What is shoegaze?
Shoegaze, a subgenre of alternative rock, emerged in the United Kingdom in the late 1980s. It is characterized by its ethereal mixture of obscured vocals, guitar distortion and effects, feedback, and overwhelming volume. The term "shoegaze" was coined by the British music press to ridicule the stage presence of the bands who stood still during performances in a detached, introspective state, often with their heads down; this led to the idea that they were gazing at their shoes.
The genre's signature sound is a wash of instruments blended together into a continuous drone; vocals and melodies disappear into the walls of guitars, creating an atmospheric, dreamy sound. Despite its initial negative reception, shoegaze has since attained a cult following, with many modern artists drawing influence from its sound.
Origins of shoegaze
The roots of shoegaze can be traced back to the post-punk era of the late 1970s and early 1980s, where bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain and Cocteau Twins began to experiment with noise and texture. This was a departure from the traditional rock music structure, instead focusing on creating a dense, layered sound. The term "shoegaze" itself was not coined until the late 1980s, when bands like My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Ride emerged.
Characteristics of shoegaze music
Shoegaze is characterized by its dense, textured sound. This is achieved through the use of effects pedals, feedback, and distortion. The vocals are often low in the mix and obscured by the wall of sound, creating an ethereal, dreamy effect.
The song structures often eschew traditional verse-chorus-verse patterns, instead opting for a more fluid, continuous flow. The lyrics are often introspective and abstract, adding to the dreamy, atmospheric feel of the music.
Shoegaze and the music industry
Despite its initial negative reception, shoegaze has since gained a cult following and has influenced many modern artists. Bands like The Horrors, M83, and A Place to Bury Strangers have all cited shoegaze as a major influence.
However, the genre has often struggled with commercial success. The introspective, abstract nature of the music, coupled with the bands' lack of stage presence, has often led to a lack of mainstream appeal.
Shoegaze in the modern era
Despite its lack of commercial success, shoegaze has seen a resurgence in the 21st century, with many new bands drawing influence from the genre. This has led to the coining of the term "nu-gaze" to describe these bands.
Artists like My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive have also seen a resurgence in popularity, with both bands releasing new music in the 2010s. This has helped to solidify shoegaze's status as a respected and influential genre.
