What constitutes a brony musician?

[Mundius]

Seriously, what does it mean to be a brony musician? Are you a brony and a musician or are you a musician that makes pony stuff?

[the4thImpulse]

I sometimes make music inspired by the show, My Little Pony, and other times I'm inspired by other things.

Does this make me a brony musician or a musician who makes pony music? I don't kow, I don't consider myself much of one as I care much more about my real world image than I do a bront musician image.

[ghelded_kultz]

I say both because of different grammatical functions of the word brony. Here's how (pseudo-linguistics alert!)

In case 1 brony is an adjective. Therefore brony musician is a noun phrase made of an adjective (brony) and a noun (musician) where the adjective brony means that the musician is a brony.

In case 2 brony is a noun. Brony musician is a compound word made of these two nouns. As a compound word it has a new meaning based off the component parts. The new meaning is a musician who makes pony music.

English is funny like that.

(Note: I am not sure how much of that is actually true, but it makes sense right?)

Edit: Examples

1) Andrew W.K. is a brony musician. Brony is an adjective as it describes the noun, musician and isn't an inherent part of the word.

2) Ghelded Kultz is a brony musician. While case 1 is one possible interpretation f this sentence, case 2 is better as brony is an inherent part of the noun phrase brony musician. It isn't simply describing Ghelded Kultz, but rather the music Ghelded Kultz creates (that and we release non-pony stuff under a different name so Ghelded Kultz would not exist as anything other than a brony musician).

It is hard to tell the difference in English though, because of the grammatical mutability of our words. In some other languages there would be various suffixes or the like added to remove ambiguity (though probably not with brony because it is a loan word).

But you guys want to look at this philosophically, don't you?

[Mundius]

Well, I was wondering on the philosophical and the literal meaning, but I guess I'm a case one as I haven't written music based off MLP in a long time. Hm.

[itroitnyah]

Somebody who has made pony music. But they can't just make 1 and be declared a brony musician, they have to make acouple to be considered

[Nine Volt]

Someone who primarily (or at least often) makes music directly inspired by My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

[Foxtrot89]

A brony musician is someone who is a brony, who also is a musician. Not sure why you'd have to write a song inspired by or pertaining to the show to be a musician who is also a brony.

Someone who writes songs pertaining to the show is just simply someone who writes songs pertaining to the show.

It's honestly a stupid label I think and to hold it with any merit is just silly.

[ChocolateChicken]

I think it's funny that musicians in the community who have made music PRIMARILY about ponies get surprised and upset when they are referred to as brony musicians by others. And like, what's more is that they act like it's a bad label or something. You'd think that they'd be proud of the music that they choose to create.

But yeah, I consider a musician to also be a brony musician when they mostly or closely make music about ponies. If a brony makes music, but not about/inspired by ponies, then they aren't a brony musician in my opinion; they are simply a musician because ponies have nothing to do with their art.

To me, the word "brony" in the term "brony musician" refers to the subject matter of their music, rather than their own character.

But the term "brony" has become quite repulsive recently, as opposed to the more acceptable term, "fan of the show." I prefer the term "pony musician."

[Gray Ham]

I agree with Nine Volt.

[Foxtrot89]

I think it's funny that musicians in the community who have made music PRIMARILY about ponies get surprised and upset when they are referred to as brony musicians by others. And like, what's more is that they act like it's a bad label or something. You'd think that they'd be proud of the music that they choose to create.

But yeah, I consider a musician to also be a brony musician when they mostly or closely make music about ponies. If a brony makes music, but not about/inspired by ponies, then they aren't a brony musician in my opinion; they are simply a musician because ponies have nothing to do with their art.

To me, the word "brony" in the term "brony musician" refers to the subject matter of their music, rather than their own character.

But the term "brony" has become quite repulsive recently, as opposed to the more acceptable term, "fan of the show." I prefer the term "pony musician."

It's understandable to get upset at the label, as it implies that the only thing they can do is related to ponies. It's actually quite a disheartening title to be given, as many people are likely to pass over your non-pony works once you're labeled "brony musician." It's essentially boxing yourself into a specific group, despite the fact that many of the more famous brony musicians are damn good at 100% original non-pony stuff.

Brony Musician by definition is a brony who is also a musician. I'm a brony and I write music. I am technically a brony musician. Someone who is a brony as well as a musician and they write pony related songs is just a brony musician who writes songs about ponies, typically of the FiM variety.

Look at it this way. What is a "crippled musician?" Is it someone who writes songs about being crippled, or are they someone who is crippled and also a musician?

[Nine Volt]

I think it's funny that musicians in the community who have made music PRIMARILY about ponies get surprised and upset when they are referred to as brony musicians by others. And like, what's more is that they act like it's a bad label or something. You'd think that they'd be proud of the music that they choose to create.

But yeah, I consider a musician to also be a brony musician when they mostly or closely make music about ponies. If a brony makes music, but not about/inspired by ponies, then they aren't a brony musician in my opinion; they are simply a musician because ponies have nothing to do with their art.

