I was listening to one podcast where professor of some sort of social-&health politics was discussing mainly about struggles of the lower economic classes. He did touch the topic of social isolation and loneliness, which made me think not about lower class generic population, but about how it manifests itself in noise.
I recall several episodes in noise podcasts, where notion of social isolation has come up. People growing in small cities or farms and so on. You got people who grew up in the rural areas. This doesn't mean automatically there would be loneliness per se, but it can mean things such as mere logistics of creativity, may drive one to experimental sound, when there may not be people to play music with. It is possible some are driven into creativity out of nothing else really than... having something to do. It would be possible they are alone, but not possibly lonely. It is also possible that they are indeed very lonely, very alienated, and some sort of morbid sound is almost... natural reaction?
This has been present in old times Black Metal. Many of the best bands or project were born in small cities, often "one man metal" or couple guys. Not born out of rock capitals of the nations. Punk, it has maybe some of it, but already more a lot more there is big city & social scene element there.
I don't think I am ever really lonely, as I like to do a lot of this alone. Plus to get to hang out or go to places with people or do something collectively is always something that can be done pretty easy when one feels like it. However, I do feel there is a strong effect of that this was not really a choice, but originally being in conditions where not much was happening in small town. Everything interesting happening sort of "elsewhere". Perhaps around the world. To have anything, or be involved in anything, demanded active attitude and efforts in communication. Therefore, conditions favor to being somewhat socially active (contacting people, writing letters, going to shows, etc) as there was nothing happening via passivity. Unlike now, when you could somewhat passively get just enough to... entertain yourself during days?
It makes me curious to think how much may have some sort of isolation, rural life, loneliness etc effect into noise creation or interest. Let's mention guys like GX of Haters just recently mentioning in WCN how he basically lives early life without any contact to other kids. You got The Rita, BDN, Marhaug, and many notable names who I recall talking about life in pretty isolated countryside. I always lived in city, born in relatively big family and always other people around, including always at least handful of locals into same sort of UG stuff I was into..
I could imagine there is plenty of things that could fuel to creativity, but I also realize there are plenty of people who do not get anything done alone. They need group dynamic. They need band mates, they need.. whatever input, people asking to join band, asking to play gig, asking to record something for release etc. People to actively.. hmm.. socialize with, or nothing happens. Doing recording in some sort of "vacuum" just makes it all pointless for some.
Any thoughts on matter? Will you create fueled by loneliness or too much time in your hands.. or possibly need the push from people around?
