Electronic Music Before Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often features synthesized basslines, drum machines, and sequenced melodies. But what came before techno?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of electronic music before techno, delving into some of the key genres, artists, and tracks that laid the foundation for this exciting style of music.
Pre-Techno Electronic Music
History shows us that electronic music existed well before the term “techno” was ever coined. This article takes a look at some of the electronic music that came before techno, and how it has influenced the genre as a whole.
Pre-Techno Electronic Music in Europe
Pre-Techno Electronic Music in Europe refers to the era of electronic music prior to the rise of techno in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This period saw the birth of many different genres of electronic music, including house, trance, acid house, and others. Many of these genres would go on to influence the sound of techno as it developed in the following years.
Pre-Techno Electronic Music in the United States
Pre-techno electronic music in the United States refers to several forms of electronic music genres that were produced in the United States prior to the rise of techno in the late 1980s and early 1990s. These genres include, but are not limited to, industrial music, electro-industrial, EBM (electronic body music), new wave, synth-pop, and early house and techno.
While these genres developed underground following World War II through a combination of avant-garde experimentation and European importation, they began to cross over into the mainstream in the 1980s with artists such as Suicide, Kraftwerk, Devo, Gary Numan, Front 242, Front Line Assembly, and Skinny Puppy. This was aided by the increasing availability of electronic musical instruments and accessories (synthesizers, drum machines, etc.), as well as by an increase in media coverage of electronic music thanks to outlets such as MTV.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, techno began to develop out of Detroit and Chicago as a response to pre-techno electronic music; while pre-techno artists had emphasized experimentalism and avant-garde elements, techno producers sought to create a more streamlined sound that was better suited for dancing. This new style of electronic music quickly spread from its American birthplace to Europe (particularly Germany), where it found an enthusiastic audience. By the mid-1990s, techno had become one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music worldwide.
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1980s. techno is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often has a synthesized or robotic sound. techno is generally produced for use in a continuous DJ set, in which the DJ creates a seamless flow of tracks by segueing from one to the next.
The Beginnings of Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1980s. The first techno productions were created by Detroit-based producers Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, who were influenced by the electronic music of Kraftwerk and African-American soul and funk artists such as George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. Atkins, May, and Saunderson are often credited with creating the “Detroit sound” of techno.
The Development of Techno
Techno is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often incorporates elements of trance, acid house, and even psychedelic rock.
Techno first developed in the city of Detroit, Michigan, USA. At the time, Detroit was an important center for the automobile industry, and thus had a large working-class population. This population was exposed to electronic music through the importation of Jamaican dub and disco records.
As Jamaican immigrants settled in Detroit, they brought with them a sound system culture that included parties known as “house parties.” These parties often featured local DJs who played a mix of disco, soul, and reggae. The popularity of these parties led to the development of a local club scene, which in turn resulted in the development of techno music.
The first techno tracks were produced by members of the Detroit underground scene such as Juan Atkins and Derrick May. These tracks were influenced by Kraftwerk, George Clinton’s Funkadelic/Parliament recordings, and Chicago house music. Atkins is often credited with coining the term “techno” to describe this new style of music.
The Popularity of Techno
Techno is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the mid-1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive four on the floor beat and frequently has synthesizers or drum machines. The term techno is often used interchangeably with electronic dance music, but there is a distinction between the two. Techno is more experimental, while electronic dance music is more mainstream.
Techno first gained popularity in the underground clubs of Detroit, Michigan in the United States. The genre then spread to other parts of the world, particularly Europe and Japan. In the 1990s, techno became more commercialized and began to appear on the pop charts. By the end of the decade, it was one of the most popular genres of electronic music.
Despite its popularity, techno has been criticized for being too repetitive and for having a negative impact on mental health. Some researchers have suggested that listening to techno can lead to problems such as anxiety and depression. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
Post-Techno Electronic Music
Electronic music is a genre of music that is produced using electronic musical instruments or digital audio workstations. It was first created in the early 20th century. Over the years, the genre has evolved and diversified into subgenres like techno, house, and EDM.
Post-Techno Electronic Music in Europe
Post-Techno music is a subgenre of Electronic music that developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It is characterized by slow, melodic rhythms with occasional distorted or fuzzy basslines, and sparse, atmospheric synths. Post-Techno is often referred to as “chill-out” or “ambient Techno”, although these are umbrella terms that encompass a wide variety of electronic music styles.
The term “Post-Techno” was first coined by British music journalist Simon Reynolds in a 1998 issue of The Wire magazine, in which he used it to describe the work of artists like Global Communication, Biosphere, and The Orb. Reynolds saw Post-Techno as a continuation of the experimental spirit of early Techno, but with a more mellow, meditative sound.
In the early 2000s, Post-Techno underwent something of a resurgence in popularity, owing to the popularity of chill-out rooms at nightclubs and festivals. This renewed interest led to an increase in releases bylabels such as Kompakt and Warp Records, as well as the formation of new labels such as Delsin Records and resided labels like Echocord Colour.
Today, Post-Techno remains an underground genre with a small but dedicated following. Its influence can be heard in the work of contemporary electronic artists such as Max Cooper, Moderat, and Jonah Kesselringplatz 3.
Post-Techno Electronic Music in the United States
While post-techno is not a genre that is commonly discussed in the United States, it is a form of electronic music that has its origins in the country. This type of music is typically characterized by its use of technology and synthesizers to create a sound that is both unique and innovative. post-techno often contains elements of other genres, such as house, techno, ambient, and even jazz.
