This piece was originally featured in AM02 — Issue Two of Ascribe. Click here to read it alongside the rest of the issue.
Hopeless Records has always been on the frontlines of the pop punk scene — and by extension, alternative culture as a whole. But as the alternative scene shifts, the faces of those in it begin to look diverse, and the music they want to make changes, how can labels and their artists ensure that they’re representative of the scene they speak for? The new generation of Hopeless Records understands that the face of alt scene and what they release has been historically representative of outdated expectations. It’s time for change, from the top-down.
“I just want to continue making music because I love it, and not to ‘blow up’ or go viral … I want people to like my music because it’s genuine, not because it was manufactured for an algorithm.” – Zeph
“I think at this point, ‘genre’ across the board is evolving and more people are realising that sticking within specific rules of what is and what isn’t pop punk is not the way to go, it’s definitely shaping this new era. That being said, I feel that what this new generation is taking from pop punk is that rebellion that we connected to back in the early 00’s — the feeling of not quite belonging and the feeling of not really wanting to belong in a world that’s becoming increasingly hostile. We’ve learnt a lot from what the pop punk scene used to be and I think this new generation puts up with less bullshit and includes people they wouldn’t have included 10 years ago who have more to say than just ‘I hate my ex girlfriend.’ I think the increased diversity within the scene absolutely strengthens its foundations — there’s much more to offer now.” – Noahfinnce
“The digital age has helped push genres of music that wouldn’t have been able to exist otherwise. My music falls in what I call Bimbocore, but what others might describe as some mix of metal, pop, and trap production. This new generation of artists who float between genres are able to find listeners in all corners of music just based off of the algorithm alone. I think pushing my music on just the metal circuit would’ve been a lot slower growth, but since I’m able to find a few fans in metal, a few fans from pop, a large amount of fans from the queer community, etc., I’m able to create a niche within music that’s all my own. Music has truly never been more accessible from a listeners standpoint.” – Scene Queen
