A Field Guide to the Urban Hipster - Softcover

Aiello, Josh; Shultz, Matthew

 
9780767913720: A Field Guide to the Urban Hipster
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0767913728 ISBN 13: 9780767913720
Verlag: Broadway Books, 2003

Inhaltsangabe

A humorous guide to observing "hipster" behavior identifies the unique characteristics of such varieties as "mods," "punks," and "indie rockers," offering in-depth coverage of such hipster modes of expression as haircuts, piercings, musical preferences, and mating rituals. Original.

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Josh Aiello cut his literary teeth writing scathing editorials for the school paper, most notably J’accuse Janitor Carlson, which earned him after-school detention for one week. He attended film school at Boston University, where his signature string of bad luck with women resulted in the production of several well-received short films. After graduation, Josh co-wrote and co-directed the feature film Island, which attracted some attention, mainly from his creditors and mother. A former employee of the Emmy Awards in New York, he recently re-entered the fray of indie film production in an effort to pay his rent. He lives alone in Manhattan and pines after his French neighbor.


Matthew Shultz is a native Michigander living in New York City. A sucker for a pretty face, Matthew enjoys bicycle rides, macaroni and cheese, and ice hockey. He “studied” art at a small college in central Illinois, working summers as a pet caricaturist. In the years since, his drawings have appeared in any number of esoteric and obscure periodicals. He is not Jewish, and has no idea how that got started. Behind Matthew’s disagreeable exterior, he can be quite compassionate and sincere.

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The Audiophylum Family

Five Species:


1. Glam Rockers

2. Goths

3. Metal Heads

4. Rude Boys (and Girls)

5. Thugz

Constituting a relatively large and sprawling family, these Hipsters are traditionally grouped together due to their proclivity to assume motifs associated with some musical form. It is important to note, however, that most specimens are thus categorized based merely on appreciation. That is, while some may in fact entertain or perform, they are not distinguished by creativity.


GLAM ROCKERS

Male

exterior: Thin; wiry. Tight pants; sleeveless T-shirt.

markings: Heavy, shimmery makeup (eyeliner, eye shadow, lip gloss).

plumage: Spiky.

movement: Ornate and theatrical.

voice: Syrupy, with affected intonation.

Female [rare, not pictured]

exterior: Thin, attractive, and boyish; prepubescent. Tight, fashionable clothing.


Noted for their flamboyant, tarted-up appearance, Glam Rockers are perhaps the friendliest and least judgmental of all Hipsters. As such, they invite no known specific natural enemy, though, like many artistic or sexually ambiguous breeds, often suffer general derision ("Fags!") at the hands of most male Graecus species [see, especially, Ex-Frats].

These Hipsters are, at present, quite rare. In fact, most casual observers respond to the very mention of Glam Rockers with an astounded "They still exist?" They do, though much of their minuscule natural environment was recently further depleted through the concerted effort of the New York City political establishment [e.g., the raids on Coney Island High and Life]. While not targeting Glam Rockers per se, these crackdowns diminished the visibility of the general art scene with which they are associated. Though the ecological rape of their habitat has removed the species from much of public view, small pockets of these Hipsters do remain alive in the wild [see Habitat, below]. As endangered, they present quite a challenge to observers.

While much of the species' culture centers around dated music, fashion, and iconography, periodic blips on the pop radar screen have served to keep the scene somewhat fresh [e.g., Velvet Goldmine, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the Toilet Boys, et al.].

Sexual Identity; Orientation:

Glam Rockers, particularly males, present a look of absolute androgyny. As with most aspects of the scene, said androgyny is modeled after an ideal of the 1970s [e.g., David Bowie ca. Ziggy Stardust, New York Dolls, et al.], as opposed to the Glam Rock aesthetic of the 1980s, during which makeup was worn by obviously straight, otherwise masculine males [e.g., Poison]. Today, many male Glam Rockers are homosexual, bisexual, or sexually ambiguous.

Mating Habits:

When mating, Glam Rockers tend to stick to their own kind. Coupled boys look strikingly similar to one another, making observation doubly fruitful. In addition, Glam Rockers are never spotted alone; they move only in pairs (same sex or mixed).

