Tuesday 10 April 2012

If you let them make you, they'll make you paper mache



When I say Incubus, I'm not referring to the demon that sexually preys on women in their sleep...


(who sleeps like that, anyway?)


I'm referring to one of my favourite bands of all time.




I've chosen Incubus as today's I for the A-Z Blogging Challenge, as there is something unique about them that makes me feel better as a writer. 


Why? Because they transcend genre.


I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but I struggle with the notion of sticking to a particular genre in my fiction. Is it because I'm not dedicated enough, or have enough direction? I don't think it is.


In my "ideas spreadsheet" (lets not get too bogged down with my geekiness), my scribblings and ponderings span a whole range of fiction genres: sci-fi, romance, thriller, comedy, the list goes on.


When people ask me what genre I write in, I tense up. I waffle on about what my story is about instead, and let them come to their own conclusions. My WIP has yet to be pigeon-holed.


And, like Incubus, I don't think I fancy sticking to one particular route.


Prepare your ears for an audible feast as we explore my argument further.


Observe this track "You Will Be A Hot Dancer" from their debut album Fungus Amongus. Like manyI'd describe it as Funk Metal.




Fast forward to their next album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E and you'll hear their style changes. According to Rolling Stone writer Rob Kemp, it "links funk metal to the rap metal" This can especially be said for New Skin:




Could that be any more different to this song, Drive, from their following album (aptly titled), Make Yourself?




Their next album, Morning View, spans various genres, from Metal to tranquil songs like Wish You Were Here:





I'm not going to go through every album; I hope that's been enough to illustrate my point: That here lies a band who've reaped massive success without adhering to a particular direction, musical or otherwise.


Do you know of any authors who have fleeted between genres, successfully or otherwise?


I shall leave you my favourite Incubus song, Make Yourself. If ever I felt like just joining the rat race and aspiring to a life of mortgages, 2.4 children and wishing my life away, week after week, in a shabby office, I'd listen to this song and get a grip of my life:


You should make amends with you
If only for better health
But if you really want to live
Why not try and make yourself?








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6 comments:

Kyra Lennon said...

Can't say I know much about Incubus, but I know what you mean about flitting between genres. For the most part, I am chick-lit oriented, but I am quite into the idea of trying other things too!

PR said...

Great songs. I've only just started writing, but I know I don't wana stick to one genre. My flaffings as I like to call them, are full of all different ideas. Too much to be written to stay in one genre! :)

Universal Gibberish

Anne Mackle said...

I've not heard of them before but I did like the last song.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Thank you for introducing me to a great new band! Love your thought on the classical picture of the infamous incubus and the lovely prey. LOL. Roland

Nicole said...

Although I'm familiar with Incubus, I can't say that I've listened to a lot of their music or even that I have any favorites. The way you used their cross-genre work to illustrate your point in staying in one genre of writing worked nicely!

Off hand, I don't know of any authors who have been successful or unsuccessful at moving between genres but that's not saying much since I don't read a lot of fiction. I do, however, know of some actors and directors in the movie industry who have found success moving between genres including but not limited to Will Smith, Gerard Butler and Johnny Depp in the acting department; and the Coen brothers in the directing department.

~Nicole
Blog: The Madlab Post
@MadlabPost on Twitter

Catherine Noble said...

@Kyra Lennon: I'm envious of your direction :) it's great that you're open to other things too!

@Anna Smith: Thank you! Flaffings is a wonderful word; mind if I import it into my vocabulary? Thanks haha!

@Cassam: Glad you liked the last song :)

@Roland D. Yeomans: Yay you're very welcome!

@Nicole: Thank you :) very good examples with the actors. Proof that it can be done very successfully! :)

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