The Discourse and Culture of Chip Music Studying the Methods and Values of the Chipscene

Abstract

This thesis tackles some of the complicated internal issues that has colored the chipscene. Through analyzing discourse in blog posts, academic material and online communication between chiptune practitioners it aims to define the current generation of chiptune musicians. Interviewing figures of interest has given insight into the aesthetic of chiptune and what is important to the current community. Analyzing the aesthetic values can give insight into the elements of the genre that is so difficult to define. The goal is to expand upon the work of Marylou Polymeropoulou (2014) and see it in context of my own involvement with the scene as well as the many reflections documented by academics. By gaining an understanding of how the different historical events and ideologies of chiptune culture has affected the discourse throughout the ages, we can perhaps define a new generation of chipmusicians. Most importantly, there are aspects of newer chiptune culture that has remained untouched in academia. This research aims to contribute knowledge on the aesthetics of the chiptune medium and culture, put in the context of Polymeropoulou’s work. It will demonstrate the musical aesthetic that is often neglected in other articles. For instance, the tech-oriented aesthetic created on obsolete hardware that has recently influenced those creating chiptune music with modern tools, and vice versa.