The Dumbing Down Of Electronic Music
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Gamos replied on Thu Jun 7, 2012 @ 1:06pm |
 Coolness: 93405 | From the Wall Street Journal of all places...
Once almost exclusively an underground movement, electronic dance music (EDM) is now embraced by a mainstream pop audience. Accordingly, some of the new, radio-friendly music feels meek and calculated, especially when it's spun at high-energy festivals: The complex rhythms and synthesized orchestrations from a variety of sources that gave texture and a sense of adventure to the music now sit equal, if not secondary, to pop and hip-hop vocals. But there's a fear that hitting the mainstream will have a corrupting effect on EDM. Once almost exclusively an underground movement, electronic dance music is now embraced by a mainstream pop audience. But as Jim Fusilli explains on Lunch Break, there's a fear that hitting the mainstream will have hurt the genre. Photo: Getty Images. "If somebody said to me: Play 'The Time of My Life' by the Black Eyed Peas and throw your hands in the air, I couldn't do it," said Carl Cox, a veteran DJ and producer. "If you gave me $10 million, I couldn't do it." There's also a growing sense that some newcomers to giant EDM festivals (the three-day Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas beginning Friday, for instance, is expected to draw more than 300,000 people), or those who spent time in the dance tent at this year's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, still prefer songs they've heard on the radio to on-the-spot DJ mash-ups or the varying forms of EDM known as house. Some DJs are reaching for pop stardom. David Guetta's 2011 album "Nothing but the Beat" featured vocal performances by Jennifer Hudson, Ludacris, Nicki Minaj and Usher. Five of the album's tracks scored high on Billboard's top-singles charts. When Mr. Guetta spun at Coachella in April, he leaned heavily on his pop productions. Similarly, the highlight of Calvin Harris's pop-minded set at the same festival was an appearance by Rihanna, who turned up to sing "We Found Love," their collaboration from her 2011 disc "Talk That Talk." But the backing tracks built by Messrs. Guetta and Harris are cliché-riddled, white-bread house that don't represent the best of the genre. Said Norman Cook, the veteran DJ and producer who works as Fatboy Slim: "David Guetta and others took it out of the underground. Everybody is trying to ride that wave. They're just trotting it out." For some of today's biggest EDM names, the preferred workshop is the recording studio rather than a nightclub riser. Tim Bergling, aka Avicii, a 22-year-old from Stockholm and an emerging EDM superstar, said: "I didn't come up from DJing, where you're doing 300 shows a year. I feel pretty free, but I want to cater to everyone. I can't play house for two hours." EDM artists in pursuit of a larger audience are also exploring new venues. Last December, Swedish House Mafia sold out Madison Square Garden. Avicii's next tour, beginning on Thursday, is booked in arenas—not clubs—in the U.S. and Canada. "I stay pretty true to my own music, my own sound," he said. "It's pretty improvisational, but I have a plan." As EDM and its related events continue to grow, an audience may be developing that wants nothing more than predictable, middling entertainment. Given the new audience's response, why would big-name producers go back to old-school DJing that requires concentration and knowledge of a vast musical database? At festivals, with the computerized lasers and frenetic lights ablaze, a producer can slap on one of his hits and walk away until it's time to press a laptop key to start the next one. But Mr. Cox finds all that contrary to the DJ ethos. "I'm not Carl Cox the hit player," he said. "I find I have to work hard for it. I have no idea what I'm going to play when I start." A few old-school DJs, who once spun vinyl albums that they carried around in crates, see a bright side to the rising popularity of EDM. They believe a significant portion of the audience will soon tire of pop-electronics and migrate to something more spontaneous. Richie Hawtin, who referred to himself as a DJ with a classic approach, called it "cross pollination." "I'm optimistic," he said. "This new generation of producers are getting a new generation of people into the sound of electronic music." Said Mr. Cox: "I'm 50 years old now. I grew up with vinyl, a needle on a record. Turntablism. I'd play a blend of disco with funk, soul and house with a 909 drum machine," he added, referring to a primitive device. "Am I supposed to dumb down to the idea that all I'm doing is pressing a button?" |
