Interview with Hannah. She is in normal text, I am in italics.
So, going out, anything from, when I first got to Brown and didn’t know any better, I went to frat parties and such, but I haven’t really been to anything like that for a while. I tend to go to house parties of Brown and RISD students; I go to bars and shows occasionally. That kind of thing.
Which bars?
I really like the English Cellar Alehouse, and, I mean, it was pretty hilarious when it was Liquid Lounge. So I go there, I like the Red Fez, I like Wickenden pub and a couple other things. A lot of the times it depends on the night and who I’m with.
And do you ever frequent the more “Brown,” said in air quotes clubs like…
Spats?
Yeah, and the Whiskey Republic and/or FishCo?
Well, I went to FishCo more when I was younger, but I’ve only been to the whiskey republic twice since it re-opened, and I’ve been to spats maybe a total of five times. I just don’t really like those places that much.
And would you say that the music you like is well represented in any of those places?
More in the house parties than anything else, sometimes, but not a lot. I’ve kind of resigned myself to the fact that at the majorities of parties, or places where I’m out, that I’m not going to like the music that much and I just have to get over it.
And so how do you get over it?
I just ignore it really.
Ignore the music?
Ignore the music or if I can, try to just kind of let go of the fact that I don’t like it and if everyone else seems to be enjoying it, I just kind of pretend like I do, like fake it till you make it kind of thing.
And what kind of music would you say is mostly played there, at those parties?
Just like, at a lot of bars and stuff it’s just like popular, I don’t know, like some Top 40, and a lot of things it’s top forty or it’s, I mean, I love kickback stuff, I love retro, “Oh let’s bring back…” “Oh I used to love this song” as much as the next person, but there’s a limit and when every…lots of nights turn into this like, all these songs from the 90’s I’m just like “Stop.” I don’t know, so, I can get a little frustrated with that but then I just try to be in the moment if I can.
And then so I guess, what are some of the songs that you hear the most that you have trouble getting over, or are there songs that keep popping up that you can’t get over?
Well I’ve gotten a little bit better recently with [the band] Foster the People because for a while I was having a lot of trouble every time someone’s like “Oh my God, play pumped up kicks, please?” and I was like “Dear God no.” This summer I actually tackled someone who was about to put on “Like a G6” in my house because that song is not allowed in my house, under any circumstances.
It's interesting that Hannah has such an aversion to the music played at clubs and bars, but she still attends them and "fakes" it. I am particularly curious about her comment that most people seem to be enjoying it--I wonder if that's true. Whenever I talk to people individually, often people say they are not into "top 40 hits," yet clearly many people are dancing and singing along at these parties. Are there a lot of other people faking it? If so, why is the same music being played again and again at these bars, and why do people attend? If not, is there anything that makes Hannah unique in this scene that might explain her differing taste in music?
ReplyDeleteJulie
It's great that the social side of a scene can be so easily separated out for her. We've talked in class about authenticity inside of a scene and how often the most dedicated people don't line up with what you'd normally expect out of a given subculture. This interview brings up a lot of stuff that we don't talk about in class; sometimes it's not about the music, scenes are just a great way to meet people.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering how well Hannah fits into the parties she goes too, does she generally like the people and the atmosphere? Is it just the music she doesn't like? What does she like most about these sorts of events?
Good luck with finishing your project up,
jacob
The thing I also particularly like about this interview is how you were able to bring out the concept of "faking it," especially when it comes to enjoying "popular" music. When observing people's reactions to pop songs, especially in a party setting, I'm typically curious to how many people in the crowd genuinely love what they are hearing or just go along with it in fears of being accosted by their friends who can't get enough of the latest Dr. Luke hit. I also would love to hear about what more people in the Brown/Risd community have to say about this type of thing, as it could seem to me there could be a fine line between liking "retro" music, and simply not being open to newer sounds...
ReplyDeleteRad interview, probably familiar to any one who has spent time on College Hill. I thought the questions about Hannah as opposed to what Hannah does were more rewarding and you developed them well, getting her more comfortable as you went along. I would like to know more about Hannah's awareness of alternative scenes, or if she has found any place where she does not need to 'fake it'. Has she given up trying to find such a place? Does she view her nights out as picking the least irritating party, or does she ultimately dig these people and places?
ReplyDeleteMatt-
ReplyDeleteThis interview is amazing! I could not agree more with your friends choices of bars in Providence and I too hate Fishco and Spats. I found it extremely interesting to hear that Hannah goes with the flow in regards to what music is played when she is out. I too hate the music that is played in most bars and also try to accept it and live in the moment. It was interesting to hear that she prefers house parties because the music is better and the crowd is better. I think this is an incredible excerpt and really gives insight into the nightlife at Brown, the music, and the type of demographic that partying appeals to.
Simon