Türkiye'de Punk Alt Kültürü ve Muhalefet İlişkisi

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between music, music subcultures and resistance. Punk subculture in Turkey is chosen as sample. Punk is a musical genre that appeared in the United Kingdom in late 1970s. As the genre developed, so did a subculture that was associated with rebellion, anger and anarchism arose alongside it. The emergence of a punk subculture in Turkey can be traced back to 80’s. The subculture developed more and more over the years and is now experiencing its liveliest moments so far. In-depth interviews are conducted with 22 musicians and listeners in Turkey punk scene. More that 20 concerts are attended and observed. The hypothesis of the study was that punk subculture in Turkey had potential for resistance, even if it’s only on the basis of lyrics of the songs, however findings indicate that the subculture provided a much larger potential for resistance against heteronormative sexism, speciesism and capitalism by adapting the do-it-yourself ethic and turning it into a lifestyle. DIY principle allows for production styles and relationships outside of and alternative to the capitalist system. This grants musicians freedom from music industry which would ultimately limit and shape their self-expression, it also eliminates the hierarchy between the musicians and their audience. The locality of the scene and the lack of resources the industry would normally provide create an air of solidarity between its participants instead of competition. Participants of the scene internalize the philosophy of punk and turn it into a lifestyle. Consistently, they resist the capitalist system by trying to create instead of consuming, doing something themselves instead of buying it and most importantly aiding one another mutually instead of competing. Moreover, the punk subculture in Turkey creates spaces that make resistance against patriarchy and speciesism possible.