Midwest emo is a subspecies that developed, as the name suggests, in the Midwest. I recently got into a discussion with a group of people I know about whether Midwest emo is strictly geographic, or whether bands from anywhere can be part of the genre. I asked my friends who are fans of the Midwest emo genre for their opinions.
My friend Sophia Viggiano believes that the genre should only include bands from the region.
“I think the genre has some bands like, for example, The front bottomwhich is considered Midwest emo.” Vizziano said. “The genre has artists who are not from the Midwest. Why is it called Midwest emo if some people put bands in the genre that are not from the Midwest?”
The Front Bottoms are from New Jersey, but their lyrics sound like what some might consider Midwest emo-esque. Although anyone can write sad lyrics and want to leave their hometown, this tends to be a common theme in Midwest emo. That's what I like about it. Viggiano suggests it non-Midwest bands are inventing a new genre.
“For bands similar to the Midwest emo genre, maybe there could be a different name,” Viggiano said. “I don't know, it's confusing and interesting. Modern baseball for example is from Philly and people call them Midwest emo. It should just be called 'Whiny man voice music'.”
Some Midwest emo bands even combine multiple genres, e.g American football. Between the catchy guitar, unpredictable time signatures and wistful lyrics, the lineup of Midwest emo and math rock creates an unforgettable sound. Math Rock started in the late 70s and 80s and uses complex time signatures and song structures. It's a hard genre to describe, but the guitars are very shimmery and the drums are complex and hard to recreate. American Football took off in the '90s, and they're still making music as one of the most important bands in the Midwest emo and math rock scenes.
I also decided to text some friends back home who listen to a lot of the same bands I listen to. My friend Hailea Neith believes that it is the music itself and not the region that defines the genre.
“It's just the sound of the music that makes it Midwest emo. Not where the band is from,” Neith said. “Talking about Midwest emo is so much fun. It's such a controversial genre. What I hate about all these new little genres or sub-genres is that it makes it so hard to picture where they're all coming from and where they're getting their sound from.'
He also mentioned country music, another genre that has lost its geographic roots over time.
“Because if you say country music you're going to think southern, but it's more the sound of the music, as with any genre,” Neith said.
Taylor Swift, for example, is from Reading, Pennsylvania, but started her career in the country genre. Just like her album of the same name, Fearless and Speak now Everything has that country-pop sound, there are bands that aren't from the Midwest that can still excel in the Midwest emo scene.
My friend Avery Messina also believes that anyone can participate in the genre.
“Midwest emo is one of my favorite subgenres, I think it can come from anywhere,” Messina said. “That's the best part about weird music like this — it can come from the Midwest by some group of anti-social types, and later down the road people on the other side of the planet can hear it and make music just like it. “
I also asked a few people at WPTS Radio, University of Pittsburgh radio station. Mandy Devine agrees that the Midwest can come from anywhere.
“I think any band from anywhere can participate. It's all about how it sounds. I don't think people care where the band comes from — as long as they like the music,” Devine said.
Zack Rodick, who is from the midwestern state of Missouri and serves as the station's director of podcasts, says it's not an entirely black-and-white argument.
“People will say it's not real emo, that's a separate argument,” Rodick said. “The name carries a certain sound – glittery, glittery, almost like math rock too. Midwest emo is like a “boys who are sad” sound. For Midwest emo bands from the Midwest, it's about the geographic area while also being associated with a longing for nostalgia. Midwest emo is pensive.”
Lucy Lande, another WPTS member, believes that region does not matter.
“It's just a sound,” Lande said. “Some bands are advertised as having a Midwest emo sound, but they'll be from, say, Florida. Any band could be classified as Midwest emo.”
Some fans say Modern Baseball, a band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has an emo Midwest sound. I'm a big fan of modern baseball and I would agree. The one thing I love most about them, besides all their great music, is when people say “Modern baseball is so Midwest emo” when they're from Philly.
The thing is, that's what makes the genre so interesting. You can take a band from Philly and just say they're part of the Midwest emo genre.
I saw The Innkeeper in November at Mr. Little Theatre. Despite being from Massachusetts, they still have an emo Midwest sound. Hotelier met in 2009 and released their first full length album in 2011 entitled “It never goes out.” The group makes music that's so raw and pure — I especially like the album.”Home, like Noplace is There,” released in 2014. I enjoy all of their albums, but this one is special to me as I heard the entire album live for their 10th anniversary album tour.
Fox, who joined The Hotelier on tour, are another fantastic Midwest emo band from Missouri. Foxing joined the tour as it was also the 10th anniversary of their album “The Albatross.” Their songs are so catchy and heartbreaking, especially “Rory”, which is out of “The Albatross”. Between the lead singer repeating the lyrics “So why don't you love me back” and the blasting trumpet — now that's emotional Midwest emo.
Personally, I agree with my friends that Midwest emo is a sound that bands from anywhere can use, although bands that are actually from the Midwest pull it off better. With a Midwest emo band hailing from the area, you can understand what it's like to live in the Midwest — the feeling of longing for nostalgia but also wanting to get away from your hometown. Midwest emo is such a fun genre to talk about and I love hearing everyone's strong opinions on the subject.
Do you have an opinion on Midwest emo? You can email Irene at inm24@pitt.edu.
