Beats, bytes & bleeps inside the Arctic circle: An exploration into consumption and production in the electronic dance music scene of Tromsø, Norway between 1987 and 2001

Jenkinson, Peter John (2022) Beats, bytes & bleeps inside the Arctic circle: An exploration into consumption and production in the electronic dance music scene of Tromsø, Norway between 1987 and 2001. Masters by Research thesis (MA), Manchester Metropolitan University.

Preview

Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

The study is probably the first to focus on a music scene within the Arctic circle. It examines the flow of global culture and its influences on the music consumption and production of a small group of electronic dance music producers from the Norwegian municipality of Tromsø. The study focuses on the music community from the late eighties until the internationally recognised ‘Bergen Wave’ music scene in 2001. This thesis links to my professional practice with the Paper Recordings record label (Bidder, 1999: 265), and the production of a feature documentary exploring Norwegian electronic dance music titled ‘Northern Disco Lights’ (2016; Red Bull TV, 2018: online). The film created a set of data, including interviews and artefacts that are used to analyse the scene in this thesis. The Tromsø music community is explored as a music scene, according to academic frameworks, applying analysis in terms of location, technology, genre, flow, subcultural capital and networks. Initial findings indicate that key local actors developed a highly connected and effective network despite the scene being in such a remote location. The scene’s participants engaged with global flows of culture that influenced music consumption and production among this small group, even before the internet allowed music scenes to connect globally.