Hearing the Americas
explores the early decades of the recording industry (1898-1925), posing new questions about the origins of popular music.
Get Started About
Get Started
The music of the early recorded industry predates most of the familiar commercial genres we know today. Terms like “country,” blues” or “folk,” didn’t have the same meaning, and the site offers startling insights into how those genres came to be.
It reflects the transnational circulation of themes and styles, but also the circulation of ethnic and racial stereotypes, many of which will be extremely offensive to modern audiences.
Disclaimer
This site contains historical content which may be upsetting or offensive to some visitors. Please see the content warning for a full statement.
Explore
Scenes
Finding digital primary sources of local history, determining if you can use material you find, and creating metadata to describe your sources.
Artists
Finding digital primary sources of local history, determining if you can use material you find, and creating metadata to describe your sources.
Spins
Finding digital primary sources of local history, determining if you can use material you find, and creating metadata to describe your sources.
Notes
Finding digital primary sources of local history, determining if you can use material you find, and creating metadata to describe your sources.