These trend-followers are just that. It doesn’t make them anyone. It’s like me wearing an Army uniform and not fighting. For the most part (I’m sure some are authentic) I would bet every person dressed like this hasn’t heard more than 3 songs off Unknown Pleasures (or is even aware that’s what that shirt is). They mix up NMH (to me Aeroplane is an awe inspiring beautiful piece of art [and I don’t care how fucking much that may peg me as a hipster, I believe in that album]) with Beirut. Nothing is practical. There is no leader. There is no Kurt to follow and wear flannel because of. Since when did riding a fixed gear bike HAVE to coincide with listening to Interpol or Pavement? Who actually listens to Pavement other than myself and people on the internet? I’ve met like 4 fucking people in real life who could actually talk about that band.
There is some stupid asshole wizard living in some after hours bar somewhere deciding what is part of this culture. Bikes without brakes? Sure! Let’s get it started! Cool mustache! Everyone else do it!
I guess the point of this rant is this: We are not easily identifiable. A lot of us just look the part. Everyone needs to show this.
And it’s so annoying and depressing and tiresome and shitty to be angry at this bullshit culture. Yet I’m still here dissing it. But what I’d rather have matter is what makes you you and what you really come down to. You don’t actually need glasses? Whatever, your choice. At the end of the line I want to care about what you did. Not if you got the Grizzly Bear leak before me.
—
Alan (via youcankeepthechange)
You like Neutral Milk Hotel for some exalted reason. I say I like them without having heard Aeroplane just to fit in. You are sad because in some past, liking Neutral Milk Hotel actually meant something and if someone told you they liked the band, you deduced they understood beauty like you did. Now people who look at you can’t tell who you are.
I remember Kevin in high school at a Juno show trying to be friends with a guy wearing a Hum shirt because the guy was wearing a Hum shirt at a Juno show. Let’s put aside some idea of accurate visual representation through, e.g., clothing, of taste. Do you really think you can tell what’s inside someone’s heart, oh, say, whether they’re loyal to their friends, by asking them what bands they (actually) listen to? Everyone knows that taste is some part about representation and the rest a product of socioeconomics. All I can do is laugh about the anxiety expressed here when the (agreed upon) conclusion is obvious and inescapable.
