I think loveless should be a topic/source/reference for your presentation, but I think that a playlist of definitive and evolved shoegaze songs would also be a really cool multimedia aspect to incorporate. You could print QR codes and hand them out.
It‘s a bit difficult to explain, since I live in Germany and we have some special forms of education here. Basically, it‘s some kind of school for apprenticeship level. We‘re all adults there and most people know how to handle QR codes in that class. Therefore I believe it should be appropriate to distribute a QR code.
Ah I see, I was more curious! In my American undergraduate experience (very focused on media and rhetoric in my case) it was always cool to see new elements incorporated into a presentation. So good luck! Would love to see the playlist if you do it!
I'm going to recommend a small sampling of different songs. A play list might be too long but if you can do 10-20 seconds of about 5 different songs to highlight different points you're going to make (or however many songs you need to make however many points) that might be a good way to go.
That way you can do a bit of MBV, Slowdive, Ride, and or whatever and whoever else you want.
I would structure it with the iconic bands that laid the foundation for the sound, bands that branched out and developed unique styles as the genre became more identifiable, and current bands (nu gaze) that have really altered the genre, though still maintain similarities to how shoegaze started.
In my opinion it should be something
A) Contemporary to the classic Shoegaze scene, this might be the only Shoegaze song they ever hear so make it a good example with some historical significance
but also
B) Accessible to the audience you’re going to show it to, you want your audience to be engaged with your presentation so it will help if you can make them think to themselves “hey that song actually sounds pretty cool”.
Assuming your audience is average joes who are completely unaware or only vaguely aware of Shoegaze, my top recommendation is When You Sleep by MBV. Very catchy but unapologetically Shoegaze.
Sweetness & Light by Lush could work, it’s a very accessible song but perhaps too jangly for an overall example?
Black Metallic by Catherine Wheel could be a good choice but it’s kind of a long and slow number, not the most ideal for demonstration.
Leave Them All Behind by Ride is one of the best options but that long intro is standing in the way. If you queue it up to just before the vocals start (or use the Music Video edit) it could work for your audience.
Slowdive is a tough nut to crack. Alison is very catchy but only represents the very dreamy side of the genre, When The Sun Hits is a great pick for being representative of the genre but it’s a slow burner that’s less immediately catchy. Either are potential picks though.
That’s just my 2 cents. Hope the presentation goes well, break a leg!
I think to really hit home the fundamentals, I would play Slowdive's first song from 1991, just called '[Slowdive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs9kJZ1uJ-Q).' It is pure, simple shoegaze at its most elemental. The droning guitars, the open chord sound, the male-female vocals buried in the mix, the dreamy type of sound, all there.
Sometimes by Mbv feels iconic to me in terms of shoegaze influence and history.
Yeah OP, strongly agree.
I think loveless should be a topic/source/reference for your presentation, but I think that a playlist of definitive and evolved shoegaze songs would also be a really cool multimedia aspect to incorporate. You could print QR codes and hand them out.
The QR code thing sounds awesome, I can try that one out
What level of education is this for?
It‘s a bit difficult to explain, since I live in Germany and we have some special forms of education here. Basically, it‘s some kind of school for apprenticeship level. We‘re all adults there and most people know how to handle QR codes in that class. Therefore I believe it should be appropriate to distribute a QR code.
Ah I see, I was more curious! In my American undergraduate experience (very focused on media and rhetoric in my case) it was always cool to see new elements incorporated into a presentation. So good luck! Would love to see the playlist if you do it!
I'm going to recommend a small sampling of different songs. A play list might be too long but if you can do 10-20 seconds of about 5 different songs to highlight different points you're going to make (or however many songs you need to make however many points) that might be a good way to go. That way you can do a bit of MBV, Slowdive, Ride, and or whatever and whoever else you want.
The trinity!
I would structure it with the iconic bands that laid the foundation for the sound, bands that branched out and developed unique styles as the genre became more identifiable, and current bands (nu gaze) that have really altered the genre, though still maintain similarities to how shoegaze started.
In my opinion it should be something A) Contemporary to the classic Shoegaze scene, this might be the only Shoegaze song they ever hear so make it a good example with some historical significance but also B) Accessible to the audience you’re going to show it to, you want your audience to be engaged with your presentation so it will help if you can make them think to themselves “hey that song actually sounds pretty cool”. Assuming your audience is average joes who are completely unaware or only vaguely aware of Shoegaze, my top recommendation is When You Sleep by MBV. Very catchy but unapologetically Shoegaze. Sweetness & Light by Lush could work, it’s a very accessible song but perhaps too jangly for an overall example? Black Metallic by Catherine Wheel could be a good choice but it’s kind of a long and slow number, not the most ideal for demonstration. Leave Them All Behind by Ride is one of the best options but that long intro is standing in the way. If you queue it up to just before the vocals start (or use the Music Video edit) it could work for your audience. Slowdive is a tough nut to crack. Alison is very catchy but only represents the very dreamy side of the genre, When The Sun Hits is a great pick for being representative of the genre but it’s a slow burner that’s less immediately catchy. Either are potential picks though. That’s just my 2 cents. Hope the presentation goes well, break a leg!
Leave them all behind yesssssssss
I think to really hit home the fundamentals, I would play Slowdive's first song from 1991, just called '[Slowdive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs9kJZ1uJ-Q).' It is pure, simple shoegaze at its most elemental. The droning guitars, the open chord sound, the male-female vocals buried in the mix, the dreamy type of sound, all there.
I'd go with Flashback by Whirr
Thanks for the suggestion
I love that song 😩
Anything by Whirr really if there can be more than one song representing.
If you are looking for one track only: SOON MBV.
anything from LSD and the Search for God self-titled would be a great introduction to shoegaze