To me, the word "brony" in the term "brony musician" refers to the subject matter of their music, rather than their own character.

But the term "brony" has become quite repulsive recently, as opposed to the more acceptable term, "fan of the show." I prefer the term "pony musician."

It's understandable to get upset at the label, as it implies that the only thing they can do is related to ponies. It's actually quite a disheartening title to be given, as many people are likely to pass over your non-pony works once you're labeled "brony musician." It's essentially boxing yourself into a specific group, despite the fact that many of the more famous brony musicians are damn good at 100% original non-pony stuff.

Brony Musician by definition is a brony who is also a musician. I'm a brony and I write music. I am technically a brony musician. Someone who is a brony as well as a musician and they write pony related songs is just a brony musician who writes songs about ponies, typically of the FiM variety.

They way I see it is that someone who is a brony and also a musician would have no reason to combine the two terms, since most people will assume they mean that they produce pony music. I am a brony and a musician, but I do not produce music inspired by FiM in any way, so I would consider myself a musician and a brony, not a brony musician. Brony musician, as I said above, would refer to someone who produces primarily pony-inspired works (PPIS™)

The problem with your theory is that brony musician implies primarily pony-inspired works, which may or may not be true.

[Twy]

I agree with the definition that a brony musician is someone who actually makes music inspired by the show. Otherwise it just seems pointless to bring up the brony part as it would be completely unrelated to the music part.


Edit: Or what Nine Volt just said...

[Nine Volt]

I agree with the definition that a brony musician is someone who actually makes music inspired by the show. Otherwise it just seems pointless to bring up the brony part as it would be completely unrelated to the music part.


Edit: Or what Nine Volt just said...

Ninja'd

[Foxtrot89]

I actually think anyone, even people who primary write pony music, labeling themselves Brony Musician is silly. It'd be the first time I can think of that somebody labeled themselves purely on the subject matter of their music.

If "brony" were a genre of music, then sure. But again, as added into my last post, a "crippled musician" isn't somebody who writes songs about cripples/being inspired by being crippled. It's a guitarist with one leg.

Also, if you consider yourself a brony and want other people who share that interest to see your music, or hell even to find a collective of people with that interest, you might then stick "brony" in front of "musician."

[Twy]

Ninja'd

You sneaky bastard...

I actually think anyone, even people who primary write pony music, labeling themselves Brony Musician is silly. It'd be the first time I can think of that somebody labeled themselves purely on the subject matter of their music.

If "brony" were a genre of music, then sure. But again, as added into my last post, a "crippled musician" isn't somebody who writes songs about cripples/being inspired by being crippled. It's a guitarist with one leg.

Also, if you consider yourself a brony and want other people who share that interest to see your music, or hell even to find a collective of people with that interest, you might then stick "brony" in front of "musician."

I guess it's just a result of the ridiculous popularity of the show/community, and much of the fan created content by extension. It's definitely not a genre, but it is kinda its own scene right now. It's just a lot easier for a lot of people, I think, to create content based around a community that they're already comfortable and familiar with. As you pointed out, it's probably also a bit easier to actually get noticed that way.

[ChocolateChicken]

Brony Musician by definition is a brony who is also a musician.

Haha what? "By definition???" According to what? The Oxford English dictionary? Oh man, you're so right. Lol "by definition."

It's understandable to get upset at the label, as it implies that the only thing they can do is related to ponies.

How does it imply that? Haha. It could imply ANYTHING. It could imply that they make music about bronies, but not the show too. It could mean that they make pony-related music, but aren't bronies. It's just two words and you just applied your own classification to it. To others, it doesn't imply that at all. Only if they THINK it implies that they aren't good for anything else, then that's THEIR opinion. Some people are sensitive, that's all.

Look at it this way. What is a "crippled musician?" Is it someone who writes songs about being crippled, or are they someone who is crippled and also a musician?

Once again, hahaha what? The problem with your theory is that you think that one's character or self is essential when identifying themselves as an artist. Your "crippled musician" comparison is ridiculous, and here's why. When referring to someone who is a musician and also a cripple, why the fuck would anyone also bring up the fact that they are crippled? The term "crippled musician" wouldn't even exist in the first place, sorry. When people think about Rihanna, they don't fucking label her music occupation as a "black, two-armed humanoid who's favorite color is purple and was at one point beaten by Chris Brown musician." Rihanna as a musician would most often be associated as a "pop star" or "singer" because THAT'S HER PRIMARY OCCUPATION IN HER MUSIC.

You also say that brony music isn't a genre... well according to who or what? Knife Party calls their music "seizure music" and it's up to others to agree with them or not. You can call your art or creations whatever you damn well want to. Other people would most likely identify music about ponies as brony music/pony music, simply because ponies have a direct relation the song itself in that situation. In addition to the label "brony music" or "pony music," the song would also fall into the corresponding categories such as dubstep, rock, house, or whatever genre that the song might resemble.