While certainly homoerotic, the species is not exclusively homosexual. Male specimens do attract females, who remain undeterred by the male's possible preference for Hipsters of his own gender. Glam Rock Girls function in the scene as equals and are, genitalia aside, exact counterparts of the males--thin, attractive, and fashionable; their androgyny takes the form of prepubescent boyishness.

By Day/By Night:

Glam Rockers are nocturnal creatures. Most pass through the sunlight hours in a substance-induced state of perfect sleepiness, rising in time to report for the night jobs [e.g., musicians, club workers, wait staff, go-go dancers] that fund their drug habits (cocaine, etc.), their socializing (alcohol, condoms), and their expenses (rent, makeup, glitter). Certain Hipsters do venture out-of-doors during daylight hours. Such specimens shed their Glam trappings in order to perform mindless, menial tasks such as modeling.

Disposition:

As noted above, Glam Rockers are an affable species. Despite exhibiting a generally upbeat demeanor, many specimens have been known to swing between two entirely dissimilar emotional states, sulky and hyper, with little middle ground. Glam Rockers are at all times dramatic, and it is this penchant for the theatrical which many experts blame for the species' lack of mental stasis. Dissenting opinion holds, however, that recreational drug use may be responsible for much of the Glam Rocker's pendulous instability.

Glam Rockers can be quite flaky. Best intentions aside, they are difficult to pin down and are not the type of Hipsters one should expect to show up at a specific event at a particular time. Do not include them in your wedding party.

Habitat:

In Los Angeles, CA:

Key Club ["Cherry"] (9039 West Sunset Boulevard)--On the western fringe of the strip, this veritable "starship" of a nightclub hosts LA's most "dramatic" and "decadent" glam party, where "beautiful" "boys and girls" wallow in "glorious excess," ponder their own "sexual ambiguity," and play "pop star." Regulars bemoan the crude taunts of tourists in attendance ("poofs," "pansies"), which often bruise the "sensitive," "soft" natures of local "aesthetes."

Dragonfly ["Pretty Ugly Club"] (6510 Santa Monica Boulevard)--Wednesday nights bring out the "colorful," "gorgeous" people to this "grand" weekly party that is "pure ecstasy." "Elegant" boys "draped in garland" leave little to the "imagination," so take home one of these "darlings" before they "fade away." Locals claim "everyone's a superstar," even those "grungy outcasts" huddled by the bar.

In New York, NY:

Don Hill's (511 Greenwich Street)--Beyond the dreary brick wall "facade" lurk "glittering frock-clad boys" in "eyeliner" and "sparkling makeup." Break out your "platform shoes" and "bisexual" curiosity; the party here is as "sumptuous" as the cover charge is "outrageous." While "tarted-up" "dandies" are the honored guests, "self-conscious" "wallflowers" may forgo "space-age rock personas" in favor of "excessive" alcohol intake.

GOTHS

Male

exterior: Goth-Industrial motif--black T-shirt; black loose-fitting cargo pants; trench coat.

accessories: Chunky belt hung with keys; black lace-up Dr. Martens boots.

markings: Eyeliner.

plumage: Black, long, and stringy.

Female

exterior: Pale complexion, S & M gear (bustier; garter belt); PVC; tall, laced boots; fishnet or striped stockings; flowy, loose-fitting, lacy garb

markings: Heavy black eyeliner; red lipstick.

plumage: Long and black; either braided or straight; possible red streaks.

voice: Plaintive wailing delivered via "online journal" (both sexes).


Like many Hipsters, this species propagates itself through an intense period of adolescent unpopularity. Goths adhere to strict artistic ideals and, unlike similarly rebellious yet angrier species [see Punk Rockers], exhibit a rich, lush aesthetic. Despite glaring levels of social inadequacy, the species is among the most visually outrageous of our Hipsters. They are incredibly easy to spot in the field and thus ideal for beginners.

These Hipsters, no doubt due to repeated high school ribbing, possess particularly tortured souls. They convey the utter darkness of their station through a metaphorical and largely black wardrobe, consisting of such elements as...

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Verlag
Broadway Books
Erscheinungsdatum
2003
Sprache
Englisch
ISBN 10 
0767913728
ISBN 13 
9780767913720
Einband
Taschenbuch
Auflage
1
Anzahl der Seiten
208
Kontakt zum Hersteller
Nicht verfügbar
Verantwortliche Person
Nicht verfügbar

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