Introducing Electronic Dance Music to Your Life

            Electronic Dance Music, better known as EDM, is becoming one of the mainstream music genre all around the world. Actually, electronic dance music is considered a genre, but the reality is that it is a term used to classify all those genres like house, techno, trance, drum and bass, and others. It mainly focuses on dancing and it is characterized by being made with synthetic sounds and well-marked and repetitive rhythms with catchy lyrics, but they aren’t instrumentals at all. Considered as a whole, electronic dance music is characterized by several defining features. For example, this music is considered inorganic because the only sounds of these instruments are generally electronically produced, even when the sound of other traditional acoustic instruments is imitated. To create electronic music, the instruments that are used mostly are the synthesizer, drum machine and sequencer; and this instruments are used to modify or produce some actual sounds. That’s why EDM is considered as an inorganic music, “It is sacred to no one race; it has no definitive sound. It is a music for the future of the human race.” (Butler 32).

            EDM is becoming the fastest-growing musical genre. Thanks to many Djs such as Calvin Harris, David Guetta and Skrillex, electronic music's popularity has increased a lot. From festivals to radio airplay, social media and even collaborating with very famous singers and musicians, EDM is getting a lot of attention from all over the world. A study published by Google shows that EDM channel subscribers on YouTube increased 60 percent on smartphones, 77 percent on TVs and 175 percent on gaming devices in 2014. While the majority of the audience is under 25, the fastest growing segment of listeners on the video platform are between the ages of 25 and 34. Interest among 35 to 49 years old also grew 80 percent from January to July 2014. And according to data from Eventbrite and Nielsen, EDM is a $6 billion industry, with festivals making up $4.2 billion.

More than a bunch of beats that makes us dance for a while, it has been approved that Electronic Dance Music has health benefits. When we hear music, our bodies release the neurotransmitter serotonin which raises happiness and a sense of feeling good. Our bodies also release dopamine, the responsible for helping us feel motivated and alert. Also, music has the power to release norepinephrine, which is responsible for concentration, and feelings of elation and euphoria. In electronic dance music, that’s why genres like Trance, Progressive and Tropical House make us feel so good. It can help us keep our mind busy by listening, especially energizing music like Dubstep, Drum & Bass and other genres.

 What EDM used to be can’t be compared to what it is now, because how it is now is most important when thinking about the popular culture. Today, famous artists such as Hardwell, Steve Aoki, and Z-trip are trying to help raise awareness about the dangers that come along with using rave drugs such as Ecstasy. The EDM industry is trying to eliminate this act, which brings us to the conclusion that the youth is being used to sell drugs in these concerts and festivals. The actual talent aspect also makes up part of the EDM industry’s reputation. It’s very easy to think that these young DJ’s are simply pressing a play button on a computer to share bass heavy mixes that were previously recorded. We must not forget that this is a big part of EDM culture. If someone goes deeper into the background of EDM, they would find many hard working people who have truly made their way to the top such as Martin Garrix, a 21 years old Dj who is now the number 1 Dj in the World (youngest #1). With the increase of younger DJ’s along with the positive values that they are trying to introduce in their listeners, we can look at the EDM scene as a solid one.

“EDM is a phenomenon that shows the toll of technology on our times and captures the spirit of our generation.” (Kim).

Works Cited

Butler, Mark J. “The History and Creation of Electronic Dance Music” Unlocking the
            Groove: Rhythm, Meter, and Musical Design in Electronic Dance Music,
            Indiana University Press, 2006, pp. 32.

Castillo, Michelle. “Electronic Dance Music Goes Mainstream as Older Millennials
            Start Listening”. Adweek, January 26, 2015. Web. 13 Oct. 2016
            http://www.adweek.com/news/press/electronic-dance-music-goes-mainstream-
            older-millennials-start-listening-162549.

Gibson, Nick. “History of Electronic Music: From the 1970s to Today”. Undemy, May
            6, 2014. Web. Accesed 12 Oct. 2016 https://blog.udemy.com/history-of-
            electronic-music/.

Kim, Deanna. "The 2010s: An Era of Electric Dance Music." The Bottom Line. October
            31, 2012. Web. 20 Accessed Oct. 2016   http://thebottomline.as.ucsb.edu/2012/10/edm-music-
            of-our-generation.

Garritsen, Martijn, performer. Martin Garrix recap @ EDC weekend Las Vegas 2015!
            #7x7UP. Directed by Mark Loonen. 2015.