Intro

Throughout history, music has played an important aspect in social construct throughout the world. Music has been used in nearly every aspect of life from religious to recreational. My name is Martyna, or as common in the realm of electronic dance music (EDM), my DJ name is DJ Miss Martini. Although I am a small-time DJ in the Chicagoland area, I feel that i have enough experience and knowledge about EDM, the topic of my blog, to share relevant information and help the reader form an understanding of what the scene is, is not, and how it continues to influence society. While EDM is most often not considered to be music purposeful for meditation or religion, its recreational value has proven to influence society throughout the world for over 40 years. EDM continues to thrive and by sharing my knowledge I will be doing my part to help this scene grow. Many people think of electronic dance music and things such as drugs being intertwined; however this is not the case as I will further illustrate in future blogs. EDM, a sub-genre which seemingly stole from aspects from other genres in its early days, has grown into being one of the most popular genres and has influenced many other big name commercialized genres such as hip-hop and rock.

Electronic Dance Music began to take its roots in the United States in the late 1970's originally in Detroit, Michigan. The genre had evolved out Disco, which was already in the main stream, and mixed with the growing use of electronic instruments in the United Kingdom to introduce a bass heavy, repetitive danceable style of music. Some of the first genres to cross the ocean are Acid and Acid House which have evolved into House, possibly still the most popular sub-genre of EDM. The young, party-hungry society that had already experienced the exciting social changes of the 1960's loved this new style of music and more and more scenes and followers hence sprung up.. Unlike many common musical genres, EDM focuses on the use of electronic instruments such as belt-driven turntables, synthesizers, drum machines, cd players, and so although more traditional electronic instruments such as electric guitars and keyboards may also be heard. Vocals are popular as well; more so in certain genres than others. EDM, the culmination of various sub-genres such as Break Beat, Happy Hardcore, Hard Style, Dub Step, Techno, Progressive, House, Trance, Goa, Juke, Electro, Euro, Drum & Bass, and many others, have evolved into a scene to include millions of followers around the world. It is common to see certain cities or areas specialize in a certain sub-genre of EDM. For example, a club in Chicago is more likely to host a Hard Style DJ while a club in Cincinnati is more likely to host a Drum & Bass DJ.

Just like the original music minded pioneers of the early EDM scene in the United States, devotees continue to spend their time finding new ways to get dance floors moving. In various cities all around the world, new genres appear almost overnight, adding more followers with every beat. So how do we keep up? This blog is deticated to the followers of this amazing spectrum of dance music. Since the is so broad, it is almost impossible to go through what makes each branch different. So armed with this knowledge, each genre will be explored from its roots to influences to what makes it stand out from the next.
Until next time America, peace out. :-)


What I'm listening to:

Just Won't Do - Analog People In A Digital World vs. Tim DeLuxe feat. Sam Obernik
Helter Skelter - The Shapeshifters
Stereo Love - Edward Maya
The Sound of Missing You - Wildboys Feat. Ameerah
Unholy Grail - DJ Alex Kidd