Chosen because of its scope, and currently my favorite genre Interesting History Encompasses many Themes Distinction: Electronic music can be any music using electric technology, Electromechanical music is what I will be discussing Party Culture

History Of Electronic Music Electronic music began as early as the late 1800’s with innovations in audio systems and electrical science. Audio scientists began to experiment with the technology and began recording music. A group began considering that electronic “noise” produced by their instruments, could have artistic qualities. These artists (futurists) would fill a room with speakers and different soundboards, and would tweak them in certain ways to create “original” inorganic music.

Late History - Electronica Electronic music began to become more widespread and readily available during the 1960’s with the advent of the portable keyboard like the minimoog. Synthesizers then began to permeate rock and pop music through groups like Pink Floyd, The Cars, Pet Shop Boys, and Brian Eno with David Bowie. Electronic music then became a genre of its own with groups like Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, the 80’s with Depeche Mode, Devo, New Order and Yello. Then Disco had its era. In the 90’s and the 2000’s however the genre really began it’s push to mainstream popularity with artists like Moby, Underworld and Daft Punk gaining notoriety worldwide.

Electronica Techno Electro House Jungle Drum & Bass Trance Dubstep Ambient Breakbeat Disco Trip-Hop Noise Hi-NRG Electronic Rock

Probably the most popular electronic genre, since its birth in Detroit during the late 1980’s has spread all over the world and took over club music in Europe Techno Involves fast break-beats, with heavy bass and sub-bass lines, whose popularity is increasing on a global scale, from Brazil to Finland Drum & Bass Beats that could be interpreted as hip hop but with less focus on lyrics, the sub-genre can include music with more relaxed and introspective beats and lyrics Trip Hop Overwhelming bass-lines, reverberating drums and samples, virtually any song can have a dubstep remix Dubstep The average electronica, solid beats that can be found at any club (the house) House

Examples Techno/ Benny Benassi (Italy) – I Love My Sex Drum & Bass/ Chase & Status (UK) – Running Trip Hop/ Gorillaz (UK,U.S.) ft. Mos Def & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Sweepstakes Dubstep/ Datsik (?) – Nuke ‘em House/ Jason Rivas (Spain) – We Got Swing

Themes There are many ways electronica is relevant to the course material: Adaptation has led to the myriad of genres and sub-genres Innovation while technology advances The popularity of this genre is global, rural areas contributing to and even creating their own genres. Amateurs can become professionals in short times, the personal computer makes Dj’ing portable Commercialization, has furthered the scope of the genres, although many artists remain independent or own their own label. Some genres are fought over as to where they originated or where they belong, an assertion of cultural identity. In some ways I believe it is a form of resistance to the establishment, our parents for the most part hate the music, and the way it’s supposed to make you feel is an escape, an out of body experience when you’re really into it. In some cases it supports Social dystrophy, because of its party nature. It is also a sign of revolution… robot rock.

Culture The culture of Electronica has become synonymous with party. Clubs have always been a haven for drug- use, but with the advent of raves (purely electronica party) Drugs were the only way to go. Extacy has become widespread and the parties can go for days. Festivals such as Soundwave in Ucluelet and Shambhala in the interior cater to these music genres and their popularity increases each year. A comment on a Shambhala video says “purely Drug- centric culture”… which is why I may stay away from that festival.

Video Clips Shambhala =1 Bassnectar =1 Human Traffic 10:34 Junglist 26:30 Getting Ready 27:40 Bill Hicks 32:50 Extacy 37:49 Who is the Queen? 46:35 Reporter 53:45 Out of Body

My Reasons/Its Uses I like the music, because there is a genre for every mood. Most of the time I need a pick-up so the electronic heartbeat gets me moving. The fast paced music is good for driving, sports, but not doing homework. For that I would rather listen to the slower electronica, trip-hop, or trance. I like how most Dj’s and artists in the genre have remained with Independent labels, slowing down the commercialization of the sound, although artists like David Guetta are hard to hide from these days. It can be used in a wide variety of multimedia; in sports video, movies, video clips, commercials, virtually anywhere where the beat can infect. Mixtapes by DJ Jaime – $10, I will find music YOU will like, leave it to me!

References Kerrigan, Justin. Human Traffic Fruit Salad Films. Miramax, UK. Will, George F. "Lost in Electronica." Newsweek 156.8/9 (2010): 28. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 30 Sept Cates, Gil Jr. A Midsummer Night’s Rave Velocity Home Entertainment. US. Slices Special, Pioneers of Electronic Music: Richie Hawtin (2008) Shintani, Joyce, and Metin Kara. "Ars Electronica 2009: "Human Nature" in Linz, Austria." Computer Music Journal 34.2 (2010): Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept