Unspooled : how the cassette made music shareable
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Unspooled examines the history of the audio cassette within the context of indie rock musical subcultures. Focusing on how the cassette heralded new modes of music sharing, intimacy, and communication through forms such as the mix tape, Rob Drew argues that the format's emotional resonance is tied to its shareability. Each chapter traces the cassette's history and evolution, from its predecessor open-reel tape and treatment in the music industry, to prominence in unauthorized secondhand music distribution. Positioning itself within discourses about the political economy of sound and the history of music technology, Unspooled offers an extended account of the role cassettes played in popular music cultures"-- Provided by publisher.