I think it's pretty awesome how he described how lame stereotypes and whatnot are. The whole interview is here.
"...the annoying part is when I met people who were so STEREOTYPICALLY hipster and even stated that they WERE hipsters like they didn't get the memo that that is embarrassing to do." So let's be cool and try not to be cool, basically. They didn't get the memo that their trying to be uncool (which would, in fact, be cool to them) was embarrassing and they were, in fact, uncool for trying to be uncool. I think he's got the right idea (such as you don't need to proclaim you're something to be it), but some of his points are silly (like the one I'm quoting).
His point was that it's stupid to claim you're a member of any certain scene. It's one thing to be a part of it whether by choice or coincidence. It's another thing entirely when you embrace it and walk around saying, "Yeah, I'm a scene kid." It's just stupid. Plus I think he was just trying to be funny about it so he wouldn't offend anyone, because you'd be damn sure there's a lot of people like that who also like Armor for Sleep.
I agree, but I wouldn't say it's not okay to embrace the subculture you are part of by coincidence and then say "Yeah, I'm a scene kid". (Assuming "Scene" is actually a subculture...) If you are comfortable with the person you deep deep down are then why shouldn't you be saying you are comfortable with it? (again, though, does a subculture go deep deep down and reveals it the person you really are?) Subcultures are just a part of life, everybody wants to be part of something (or doesn't want to be part of something and therefore is part of something else) during some phase in their life, if not all phases in life. I'm probably reading way too much into this but just be who you want to be. If that means you want to be an anarchist then be an anarchist, if you realise that isn't you after all, just get a job and move on... (I like Armor For Sleep, although, I haven't listened to the entire new album yet, but they're a cool band.)
I think his point was best summed up when he said how it's like the captain of the football team, the star quarterback doesn't walk around telling everyone he's a jock. It's kind of like how all the "preppy" kids don't walk around telling everyone they're the preppy kids. It's just weird. Now, I mean, this has double-standards, because most metal-heads will come right out and say, you know, "Fuck, yes, man, I'm a metal-head." Thinking about it now, I think his point was that maybe it's lame to pigeon-hole yourself into one subculture or whatever. Maybe we're all reading into it too much.
Yeah, subcultures are only there because people want to be unique and being part of a subculture isn't really unique. It doesn't even matter whether you plainly say "I'm a metal-head" or wear a Panthera shirt... They're all stereotypes anyway. I agree with what he said, point.
I don't really like this band, but I think their lead singer has a great attitude, and I agree with what he said completely. The only think worse then a snobby hipster is a snobby hipster who is well aware of their role, and celebrates it.
Agreed. Although, I like Armor For Sleep. --- "We are emo, I am EMO, I EMBRACE EVERYTHING EMO" and "yo what's up guys, I AM A JOCK" = ROFL. XD
It does seem pointless to self identify with a stereotype, as no one can be categorized by one sole subculture. However, if you have certain aspects it seems silly to get up in arms to deny it too. I have some emo-ish tendencies, and I have some nerdy aspects in my personality. I am not saying I AM emo or AM a nerd, but I admit my personality overlaps somewhat with what those stereotypes embody.