Queer Theory

Queer theory is not about being homosexual but rather the changing representatives of all sexualities- ‘queer’ meaning anything ‘odd’ or that differs from the established normality. David Halperin defines queer as ‘whatever is at odds with the normal, the legitimate, the dominant’- the dominant being the social majority. Thus context is needed as these representations are constantly shifting; as well, audience perception is key as this is the interpretation.

To apply this theory to the music industry I created a fact file on the artist David Bowie.

Artist: David Bowie

Active: 1960s-2010s

Styles:

• Album Rock
• Glam Rock
• Proto-Metal
• Hard Rock
• Indie Rock 
• Proto-Rock
• Art Rock
• Blue-Eyed Soul
• Pop Rock
• Dance-Rock
• Experimental
• Rock Soul

1960s:

• Spent several years as a mod
• Recorded a proto-metal record
• Recorded a pop rock album
• Invented Ziggy Stardust (androgynous)

1970s:

• Created a sophisticated version of Philly soul- “plastic soul”
•  Recorded three experimental electronic album
• Released a German electronic album
• Each of his phases sparked multiple new sub-genres:  Punk,  New Wave, Goth Rock,  The New Romantics,  Electronica

1980s:

•  Recorded a dance-pop album

1990s:

• Created an industrial rock-tinged album
• Recorded an album influenced by techno and drum'n'bass

David Bowie supports the concept of queer theory as he constantly reinvented himself, his identity unrestrained. Such as when he became Ziggy Stardust to appeal to all audiences, proving you can’t categorize everyone for he was androgynous, wore women’s clothing, yet was biologically a man. This supports Judith Butler’s concept that identity is a performance- “identity is performatively constituted by the very expressions that are said to be its results.” This can also be applied to his musical identity as he shifts from pop to rock to soul to dance. This supports the queer theory as it suggests that the owner can reinvent the confines of their identity. Another example of this would be Madonna as she has passed through many phases in order to sustain a unique and popular identity; therefore she has remained in the charts for decades, shifting with her ever-changing audience.

However, the pop star Lenka contrasts this as she fits the typical female stereotypes: cute, innocent, sensitive etc. However her fame was short lived and has deteriorated quickly as oppose to artists that divert from stereotypes and are uniquely individual. For example, Nicki Minaj has been successful for over two years and is still fresh and challenging the ‘norm’. Her morphed personality intrigues the audience by merging stereotypes of both genders as well as having an ambiguous sexual orientation. By looking at photos of Nicki Minaj it is uncertain which gender she is attempting to impress, if any, enhancing her ‘unique’ personality. 

Judith Butler disagrees that gender is caused by sex and that “there is no gender identity behind the expressions of gender”; her theory is that one’s gender is formed by their identity, which can constantly change. For example, stereotypically women are sensitive, weak, and have long hair-; however where does this class female Olympians who are clearly very strong, or those with pixie cuts or bobs? From this derives the concept of sexuality being supposedly caused by gender. This is also denied by the queer theory as it states that individuals aren't defined by anything bar what they are doing presently. For example sexuality can change, whether that be from heterosexual to homosexual or vice versa; the individual can determine this by how they present themselves to be perceived.


However this will not apply to my artist as I do not intend on creating an androgynous character but rather a woman that is relatable to the majority; though not necessarily meaning she abides to the female  stereotypes.