“But if musical identity is, then, always fantastic, idealizing not just oneself but also the social world one inhabits, it is, secondly, always also real, enacted in musical activities. Music making and music listening, that is to say, are bodily matters; involve what one might call social movements. In this respect, musical pleasure is not derived from fantasy – it is not mediated by dreams – but is experienced directly: music gives us a real experience of what the ideal could be.” – Simon Frith

This week’s #musochat topic: Identity in New Music

We use music, specifically new music, to shape our individual identities and help us belong to a communal identity. For my turn as #musochat host on Sunday, August 23rd at 9PM EST/8PM Central, the questions will revolve around that topic in concept, practice, and development. (Click to tweet) “Music is neither ‘simply a social and political category’ nor ‘a vague and utterly contingent construction’ but ‘remains the outcome of practical activity: language, gesture, bodily significations, desires.’”¹ I cannot wait to read your thoughts. I hope you will join me.

Some ground rules:

(In July, J.M. Gerraughty posted guidelines for the #musochat. I have also provided them here.)

1. If you’re responding to a specific question (i.e. — Q1), indicate it in your answer (i.e. — A1). It’s even more helpful to keep your hashtag and answer indication close together (i.e. – A1 #musochat or #musochat A1.)
2. I’ve pre-scheduled all the whole number questions (Q1, Q2, etc.), but if I find an interesting subject to follow-up on, I’ll insert decimal questions as necessary (Q1.1, Q1.2, etc.)
3. As host, I won’t be answering questions unless asked directly — I’ll be concentrating on hosting and keeping conversation flowing.
4. You are not obliged to answer any questions. Hell, you can just lurk the entire time and not say anything!
5. If you do want to participate, make sure that you put #musochat into your tweet, so we can all see it.
6. Keep your language civil. Disagreement is okay, flaming is not!
7. Q n’ A will last for about an hour, but conversation can go as long as people are willing to talk.

“Becoming what one is is a creative act comparable with creating a work of art.” – Anthony Storr

Let me know if you have any questions. In fact, let me know if you’re going to be there by tweeting right now – all you have to do is click!