the research
Based on a fieldwork stay in Jamaica in 2018, my research considers the Reggae Revival as a contemporary form of popular music culture in the context of local and global references.
The focus of my research is on the individuals, local institutions, and infrastructures that helped the Reggae Revival emerge on the one hand, and at the same time were set in motion by the movement.
The most important source for my research were people who are connected with or counted to the Reggae Revival. Thus, I got the opportunity to speak with Lila Iké, Protoje, or Paris LaMont of The Indiggnation Band. In addition, media, institutions, and chance encounters were also essential to my data collection.
my research
how i collected data
interviews
interview and conversation partners were my most important source for research. Talking to people who are part of, close to, or otherwise involved with issues surrounding my research on the reggae movement gave me direct insight from an insider's perspective, opened up new questions, and fulfilled a tenet of ethnomusicological research methodology: contextualizing the music and engaging the people who are part of the music culture.
Finding out contact addresses and writing to people to ultimately get in touch with prominent artistes was one of my main activities before the trip and in the first days on site.
the music
Of course, the music, lyrics and musical arrangements, album covers and liner notes were very important sources for my research. After all, the music is the part of the reggae revival on which the movement is based, with which messages are carried and which is the chosen form of expression of the protagonists of the reggae revival. Thus, I analyzed lyrics, transcribed songs, and searched the liner notes for additional figures and information.
newspapers & magazines
online archives of local newspapers such as the Jamaica Gleaner or the Jamaica Observer, as well as magazines, were sources that provided me with information on local media reception, local development and perception, and events since the advent of the reggae revival.
local events
During my fieldwork in Jamaica, exploring local institutions was an integral part of my activities. For example, attending the Earth Hour Concert at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre and visiting Jamnesia were events that brought me together with people important to my research and also allowed for participant observation as part of my research.
netnography
For my research, digital media and platforms, forms of communication and social media were of immense importance, as it is a dynamic, current and, above all, media-present research topic. Whether interviews to be found online, forums, social media content, or the possibility of digital communication, the research for my thesis continued online. This "virtual fieldwork," "netnograhy" or "e-fieldwork," is increasingly common practice in ethnomusicological research, but always only complementary to fieldwork and direct interaction in the research field.
survey
Looking to learn more about the impact and popularity of the Reggae Revival in Germany/Europe, I decided to conduct a complementary quantitative survey in the form of an online survey that I shared in Facebook groups. About 160 people took part in this, answering a total of 9 questions about Reggae Revival artistes, live bands and festivals in Germany and Europe.
wha' happened
chronological timeline of my research
Topic & Logistics
Identifying research topic and conducting initial research on existing literature and other resources. Logistical preparation of the field research: financing, making contact with the local institution (ICS at UWI), obtaining necessary documents, booking flight and accommodation.
Fieldwork Preperation
Determine the research methods for the fieldwork stay: design a questionnaire for interviews, look up contact addresses for possible interviewees, contacts and institutions, procure equipment ( recorder, laptop, camera...).
Fieldwork Stay
Doing fieldwork! Settling in locally, getting in touch with the host institution (Dr. Sonjah Stanley Niaah at the ICS at UWI), contacting people, visiting local events and local institutions (Edna Manley College, Institute of Jamaica, Jamaica Music Museum, Bob Marley Museum, various venues...). Conduct interviews (with Lila Iké, Paris LaMont, Dr. Ray Hitchines, do participant observation, get insights.
Thesis
Compiling and organizing the fieldwork results, conducting a quantitative survey, further interview (with protoje), "virtual fieldwork" (see above), analysis of music and lyrics, further sources... Structuring and writing the master thesis with submission in August 2019.
bibliography
- Gregory F. Barz/Cooley, Timothy J., 2008, Shadows in the Field. New Perspectives for Fieldwork in Ethnomusicology, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
