From the suburbs to the beaches, from Mexico to Iraq, many teenagers have been calling themselves "emo" for years, yet they still wreak havoc on the mainstream and confuse it because it is a word that gives rise to many questions. Who is emo? What does it mean to be emo? Based on the complex and energetic Washington-native hardcore music (mid-1980s), the emo style has its roots in punk rock, but has evolved into many sub-genres, sounds and cultures, ranging from indie rock to pop punk. The phenomenon is huge and destined to last. If you want to discover its history, music and ideas in order to become an integral member of the subculture, you've come to the right place. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Understanding the Emo Subculture
Step 1. Try to keep an open mind
Take a group of 50 people who claim to be emo and ask them to define this word for you - you'll likely get 50 completely different answers. For a person who has listened to a bit of everything all along, it almost seems that the only thing that characterizes emo is the assiduity in uselessly arguing about the difference between indie-emo, screamo, emo pop and emocore, but none of this. it really matters to fans of the purest emo, the real one.
The word emo has been used for 30 years for the purpose of describing an ever-changing variety of music. It's hard to define it concretely, so don't even try. The first requirement for a good emo? Be tolerant. Don't get carried away by silly arguments about what it really means to be emo. It wouldn't make you a member of the subculture, you would just look like a bully
Step 2. Try to understand what an emo person is like
Following this subculture does not mean that you are self-harming or despising yourself. All of this can happen to any human being, and it has been so since the dawn of time. The word emo is short for emotional hardcore, a subgenre of hardcore punk that developed in the 1980s. In the 1990s, bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Jawbreaker and Jimmy Eat World were all referred to as emo because of the highly emotional content of the lyrics. From the 1990s onwards, emo has also found its roots in indie rock and pop punk. Bands like Texas is the Reason, Thursday, Sunny Day Real Estate and Cap'n Jazz are all emo.
Step 3. Discover the roots of the emo family tree
This term was first used to describe hardcore punk bands in the Washington area who wrote more emotional and intimate lyrics than traditional hardcore punk bands. Influenced by pioneers like Minor Threat and Black Flag, bands like Rites of Spring and Beefeater created heartfelt, deep lyrics for hardcore punk-style songs. This led to the coining of the term emotional hardcore, then abbreviated to emo. So originally, that emo was a fairly small music scene in the Washington area, and it gradually started getting attention.
In the early 1990s, bands like Jawbreaker and Sunny Day Real State began to wave the emo flag, but these bands were light years away from Washington's early emo sounds. Inspired by Californian pop punk and indie rock, they had catchy choruses and personal lyrics. They wrote songs that had linear structures and lots of melodrama
Step 4. Recognize the latest developments in emo sounds
This musical genre began to have great success in the early 2000s, with bands from the Victory Records label such as Taking Back Sunday, Thursday and The Used. They have created a particular screamo musical variety that seems to be recovering the roots of hardcore emo. It stood out, it made itself heard, and it was extremely popular.
At the same time, Dashboard Confessional gave birth to a type of emo characterized by acoustic guitars and catchy choruses, but the sounds are more reminiscent of acoustic folk than Black Flag. These two very different directions began to complicate the categorization of emo around 2005
Step 5. Cultivate a certain passion for different types of music
Generally speaking, the emo style has two things in common. The first is loud, linear and extremely melodramatic music played on the guitar (both electric and hard, both acoustic and intimate). The second consists of texts felt at a deep or explicitly personal level, which often speak of sentimental breakups and loneliness. The Used do not sound similar to Death Cab for Cutie, which in turn is not reminiscent of the Jawbreaker. So what? They are all emo bands. Choose the sounds you like and don't listen to what you don't like.
If you want to dress up emo and listen to Sunny Day Real Estate, go ahead. Also, having Lady Gaga, Johnny Cash and Cannibal Ox on the iPod doesn't make you lose credibility. A true emo is a person who has a great passion for a wide variety of musical genres, has a lot of knowledge about them and is proud of their tastes
Step 6. Find your own definition for the word emo
As with terms like hipster and punk, calling someone emo is often used as an insult. It is quite common for younger people, who are desperate for a sense of belonging, to try to jump on the bandwagon of cool guys without knowing much. Being considered fake or poser is at the root of much of the controversy. This is why violent acts against emo boys have occurred, and these demonstrations didn't just happen in one place. This is why under the YouTube videos there are rivers of comments full of immature arguments and exaggerated debates on topics like the following: Do Bullet for My Valentine belong to the emo subculture?
