Joseph Dwyer, second-year television producing student, believes that not all music fans are created equal.
“So many people try and beat out other people in either how indie or how hip their music can be,” said Dwyer.
These people are generally known as music snobs. Characteristics of a music snob usually include listening to obscure musical acts and making fun of Top 40 radio stations. While these people are a bit extreme, music snobbery can exist in anyone.
If there is one thing that music snobs cannot handle, it’s when a beloved, unknown band skyrockets to fame. Dwyer admits that exposure of his favorite bands drives him a little crazy. “I love Mumford and Sons,” said Dwyer. “I loathe the fact that such a great band that I’ve been listening to for a few years, is now on VH1 every three songs. It makes me feel like they’re almost selling out for the money. Then again, if someone handed me a check with seven figures, would I turn it down simply in the name of remaining indie?”
In contrast, second-year photography student Kate Lamb, does not let a band’s sudden success irritate her. In fact, she’s generally glad about it. “I’m happy for a band when they become famous,” Lamb said. “Older fans think there’s a hierarchy among the fans and that new fans don’t love the band as much. I don’t get it, but I know it isn’t just with [hardcore band] Foundation. To me, a fan is a fan.”
Lamb has a list of favorite bands that range from the less well-known Pennsylvania-based, hardcore band Cold World, to the internationally known Maroon 5. While Lamb does not identify herself as a music snob, she says that some fans are not as legitimate. “Out of the people that listen to Cruel Hand, Foundation and Cold World, I think a good portion of fans only listen to them to appear a certain way — in this case, ‘hard’ — but if they aren’t truly in love with the music and the message, they move on to the next fad quickly.”
Among music snobs there seems to be a consensus that as long as a band remains true to their sound, they will continue to support their mainstream career and put their snobbery on pause. “I feel like some bands finding their mainstream niche can be a good thing, because the production quality of their album increases,” said Dwyer. “However, the moment that a band starts sacrificing the quality of their music to make a record for the right price, that’s when everything goes to the dumps.”
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