Makkon would be considered a brony musician simply because he has primarily made pony-related music. He also primarily makes orchestral music, so another label would be "orchestral composer" for that reason. Nobody is saying that is all he's good for, or that he should only make pony music or orchestral stuff. His song "Absolution" is lovely and has nothing to do with ponies, so it wouldn't be considered a brony song.

They way I see it is that someone who is a brony and also a musician would have no reason to combine the two terms, since most people will assume they mean that they produce pony music. I am a brony and a musician, but I do not produce music inspired by FiM in any way, so I would consider myself a musician and a brony, not a brony musician. Brony musician, as I said above, would refer to someone who produces primarily pony-inspired works (PPIS™)

The problem with your theory is that brony musician implies primarily pony-inspired works, which may or may not be true.

Yup, Nine Volt knows what's up.

[Foxtrot89]

I'm struggling coming up with a way to get my thought process across. It's stupid to stick "brony" before musician the same way it's stupid to throw "female" before guitarist. It makes zero difference in what the subject matter is, but it attracts a certain desirable crowd.

(that is if you're just referring to non-pony related music.) But it's still true. A white/black/asian/hispanic brony musician is factually a white/black/asian/hispanic brony musician, regardless of how senseless it is to throw the prefix in there.

A brony musician who does pony themed music is just that; A brony musician who writes pony themed music.

I am willing to admit that "brony/pony music" could, because of a very specific thing, be in its own genre, but that doesn't negate the fact that somebody who is white, identifies as a brony and a musician is a white brony musician. They just are. Be as specific as you want to be, but that changes nothing. Call him "musician" all you want, but he still white, he's still a brony, and he's still a musician. (amongst countless other prefixes you could use if you want to attract a specific crowd.)

edit: If some random guy writes a bunch of songs and uses various quotes/samples/clips from the show, and/or writes lyrics pertaining to the happenings in the show, but doesn't like the show at all, is he a brony musician simply because he used elements from the show?

[the4thImpulse]

I'm struggling coming up with a way to get my thought process across.

I think I see what you are trying to say.


A 'brony musician' is a musician who is also a brony whether or not they make 'pony' music. The problem is the way people have identified the people who make pony music. They are no longer musicians in the sense that they make music, they've become 'brony musicians' which to them means a musician who makes music about MLP is some for or another.

We should not identify ourselves as 'brony musicians' for the same reasons we don't say 'white musician', 'Christian musician', 'atheist musician', 'tree hugging musician', or 'New York musician'. Yes, they can all identify as to what kind of a musician you may be, but the way it should be written is "I am a musician who makes 'brony' music".

And it doesn't need to be only 'brony' music for those of us who make 'real world' music. You are a musician, a musican who makes music, and a musician who also may be a brony who makes pony related music.


Is this what you were trying to say?

[Foxtrot89]

Pretty much exactly what I was trying to say. I'm on day 3 of next to zero sleep so my brain is not firing on all cylinders. (Even the sentence that you quoted was poorly written. haha!)

[Makkon]

Remember the treatment Eurobeat Odyssey got when he dared make a song that wasn't about ponies?

I will forever hate the label "brony musician." I'm a musician who watches MLP. That's like saying a Dr Who fan is a Whovian Musician, or a Homestuck fan is a Homestuck musician. Even if they wrote a few fan songs of the show, it's not something you can rightfully call them. They are musicians, and they showed a little tribute to something they love. That's all.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

ok. You can all go home now. Makkon wins the thread.

[Nine Volt]

Remember the treatment Eurobeat Odyssey got when he dared make a song that wasn't about ponies?

No.

If he got treated badly, it's probably the exception. Glaze, Alex, Tomb, you, Aviators, etc. have all made non-pony songs and been received well, from what I've seen.

But yes, I agree with your other points. 'Brony musician' is a negative label from a producer standpoint because it implies that you only make pony related music, plus it's, as you explained, a ridiculous label.

[the4thImpulse]

Pretty much exactly what I was trying to say. I'm on day 3 of next to zero sleep so my brain is not firing on all cylinders. (Even the sentence that you quoted was poorly written. haha!)

In which case I think you are absolutely right.

[Mundius]

Well, this discussion was fun. In reality, I was waiting for Ben to post, because his posts are so good. (if you want me to remove your name, feel free to edit it) I'm quoting it just to prove how good it is. Just reread it.

Remember the treatment Eurobeat Odyssey got when he dared make a song that wasn't about ponies?

I will forever hate the label "brony musician." I'm a musician who watches MLP. That's like saying a Dr Who fan is a Whovian Musician, or a Homestuck fan is a Homestuck musician. Even if they wrote a few fan songs of the show, it's not something you can rightfully call them. They are musicians, and they showed a little tribute to something they love. That's all.

Agreed. Let us never call each other brony musician again, and let this place be for bronies that work on music. Who cares if we're not making music off the show? That's not bad.

Also, I never heard of the treatment that Odyssey got. To be honest, I don't care what he does, as long as it's good.

[Foxtrot89]

Unfortunately it does to a fair amount of people. Not even just the whole brony/pony label, but really anything. (Like people flipping their shit when pendulum started drifting from DnB.)