A dark-haired guy who outlines his eyes with a pencil and listens to the Confessional Dashboards might be considered emo by many. Yet even the classic blonde who loves to surf and listens to Dashboard Confessional could call herself emo. Consider it a music sharing opportunity
Step 7. Consider the same bands to discover other artists
To learn more about music, the various definitions of emo and fashion, check out the actual musicians. Learn what they listen to, their influences, what they read and what they recommend. Draw directly from the source.
As with grunge or jam band music, most bands labeled emo or emocore would probably have problems with this definition anyway, and would rather be considered a simple rock band. Sometimes the expressions are superficial. They are used by music journalists and attention-seeking fans to categorize completely different things in different regions and times. Worry less about the meaning of "real emo", and consider if the music is good quality instead
Part 2 of 2: Participating in the Emo Subculture
Step 1. Enjoy emo music
From Thursdays to Jimmy Eat World, from Weezer to Brand New, from Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) at Paramore, all the people who call themselves emo have a great interest and have a certain passion for this music. Listen to different bands to find out what you like. If a group pulls you along, keep exploring sub-genres like screamo and emocore to find the one you prefer. Don't you like music? It's not a problem. You can still express your emotions through fashion and lifestyle. Here are some small indications to guide your listening, even if this music scene is much richer. You may not really like these bands, but you love others. The choice is up to you. However, to start getting into this genre, try listening:
- Rites of Spring - Rites of Spring.
- Embrace - Embrace.
- Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary.
- Weezer - Pinkerton.
- Confessional Dashboard - Swiss Army Romance.
- The Get Up Kids - Something to Write Home About.
- I Hate Myself - Ten Songs.
- Thursday - Waiting.
- My Chemical Romance - I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love.
- Taking Back Sunday - Tell All Your Friends.
- Hawthorne Heights - The Silence in Black and White.
- Silverstein - When Broken is Easily Fixed.
- Texas is the Reason - Do You Know Who You Are.
- The Promise Ring - Nothing Feels Good.
- Jimmy Eat World - Clarity.
- Jawbreaker - 24 Hour Revenge Therapy.
- Tokio Hotel - Attention
Step 2.
Know the subgenres of emo.
This can help you find the style you prefer. If you hate one current in this music scene, try others. Here are some subgenres:
- Hemocore. Diminutive of emotional hardcore, emocore is a sub-genre of hardcore punk from the 1980s. It was created in Washington by bands like Rites of Spring and Embrace. Mix punk and lyrics with emotional content.
- Indie emo. It began to take hold in the 1990s when emo changed its roots and moved beyond punk rock. These bands are more indie than punk, and include the following: Dashboard Confessional, Further Seems Forever, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Mineral.
- Emo pop. It began to spread in the 1990s, during the regeneration of emo. Mix this music with pop punk. Here are some bands: The Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, Paramore and The Starting Line.
- We screamo. It is a sub-genre of the emocore that involves screams and, usually, fast rhythms, dynamism between explained guitars and intimism. Sometimes, they feature songs with unusual structures. Try listening to Saddest Landscape and Orchid.
Go to concerts. Originally, the emo music scene was quite small, but then it attracted nationwide attention in the United States. From that point on, a movement began that is now global. If you happen to take a trip to the area, reconnect with the origins of the subculture by attending small concerts. However, this can also be done in your city. It's one thing to buy Warped Tour tickets and see shows from famous bands, it's another to discover and support emo bands that are trying to gain experience.
Volunteer to help organize concerts and find places for bands to perform. Distribute flyers and make friends with group members. Read the fanzines of your city and participate in this music scene
Cultivate a creative character. In general, the emo subculture places a lot of importance on art. Painting, making music, writing and expressing yourself creatively are all important ways to be an active member of this subculture. Find a way to express yourself and dedicate your free time to perfecting your art. Write poetry and turn words into songs. Write reviews about emo music and create a blog dedicated to this genre.
If you like, learn to play an instrument. Being able to produce music on your own or in a band would give you enormous credibility, and it would be a fun way to participate directly. Start writing songs and playing your own music, and you will actively and creatively intervene in this subculture.
Try playing bass or guitar. If you give it enough time, you can even give it a try on the violin, which is great in emo songs. The drums are just as useful, in fact drummers are in high demand by any type of band
Read a lot. That emo is a subculture that prides itself on its introspection, intelligence and sensitivity. Start reading contemporary and classic emo novels and books:
- Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture, by Trevor Kelley and Leslie Simon.
- Wall Boy, by Stephen Chbosky.
- I'll kill myself, otherwise everything is OK, by Ned Vizzini.
- If nothing matters. Why do we eat animals?, by Jonathan Safran Foer.
- The Young Holden, by J. D. Salinger.
- The Razor's Edge, by W. Somerset Maugham.
