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Genres, Subgenres, Sub-Subgenres and More: Musical and Social Differentiation Within Electronic/Dance Music Communities
Book chapter

Genres, Subgenres, Sub-Subgenres and More: Musical and Social Differentiation Within Electronic/Dance Music Communities

Kembrew McLeod
Electronica, Dance and Club Music, pp.289-305
Routledge, 1
2012
DOI: 10.4324/9781315094588-19

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Abstract

In discussing musical categorization, Simon Frith has argued, "popular music genres are constructed—and must be understood—within a commercial/cultural process". This chapter looks at how the ongoing, accelerated process of genre naming speaks volumes about group identity formations within communities associated with electronic/dance music, as well as the political–economic institutions of these music scenes. It focuses on locations where information is traded within electronic/dance music scenes on a widespread scale as well as at the localized level. Specialty record stores that carry electronic/dance music similarly stock a variety of subgenres, although they are often marked by numerous divider cards rather than filed in one mass in the merchandising racks. There is no doubt that some major electronic/dance subgenres—acid-house and jungle, for instance—sound radically different. Therefore, the expanding number of new subgenre names can be understood as a response to the socially recognized stylistic variations within electronic/dance music.
Mainstream Music Industry Techno Producers Popular Music Dance Music Scenes Psy Trance Frankie Knuckles 1970s Disco Music Magazines DJ Spooky Dance Subcultures Dance Music DJ Mix Miami Bass Acid House DJ Booth Independent Record Dance Music Communities Popular Music Genres Big Beat Acid House Music Young Men House Music Group Identity Formations

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