Concluding Comments
摘要
This final chapter highlights the key findings of this collection. We respond to the three main research questions. The types of imaginary cities identified are diverse but are connected to L.A.’s urban condition and also highly dependent on the songwriter’s subjective experience of the city. They are often a dark rendering of L.A. reflecting the songwriter’s angst at the time. In terms of urban theory, many concepts developed in City of Quartz by Mike Davis fit well with the city representations made by underground music cultures. The postmodern approach to the urban condition with the likes of Baudrillard and Soja often neatly fit with the idea of city representations through popular music. L.A. with its urban sprawl, its climate and its role as a magnet for music artists bred unique underground music cultures made by individuals chasing an alternative American Dream. The connection between L.A. as a place and its underground music cultures is highlighted at the end of the chapter.