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What Morrissey and his Mexican fans tell us about music fandom | Gabriel Avalos | TEDxWhitneyHigh


[Music]

[Music] hey everyone oh shoot

hey everyone oh shoot

hey everyone oh shoot um my least favorite question in the

um my least favorite question in the

um my least favorite question in the whole world has got to be what’s your

whole world has got to be what’s your

whole world has got to be what’s your favorite type of music to listen to and

favorite type of music to listen to and

favorite type of music to listen to and who are your favorite artists

who are your favorite artists

who are your favorite artists you see that’s such a hard question for

you see that’s such a hard question for

you see that’s such a hard question for me to answer but it’s an impossible one

me to answer but it’s an impossible one

me to answer but it’s an impossible one to answer it’s extremely hard and it’s a

to answer it’s extremely hard and it’s a

to answer it’s extremely hard and it’s a lot to ask for me to bring down my whole

lot to ask for me to bring down my whole

lot to ask for me to bring down my whole musical taste and that whole wide range

musical taste and that whole wide range

musical taste and that whole wide range and to bring it down to the two or maybe

and to bring it down to the two or maybe

and to bring it down to the two or maybe even three different artists because I

even three different artists because I

even three different artists because I can’t really display to you all that I

can’t really display to you all that I

can’t really display to you all that I really like to listen to with that many

really like to listen to with that many

really like to listen to with that many artists now there’s a lot at stake here

artists now there’s a lot at stake here

artists now there’s a lot at stake here because the answer and the way that the

because the answer and the way that the

because the answer and the way that the reed person reacts to this answer can go

reed person reacts to this answer can go

reed person reacts to this answer can go two different ways now first off they

two different ways now first off they

two different ways now first off they might actually like what you have to say

might actually like what you have to say

might actually like what you have to say you piqued their interest you share the

you piqued their interest you share the

you piqued their interest you share the same taste and you ultimately impress

same taste and you ultimately impress

same taste and you ultimately impress them or I can go the other way and they

them or I can go the other way and they

them or I can go the other way and they can totally dismiss you and your musical

can totally dismiss you and your musical

can totally dismiss you and your musical tastes completely and you never want

tastes completely and you never want

tastes completely and you never want that to happen so basically once you’ve

that to happen so basically once you’ve

that to happen so basically once you’ve found someone who’s a fellow fan just

found someone who’s a fellow fan just

found someone who’s a fellow fan just like you are and you guys share the same

like you are and you guys share the same

like you are and you guys share the same passion for the same music that’s who

passion for the same music that’s who

passion for the same music that’s who meet that fellow fan and that’s a unique

meet that fellow fan and that’s a unique

meet that fellow fan and that’s a unique and special thing now another great

and special thing now another great

and special thing now another great thing about the fan experience is

thing about the fan experience is

thing about the fan experience is realizing that who you say as your fan

realizing that who you say as your fan

realizing that who you say as your fan of can truly define you and it says a

of can truly define you and it says a

of can truly define you and it says a lot about you now saying you’re a fan of

lot about you now saying you’re a fan of

lot about you now saying you’re a fan of Justin Bieber has something completely

Justin Bieber has something completely

Justin Bieber has something completely different than saying you’re a fan of a

different than saying you’re a fan of a

different than saying you’re a fan of a more classic rock artists because just

more classic rock artists because just

more classic rock artists because just David Bowie these are completely two

David Bowie these are completely two

David Bowie these are completely two different artists and when you say

different artists and when you say

different artists and when you say you’re a fan of either one many people

you’re a fan of either one many people

you’re a fan of either one many people might think a certain thing about you or

might think a certain thing about you or

might think a certain thing about you or though does make some assumptions and

though does make some assumptions and

though does make some assumptions and that’s what I mean by an artist defining

that’s what I mean by an artist defining

that’s what I mean by an artist defining the fans now every once in a while

the fans now every once in a while

the fans now every once in a while although that rings true for the most

although that rings true for the most

although that rings true for the most case every once in a while there’s an

case every once in a while there’s an

case every once in a while there’s an artist that comes around and they break

artist that comes around and they break

artist that comes around and they break out of that usual norm and they allow

out of that usual norm and they allow

out of that usual norm and they allow for the fans to define them now the

for the fans to define them now the

for the fans to define them now the artist that I think that that embodies

artist that I think that that embodies

artist that I think that that embodies this idea perfectly is Morrissey now

this idea perfectly is Morrissey now

this idea perfectly is Morrissey now while I’m a huge fan of Morrissey it

while I’m a huge fan of Morrissey it

while I’m a huge fan of Morrissey it isn’t the only reason why I chose him

isn’t the only reason why I chose him

isn’t the only reason why I chose him for this idea I chose him because for

for this idea I chose him because for

for this idea I chose him because for being a white guy from Manchester

being a white guy from Manchester

being a white guy from Manchester England he has a surprisingly large

