El post-rock en España.Genealogía de sus parámetros musicales y discursivos

Abstract

In this doctoral thesis it will be analysed the development of post-rock in Spain from its emergence in the early 90s to the present. The interest on this genre stems from the drastic transformation of its meaning. Thus, if initially referred to a series of bands, close to indie, that subverted the conventions of traditional rock with an experimental approach that dialogued with electronic dance music or hip-hop; nowadays the genre alludes to instrumental rock music, close to metal and hardcore, articulated by intensity contrasts. The main objectives of this investigation are to comprehend the construction of this genre focusing on its musical and paramusical traits; check the source of the multiple ruptures, polemics and omissions found in the histories of this genre; evaluate the relationship of post-rock with other genres, styles, and scenes; and determine if there could be found elements that differentiate post-rock in Spain from its development internationally. In addition to that, this research aims for a better understanding of the field of music in Spain from the 90s (with a special emphasis on the role of criticism and internet) and seeks to contribute to the development of a theory of popular music’s genres able to reflect their transformations in time in a flexible way.In order to do this, an approach inspired by Foucauldian genealogy will be used. This will allow to understand the way in which the prototypes and attributes of a genre are in constant negotiation in the different subfields that articulate the field of popular music. With this in mind, it was determined that, in the 90s, post-rock is not only defined in Spain by a series of musical traits (vertical conception, estrangement from traditional rock’s teleologies, use of the studio as an instrument…) or paramusical (the insubstantial, one and its opposite…), but by its ability to become an element of distinction within the local indie scene...