Do people really like Electronic Music ?

[mikecook]

..and Nickelback must be one of the greatest rock bands in the world because they are played constantly.

[magnuspater]

Originally Posted by djpawas

So yes people do like Electronic music otherwise u wont see a crowd of 5 - 50,000 going crazy on a electronic festival or a in a club.

haha!!!...crowd of 5 going crazy! j/k i know what u meant.

anyone who says they don't like electronic music just listen to this and then tell me you still don't like it.

[Reptil]

aw thanks, now I have a headache..

[Sum12]

Bejeeznies! That was probably the grossest thing I've ever seen!

Tho if you havent ever heard Merzbow, then you just MIGHT still like electronic music.

Check the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merzbow

or if you have, and still love it, then you're like me.
plain ol' Sick for all music-Electronic.

and It all started very early on for me, back when Michael Jackson's Thriller came out.

Instead of getting thriller like mommy promised, I got some Electro-symphonic orchestral stuff with selections from Jean Michael Jarre... e and I dunno who else, but those great, lush sounds and giant swirling soundscapes just haunted me forever.

I listened to Rap for most my late adolescence, but something was bothering me, and one day I found out what it was.

It was a pink floyd record my dad played for me when I was just a fledgling. I couldnt figure it out until one day I heard it at a friends house. It was "Shine on You Crazy Diamond".

It was clear to then that this was everything I wanted in what I listened to. Eclectic instrumentation, thoughtful and provoking song ideas and arrangements, and a sound that was new, giant, dynamic, and pristine.

Then I found out about algorithmic processing, and binaural sound concepts... and computers are great for that.

One thing I also discovered is that there are different types of listeners. I myself hear the sounds and the character of the sounds. Not so much the lyrical message, but the message being transmitted to you through the vibrations in the sound.

Others I know hear music much differently, and they relate more to the artist/singer/message, and could care less if it was an acoustic guitar, or a rubber duck being played, as long as they both agree that "life aint nutin but b*tches and money."

Cheers!

[esaias]

UNDERWORLD !

-Tomi

[andrewsc]

It takes some time and energy to find good quality electronic dance music, so I'm not suprised if a mostly-rock fan hasn't heard or understood it yet. If your DJ was mixing in Nirvana, that's *not* the kind of music mix I'm talking about.

Like someone was saying earlier about Count Basie's big band "stomp music", it's close to underground electronic dance music, particularly the "hard" techno/house styles, because they are designed purely for dancing with emphasis on a downbeat. Sometimes, to make this point, raw, dissonant tones, or simply a huge kick drum and nothing else, are presented to convey the fact that this is without a doubt, straight up dance music, and those tones sometimes drive away easy-listening people.

It sounds more repetitive in your living room than if you were the dancer because of the way time is perceived in the two situations. If you understand the dancer's perspective, feeling out the music and choosing dance moves, most likely you'd then enjoy listening to it without dancing. The repetition is used in clever ways to generate a trance-like-expectation which is then carefully messed with.

When the non-essential elements of a track are carefully chipped away, the essential-dance-concept remains without distracting clutter, for maximum impact and focus. Sounds are designed to transfer energy and grab your attention, while subtle nuances can be worked in which don't obscure the main idea, for a subliminal effect. It's played on a big system, usually sounding less abrasive than rock with its guitar.

When the sound design is interesting, there can be more repetition while still hearing new things. Like looking at a complex painting, it takes time to see everything. By the time you hear what's going on, either the groove is good enough to keep working you, or some clever fills creep up suddenly, and the song changes. Sometimes a very brief change-up or fill is all that's needed to step up the energy of the track and maintain it at a higher level.

It's distinctly different than rock music, which is a big part of why I like it. I also don't gravitate to lyric-based music so much, because it seems the poetic lyrics often limit or detract from it unless they are very good.

Techno is derived from older disco club beats, and funk energy. James Brown, for instance (rip) made good driving dance music partially because it had fewer chord changes. Techno is then a potent-distillation of that sort of break-beat... simplified even further to hit you harder.


good luck !