England he has a surprisingly large

England he has a surprisingly large mexican-american following in fan base

mexican-american following in fan base

mexican-american following in fan base which has grown to

which has grown to

which has grown to one of the characteristics that define

one of the characteristics that define

one of the characteristics that define him to this day so I don’t expect a lot

him to this day so I don’t expect a lot

him to this day so I don’t expect a lot of you to know exactly who Morrissey is

of you to know exactly who Morrissey is

of you to know exactly who Morrissey is and all his music out there so I’ll give

and all his music out there so I’ll give

and all his music out there so I’ll give you a quick history lesson it’s been

you a quick history lesson it’s been

you a quick history lesson it’s been said that a lot of pop stars have to be

said that a lot of pop stars have to be

said that a lot of pop stars have to be dead to reach the iconic status that

dead to reach the iconic status that

dead to reach the iconic status that Morris he’s gained in his lifetime now

Morris he’s gained in his lifetime now

Morris he’s gained in his lifetime now this is seen through his band The Smiths

this is seen through his band The Smiths

this is seen through his band The Smiths and his subsequent solo career which

and his subsequent solo career which

and his subsequent solo career which came after he spawned many hits had

came after he spawned many hits had

came after he spawned many hits had critically and commercially acclaimed

critically and commercially acclaimed

critically and commercially acclaimed albums and it really paved the way to

albums and it really paved the way to

albums and it really paved the way to prove what an indie band could be and

prove what an indie band could be and

prove what an indie band could be and they were seminal works that really

they were seminal works that really

they were seminal works that really influenced a lot of artists to come now

influenced a lot of artists to come now

influenced a lot of artists to come now his fan base has followed him everywhere

his fan base has followed him everywhere

his fan base has followed him everywhere he has fans all over the world but his

he has fans all over the world but his

he has fans all over the world but his Mexican American fans which follow him

Mexican American fans which follow him

Mexican American fans which follow him to this day

to this day

to this day oh it really makes us unique but it’s

oh it really makes us unique but it’s

oh it really makes us unique but it’s not only unique in that way what makes

not only unique in that way what makes

not only unique in that way what makes this so special is that Morris he’s

this so special is that Morris he’s

this so special is that Morris he’s proven that he’s a fan of his very own

proven that he’s a fan of his very own

proven that he’s a fan of his very own followers and that’s what I think has

followers and that’s what I think has

followers and that’s what I think has ensured his success and what truly makes

ensured his success and what truly makes

ensured his success and what truly makes him the artists that I think he is now

him the artists that I think he is now

him the artists that I think he is now you’re probably wondering as to how he

you’re probably wondering as to how he

you’re probably wondering as to how he was able to get these Mexican fans and

was able to get these Mexican fans and

was able to get these Mexican fans and why there was like such a big deal about

why there was like such a big deal about

why there was like such a big deal about him here’s a couple theories as to how

him here’s a couple theories as to how

him here’s a couple theories as to how that came to be now one of the biggest

that came to be now one of the biggest

that came to be now one of the biggest ones and one of my favorites is the fact

ones and one of my favorites is the fact

ones and one of my favorites is the fact that a lot of his music deals with

that a lot of his music deals with

that a lot of his music deals with trying to find your cultural belonging

trying to find your cultural belonging

trying to find your cultural belonging and she’s trying to fit in in general

and she’s trying to fit in in general

and she’s trying to fit in in general now Morris Ian through his music he’s

now Morris Ian through his music he’s

now Morris Ian through his music he’s always portrayed himself as an outsider

always portrayed himself as an outsider

always portrayed himself as an outsider he’s an immigrant himself he’s now

he’s an immigrant himself he’s now

he’s an immigrant himself he’s now living in LA but he’s originally from

living in LA but he’s originally from

living in LA but he’s originally from England but a lot of his songs without

England but a lot of his songs without

England but a lot of his songs without only focusing on being an outsider they

only focusing on being an outsider they

only focusing on being an outsider they talk about finding that cultural

talk about finding that cultural

talk about finding that cultural belonging now is Mexican American fans

belonging now is Mexican American fans

belonging now is Mexican American fans they can relate to this the most as

they can relate to this the most as

they can relate to this the most as other immigrant communities as well

other immigrant communities as well

other immigrant communities as well because they’re trying to find that

because they’re trying to find that

because they’re trying to find that perfect balance of sticking to your

perfect balance of sticking to your

perfect balance of sticking to your roots and also assimilating into a new

roots and also assimilating into a new

roots and also assimilating into a new culture in a new country that they’re

culture in a new country that they’re

culture in a new country that they’re living in now this is something that he

living in now this is something that he

living in now this is something that he touches upon in his music one of the

touches upon in his music one of the

touches upon in his music one of the songs called Irish blood English heart

songs called Irish blood English heart

songs called Irish blood English heart which he recognizes that he has two

which he recognizes that he has two

which he recognizes that he has two different cultures clashing together and

different cultures clashing together and

different cultures clashing together and it’s a lot as Mexican fans can relate to

