Northern Soul is a cultural phenomenon twice removed from its original source in Britain in the late 1960s. Rooted in gospel and rhythm and blues music, with pounding "four-to-the floor" beats, it is often accompanied by swirling strings, vibraphone flourishes, and infectious clapping. Since the 1960s Northern Soul has spread globally, via the Internet and migration, to such unlikely places as Medellin in Colombia. By giving voice to the members of this scene, this book explores theories about how identity and cultural literacy evolve through engagement with popular culture. It seeks to contribute to understandings about patterns of economic and media consumption, informal learning, intercultural communication, and about how migrants perceive themselves and form connections with others.

By Paul Mercieca; Anne Chapman and Marnie O'Neill

Acknowledgements
Introduction
1 There was a time: Soul music in popular culture
2 That driving beat: Northern Soul (NS)
3 The In Crowd: Northern Soul people in Perth
4 Breakaway: British migrants in Western Australia
5 At the discotheque: The clubs in Perth
6 Out on the floor: The cultural practices of the scene
7 Thinking about you: Some theoretical implications of
research into NS in WA
8 Long after tonight is all over: The future of NS in Perth
Appendices
1 Informant Northern Soul timelines
2 Sample interview transcript
3 Northern Soul night field notes sample
Northern Soul (NS) Glossary
References
Index
About the Authors