If you don't know where to look, you can hear some free samples of current techno at www.music-head.de.

here are a few recommendations 4 u'r curiousity:
techno : hertz, adam beyer, glenn wilson, frankie bones
downtempo : Future Sound of London, Irresitible Force, Orb, Kruder + Dorfmeister

[robd]

I love merzbow. Great stuff!!
the man is a true master of the VCS3.

[bugs]

Generally, I don't really care what people like. I would hope they like my stuff, but whatever else they like is of no concern to me--sometimes it is even rather embarrassing to find out their taste.

[Jose Mrochek]

wow haven't seen this thread in ages.. a little update on my electronic experience. I still can't seem to fully get it but I prefer electronic over reagetton at a club, so that's a start : )

On a different note, I have been experimenting a bit with my new soft/synth protools blabla I recently got, and playing along with the keys I realized that it's super fun. I can totaly picture electronic guys having so much fun doing it. It's hard. But it has an element of "fun" , that writing acoustic guitar rock doesn't. So yes, maybe if I try to actually do an electronic song will help me like it even more. Happy new year guys.

[Cojo]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

On a different note, I have been experimenting a bit with my new soft/synth protools blabla I recently got, and playing along with the keys I realized that it's super fun. I can totaly picture electronic guys having so much fun doing it. It's hard. But it has an element of "fun" , that writing acoustic guitar rock doesn't. So yes, maybe if I try to actually do an electronic song will help me like it even more.

I hereby declare you, Jose Mrochek, blessed! Welcome my child, come closer, come closer!

[lowkey]

there is so much good electronic music out there it is amazing...i never have to listen to rock or pop on the radio. just about the only music i listen to that isnt electronic is cuban music, although there is always Senor Coconut...
if you dont get it here's a few places to start.

Labels:
Warp Records [lots of "musical" electronic music here]
Kompakt ["the cologne sound" melodic/minimal techno]
Get Physical [good quality dance music]

Artists:
Aphex Twin [try the album "Selected Ambient Works"]
Plaid [did loads of Bjorks production]
Beaumont Hannant
Daft Punk
Cassius
Plej
Booka Shade
Crazy Penis and Freeform5 [bit more bandy]
4 Hero [drum and bass]

Seriously there is something for everyone, its just hard to know where to find it. Try browsing something like www.beatport.com to get an idea of who or what you might like, although it is based on singles more so than album based artists.

[maim9]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

In a song, I need a vocal, a verse a chorus. If not, I don't understand it.

your original question would be more interesting if you didn't prove yourself to be so narrow minded..

[sbs]

Originally Posted by Elsteve9

Matucha:
Can you elaborate on electronica influenced by jazz? My friend and I have been contemplating turning a couple of songs we've done into a full album, and it seems to me to be a cross between electronica (mostly chill-out) and old jazz standards (at least the feel, though we're not actually using any of those songs...at this point.).
So I'm very interested in this subject at the moment...

-Stephen

i havent read the bulk of this thread so apologies if someone has suggested this: listen to amon tobin, his earlier stuff was sampled almost exclusively from jazz records so it has the feel to it but its almost 100% samples, mashed up and woven together like a fecking genius

[robd]

In a song, I need a vocal, a verse a chorus. If not, I don't understand it.

That rules out at least 90% of the music I listen to. I'm usually not that big a fan of lyrics. I actually don't listen to that much electronic music, though. Mostly acoustic trad music. (or maybe "world" music, if you will.)

[theoryinmotion]

definatly not dead, but evolving hopefully.

One day the tastes of electronic music listeners might even catch up to the sound we try to create in our music.

http://www.myspace.com/theoryinmotion


Let us know what you think!

[kechuan]

Originally Posted by theoryinmotion

definatly not dead, but evolving hopefully.

One day the tastes of electronic music listeners might even catch up to the sound we try to create in our music.

http://www.myspace.com/theoryinmotion


Let us know what you think!

