Institute for the Study of Culture (IKV)

U. of Southern Denmark (SDU)

Campusvej 55, Odense

Seminar Series

Topics in the Aesthetics of Music and Sound

Thursday, March 17, 2016
3:15-5 p.m. in U66

How do Metalheads Relate to Their

Music? A Sneak Peek into the
Mechanics of Subcultural Identity
Anna Baka is

a doctoral student at the University of Wrocaw

in Poland. She is writing a thesis about the ways in which metalheads
utilise the subcultural symbols to create myths that they could relate
to in the process of identity formation. Her academic interests
include metal studies, semiotics, social identity, social psychology and cultural anthropology
at large. Via Adobe Connect.

Abstract:

Metal music and culture constitute one of the most

enduring subcultural phenomena in history. While other subcultures have
faded away or have become diluted and incorporated into the
mainstream culture, metal has endured both occasional rises in
popularity and the more common lack of interest on the part of
mainstream media. Metal subculture has not surrendered under the
pressure of satanic panics and remains a distinctive movement despite
the constant evolution of metal music. But what makes it so strong? Well,
it's certainly not the beat. I believe the strength of the metal subculture lies in its most elusive
and, at the same time, most fundamental feature - namely, in the strength with which fans
identify with the metal music.
In this lecture I will present some of the data from my research on the formation and
functioning of the identities of heavy metal fans. I will focus on the task of assigning values
to various aspects of metal music and culture and will try to relate these value-assignment
processes to the self-images of my interviewees. I will propose some interpretations of these
results and these will be open to discussion. Since the research most likely will not be finished
in its entirety by the time I give my lecture, the interpretations will chiefly be of qualitative
nature.

All are welcome also

via Adobe Connect

Adobe Connect Meeting Room =

https://c.deic.dk/extrememusic |
Password = music
Sign-up is not required, but is
appreciated, please see
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheAestheticsofMusicandSound/events/