The Rise of Electronic Dance Music in America

It’s no secret that electronic dance music (EDM) has been on the rise in America over the past few years. With massive festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival and Tomorrowland drawing in huge crowds, and mainstream artists like Calvin Harris and Skrillex crossing over into the pop charts, EDM is bigger than ever.

But what is it about this music that has made it so popular? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the rise of EDM in America

Introduction

In the early 2010s, electronic dance music (EDM) began to surge in popularity in the United States. This was in part due to the success of popular EDM artists such as Skrillex and Calvin Harris, but also due to the increasing mainstream appeal of EDM festivals such as Electric Daisy Carnival and Tomorrowland.

Today, EDM is one of the most popular genres of music in America, with Nielsen SoundScanreporting that EDM albums sales grew by 50% from 2012 to 2013. This growth is likely to continue in the coming years, as more and more people are exposed to this type of music.

The History of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM, has been rising in popularity in America for the past few years. But where did it come from? EDM has it’s origins in the 1970s, when disco was at its peak. At first, it was simply an offshoot of disco, but it quickly evolved into its own genre. In the 1980s, EDM began to take hold in Europe, and eventually made its way to America.

Early electronic music

Early electronic music was primarily influenced by European composers such as Luigi Russolo, who composed music for mechanical noise-making devices, and Edgar Varèse, who composed music with electronics. In America, the most significant early electronic musician was Henry Cowell, who experimented with the tone clusters that would later be used by La Monte Young and Terry Riley. Cowell’s protege John Cage also made early use of electronic instruments in his groundbreaking 1953 work “Williams Mix.”

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, American composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass began to experiment with minimalist techniques that would later be adapted by techno and house producers. These composers were also influenced by Eastern music, particularly the work of Terry Riley. Reich’s “It’s Gonna Rain” (1965) uses tape loops to create a repetitive phase shifting effect that would become a staple of house and techno. Other significant early American electronic composers include Alvin Lucier, whose “I Am Sitting in a Room” (1969) uses recordings of his own voice to create slowly evolving echoes and reverberations, and David Tudor, who was an early performer on the Moog synthesizer.

The birth of disco

The birth of disco can be traced back to the early 1970s, when DJs in New York City began playing a new type of music called “funk.” This new music was a blend of African-American soul, Latin rhythms, and European electronic music. The combination of these sounds appealed to a wide range of people, and disco quickly became popular in nightclubs across the city.

As disco continued to grow in popularity, so did the demand for better and more sophisticated equipment. In response, manufacturers began to produce new types of electronic instruments, including synthesizers and drum machines. These new tools allowed DJs to create thicker, more layered sounds that better fit the groove of disco.

By the mid-1970s, disco had become the dominant sound of American popular music. From New York to Los Angeles, radio stations were playing disco hits around the clock. But as the popularity of disco grew, so did opposition to it. In 1979, for example, anti-disco protesters stormed Chicago’s Comiskey Park during a baseball game between the White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. The incident came to be known as “ Disco Demolition Night ,” and it marked a turning point in the history of electronic dance music.

After “Disco Demolition Night,” many radio stations stopped playing disco music and nightclubs began to close their doors. As a result, the popularity of disco declined sharply in the United States. However, disco continued to be popular in other parts of the world, particularly Europe and South America. In the 1980s and 1990s, American DJs began to rediscover disco and other genres of dance music. They started experimenting with these sounds by combining them with other genres like hip hop and house music. The result was a new type of electronic dance music that would come to be known as EDM .

The birth of house music

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, American DJs began mixing Analog electronic dance music with live bands. This new style of music, which was influenced by Funk, Soul, Disco, Reggae, and Latin music, quickly caught on with clubgoers in Chicago. By 1984, a new subgenre of house music had emerged: Acid house. This style was defined by its use of the Roland TB-303 Bassline synthesizer to create squelchy, repeated bass lines.

The birth of techno

Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid-to-late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno in reference to a specific genre of music was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but Detroit techno is seen as the foundation upon which a number of subgenres have been built.

The origins of techno are closely linked with the development of electronic instruments and technology in general. One of the earliest examples is the use of the Theremin, an electronic instrument that was used extensively in early electronic music. Techno also draws heavily from Kraftwerk, a German electronic band who were among the first to experiment with synthesizers and other electronic instruments in a musical context.

The first techno tracks were produced by pioneers like Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, who were all based in Detroit. These producers were heavily influenced by Kraftwerk and other European electronic acts, but they also drew upon elements of soul, funk, and disco to create something unique. The sound of Detroit techno was characterized by its use of synthesizers and drum machines to create a futurist soundscape.

The Rise of Electronic Dance Music in America

In the past decade, Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM, has taken America by storm. What was once an underground subculture has now become one of the most popular genres of music in the country. From festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival to clubs likeOutput in Brooklyn, EDM has found a place in American culture. But how did it get here?

The influence of popular culture

While electronic dance music has been around for decades, it has only recently become a mainstream genre in the United States. This is largely due to the influence of popular culture.

Movies, television shows, and video games have all helped to introduce American audiences to EDM. In particular, the 2010 film “The Social Network” featured a number of EDM tracks on its soundtrack, exposing many people to the genre for the first time.

Additionally, the rise of social media has played a role in popularizing EDM. Music streaming services like Spotify and Pandora have made it easier than ever for people to discover new artists and songs. And platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud have given DJs and producers a way to reach a wider audience with their music.

As EDM has become more popular, festival organizers have begun to bring some of the world’s biggest DJs and producers to the United States. Events like Ultra Music Festival and Electric Daisy Carnival attract hundreds of thousands of attendees each year.

And as the popularity of EDM continues to grow, we can expect to see even more festivals and events popping up across the country.

The influence of the internet

In the 1990s, the internet began to have a significant impact on the music industry. The ability to download and share music files quickly and easily led to a dramatic increase in the popularity of digital music. This, in turn, had a major impact on the way that people listened to music and the type of music that they were exposed to.

The rise of electronic dance music in America can be largely attributed to the influence of the internet. The increased availability of digital music files, and the ability to share them easily, meant that more people were exposed to this type of music. In addition, the popularity of social media platforms such as Soundcloud and Youtube meant that DJ’s and producers could reach a wider audience than ever before.

The result was a rapid increase in the popularity of electronic dance music, with festivals such as Electric Daisy Carnival and Ultra Music Festival becoming increasingly popular. In recent years, electronic dance music has also begun to have a significant impact on popular culture, with mainstream artists such as Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus incorporating elements of EDM into their music.

The popularity of festivals

In recent years, electronic dance music festivals have become increasingly popular in the United States. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including the growing popularity of electronic dance music itself and the rise of social media.

Festivals provide a space for people to come together and experience music in a unique and often festive atmosphere. They also allow fans to connect with each other and with the artists they love. For many people, festivals are a key part of their electronic dance music experience.

Social media has also played a role in the rise of electronic dance music festivals in America. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter have made it easier for people to find out about events and share their experiences with friends. In addition, social media has helped to create a sense of community around Electronic Dance Music, which has likely contributed to the popularity of festivals.

Conclusion

The rise of electronic dance music in America is a story that is still being written. Despite its relatively short history, the genre has already had a profound impact on the music industry and American culture. As the popularity of EDM continues to grow, there is no doubt that it will continue to evolve and influence the American music landscape for years to come.