Date of Award
Spring 5-25-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Art (M.F.A.)
Department
Conservatory of Music
Language
English
First Advisor
Jules Gimbrone
Abstract
Introduction
Alternative music has long been celebrated as a space of defiance—an arena where artists reject commercial norms, resist aesthetic conformity, and cultivate subcultural identities that challenge the mainstream. Rooted in the anti-establishment ethos of punk and the introspective ambiguity of indie, alternative music positions itself as a refuge for outcasts, rebels, and those who do not fit neatly into dominant cultural narratives. This mythology of resistance has shaped the public understanding of alternative music for decades, reinforcing the belief that these spaces are inherently progressive, inclusive, and open to experimentation. While alternative genres claim to push against mainstream expectations, they remain deeply entangled in cultural norms surrounding gender, race, sexuality, and embodiment. These norms seep into everything from who is allowed to occupy the stage, to whose sound is considered “authentic,” to how bodies are read, consumed, and disciplined within performance spaces. Alternative music is not immune to structural inequality; rather, it is a site where such inequalities are performed, contested, and reimagined.
Recommended Citation
Withers, Alex, "Alternative Music and the Mainstream: Gender Expression and Sociopolitical Perspectives" (2026). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/bc_etds/35
