Exploring the Fan/Music Relationship with Memory Work and Music Elicitation

Recording of presentation given at Vital Signs 2 Conference, 7-9 September 2010, University of Manchester
In studies of music fandom and music cultures, the fans relationship with music is largely overlooked. Yet, looking at the distinct attachments and experiences that music offers the fan could give greater insight into music-centred identities. In order to do so, however, requires methods that can draw out feelings, descriptive accounts and memories of the music experience. This paper considers my use of memory work and music elicitation within semi-structured group interviews with Extreme Metal music fans to generate data concerning the everyday fan practices and the distinct investments and attachments fans have to Extreme Metal as both a music genre and a music subculture. Each method aided the disclosure of Extreme Metal fans’ attachments and thick descriptions of their experiences of listening to Extreme Metal music. The paper reflects on my adoption of each method, the research process and how they influenced the resulting data. It considers the success of these methods in eliciting memories, feelings and attachments and highlights the importance of considering intangibles, such as feeling, as data.