Hannah Workman

Electronic Dance Music

Definition

• Set of percussive electronic beats, measured in beats per minute (BPM), in which the artist creates a synchronized segue to progress to the next beat(s) to create songs

Also known as EDM, club music, house music, electro, dubstep, trap music, etc.

History

• EDM was first created by Giorgio Moroder in the late 70’s when he experimented with the synthesizer in his music with his song, “I Feel Love.”

Development – 1980's

• In Detroit, underground acid house music or house music exploded in the U.K and Germany after the release of Derrick May’s song, “Strings of Life”

Development – 1990's

• Electronic Dance Music began becoming popular in large cities in the U.S. during the 1990’s and was most commonly referred to as electronica with artists such as Fatboy Slim, The Prodigy, and The Chemical Brothers.

Development – Early 2000's

• EDM continued to grow in the U.S. with Daft Punk’s 2006 performance at Coachella in California

Contemporary EDM

• Beginning in 2011, EDM could often be heard regularly on the radio with David Guetta’s, “Feel So Close,” and “Don’t you Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia

• Other popular artist’s today include Deadmau5, Skrillex, and Avicii.

EDM Festivals

• Along with the growth of EDM, music festivals are becoming increasingly popular with the EDM scene.

• Popular festivals include Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Tomorrowland.

Criticism of EDM

• With today’s technology, it is easier than ever for anyone to produce and publish EDM

• Popular websites today such as YouTube and SoundCloud allow any amateur artist to publish their music

• With this advancement in technology, many claim that EDM has become the “push-play” genre, losing its artistic and creative background

Why I Chose EDM

• EDM my favorite genre of music• I have been to various shows and festivals such as

Electric Forest in Rothbury, Michigan• I myself create EDM as a hobby, but I do not

publish my work online