The Country Music Aesthetic
Contents
A blog about the country music aesthetic and how to create it.
The Birth of Country Music
Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the Southeast’s traditional English and Scottish ballads and blues and Appalachian folk music. Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with generally simple forms and harmonies accompanied by mostly string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, fiddles, and harmonicas.
The early years of country music
In the early years of country music, artists primarily performed songs that told stories of their lives and the lives of their friends and families. These songs were often sad or sentimental, and they typically featured simple melodies and lyrics that were easy to sing along to. Instruments such as the guitar, banjo, and fiddle were commonly used, and many songs featured extensive use of harmony vocals. As the genre developed, artists began to experiment with different styles, including incorporating elements of other genres like blues and folk.
The influence of the British and Irish ballad
The ballad, a narrative song with a simple melody, was brought to the Appalachians by British and Irish immigrants. The early ballads were about love, loss, and death, and were often handed down from generation to generation. The ballad tradition was particularly strong in the Appalachian Mountains, where many of the early settlers came from. In the late 19th century, print media began to circulate songs from the Appalachians to a wider audience. This helped to spread the popularity of the ballad tradition, and also led to the development of a new kind of music known as country music.
Country music is a blend of various musical traditions, including the ballad tradition. Country music is characterized by its use of simple melodies, catchy hooks, and traditional instrumentation. The genre is also known for its emotional themes, which often deal with topics such as love, loss, and heartbreak. Country music has been hugely popular in the United States since the early 20th century, and its popularity has only grown in recent years.
The Development of Country Music
Country music has been around for a long time, and it has gone through many changes. The earliest country music was a mix of folk and blues. Over time, it has developed into a unique genre that combines elements of both folk and popular music. Country music is now a widely popular genre, and its popularity shows no signs of waning.
The influence of blues and jazz
The influence of blues and jazz on country music is often cited as one of the key factors in the development of the genre. Country music has always been a mixture of different influences, from folk and blues to bluegrass and rockabilly, and the inclusion of these other genres has helped to shape the sound of country music over the years.
The influence of blues can be heard in the mournful lyrics and melancholic melodies of many country songs, as well as in the twangy guitar sounds that are often used in the genre. Jazz, meanwhile, has provided country musicians with a more up-tempo sound that has helped to create some of the genre’s most lively and upbeat songs.
The combination of these different influences has resulted in a genre that is both unique and unmistakably American. Country music has always been about reflecting the reality of life in America, whether it be the hard work of farmers and ranchers or the heartbreak of lost love, and this mix of influences has helped to make it one of the most popular and enduring genres in musical history.
The influence of folk music
Folk music has been a significant influence on country music, especially through the work of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan. In the early 1940s, the Grand Ole Opry began featuring songs by such folk performers as Woody Guthrie, Blind Lemon Jefferson, John Lee Hooker and Oscar Brand. The National Folk Festival held in Asheville, North Carolina each year from 1930 to 1940 brought together folk musicians from all over the United States and Canada. It provided a showcase for such artists as Woody Guthrie, Burl Ives, Lead Belly and Josh White.
The Modern Country Music Aesthetic
In recent years, country music has evolved to embrace a more polished and mainstream sound. This new aesthetic has been criticized by some as selling out the genre’s roots, while others argue that it’s simply a natural evolution. Let’s take a closer look at the modern country music aesthetic.
The influence of pop and rock
The country music aesthetic has changed dramatically since its inception in the early 20th century. In the 1950s and 1960s, the sound of country music became more polished and pop-oriented, thanks in part to the influence of artists like Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves. This trend continued in the 1970s with the advent of “outlaw country” artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, who rejected the slick production values of Nashville in favor of a rawer, more country-influenced sound.
In the 1980s and 1990s, country music saw a renewed interest in its traditional roots, thanks in part to the popularity of artists like George Strait and Garth Brooks. This “neo-traditional” movement continued into the 2000s with the rise of popular acts like Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.
Today, country music is more diverse than ever before, incorporating elements of pop, rock, hip-hop, and even electronic dance music. While some purists may decry this evolution, there’s no denying that country music is as popular as ever.
The influence of country music on other genres
In recent years, country music has seen a resurgence in popularity, crossing over into other genres and becoming one of the most popular musical styles in the world. The country music aesthetic has had a significant influence on other genres, from rock and pop to hip hop and EDM.
Country music is known for its simple, down-to-earth sound and its focus on themes of love, loss, and heartbreak. This emotional honesty has resonated with fans across genres, and many artists have been inspired to incorporate elements of country into their own music.
For example, Beyoncé’s 2016 album Lemonade prominently featured country sounds and themes, while Justin Timberlake’s 2013 album The 20/20 Experience incorporated country elements into its pop sound. Even hip hop artists like Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne have shown country influence in their music.
The popularity of country music has also led to a resurgence in interest in traditional country instruments like the banjo and steel guitar. Artists likeflecktone have helped to popularize these instruments among a new generation of fans.
The country music aesthetic is here to stay, and its influence can be seen in many different genres of music.