| I'm feeling a overhang right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Nathan replied on Thu Jun 7, 2012 @ 4:35pm |
 Coolness: 166455 | interesting ... but about 10+ years late xD
There was even plenty of very popular dance music in the 90s, and that was electronic. (who doesn't know 'i got the power' or 'pump up the jam' or all the Ace Of Bass hits etc. ) But, I agree, there's an even more steep rise in pop-edm over the past few years, and though I don't see alot of cheesy techno and house as having a less 'pop' sound than the actual pop-edm, I get their point here ... The quotes by the legendary DJs in the article are pretty right on though. |
| I'm feeling you up right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» basdini replied on Thu Jun 7, 2012 @ 11:51pm |
 Coolness: 145110 | electronic music died the day that we switched from vinyl to CDs, we have been living in the ruins ever since... |
| I'm feeling surly right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Screwhead replied on Fri Jun 8, 2012 @ 12:01am |
 Coolness: 685500 | ehh, CDs at least still require some beatmatching skill. Now they've got fuckin' Mixed In Key to tell DJs what to mix next; just sort your tunes by key, look at your faggy little wheel and your mixes will always sound good.. I mean what's the fucking point anymore? Software tells them what tunes they should play next, Traktor or ableton beatmatches for them.. Just plug in an ipod on shuffle and fuck off at this point, you're not doing ANY of what makes a DJ special on your own anymore.
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| I'm feeling like a drama magnet right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» AYkiN0XiA replied on Fri Jun 8, 2012 @ 7:51am |
 Coolness: 166485 | yes most young djs find a way to be... not so good... even with all the technology.
they can beatmatch and all, but they don't understand the energy to keep on a dancefloor... but the people dancing don't notice, either, since they don't make the difference, they don't know what it could be. |
| I'm feeling psexychedelique right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» MelooDie replied on Fri Jun 8, 2012 @ 10:02am |
 Coolness: 248335 | Originally Posted By SCREWHEAD
OMG this issssss so true |
| I'm feeling jesus right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Nathan replied on Fri Jun 8, 2012 @ 3:49pm |
| Coolness: 166455 | Originally Posted By MELODRASTIK
OMG this issssss so true Originally Posted By aykin0xia
yes most young djs find a way to be... not so good... even with all the technology. they can beatmatch and all, but they don't understand the energy to keep on a dancefloor... but the people dancing don't notice, either, since they don't make the difference, they don't know what it could be. amen! xD I really don't shit on lap-top DJs (I'm a bit of a technocrat, even if I still only use records and CDs) but there is an undeniable truth that the art of DJing getting lost 'cause of all this ... IF a Dj with crazy skills can abuse the technology to make something better that what could be accomplished with normal gear, then cool! But unfortunately, all I hear are arguments for the awesomeness of the wide variety of possibilities, but have yet to hear 'em implemented. (aside from Mutante and Indica, old-school DJs who actually use modern technology for it's bonus features) ... |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» AYkiN0XiA replied on Sat Jun 9, 2012 @ 8:47am |
| Coolness: 166485 | something has been lost, from what i see, or maybe it never really existed here - the tribe.
