Braindancing Through the Mainstream: Intelligent Dance Music as Popular Music

Abstract

Artists associated with the concept of 'intelligent dance music' (IDM) maintain their underground identity while also benefitting from the commercial and celebrity elements inherent in mainstream popular music culture. In this thesis, I use the theory of subcultural capital to critically examine perceived notions of authenticity in IDM artists' identities and associated fandoms by exploring the ideological boundaries that separate the 'mainstream' from the 'underground'. To do so, I have adapted the theory of subcultural capital by replacing the term 'conversion' with 'translation' to more accurately describe how members of music subcultures work to maintain a fluid relationship with popular culture and keep their 'authentic' subcultural status.