Whenever we go to house parties, some idiot has to bring their iPod and hook it up to the music thing that everyone can hear.
“Let’s turn it up. I’ve got some Avicii. Really pumping, isn’t it?” the hi-fi hijacker would ask.
“No, I don’t really like it. It’s overplayed, it’s soulless, repetitive, lacks melody and it’s not my kind of music,” one with a particular taste in music would reply.
It’s a perfectly logical answer to a near-mysterious illogical and rhetorical question, yet one which solicited an opinion, and now, you’ve been labelled a music snob at the party, where bubblegum pop-lovers give you the stink-eye for being a party pooper and for having an opinion.
In a bid to not be a music asshole, we ask NOMSTA – DJ, authentic music lover and a self-professed music snob – what the right and ethical way to be a musical snob without being an asshole.
NOMSTA – “LUSH MIX” 2014 March – The Hot Cosmix (Live Radio Mix) by Nomsta (Singapore) on Mixcloud
What’s a music snob?
There are generally two types of snobs.
Traditionally, when we didn’t have so many cross-genre releases and bands and songs, a snob would be the sort of person who is specific about the category within the genre he likes, so he might like only a certain aspect of rock or jazz and discredit other forms of it. For example, you like rock, so you dig on Pearl Jam, Nirvana and other shoe gaze or grunge rock. But you’d hate on ballad rock or hard rock like Bon Jovi.
On the other hand, today, music culture has progressed to a point where underground, left-field or basically non-mainstream music sub-cultures like jazz or electronica have found their way into the pop music machine. For example, Jamie Callum, Michael Bubble, even Kenny G. While many pop music fans will think they are jazz musicians, these artists are often is shunned by “music snobs” because their music just does not square up to the jazz purist’s taste. They might appreciate it, but they’re not going to buy into it. The artists are booked by jazz festivals but the truth is they should not really belong there according to a music snob.
So here I am talking as a music snob. It might sound like jazz, act like jazz, but the truth is, they are making pop music that emulates jazz but it ain’t jazz! The snobbery comes with an understanding of the background of the music culture and history, what the artists stand for and how they contribute to the progression of that particular music scene. The snob uses that to decide for himself or herself if an act or an artist belongs to the mainstream scene or the “authentic” scene.
So, what is the mystery behind the snobbery? Isn’t music just music?
There is a very clear divide between authentic and pop/mainstream/manufactured music. Some musicians are very specific in how authentic their music sounds, which label they are signed to or if they are even signed to a label. They choose the gigs, venues or festivals to perform at to reach their target markets. They are careful to be associated with particular brands and labels because even corporate companies are very clear about their target audience. A great example would be Red Bull who have build their association with music credibility through their Music Academy. So, music is not just music.
Music snobbery always stems from having the deeper understanding of music culture and with this wisdom, the snob develops his or her music taste, so it’ll always be a mystery to someone not too concerned with going deep into music.
So why do music snobs come across as assholes and why do people think of them as bad? Is it like the guilt a meat-eater feels when someone at the dinner table tells people they’re vegetarian?
Maybe you’re an asshole.
Perhaps you are speaking the truth, but can we get back to the question?
I think that is very subjective argument and it’s probably not about music.
Me being an asshole?
No, about some music snobs coming across that way. Maybe they are being assholes. I think being an asshole is more subjective than being a music snob.
Perhaps it’s this air of unapproachableness the snobs always carry with them – it’s rather difficult to explain taste sometimes. Snobs are often being misunderstood and the snobbery is stereotyped as a bad thing.
Music snobbery doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s about being discerning and having a deeper understanding behind what goes into a great piece of music. Isn’t it normal for people who are discerning to be snobs because they think their choice is the right one?
And on the flip, perhaps some pop music fans can display snobbery by not wanting to dig deeper, by liking only that whole manufactured sound and culture. That in itself isn’t a bad thing either.
So finally, how can I not come across as an asshole when I talk about music?
Let’s start with having some good music playing in the background!
I think when you put people who are exceptionally passionate about music together, it’ll usually make great conversation. You don’t even need to like the same kind of music. I think with music, passion is the true language. And having an open mind, heart and soul will very much be helpful.
Touche. Touche.
NOMSTA is a Singapore-based DJ. His work, gigs and bio can be found at www.nomsta.net
