Item 1 – House Show Posters
Collected From: Instagram (@bloomingtonmusicscene)
Date Collected: March 17, 2021
Informant(s): Connor H. (He did not make the artwork, but he directed me to check out the Instagram page)
Contributor: Alex Hunt
Text
Analysis of Texture
These are just a few examples of the various posters that advertise upcoming house shows. Each show will typically have the title of the show placed at the top of the poster, followed by the date, time, and address of when and where the show will take place. Below these pertinent details, one will find the names of the bands who are set to perform, listed in order of planned performance. The text at the bottom provides information pertaining to what is known as the “cover,” or the cost to get into the show. On these posters, it is advertised that the money acts as a donation to the Middle Way House (local women’s health/protection organization), but this is not always the case: In some instances, the money will go to paying the bands who are playing that night. This specific format is not exclusive to every poster made to advertise an upcoming show, but these details are almost always included. Most of the time, these posters are made digitally through graphic design programs and various forms of photoshop, though sometimes they are passed out physically on flyers printed onto copy paper. They are meant to look similar to punk/grunge rock posters in that they are a form of collage involving various types of images and colors mashed together. The designs included are meant to coincide with the title of that specific house show (i.e., the poster on the right above involves a psychedelic beach scene that coincides with the title “Palm Tree Palace”).
Context
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, these posters are usually passed around digitally. Almost all house show posters are posted on Instagram to the account @bloomingtonmusicscene, where those interested in learning the details of the next show can go to find such information. The fact that all posters are posted to the same Instagram account becomes increasingly helpful, as it makes it easy to immediately find out exactly what is going on for the next event. These posters are also passed around digitally, as many will send them in Instagram direct messages to others as a way of letting them know what plans have been made. In my experience, if I do not search out the information on the account myself, a friend of mine will usually send me one of the posters with no other text provided, and this operates as a form of asking me to go with them. Either way, these posters are uploaded to Instagram a few days before each house show is set to occur, allowing those who wish to attend some time to get their plans together.
Interpretation
I believe the most obvious core concept found in these posters is art, as each poster involves a form of artistic expression and design. Simply posting the pertinent details in a straightforward, black-and-white format would accomplish the same goal of informing the public, but it would do so in a way that is unrepresentative of this folk group. Those who attend these house shows are appreciative of the ‘artsy’ way of doing things, whereas many of them are art and music students themselves: The designs reflect the attitudes and interests of the types of people that are likely to be seeking out these posters. This is done not just as a good method of marketing the event, but also as a declaration of this group’s collective identity. As described to me by Connor H., the posters are “all akin to old punk posters but with a more colloquial approach.” When viewing these posters, it is easy to see the influence of the punk rock genre, but those who create these posters offer forth a bit of themselves as well. In doing so, it makes these posters somewhat specific to this music scene found in Bloomington. Even though they are essentially advertisements for an event, they still bring with them the thoughts and feelings of those who participate in this music scene, making them an artistic form of self-expression. The collage-style, mash-up design is reflective of the house show music sound – beautifully chaotic.