This is an ethnography of "mod" music producers online. The author argues that mod music producers are musicians and composers because

"it involves a much closer contact with musical sound than conventional composition because every aspect of each sonic event must be coded: from pitch and duration to exact volume, panning, and the laying in of numerous effects (such as echo, tremolo, and fades)." These mod sites feature original compositions and remixes, and are locii of various communities and subcultures in which active participation is necessary to gain social status (so listening is as important as producing). The aesthetics are rigorous, "...based on a kind of geek adolescent techno-machismo—music coding is damn hard and not suited for the technologically handicapped."

Remixing and sampling are popularly practiced in Lysloff's community. "Ripping," or sampling bits from other tracks is more popular, and generally encouraged as a form of sharing and community engagement, becoming "public property." Giving credit is considered good practice, as some producers do consider sampling theft. Plagiarism, Lysloff acknowleges, has become an issue as the community has matured. The meanings of remixes is different: "remixing is considered a form of homage to a particularly outstanding piece of music or tribute to a renowned artist."

The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 595, No. 1, 14-31 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0002716204266833
© 2004 American Academy of Political & Social Science
The Cosmopolitan Canopy
Elijah Anderson

University of Pennsylvania

The public spaces of the city are more racially, ethnically, and socially diverse than ever. Social distance and tension as expressed by wariness of strangers appear to be the order of the day. But the "cosmopolitan canopy" offers a respite and an opportunity for diverse peoples to come together to do their business and also to engage in "folk ethnography" that serves as a cognitive and cultural base on which people construct behavior in public.

Key Words: urban ethnography • cities • public space • race relations

smithsonian again scores big in the cool and useful offering by a cultural institution category. listen and weep.