it’s a lot as Mexican fans can relate to

it’s a lot as Mexican fans can relate to another aspect of his music that’s very

another aspect of his music that’s very

another aspect of his music that’s very similar to the one that Mexican fans

similar to the one that Mexican fans

similar to the one that Mexican fans probably grew up with is Imran Chetta

probably grew up with is Imran Chetta

probably grew up with is Imran Chetta songs now these are Mexican folk songs

songs now these are Mexican folk songs

songs now these are Mexican folk songs and they talk about a lot of death and

and they talk about a lot of death and

and they talk about a lot of death and yearning

yearning

yearning for love and Morrissey in the Smiths

for love and Morrissey in the Smiths

for love and Morrissey in the Smiths they’re known for this type of music

they’re known for this type of music

they’re known for this type of music this is right up their alley this is

this is right up their alley this is

this is right up their alley this is another way in which they connect to it

another way in which they connect to it

another way in which they connect to it now another one of my favorite theories

now another one of my favorite theories

now another one of my favorite theories is the 80s connection now when I first

is the 80s connection now when I first

is the 80s connection now when I first became a Smiths fan it was because my

became a Smiths fan it was because my

became a Smiths fan it was because my dad passed on that music to me now when

dad passed on that music to me now when

dad passed on that music to me now when he was growing up in the 80s this is the

he was growing up in the 80s this is the

he was growing up in the 80s this is the time of the Smiths and Morrissey were

time of the Smiths and Morrissey were

time of the Smiths and Morrissey were coming out making music so it makes

coming out making music so it makes

coming out making music so it makes sense they were becoming fans of this

sense they were becoming fans of this

sense they were becoming fans of this music but when you think about it in

music but when you think about it in

music but when you think about it in this way these Mexican fans for the most

this way these Mexican fans for the most

this way these Mexican fans for the most part especially in the LA area

part especially in the LA area

part especially in the LA area they were first-generation kids their

they were first-generation kids their

they were first-generation kids their parents were immigrants and they didn’t

parents were immigrants and they didn’t

parents were immigrants and they didn’t really have an understanding of American

really have an understanding of American

really have an understanding of American culture in itself so everything that

culture in itself so everything that

culture in itself so everything that people like my dad were growing up to in

people like my dad were growing up to in

people like my dad were growing up to in the eighties at the time they were

the eighties at the time they were

the eighties at the time they were taking it in it explains a big reason as

taking it in it explains a big reason as

taking it in it explains a big reason as to why a lot of Mexicans are fans of

to why a lot of Mexicans are fans of

to why a lot of Mexicans are fans of sports teams like the Dodgers and the

sports teams like the Dodgers and the

sports teams like the Dodgers and the Raiders because they had a lot of

Raiders because they had a lot of

Raiders because they had a lot of success during the 80s this is their

success during the 80s this is their

success during the 80s this is their coming-of-age and right now it proves to

coming-of-age and right now it proves to

coming-of-age and right now it proves to be like a nostalgia factor something

be like a nostalgia factor something

be like a nostalgia factor something that takes them back to the days and

that takes them back to the days and

that takes them back to the days and they were coming out now I said that my

they were coming out now I said that my

they were coming out now I said that my dad’s a fan but it also seems to run in

dad’s a fan but it also seems to run in

dad’s a fan but it also seems to run in the blood because I found out that

the blood because I found out that

the blood because I found out that people like my uncle and a lot of other

people like my uncle and a lot of other

people like my uncle and a lot of other people and my family were fans as well