i was speaking with an older raver who has lived in europe, and he says this is what misses here. the influence of experienced ravers, djs, and party organizers TEACHING to the younger ones... as in living in the same environment, sharing the same lifestyle, organizing small non-commercial gatherings of friends where at some point the elders ASK the young one to mix, when they feel he or she is mature enough, and TEACH THEM, and GUIDE THEM... but it's like star wars... the padawan wants to be a jedi too fast, and stop listening to the voices of experience. thus dumbing down the movement, because the most basic teachings could not be passed down. people just want to 'be the one', it's kind of egotistical... but apparently this is the world we live in... and the rave tradition is not compatible with it... |
| I'm feeling psexychedelique right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» basdini replied on Sat Jun 9, 2012 @ 10:23am |
| Coolness: 145110 | Originally Posted By AYKIN0XIA
something has been lost, from what i see, or maybe it never really existed here - the tribe. i was speaking with an older raver who has lived in europe, and he says this is what misses here. the influence of experienced ravers, djs, and party organizers TEACHING to the younger ones... as in living in the same environment, sharing the same lifestyle, organizing small non-commercial gatherings of friends where at some point the elders ASK the young one to mix, when they feel he or she is mature enough, and TEACH THEM, and GUIDE THEM... but it's like star wars... the padawan wants to be a jedi too fast, and stop listening to the voices of experience. thus dumbing down the movement, because the most basic teachings could not be passed down. people just want to 'be the one', it's kind of egotistical... but apparently this is the world we live in... and the rave tradition is not compatible with it... i sort of agree with this, no one wants to teach anyone anything anymore, everybody guards their 'secrets' so to speak (ie know how and skill) so viciously, afraid some how that if they show anybody else anything at all it's like they will be out of a job or something...sad really, you have to raise up the next generation otherwise there will be nothing after... |
| I'm feeling surly right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Nathan replied on Sat Jun 9, 2012 @ 3:47pm |
| Coolness: 166455 | Originally Posted By AYKIN0XIA
i was speaking with an older raver who has lived in europe, and he says this is what misses here. the influence of experienced ravers, djs, and party organizers TEACHING to the younger ones... as in living in the same environment, sharing the same lifestyle, organizing small non-commercial gatherings of friends where at some point the elders ASK the young one to mix, when they feel he or she is mature enough, and TEACH THEM, and GUIDE THEM... but it's like star wars... the padawan wants to be a jedi too fast, and stop listening to the voices of experience. thus dumbing down the movement, because the most basic teachings could not be passed down. people just want to 'be the one', it's kind of egotistical... but apparently this is the world we live in... and the rave tradition is not compatible with it... Originally Posted By basdini
i sort of agree with this, no one wants to teach anyone anything anymore, everybody guards their 'secrets' so to speak (ie know how and skill) so viciously, afraid some how that if they show anybody else anything at all it's like they will be out of a job or something...sad really, you have to raise up the next generation otherwise there will be nothing after... Can't believe I'm agreeing with a hippie/star-wars analogy xD but yes, you have a few points! ... ;) I've always been willing to teach people how to DJ, secret tricks and all, but whenever someone asks, they never follow through. And, now, well, no one even asks anymore. Either people are more shy, or more stubborn. I think there was a gap in the generations of ravers, 'cause of the cop-bust/whatever-other-bullshit fallout from a few years ago, raves kinda (to a certain extent) nearly skipped a generation. So, the 'passing along' of tradition got lost ... The only way younger DJs/producers/promoters can learn now, is by reading the comments, on whatever site, that pop up once in a while, in which an old-schooler bitches about how things are done now ... :p |
| I'm feeling you up right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Blisss replied on Wed Jun 20, 2012 @ 3:26pm |
 Coolness: 129630 | Originally Posted By BASDINI
i sort of agree with this, no one wants to teach anyone anything anymore, everybody guards their 'secrets' so to speak (ie know how and skill) so viciously, afraid some how that if they show anybody else anything at all it's like they will be out of a job or something...sad really, you have to raise up the next generation otherwise there will be nothing after... Not true at all, I've schooled many djs over the years, some of which have gone on to become quite famous. In fact younger djs come ask me for advice all the time and I'm always ready to give them any insight I can provide. |
| I'm feeling sunshine right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Omni replied on Mon Jun 25, 2012 @ 5:39am |
 Coolness: 87485 | Originally Posted By BLISSS
