Alternative Rock

How did it originate?

Alternative rock is a genre of rock music created in 1980s and identified outside the mainstream,
which made itself independent and became popular in the 1990s. The term "Alternative" is an
“umbrella term” symbolizing the hidden underground music, which came from Punk rock in the mid
1970s.A lot of the same values that were held by Punk rock remained within the alternative rock
genre. Punk rock was born of a disaffected culture fed up with being unemployed and ignored by
society. It was a rebellious type of music.

Alternative rock received little attention from tv, radio and newspaper until the early 1990s.
This genre was a reaction to the ‘normal’ musical expression of popular music. Alternative rock is still
a recognised genre nearly 40 years later. There has been a wide range of sub-genres, with similar
sounds such as indie-rock,hip-hop and grunge.

Significant Artists
In the early 21st century, the most influential figure in Nirvana that I have chosen Kurt Cobain who has
an amazing songwriting skills; the most popular performer and bands such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers
and The Foo Fighter; Nirvana best known song and biggest hits was ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’;
teenager’s freedom and revolution, instead of strict rules in schools.Kurt Cobain used to be confused
in his direction of his music career ended up and Cobain himself who develop his creative skills as a
vocalist and guitarist which he developed and formed Nirvana that made himself and others; famous.
He began to become depressed and losing control over his future; using drugs to escape his physical
and mental health issues. For example, the violence in the family, between Cobain and Courtney
Love who had their ‘fair share’ problem over Cobain's guns. Cobain’s was annoyed, believing his
message was received misunderstanding by the audience with his personal problems. I think he
wanted to convey the life of a teenager’s difficulty; called ‘Generation X’ due to reduced adult
supervision and his value was shown after his death and showing the failure of parent taking care of
their children.; ‘Nirvana’ as Cobain described as "freedom from pain, suffering and the external world,"
in buddhism concept.
Events/Performance
The main performance was pivotal for the genre thus the performer itself whilst playing the music and
creating a adventurous, deep and strong atmosphere for teenagers at the time and the repetition of
Nirvana song, which can sound catchy. Their gesture emphasises the joy and waving their long hair to
contribute the style of performance of this genre, in a performance of ‘Teen Spirit’.
Fashion/Imagery
The audience and Nirvana’s hairstyle are very messy and dark themed; the amount of audience are
huge and crowded of attention. The concert that was performed on a stage of craziness and loudness
of cheers; giving a effect of high tension and expressiveness. The visually light and projections are
smokes to present a dark atmosphere which suits their style of music. The main imagery and fashion
style was loose clothing and emo appearance. Most of the artist have shaggy, long hair and t-shirt
and long jeans. The meaning behind the imagery are gothic, street, punk, and hipster styles, which
can represent the rebellious side and angry expression for fans, artist to identify the genre itself.
Jazz

How it originated?

Jazz is a music genre that created in the African-American communities of New Orleans in the late
19th and 20th centuries because they were inspired by blues. Jazz was mainly presented by
improvisations rather than written sheet music. African people were forced to adapt to European
culture so they have been influenced to produce a “Western-African” music style with combination of
blues, bossa nova, folk and gospel. In the 1600s and 1700s, millions of Africans were captured and
sold as slaves. Over the years, to take their mind off their work they created Jazz music because
African-American experienced racism, discrimination, and segregation so they perform Jazz to show
and released their hatred and anger towards slavery. When Jazz was shown to the community; many
people disagree to have this genre and music since it’s created by Africans through recordings,
suggesting other ethnicity and race will climb up the higher social status and mobility; even
economically. Jazz provided jobs for women in the music industry and allowed social acceptance of
female musicians,which bring gender equality thus Jazz increasingly becoming popular.
Significant Artists
Miles Davis was an American Jazz trumpeter, composer and one of the most influential figure in the
history of Jazz and music because he leads the combination of bebop style of Jazz with rock music.
He wanted the instruments to replicate the way human voices interacted, an idea that was unique in
Jazz at the time. He believed his music did the explanation and turning his music into a serious art
form. Jazz music had standard songs, set rules and fixed ideas and new ideas weren't needed but
contemporary period it’s usually improvised.

Events/Performance

The main pivotal performance was the calmness and ‘joy’ atmosphere the music brings and the
importance of the history in the “past-slavery”. They played this music for emotional relief and Jazz
musician’s brain are stimulated while playing, they must think critically and creatively; inspiring the
large audience.

Fashion and Imagery

In the fashion industry on evolution of Jazz music during the 1920s has changed drastically and
dancers are adapting to this swing music. There are relax and soft atmosphere.The lighting are shady
and gives a “chill and cool” effect to the audience and music. They presented smoky and foggy effect
depending on the style of the music. They commonly wear black suits with tied ribbons, t-shirts and
trousers.
‘MCG Jazz’ is credited (2:25 and 5:37).