people and my family were fans as well

people and my family were fans as well now I just took this as a coincidence

now I just took this as a coincidence

now I just took this as a coincidence yeah I ran in the blood but it wasn’t

yeah I ran in the blood but it wasn’t

yeah I ran in the blood but it wasn’t until actually started meeting other

until actually started meeting other

until actually started meeting other people once and seeing who came up to me

people once and seeing who came up to me

people once and seeing who came up to me when I was wearing this shirt like for

when I was wearing this shirt like for

when I was wearing this shirt like for example I was wearing my shirt in the

example I was wearing my shirt in the

example I was wearing my shirt in the hallways here at Whitney and when our

hallways here at Whitney and when our

hallways here at Whitney and when our custodial staff members came up to me

custodial staff members came up to me

custodial staff members came up to me his name is Quan and he’s like whoa man

his name is Quan and he’s like whoa man

his name is Quan and he’s like whoa man I didn’t know that you were a Smiths fan

I didn’t know that you were a Smiths fan

I didn’t know that you were a Smiths fan now that was awesome to me right like I

now that was awesome to me right like I

now that was awesome to me right like I found a fellow fan and he was talking

found a fellow fan and he was talking

found a fellow fan and he was talking about how his whole family were fans now

about how his whole family were fans now

about how his whole family were fans now that’s when it hit me that there’s

that’s when it hit me that there’s

that’s when it hit me that there’s probably a lot more to this like how

probably a lot more to this like how

probably a lot more to this like how come the only fans I know are Mexican

come the only fans I know are Mexican

come the only fans I know are Mexican well everywhere else I went even on the

well everywhere else I went even on the

well everywhere else I went even on the street sometimes the only people that

street sometimes the only people that

street sometimes the only people that approached me about it were these

approached me about it were these

approached me about it were these Mexican fans that’s where I really

Mexican fans that’s where I really

Mexican fans that’s where I really wanted to dig deep and try to figure out

wanted to dig deep and try to figure out

wanted to dig deep and try to figure out how our other fans showing their love

how our other fans showing their love

how our other fans showing their love for Morrissey well Mexican fans show

for Morrissey well Mexican fans show

for Morrissey well Mexican fans show their love for Morrissey in many

their love for Morrissey in many

their love for Morrissey in many different ways and they don’t care to

different ways and they don’t care to

different ways and they don’t care to hide it all right so so this topic and

hide it all right so so this topic and

hide it all right so so this topic and their love for Morris he’s been the

their love for Morris he’s been the

their love for Morris he’s been the topic of documentaries right full-on

topic of documentaries right full-on

topic of documentaries right full-on documentaries a lot of videos think

documentaries a lot of videos think

documentaries a lot of videos think pieces and a lot of discussions online

pieces and a lot of discussions online

pieces and a lot of discussions online so they show their love for in little

so they show their love for in little

so they show their love for in little easy ways

easy ways

easy ways you can just look into pockets of La

you can just look into pockets of La

you can just look into pockets of La such as East LA and you can see there’s

such as East LA and you can see there’s

such as East LA and you can see there’s a lot of Mexican for Morrissey fan clubs

a lot of Mexican for Morrissey fan clubs

a lot of Mexican for Morrissey fan clubs now these fan clubs have given more see

now these fan clubs have given more see

now these fan clubs have given more see the nickname and the Maw’s now they’ve

the nickname and the Maw’s now they’ve

the nickname and the Maw’s now they’ve also named Los Angeles Maz Angeles

also named Los Angeles Maz Angeles

also named Los Angeles Maz Angeles because they think like this is his town

because they think like this is his town

because they think like this is his town and he lives here now so he’s claimed it