Hey, really nice work there!!! :)

[esaias]

http://www.myspace.com/coloursmusichelsinki

Our band has been playing that kind of stuff for a while.
check out also these
http://www.myspace.com/messiasesaias <- this is me :P not so serious
http://www.myspace.com/villanah <- some sketches and jams
actually all of this stuff is our band's :)

all comments are very welcome, please tell us what you think.

Thanks,

-Tomi

[jude]

groups and artists like
Aphex Twin
Underworld
BT
reprezent
roni size

and many others have pushed the boundries of what is possiable with synths and sequencers. sure alot of it could be called "druggie" music, which is a let down really. good electronica can be enjoyed without drugs. well maybe a beer or 6 would have me dancing kinda like this guy >

anyway, i write DnB, used to write house and breaks. one of my new tunes can be found at http://www.myspace.com/drtroublefeatemmaleighmorris

after 6 years of spinning records it would be hard to go back, playing live is way too much fun

[yareck]

I've been listening to the electronic music (mostly trance, dance) for years. The day when I bought B&W Nautilus 801 loudspeakers + Class A amp for my studio, was the last day of my unshakable fascination with electronic music. This day I started to listen the difference. Now with rock, acoustic pop, ballads, jazz I hear the deep soundstage. With electronic I hear nothing, but 2D flat sound. Although I still prefer to listen to the electronic music, that's not such obvious as it was before...

[barefoot]

I can tell you with one word the major reason why electronic music is not and will never be highly popular:

VOCALS

Most people like songs with lyrics and stories and such.

Even when you look at some of the most popular electronic groups like Massive Attack or Everything But The Girl, you see they lean heavily towards songs. It's just a simple fact of human nature that people are primarily drawn to voices and stories.

Of course, when you do hear electronic music on the radio it tends to be all the glowstick, candy-rave crap. But the radio mostly plays crap, regardless of the musical style. If you want to hear the good stuff, you have to dig for it.

Originally Posted by yareck

...With electronic I hear nothing, but 2D flat sound. ...

You need to dig deeper my friend.


Thomas

[GTR]

No. Except for Gwen Stefani.

[vixapphire]

Originally Posted by filterdude

it's 6.24 in the morning...i just dj-ed for 2500 mad raving clubbers at a gorgeous club in athens...
trust me...people love electronic music!!!

i need sleep now...

cheeeerz,

bert

wow, filterheadz! what you guys did with the "song of the siren" is beyond comparison. i'll stop there, but suffice it to say that many of your catalog gems are among my favorite records.

[alw4416]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

I had this question for a very long time. Is it a trend, fashion ? Fashion Statement ? Is it "cool" to listen to electnonic music? Does it create any sort of emotion on anyone? Why is Radio not invaded with Electronic music ? Why is MTV not playing that kind of music if it's played in every single club ? Any thoughts on this ???

ever heard of depeche mode, kraftwerk, nine inch nails, the cure, duran duran, new order, U2, tears for fears, erasure, information society, BT, moby, the crystal method..??? any of those names ring a bell?

[DISCERN]

Originally Posted by barefoot

I can tell you with one word the major reason why electronic music is not and will never be highly popular:

VOCALS

Most people like songs with lyrics and stories and such.

Even when you look at some of the most popular electronic groups like Massive Attack or Everything But The Girl, you see they lean heavily towards songs. It's just a simple fact of human nature that people are primarily drawn to voices and stories.

Of course, when you do hear electronic music on the radio it tends to be all the glowstick, candy-rave crap. But the radio mostly plays crap, regardless of the musical style. If you want to hear the good stuff, you have to dig for it.


You need to dig deeper my friend.


Thomas

But electronic music is highly popular, it just depends where you reside. Here in Sydney, electronic music is huge. It far outweighs other genres of music because Sydney has a very nightclub orientated nightlife. Melbourne on the other hand is completely the opposite as far as having a nightclub orientated nightlife, but they do still a very vibrant electronic music scene.

Some people here are really showing their age, I think. Electronic music isn't just a single genre, it consists of many genres including some very pop & vocal orientated styles. For example the Notwist, Matthew Herbert and 65daysofstatic are all electronic music, yet sound worlds apart.

