Tunes From The Twilight Zone

Celebrating International Strange Music Day

As a dancer, I am often asked about my favorite music. My response is usually met with surprise. While many expect me to name a renowned composer or a famous pop song, I tell them my most beautiful music is the sound of nature. I find peace in the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves, sounds I hear with great clarity. In a world dominated by electronic beats and synthesized sounds, my choices may seem a bit, well, strange. But it turns out I’m not alone in my taste for the unconventional, and there’s even a day dedicated to celebrating all things peculiar in music—International Strange Music Day.

A Brief History of International Strange Music Day

International Strange Music Day is celebrated every year on August 24th. Created by New York City musician and composer Patrick Grant, the day aims to encourage people to venture out of their musical comfort zones. Grant’s vision was simple yet profound: by broadening our musical tastes, we might also broaden our minds. His mantra, “listening without prejudice,” encourages us to be more accepting and open-minded, not just in music but in life. And perhaps a little more open-mindedness could do us all some good.

The origins of the day are as unique as its purpose. Grant initially conceived International Strange Music Day as a way to promote his new album “Fields Amaze” in 1997 and to honor his girlfriend’s father, his artistic mentor, on his birthday. By 2002, the celebration had spread beyond New York City and started gaining international traction. Today, International Strange Music Day is celebrated with concerts, soirees, and various events across the globe, including the University of London, which hosts its own set of strange music competitions and performances.

The Soundtrack of the Unusual: Seven Strange Music Genres

In the spirit of International Strange Music Day, we invite you to explore some of the world’s most eccentric and quirky music genres. So, grab your headphones, let your playlist shuffle, and prepare to step into the wonderfully weird world of strange music. Here are seven niche genres you might have never heard of:

1. Clap Hop
   If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix hip-hop beats with clapping sounds, then Clap Hop is your answer. A genre that relies heavily on handclaps, it’s as if a group of overly enthusiastic cheerleaders decided to make a beatbox album. Catchy, rhythmic, and undeniably quirky, Clap Hop is music you can dance to—or at the very least, applaud.
2. Lowercase
   Not to be confused with an inability to capitalize, Lowercase is a genre that takes the idea of subtlety to new extremes. The music consists of almost inaudible sounds—like the hum of a distant refrigerator or the rustle of paper—amplified to create an immersive listening experience. It’s perfect for those who think silence is too loud but white noise is too mainstream.
3. Vapourware
   A genre born from the ashes of internet culture, Vapourware combines elements of 1980s and 1990s elevator music, muzak, and the sounds of retro video game consoles. It’s like taking a trip down a neon-lit memory lane, where the past and future blend into an ironic, vaporous haze. If you’ve ever wanted to hear what a synthesizer has to say about existential dread, Vapourware is your genre.
4. Nintendocore
   Imagine metal music collided head-on with the 8-bit soundtracks of old Nintendo games. The result? Nintendocore—a genre that’s as jarring as it is nostalgic. With aggressive guitar riffs, digital bleeps, and bloops, Nintendocore is perfect for those who love headbanging as much as they love Mario.
5. German Reggae
   Ja, mon! German Reggae is exactly what it sounds like: reggae music performed in German. It’s a fascinating blend of laid-back Caribbean rhythms with the unmistakable cadence of the German language. It’s as if a Berlin club and a Jamaican beach decided to swap places for a day, creating a strange but surprisingly smooth sound.
6. Gabber
   For those who think heavy metal is a bit too tame, allow me to introduce Gabber. A genre born from the hardcore techno scene of the Netherlands, Gabber is characterized by its pounding bass drums and aggressive beats. It’s music that makes your heart race, your ears throb, and your neighbors call the police.
7. Witch House
   No, it’s not a band of witches playing in a forest. Witch House is a genre that combines elements of gothic rock, industrial music, and chopped-and-screwed hip-hop. It’s eerie, dark, and slightly disorienting, like the soundtrack to a horror movie set in a haunted discotheque. Perfect for when you want to summon spirits while doing the moonwalk.

Celebrating the Strange

International Strange Music Day is more than just an opportunity to laugh at peculiar song titles and genres—it’s a call to expand our auditory horizons. Whether it’s clapping along to Clap Hop or getting lost in the low hums of Lowercase, there’s no shortage of strange sounds waiting to be discovered. So, this August 24th, why not trade in your regular playlist for something a little more bizarre? Who knows—you might find that strange is exactly what you’ve been looking for.