through my performances, I can attract the kind of customer that will match my mood and personality.
I dance to a lot of Frank Sinatra and jazz/ big band sounds. But if I notice that the crowd is full of cowboys and truckers, I will likely switch to country or butt rock. Any one of those genres can have an element of protest (I like to dance to Frank Sinatra's "I won't dance" as a kind of inside joke to myself).
Re: Use of Music by Dancers
I always thought this to be the case. Use of music to define identity or create a deliberate mood does not necessarily equate to protest. How many clubs are flexible on music and how many are restrictive? I suppose the more restrictive, the more protests. Your point about the audience makes sense, it would figure that you would select music that appealed to the audience.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paris
I think individual expression is more the aim of dancers. They are trying to brand themselves, and their "theme" music is one way to do that. The music I choose has more to do with my mood, than any protest or political statement. Through my performances, I can attract the kind of customer that will match my mood and personality.
I dance to a lot of Frank Sinatra and jazz/ big band sounds. But if I notice that the crowd is full of cowboys and truckers, I will likely switch to country or butt rock. Any one of those genres can have an element of protest (I like to dance to Frank Sinatra's "I won't dance" as a kind of inside joke to myself).