and he lives here now so he’s claimed it

and he lives here now so he’s claimed it for his own also a lot of Mexican fans

for his own also a lot of Mexican fans

for his own also a lot of Mexican fans they they’ll host Morrissey okie nights

they they’ll host Morrissey okie nights

they they’ll host Morrissey okie nights now these nights are where you can go to

now these nights are where you can go to

now these nights are where you can go to any East LA bar and you can walk in

any East LA bar and you can walk in

any East LA bar and you can walk in you’ll find many Smith’s fans screaming

you’ll find many Smith’s fans screaming

you’ll find many Smith’s fans screaming at the top of their lungs their favorite

at the top of their lungs their favorite

at the top of their lungs their favorite songs it is and that’s something really

songs it is and that’s something really

songs it is and that’s something really special and they’ve really taken it to

special and they’ve really taken it to

special and they’ve really taken it to their own now Morrissey fans they always

their own now Morrissey fans they always

their own now Morrissey fans they always wear their heart on their sleeve

wear their heart on their sleeve

wear their heart on their sleeve and they don’t want to ever show it but

and they don’t want to ever show it but

and they don’t want to ever show it but when you really think about it there’s

when you really think about it there’s

when you really think about it there’s other ways to and how LA’s home to the

other ways to and how LA’s home to the

other ways to and how LA’s home to the two most prominent Smiths and Morrissey

two most prominent Smiths and Morrissey

two most prominent Smiths and Morrissey cover bands and it’s also home to the

cover bands and it’s also home to the

cover bands and it’s also home to the world’s largest Smith / Morrissey

world’s largest Smith / Morrissey

world’s largest Smith / Morrissey convention in the world there’s also the

convention in the world there’s also the

convention in the world there’s also the band that recently came out last year

band that recently came out last year

band that recently came out last year called Mex or see now this band is made

called Mex or see now this band is made

called Mex or see now this band is made up of Latino musicians who came together

up of Latino musicians who came together

up of Latino musicians who came together with their loved Morrissey wanted to

with their loved Morrissey wanted to

with their loved Morrissey wanted to play or Morrissey songs with Latin twist

play or Morrissey songs with Latin twist

play or Morrissey songs with Latin twist and Mexican flavor and they’ve been

and Mexican flavor and they’ve been

and Mexican flavor and they’ve been touring around mostly in areas of the

touring around mostly in areas of the

touring around mostly in areas of the southwest New York and of course Mexico

southwest New York and of course Mexico

southwest New York and of course Mexico playing to the fanbase who really would

playing to the fanbase who really would

playing to the fanbase who really would appreciate the music now enough on the

appreciate the music now enough on the

appreciate the music now enough on the fact that Mexicans love Morrissey what I

fact that Mexicans love Morrissey what I

fact that Mexicans love Morrissey what I really want to focus on is how Morris he

