GQ’s Twee Trapezoid (Twapezoid?) Is Brilliant
Written by Angora Holly Polo // April 3, 2011 // Popular Culture and Internet Fancies // 5 Comments
I never thought I was particularly twee, but as I read GQ‘s chart of all things twee in April’s issue, I suddenly realized that twee is for me. Dmitri Martin, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Portlandia, Dave Eggers – I’m in love. Put a tiny hat on me and call me Zooey!
5 Comments on "GQ’s Twee Trapezoid (Twapezoid?) Is Brilliant"
I never identified as twee either, that was for girls who wore vintage cats eye glasses and listened exclusively to Tullycraft and Rose Melburg. But I love me some Demetri Martin (now in book form!) and Jason Schwartzman… and Miranda July… Oh twee is me too I suppose.
The problem with the twapezoid above is that there isn’t a single “twee” thing on there. Even the Belle & Sebastian album they mention is from way beyond that band’s decidedly twee early days.
The truth is that unless you’re laying on your belly in bed wearing a tattered sweater and bulky headphones while you listen to your Action Painting! 7″ records and read some of William Butler Yeats’ poetry… you probably aren’t twee.
(Side note: if Ivyy were to publish a “Denver’s Most Twee Rockstar” column, I think we’d have to hand it to Patrick Kelly.)
This is really a trapezoid of tangentially “indie” things which have been embraced by GQ editors (as though thousands of people don’t watch HBO original comedy series or that Etsy doesn’t sell $30 million of merchandise a month).
But seriously, 500 Days of Summer? That’s just a crapezoid.
Honeydew: 2011 twee ≠ 1996 twee (“If You’re Feeling Sinister”) ≠ 1986 twee (C-86). Remember emo? Remember emo pre-Dashboard? Similar evolution (or de-evolution).
Spot on regarding Patrick Kelly, though. With Danielle Anderson and Marcus from Fingers of the Sun as runners up.
Yeah, especially in the context of GQ, I was reading it more as a mainstream-ized version of twee, which basically means adorable and sweet but in an intellectual way.
I would nominate Michael Cera as the mayor of Tweeland. Eeeeee!