It feels a little risky to say this, but I think Americana just might be my favorite genre of music. And my favorite theme. I connect to it on a deep level – my extended family is all from the south, so the genre is nostalgic for me. But that assertion might be a bit of a generalization, I suppose, as Americana covers everything from folk to country and bluegrass. I gravitate towards folk and bluegrass, primarily.
But since this upcoming 37th Culture Shock covers all aspects of “Americana,” I figured it may be useful to dive into the theme’s history, definition, and application (because it’s a super fun theme and I’m SO excited to see it in action this weekend).
Generally speaking, Americana as a genre includes folk, country, bluegrass, soul, gospel, and rock, depending on who you ask. But it’s a relatively loose term that boils down to American roots music. In other words, music that is traditional to America; music that is “classic.” The requirements to call a song, artist, or sound Americana typically center around the designation of origin from a rural location and an acoustic style (even though there are countless exceptions to this).
To make this more clear: Americana is simply American music that encompasses whatever you may envision as “traditional” American musical artistry. It connects to each individual in a unique way – therein lies its beauty as a genre.
Americana has become a broad net that includes those without designation. It houses those without direction; accepts those without distinction. This is why Americana is so perfect as the theme for the upcoming Culture Shock. The entire makeup of the Bloomington music scene is that of ingenuity and creativity, which is often difficult to categorize. As a result, the bands playing the festival fall under a variety of traditional genres, but still work together to provide diversity and, consequently, cohesion. Americana houses their sounds and provides a category that ties them to the warmth and genuine nature of a grassroots music scene. Culture Shock is an expression of the passion that the Bloomington music community exhibits through their work – which I suppose you could classify as entirely Americana. It certainly originates from a close-knit college community in semi-rural Indiana, after all.
When you attend Culture Shock this weekend (as I’m sure you will), maintain the spirit of Americana. Remember the sense of community that generated this theme and all the talent and artwork that exists within it. Embrace the folk, the rock, the indie, and the country. Be supportive of your Americana community! And, of course, show up in your best Americana outfits (cowboy boots and bolo ties required). See you at Dunn Meadow!
