Singer-Songwriters and Musical Open Mics

Taylor & Francis

Marcus Aldredge presents an ethnographic exploration of New York City\u2019s live music events where musicians signup and perform short sets. Drawing from multiple qualitative methods, Aldredge describes how open mics have etched a vital organizational place in the Western and urban musical landscape. Important themes in the book include: the tension between self and society in the creative process, issues of creative authenticity and authorship, and ongoing cultural changes central to the Do-It-Yourself cultural zeitgeist of the early 21st century. > Singer-Songwriters and Musical Open Mics is an ethnographic exploration of New York City\u2019s live music events where musicians signup and perform short sets. This sociological study dispels the common assumption that open mics are culturally monolithic and reserved for novice musicians. Open mics allow musicians at different locations within their musical development and career to interactively perform, practice, and network with .