really want to focus on is how Morris he

really want to focus on is how Morris he loves his fans back because that’s what

loves his fans back because that’s what

loves his fans back because that’s what makes it unique in the first place so

makes it unique in the first place so

makes it unique in the first place so Mex on Morris he’s realized that he has

Mex on Morris he’s realized that he has

Mex on Morris he’s realized that he has to acknowledge his fans and that he can

to acknowledge his fans and that he can

to acknowledge his fans and that he can be a fan of his followers as well it’s

be a fan of his followers as well it’s

be a fan of his followers as well it’s insured a success and he showed it many

insured a success and he showed it many

insured a success and he showed it many different times and ways so there he is

different times and ways so there he is

different times and ways so there he is wearing a Chivas Jersey there a

wearing a Chivas Jersey there a

wearing a Chivas Jersey there a prominent Mexican soccer team and there

prominent Mexican soccer team and there

prominent Mexican soccer team and there he is holding the Mexican flag during

he is holding the Mexican flag during

he is holding the Mexican flag during one of his concerts so Morris he’s done

one of his concerts so Morris he’s done

one of his concerts so Morris he’s done he’s actually written some songs aimed

he’s actually written some songs aimed

he’s actually written some songs aimed at his fans one of his songs is a blue

at his fans one of his songs is a blue

at his fans one of his songs is a blue titled Mexico and it talks about him

titled Mexico and it talks about him

titled Mexico and it talks about him walking the streets of Mexico seeing how

walking the streets of Mexico seeing how

walking the streets of Mexico seeing how it’s like and it’s talking about his

it’s like and it’s talking about his

it’s like and it’s talking about his love letter for the country who also has

love letter for the country who also has

love letter for the country who also has a song that is from his perspective

a song that is from his perspective

a song that is from his perspective critiquing white privilege now when I

critiquing white privilege now when I

critiquing white privilege now when I say this Morrissey understands that yeah

say this Morrissey understands that yeah

say this Morrissey understands that yeah he’s a white

he’s a white

he’s a white from England but he’s critiquing the

from England but he’s critiquing the

from England but he’s critiquing the fact that there’s this whole sense of

fact that there’s this whole sense of

fact that there’s this whole sense of entitlement now this is something that

entitlement now this is something that

entitlement now this is something that his fans can can try to understand from

his fans can can try to understand from

his fans can can try to understand from his perspective and realize that he’s

his perspective and realize that he’s

his perspective and realize that he’s trying to say something and he’s trying

trying to say something and he’s trying

trying to say something and he’s trying to relate to them and letting him know

to relate to them and letting him know

to relate to them and letting him know that he realizes that white privilege

that he realizes that white privilege

that he realizes that white privilege could be a problem also he’s gone on

could be a problem also he’s gone on

could be a problem also he’s gone on this toll to were called the OAS de Bont

this toll to were called the OAS de Bont

this toll to were called the OAS de Bont or which was playing places in Mexico

or which was playing places in Mexico

or which was playing places in Mexico he’s always playing there and the

he’s always playing there and the

he’s always playing there and the Southwest and a lot of his tour

Southwest and a lot of his tour

Southwest and a lot of his tour announcements imagery on t-shirts the

announcements imagery on t-shirts the

announcements imagery on t-shirts the way that he puts out his merchandise on

way that he puts out his merchandise on

way that he puts out his merchandise on his website they’re all of Mexican

his website they’re all of Mexican

his website they’re all of Mexican themes and influences and on that Oya

themes and influences and on that Oya

themes and influences and on that Oya esteban tour he said I wish I were

esteban tour he said I wish I were

esteban tour he said I wish I were Mexican no now that is amazing and not

Mexican no now that is amazing and not

Mexican no now that is amazing and not many artists really think about it that

many artists really think about it that

many artists really think about it that way too many artists think that their

way too many artists think that their

way too many artists think that their music should define the fan and that

music should define the fan and that

music should define the fan and that their music is the only thing that they

their music is the only thing that they

their music is the only thing that they have in common but Morris he’s gone the

have in common but Morris he’s gone the

have in common but Morris he’s gone the other way he’s changed it around so that

other way he’s changed it around so that

other way he’s changed it around so that his fans now defining them he’s taking

his fans now defining them he’s taking

his fans now defining them he’s taking them into consideration and he’s

them into consideration and he’s

them into consideration and he’s catering to the fans now me being a

catering to the fans now me being a

catering to the fans now me being a Morrissey fan is kind of changed things

Morrissey fan is kind of changed things

Morrissey fan is kind of changed things for most of the fans that promotes the

for most of the fans that promotes the

for most of the fans that promotes the artists that I’m fans of I just relate

artists that I’m fans of I just relate

artists that I’m fans of I just relate to it on that surface level I like their

to it on that surface level I like their

to it on that surface level I like their music and I like it when they play a

music and I like it when they play a

music and I like it when they play a show around me I like to go see it but

show around me I like to go see it but

show around me I like to go see it but in the case of Morrissey he’s reversed

in the case of Morrissey he’s reversed

in the case of Morrissey he’s reversed that role so now I don’t only have a

that role so now I don’t only have a

that role so now I don’t only have a deeper connection with Morrissey himself

deeper connection with Morrissey himself

deeper connection with Morrissey himself but I have a deeper connection with the

but I have a deeper connection with the

but I have a deeper connection with the other fans as well and that is truly the

other fans as well and that is truly the

other fans as well and that is truly the amazing thing and that’s something that

amazing thing and that’s something that

amazing thing and that’s something that Morris he’s perfected thank you

”

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