Not true at all, I've schooled many djs over the years, some of which have gone on to become quite famous. In fact younger djs come ask me for advice all the time and I'm always ready to give them any insight I can provide. I've been taught things by DJs who came before me and I have taught things to DJs that have started after me and I always thought this was an important part of the game. I like to think that this way of doing things isn't completely gone. Also, regarding the transition from vinyl to CD then from CD to Traktor: I've never really felt that it altered radically my role as a DJ and how I approach my sets. It might have made some things easier (like bringing with me all my music as opposed to only 50 records), but also made some other things harder (like selecting the next track to play from thousands of possibilities instead of 50). But in the end, it's all about track selection and feeling the crowd's energy and finding what is the right track in your selection for each moment. For me, it has always been about the music and not about the medium. I guess what might be a problem these days is that when you initially had to learn to beatmatch, it took a lot of time and involvment before you were decent enought to play in front of a crowd. That time and involvment also gave you knowledge about track selection and about properly building a set. That time and involvment meant that the wannabees probably stopped doing it before they could do any real damage. But nowadays, you can basically play out the same day as you buy your new Traktor set up and still have decent enough mixes to fool untrained ears. |
| I'm feeling yay right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» bagofhate replied on Mon Jun 25, 2012 @ 1:32pm |
 Coolness: 24880 | psytrance |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Blisss replied on Sat Jun 30, 2012 @ 12:41pm |
| Coolness: 129630 | Originally Posted By OMNI
But in the end, it's all about track selection and feeling the crowd's energy and finding what is the right track in your selection for each moment. For me, it has always been about the music and not about the medium. Hit the nail on the head :) Agree 100% Originally Posted By OMNI
I guess what might be a problem these days is that when you initially had to learn to beatmatch, it took a lot of time and involvment before you were decent enought to play in front of a crowd. That time and involvment also gave you knowledge about track selection and about properly building a set. That time and involvment meant that the wannabees probably stopped doing it before they could do any real damage. But nowadays, you can basically play out the same day as you buy your new Traktor set up and still have decent enough mixes to fool untrained ears. Yeah I agree on that one as well. Experience makes a big difference. It takes years to actually LEARN about different styles of music, where they came from, how they evolved. I think that makes all the difference. You put a 20 year old dubstep dj with a year of experience with all the latest dubstep tunes in front of a regular crowd of rockers and hip hoppers and they're lost. You put a seasoned dj whose had over lets say at least 10 years experience rocking all types of crowds, he'll pull it off. At the end of the day the mere act of beatmatching is not what make you a great dj (although many still wrongly believe it is the case), it is as you say what you select and how you programme it. |
| I'm feeling sunshine right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Corrupter replied on Sun Jul 1, 2012 @ 12:00am |
 Coolness: 117555 | the EDM of the 90's was pretty good enough to me
today's EDM is just about shitty mainstream Electro and Dubtep thing ... WTF is wrong these days ?? I just want the return of the sound of the 90's with new tunes like it was before ... Where EDM is going ??? ..... nothing more to say ... |
| I'm feeling on another world right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Screwhead replied on Sun Jul 1, 2012 @ 2:45am |
| Coolness: 685500 | Corrupter, you're in luck, someone's bringing the 90s back!
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| I'm feeling like a drama magnet right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Corrupter replied on Sun Jul 1, 2012 @ 10:03am |
| Coolness: 117555 | LOL |
| I'm feeling on another world right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Masa replied on Sun Jul 1, 2012 @ 2:23pm |
 Coolness: 158680 | Originally Posted By SCREWHEAD
Corrupter, you're in luck, someone's bringing the 90s back! Oh gods, why was that worse than what I imagined it would be?  |
| I'm feeling chaotic! right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Nathan replied on Sun Jul 1, 2012 @ 2:55pm |
| Coolness: 166455 | Originally Posted By MASA
Oh gods, why was that worse than what I imagined it would be?
xD not her fault, they didn't even give her monitor speakers! how the fuck is she supposed to beat-match properly .. geez .. :P and honestly, she's doing more actual 'mixing' than alot of DJs i've seen, and the mistakes prove it ain't pre-recorded! hehehe well, at least she got the Tiesto arm-dance moves down -- after all, isn't that what modern EDM is all about, looking good on stage?  |
| I'm feeling you up right now.. | |
| Good [+2]Toggle ReplyLink» DynV replied on Sun Jul 1, 2012 @ 10:12pm |
 Coolness: 108715 | Originally Posted By NATHAN
the mistakes prove it ain't pre-recorded! hehehe /me nod |
| I'm feeling <3 sexi_babe_69 right now.. | |
The Dumbing Down Of Electronic Music
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