dontique

Dontique: A Groovy History of the “Don’t You Know”

Dontique isn’t a genre, but a vibe. It’s the feeling of knowing just enough to be dangerous, of confidently rocking a vintage aesthetic while secretly fearing you’ll be caught out for not knowing the difference between a Gibson and a Fender. It’s the joy of finding a dusty record store gem and blasting it in your beat-up Ford, the wind in your hair, the world a hazy blur of nostalgia.

This vibe, this dontique spirit, has permeated music history, manifesting in unexpected ways.

The Roots:

• The Blues: Dontique owes a huge debt to the blues. The raw, soulful melodies of artists like Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, and Blind Willie Johnson are the raw materials from which the dontique aesthetic is built. It’s about authenticity, about knowing your roots, about finding beauty in the rough edges.
• Early Rock & Roll: The wild energy and rebellious spirit of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard paved the way for dontique’s carefree, untamed side. Dontique embraces the youthful spirit of those early rockers, the rebellion against the established order, the pure joy of making noise.

The Golden Age:

• The 60s: With the rise of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan, dontique found its voice. The era was defined by a certain laid-back coolness, a willingness to experiment, and a yearning for something bigger than themselves.
• The 70s: The decade saw a resurgence of blues-based rock, with artists like Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Pink Floyd pushing the boundaries of what rock music could be. Dontique’s love of vintage gear and psychedelic sounds owes much to this era.

Modern Day Dontique:

• Indie Rock: The dontique spirit is alive and well in the indie rock scene. Bands like The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and The Black Keys channel the energy of their predecessors while carving their own path. Dontique resonates with this DIY ethic, with the desire to create something unique and personal.
• Neo-Soul: Artists like Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, and The Roots revive the soul and funk of the 70s with a modern twist. Dontique admires their dedication to authenticity and their refusal to be confined by genre.

Funny Facts:

• Robert Johnson: Legend has it that Johnson sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in exchange for his musical talent. A bit melodramatic, but it adds to the mysterious aura surrounding the dontique spirit.
• Chuck Berry: The ultimate dontique dude, Berry was famous for his flamboyant stage presence and his signature duckwalk. Apparently, he never actually wrote down his song lyrics, relying entirely on memory and improvisation.
• The Rolling Stones: Known for their extravagant lifestyles, the Stones were once caught smuggling a live monkey into a London hotel room. You can’t get more dontique than that.

Dontique isn’t just a style, it’s a state of mind. It’s about finding beauty in the unexpected, embracing the imperfections, and celebrating the joy of making music. It’s about rocking out in your beat-up jeans, knowing you’re part of something bigger than yourself, a movement that has been brewing for generations. So crank up the vintage amp, throw on your faded t-shirt, and get ready to embrace the dontique vibe.