Take care of the Look
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Create the right hairstyle. Until about 2005, there was no real emo style when it comes to hairstyles. When we refer to "emo hairstyles", we usually think of a certain layered cut, with a long side tuft that is generally fixed with mousse. Emo hair is usually dark or dyed, sometimes featuring locks of a bright blonde or other punk colors.
Be Emo Step 12 To have emo-style hair, start letting the side tuft grow. The cut can be short or long, the important thing is that it is clean. The bangs should be even and long, better cover one eye. Secure it with a mousse or gel. Another popular hairstyle? Bring the crew cut to the back of the head, creating a rebellious style
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Sport a geek chic style. Featuring a Rivers Cuomo-style cardigan and horn-rimmed glasses, this look made emos famous in the mid-nineties, a time when it caught on in popular culture. Basically, it's a cool boy style that also looks smart. To grow it, you need:
Be Emo Step 13 - Glasses (preferably with black horn frames).
- Skinny jeans.
- Knitted vest or cardigan.
- Converse.
- Groups T-shirt.
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Try the screamo look. This style, which became popular around 2005, is characterized by a particular hairstyle and clothing. Black is the prevailing color. To show it off, you need:
Be Emo Step 14 - Fitted black jeans.
- Black or white V-neck T-shirt.
- Skater shoes, like the Vans or the Airwalk.
- A haircut with a side tuft, generally dyed black and with some bright highlights.
- Yakuza or koi carp style tattoos.
- Mouth piercing.
- Belt covered with studs or white.
- Keys attached to a carabiner.
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Try the androgynous style. It's a pretty popular look for both emo boys and girls. Haircuts, clothing and makeup use tend to go beyond one's gender, resulting in a distinct and androgynous style.
Be Emo Step 15 If you want to apply eyeliner, it is preferable to outline the eyes with a thin line. Don't go overboard with your makeup. Cherry red lipstick, Betty Page style, is very popular among girls
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Hoodies are a must in your wardrobe. Almost all emo styles in one way or another feature this piece of clothing, namely the hooded sweatshirt. In any case, it is possible to customize it according to your particular look, but this does not require much effort. Most of these pieces are black and tight-fitting; sometimes it features patches of bands or small white trims.
Be Emo Step 16 On the sleeves of your sweatshirts, make a hole for your thumbs. Wear them by tucking these fingers inside them to keep you warm in the winter months
Advice
- Only become emo if it reflects your true way of being. Find your style and expand it.
- Remember that being emo doesn't mean wearing black all the time. In fact, emos often wear lighter or neon colors
- Your friends who are not emo and probably a good chunk of society may heavily criticize you for your new style, but just ignore them and be yourself.
- Don't confuse the emo style with the scene. The scene look is generally cultivated by people who resemble members of Dot Dot Curve and Brokencyde. They wear tight jeans or glow-in-the-dark cigarette pants, party shades, bright colors, plus size hoodies and emo-like hairstyles, just tidier. They enjoy music from bands like Blood on the Dance Floor, Breathe Carolina and 3OH! 3.
- Don't confuse it with goth either. The goths are the ones who enjoy the music of bands like Joy Division, Samhain, The Cure or Bauhaus, and usually add a lot more black to their look or make up.
- If someone asks you if you are self-harming or depressed, ignore them. When they ask you a question like that, they probably have an idea about you already, so what you say won't change that much.
- You don't have to apply eyeliner to look emo. A lot of people have this look, but it doesn't outline their eyes, especially the guys. Just do a Google search to find several photos. You don't even have to paint your nails black. Most emos don't, especially guys. Just look around to realize it.
- If you wear emo style makeup, don't overdo it and don't tread on it, especially if you use black: it would make you look like a poser who goes further, or a slightly gloomy goth.
- Someone (mostly online) will bother you about your style. Avoid them.
- If you apply the pencil, don't be afraid to put it in the inner rim of the eye and under the lower lashline.
- When shopping, remember that you don't have to buy expensive or brand-specific pieces. Clothing isn't all that important to emos, and you don't even have to shop to get what you need. Simple clothes are just fine.
Warnings
- Being emo absolutely doesn't mean you have to cut yourself. It is not a requirement to belong to this subculture. Being emo is not synonymous with being self-harming or depressed, it means expressing a lifestyle.
- Don't choose this style just to attract a group of people or to feel "alternative". Emos are usually misunderstood for their style, and (especially if you live in a small town in the province) it will only make your situation worse.
- Being emo doesn't mean that you have to lose your old friends or that you should expect to be alone. Surely there are many people out there who will love you regardless of your lifestyle.
- How to be a scene kid
- How To Have The Emo Look
- How To Style Your Hair Emo Style (Without Overdoing It)
- How To Do An Emo Makeup
- How To Be Emo While Being Against It
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