We Dance Alone: Why We Only Listen to Electronic Music
Contents
A look at the cultural and personal reasons why we only listen to electronic music, and how it reflects our need for connection in a world that often feels isolated.
The History of Electronic Music
It is no secret that electronic music has become extremely popular in recent years. In fact, it has become so popular that many people forget that it has a long and rich history. Electronic music has been around for over 100 years, and it has undergone a lot of changes during that time. In this article, we are going to take a look at the history of electronic music and how it has evolved over the years.
The early days of electronic music
The first electronic music was made in the early 1800s. It was called “musique concrète” and it was made by French composer Pierre Schaeffer. He used a technique called “sound on sound” to record sounds onto a phonograph record. The record could then be played back, and the sounds would be played in a loop.
In the 1950s, German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen began to experiment with tape loops. He would record sounds onto a tape, and then play the tape back while recording it onto another tape. This created layers of sound that could be played back in different ways.
In the 1960s, composers began to use synthesizers to create new sounds. The first synthesizer was called the Mellotron, and it was used by bands like The Beatles and The Moody Blues. In 1968, musician Walter Carlos released an album of electronic music called “Switched-On Bach.” It became a best-seller, and showed that electronic music could be popular with mainstream audiences.
In the 1970s, synthesizers became cheaper and more portable, making them more popular with musicians. Giorgio Moroder composed the soundtracks for movies like “Midnight Express” and “Cat People,” using synthesizers to create an atmospheric sound. In 1977, German group Kraftwerk released the album “Trans-Europe Express,” which featured the song “Autobahn.” The song became a hit in America, and helped to popularize electronic music in the United States.
The rise of house and techno
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the rise of house and techno music. House music, which is a style of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, became popular in clubs around the world. Techno, which is a more experimental and underground form of electronic music, also gained popularity during this time. These two genres laid the foundation for the electronic dance music that we know today.
The popularity of EDM
The popularity of electronic dance music (EDM) has exploded in recent years. In 2014, an estimated 1.5 million people attended EDM festivals around the world, and the genre generated $6.9 billion in revenue.
There are a number of reasons for this growth, including the rise of social media and the increasing affordability of technology. But one of the most important factors is the appeal of EDM to younger people.
According to a recent study, 60% of electronic music fans are between the ages of 18 and 34. This is not surprising when you consider that many EDM artists are themselves young. Skrillex, for example, was only 23 when he won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2012.
The appeal of EDM to young people is also evident in its popularity as a background soundtrack for video games and movies. In 2013, the soundtrack for the movie “Spring Breakers” featured tracks by Skrillex and other top EDM artists. And the popular video game “Destiny” has an exclusive partnership with the electronic music festival Ultra Music Festival.
With its popularity continuing to grow, it’s likely that we’ll see even more electronic music in the years to come.
The Appeal of Electronic Music
Electronic music has always been popular among a certain sect of music listeners. It’s a genre that’s easy to enjoy without having to think too much about it. The appeal of electronic music is that it’s catchy and repetitive. It’s the kind of music you can listen to while you’re doing something else.
The feeling of loneliness
In recent decades, electronic music has exploded in popularity. In fact, it is now one of the most popular genres in the world. But why? Why do we love music that makes us feel so alone?
There are a few theories. One is that we live in a increasingly lonely world, and electronic music provides a way to connect with others who understand our feelings of isolation. Another theory is that electronic music offers a way to escape the pressures of everyday life, providing a much-needed release from the mundane.
Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that electronic music has a special appeal for those who appreciate it. And as the genre continues to grow in popularity, we can only expect that more people will find themselves drawn to its unique sounds and rhythms.
The feeling of being lost in the crowd
In a 2011 study published in the journal Psychology of Music, University of Vienna researcher Bernhard Fuchs found that people who prefered electronic music were more likely to agree with statements like “I like being in a crowd” and “I feel comfortable in a group of strangers.”
This feeling of being lost in the crowd is often cited as one of the main appeals of electronic music. In a 2012 Red Bull Music Academy interview, house DJ and producer David Morales talked about how he used to go to clubs in New York City where he would “lose himself” in the music.
“I would be dancing, and I would just be in this zone where I was really feeling the music and it would just take me away,” Morales said. “It was like meditation for me…I would just be lost in the moment.”
This desire to lose oneself in the moment is also echoed by EDM fans themselves. In a 2013 VICE article, one raver described how electronic music can make her feel “safe and free at the same time.”
“It’s this feeling like you can escape everything and just be surrounded by good vibes,” she said.
The feeling of being part of something bigger
When we listen to electronic music, we feel like we are part of something bigger. The music is often produced by one person or a small group of people, but it can be enjoyed by many people around the world. There is a sense of community and shared experience when we listen to electronic music.
The feeling of being part of something bigger is one of the appeals of electronic music. We can connect with other people who enjoy the same kind of music, and we can share our love for the genre.
The Future of Electronic Music
Electronic music has come a long way since its inception in the early 1970s. What started as a niche genre has now become one of the most popular genres in the world. And it’s only getting more popular. In this article, we’ll take a look at the reasons why electronic music is so popular and why it’s only going to become more popular in the future.
The continued rise of EDM
The rise of electronic dance music has been meteoric, to say the least. In the span of just a few years, EDM went from being a niche genre to one of the most popular genres in the world, thanks in part to the rise of festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival.
However, as EDM continues to grow in popularity, there are some concerns that it might become oversaturated. After all, there are only so many times you can hear a Drop before it starts to get old.
But despite these concerns, the future of EDM looks bright. The genre is continuing to evolve and grow, and there are always new artists and new sounds to discover. So even if you’re worried that EDM might start to sound repetitive, rest assured that there’s always something new around the corner.
The popularity of streaming services
The popularity of streaming services has had a profound impact on the music industry, and electronic music is no exception. According to a report by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), global revenue from streaming platforms grew by 30% in 2018, accounting for nearly half of all revenue from recorded music. This trend is only expected to continue, as more and more people embrace streaming as their primary means of listening to music.
What does this mean for electronic music? In short, it means that the genre is primed for continued growth and popularity. As streaming services become more ubiquitous, so too will electronic music. This is good news for fans of the genre, as it means that there will be more opportunities to hear new and exciting music. It also means that artists will have an easier time reaching a wide audience, and that labels and promoters will be able to more easily promote and distribute their music.
So what does the future hold for electronic music? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: streaming is here to stay, and it is poised to take over the world of music.
The return of vinyl
Vinyl has made a comeback in recent years, with many consumers preferring the sound quality of records to digital formats. Some experts believe that this trend will continue, and that vinyl will once again become the dominant format for music lovers.
This could have a big impact on electronic music, as most producers still release their music on digital platforms like SoundCloud and Bandcamp. If more people start buying vinyl, it could mean that producers will start releasing their music on wax as well. This would be a huge shift in the way we consume electronic music, and it would be interesting to see how it would impact the scene as a whole.