If you have to ask "do people really listen to electronic music", you are either too old or have been living under a rock There is more electronic music on Mtv and in the charts than non-electronic music.

[djui5]

Originally Posted by barefoot

I can tell you with one word the major reason why electronic music is not and will never be highly popular:

haha, depends on what you mean by popular :)

http://www.pauloakenfold.org/O/Image...ld_stadium.jpg

http://www.musicphoto.freeuk.com/gat...-12-99_008.jpg

http://www.djspooky.com/photos/bonnaroo/crowd.jpg

[barefoot]

Originally Posted by DISCERN

... Electronic music isn't just a single genre, it consists of many genres including some very pop & vocal orientated styles. For example the Notwist, Matthew Herbert and 65daysofstatic are all electronic music, yet sound worlds apart.

If you have to ask "do people really listen to electronic music", you are either too old or have been living under a rock There is more electronic music on Mtv and in the charts than non-electronic music.

Of course, the same goes for every music genre. There a million different styles of pop, rock, hip-hop, country, jazz, etc. And a lot of music blurs the lines between genres. But, if you define "popularity" in the normal terms of CD sales, downloads, and radio play, electronic music is far from the top. Sure, if you want call every song that uses a drum machine or synthesizer "electronic music", then practically everything electronic these days. However, just like we can loosely define the differences between rock and jazz, I think we can all loosely agree on what falls into the category of electronic music.

Subotnick, Kraftwerk , Dieselboy, Aphex Twin, and DJ Slow - YES
U2, Jay-Z, Depeche Mode, The Killers, and Gwen Stefani - NO

Gorillaz and NIN...... ? .... debatable.

Originally Posted by djui5

haha, depends on what you mean by popular :)

Yeah, I've been to electronic music festivals. They happen infrequently, have many artists, and attract people from thousands of miles in every direction. Some pop bands can attract crowds like this in practically every city they hit.

I guess I don't understand all the resistance to the simple statement that electronic music isn't highly popular? I mean, do you really want the music you make and listen to be super popular? I don't. Because this usually means it has become.... Generic.

[djui5]

Not really a resistant to the a statement that electronic music is as popular as bubble gum pop, but it seems a lot of people think there is no-one out there who listens to electronic music, but there is. Shitloads of them. The festivals in England and the UK every year attract 50-100,000 people every year. It's incredible. "Sets" at a huge club can pack in 5-15,000 fans a night, then you have the occasional weekend "concert" which can bring in 20-30,000 people. God knows what a show like "Ultra" in Miami brings in. A lot of these acts are pulling in just as many people as your fav MTV pop star/rock star, but it's all underground so you don't see it on TV every day. I think a lot of people don't realize this. I used to hit this club in Orlando that packed in 2-3,000 people a night to see a couple of dj's. It's crazy.

I think a lot of people "assume" dj's just play to a few hundred people in some smoky dark club every night. Some of these dj's have private planes, etc. It's a huge market, but it's all undergound, and will always stay that way. Occasionally someone comes up, like Prodigy or Chemical Bro's, etc.

[Jose Mrochek]

Originally Posted by alw4416

ever heard of depeche mode, kraftwerk, nine inch nails, the cure, duran duran, new order, U2, tears for fears, erasure, information society, BT, moby, the crystal method..??? any of those names ring a bell?

by electronic I ment, without vocals.. dj type of stuff.. Not bands.. that use keyboards, or keyboards as their main instrument.

aka : MELODY .... I can't hum an electronic tune, or of all the ones I heard at clubs I can't remember a single one of them.. can't tell the difference between, psycho trans, trans, techno, you name it.. I can't see why a dj makes 100 bucks a night or why another one is making 100 thousand a night, I just don't get it.. on the other hand I view electronic with much more respect than before .. now that I bought some softsynths, and stuff.. I was playing around the other day and it's not easy to do it right, and has a fun added factor to jam away to soundscapes, definetly interesting and complex.

By the way, I have always had a lack of interest.. just like Jazz, I never got it.. never will. Even though Jazz i did respect from the start. Not that it matters to anyone, just saying : )