Listening as Religious Practice (Part Two): Exploring Qualitative Data from an Empirical Study of the Cultural Habits of Music Fans

Clive Marsh,Vaughan S Roberts

doi:10.1080/13537903.2015.1025558

Abstract

This article analyses qualitative data from responses to open questions addressed by 231 music users in a 2009–2010 survey. By coding and quantifying the data provided, the analysis enables the construction of four ‘acoustic axes’ (uplift–relax, inspiration–memory, energy–calm, joy/happiness–sad/sadness) which make direct use of respondent-initiated terminology and enable a means of mapping the activity which occurs for listeners in the affective space created in the listening process. Use of these axes in turn suggests, at a second level of analysis and interpretation, the construction of a musical–spiritual ‘social imaginary’ (Taylor), to grasp how music is used and understood by the music users themselves with respect to their self-understanding and life-commitments. It is concluded that, while music use cannot be referred to as religious, a religion or a form of spirituality in any direct or simplistic sense, there is evidence of the seriousness and intensity with which listeners make use of their listening practices in the activity of meaning-making.

Highlights

In our book Personal Jesus: how popular music shapes our souls (Baker Academic 2012) we drew upon data from a survey of 231 listeners to music
In our first paper we examined the quantitative figures from which asked respondents about their use of popular music and religious affiliation or practice, alongside other aspects of their participation in media and consumption of the arts and popular culture (Marsh and Roberts Habits)
The citations of popular music being helpful for reflection include the associations that it ‘can make me upbeat, wild, or reflective depending on what’s playing’ (R45); it ‘reflects moods; calming, uplifting, stirring, makes me want to dance, thought provoking, memory enhancing, gives excitement, fun, promotes reflection, sadness’ (R75); it is ‘positive, uplifting, deep thoughts, reflection’ (R90); and the statement that ‘I often listen to music when I’m in a reflective mood

Summary

Introduction

In our book Personal Jesus: how popular music shapes our souls (Baker Academic 2012) we drew upon data from a survey of 231 listeners to music. In our first paper we examined the quantitative figures from which asked respondents about their use of popular music and religious affiliation or practice (if any), alongside other aspects of their participation in media and consumption of the arts and popular culture (Marsh and Roberts Habits). On the basis of this analysis, we went on to explore potential interactions between patterns of music consumption, religious practice, and other cultural habits. This present paper builds on that quantitative data by presenting the results of detailed textual analysis of the qualitative material provided by our respondents. The paper investigates the qualitative data to see what conclusions can be drawn from the ways in which our respondents describe their emotional reactions to popular music and what connections there may be, if any, with religious vocabulary and practice

Emotional and Cognitive Activity within a Social Imaginary

Analysis of the Hub and the Four Acoustic Axes

The Acoustic Axes as a Social imaginary: A Spirituality of Music?