It seems like common sense, but this week the Guardian was reminding graduates to check their social profile on the internet. With more and more of us competing for fewer and fewer jobs, employers routinely scan Facebook, MySpace and the like for any hint that the potential employee is anything less than squeaky clean.
As a fully subscribed member of web 2.0 I have a profile on all the main social media sites as well as maintaining my own personal blog. But, should I be worried about what my listening habits are also saying to a potential employer?
A couple of weeks ago Jillian discussed whether or not your favourite song will say more about you than you ever could. I have long been a believer that you can chart someone’s life story by the music that they listened to at any one period of their life. But should I be worried about what my music is telling the world?
I am of course talking about Last.FM
Like with Twitter, it took a long time for me to understand the joy behind Last.FM – why would I want a database of my listening habits to be stored (and shared) online? To be honest as a social networking site, it doesn’t work – the whole concept of ‘shouts’ and groups smacks of a site desperately trying to be a musical Facebook. But as a means of finding new bands and widening your musical perspective it can only be compared to spending 5 or 6 hours in a independent record store where CDs, vinyl and even tapes are stacked from floor to ceiling – albeit not as satisfying.
But I’m allowing myself to be sidetracked. The question was whether or not I should be worried, as a potential member of the music media, whether I am giving away too much about myself through my scrobbles. Am I, subconsciously, marking myself out as niche, alternative or boutique?
A quick look at my Last.FM profile and it’s fairly obvious I support Team Lakeman – with all 3 brothers appearing in my top 3 artists in some form or another – and combined with the likes of Runrig, Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphys it’s clear I’m not a mainstream type of girl. In fact The Enemy are the only ‘mainstream’ band in my top 20 – and their new album is terrible! But should I be worried that none of the current top 40 have made the cut?
Personally I would hope that some vestiges of personal choice remain in this digital world. And since musical genres are all completely subjective, who is to decide what is niche and what isn’t… But perhaps, in this uncertain world where multiple skills are the dish of the day, I should cast my musical net equally far and wide. So perhaps, for now, I’ll draw a line under Seth – just for now – and concentrate on something more mainstream.. all in the spirit of discovery!
To this end I’ve tried to find a more widely known track to leave you with this week.
Relient K – This week the Trend
Post by Mary Stokes - Meet Me
Located in the UK, music has been part of my life for a long time. I'm a classically trained violinist but have a wide range musical knowledge.
