Pseudo-Individualism Makes it easy for Mash-Ups

Once upon a 20th Century era, there was born Adorno’s thought about pseudo-individualisation on his book, “On Popular Music”(1941):

“Standardisation of song hits the customers in line by doing their listening for them, as it were. Pseudo-individualization, for its part, keeps them in line by making them forget that what they listen to is already listened to for them, or “pre-digested”” (69).

This statement answers my questions about what happen to pop music these days. I was so desperate about the development of music in the world. I mean, how could it be? With all genres provided, these new musicians only place themselves into one big umbrella. Is there because of the lack of creativity? It can’t be possibly true. The rapid development of technology makes the Music Industry create more creative music videos each minute. But then what cause this phenomena?

The absolute evidence of this phenomena can be seen on the video “DJ Earworm Mashup – United State of Pop 2011 (World Go Boom)” below. This video is created by DJ Earworm. He mashed up the 25 Top Bilboard Year End List every year, and here we can see the evidence that these popular songs can be interchanged with details from another (John Storey: 2009).

From the “United State of Pop” created by DJ Earworm each year, we can see that there is one main musician that becomes a top of the year. In this video, we can see the domination of Katy Perry’s Fireworks. Earwom also grouped the videos into some similar style of scenes and music. Although Earworm altered the tempo and the pitch, these 25 top Music is basically the same, just like what Adorno said 70 years ago.

Now, I can say that pop music in one period of time is basicly the same. But with one small difference (such as the performer’s voice, the fashion style, the lyric, etc.) that is more dominating, audience will be completely forget that the music is actually the same. Then, one new period of time comes and offers new taste with new basic, and this ‘taste’ is successfully becoming the new pop music. In a short time, others will follow this ‘new’ taste with new ‘unique’ characteristic. But still, they are basically the same. And this happens endlessly, in our very own world.

This makes me wonder, what kind of ‘fresh’ music that will be the new pioneer tomorrow?

Diannita Rachmawati

120912097

video credits to djearworm

A Child’s Daydream

There was a tiny little girl. She loved daydreaming. On one sunny day, she saw the sky was full of lumps of clouds. From her view, there was one lump that looked like a dog, another looked like an angry farmer chasing the dog, and others looked like cars, whales, and so on.

But the lumps were moving. They changed into other forms. The dog changed into a worm, the farmer changed into the leaves, and others changed into some creatures she had never seen before. She loved how the clouds changed into one form to another, and she spent one whole day watching them.

Since then, she always thought that these lumps of clouds were God’s big balloons on a blue theatre. She thought they were the gift from heaven.

Up until today, I still think they are gift from heaven.

 

Photo taken from a train trip

Sri Tanjung, JOG – SUB 

- April 8 2012

Birthday Blast

April 14, 2012

I was having lunch with Monsieur, and suddenly they came.

They, my Bloom And The Followers, came and brought me one dozen of donuts with three candles, singing “Happy Birthday to You” loudly. This is just so sweet of you, guys. I never thought you would conspire with Monsieur to make a surprise

21 is not just a number. It is a gate to maturity, I guess. But I feel no difference in maturity.. Nevertheless, I am now very aware of my academic condition. This is now a war between my laziness and my motivation. And in this 6th semester, my motivation deserves winning. And their surprise conspiracy gives me one piece of the most precious motivation..

Thank you for making my 21th year of my life meaningful. Thank you for giving a blast. Thank you for everything

And I also thank to everyone who wished me good things on my birthday. For all the best wishes, the long-last-with-Monsieur wishes, the cheering words, they absolutely made my day and are now motivating me to be a better person. Thank you, for giving me joys. I wish the best for all of you too

“You know you can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I’ll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
And you’ll be there
’cause that’s what friends are supposed to do oh yeah”

- Bruno Mars

Hey, You Know What’s So Good about That Horizon?

It connects the earth and the sky.
Like what love does to you and I

Happy Birthday, Monsieur!

In this 22nd year of your life, there will be huge challenges ahead you.

I wish with your 22 years of experience, along with neverending support of mine, will guide you through all those challenges and obstacles.

And if one day you lose your way, just remember this one simple thing: you have your sisters, your parents, your bestfriends, your secret admirers, and you have me. We all love you. So, keep your chin up. Will you?

nyunyunyu. always had, always did. always have, always will :*

March 3rd 2012, Waroeng of Raminten

And when we finally meet, I’ll know it’s right.
I’ll be at the end of my restless road.
But this journey, it was worth the fight.
To be with you, just to be…

- David Archuleta 

thanks alots to all friends who had a vacation with me and helped me alots there in Jogjakarta: @Alhamd_Gianniny (the honorable driver and Parsley hero), @TheFaaz (the crayzeeh roommate in hotel ), @mmikek (the unstoppable kubanganer), @thoriqriq (the bullier of the month), @simuslily (the mystical major!!). And Special thanks to @rikanosaurus  (she knew what she had done for me :p).