NPR attempts to define 'EDM'

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Sami Yenigun from NPR recently wrote a comprehensive look at the growth of EDM in the United States. Overall I found the article to be an informative read but in my opinion fell short when Sami tried to nail down the meaning of EDM:

"EDM is short for Electronic Dance Music, which could conceivably describe any music with a beat made on a machine. But in practice it describes something more specific."

The first statement is fine.

"...but nobody that I spoke to could draw a clear sonic line between EDM and other subgenres of dance music that they don't consider EDM, like deep house or techno."

Trying to carve out genres like deep house and techno from what everyone calls EDM would be a major mistake. EDM is an all encompassing term that should be as inclusive as possible to all sorts of danceable forms of electronic music. I think the way Beatport breaks down the music with different genres and the DJ Mag top 100 are perfect examples of this. With the DJ Mag top 100, you see all sorts of DJs from across all genres all together in one list and under the umbrella of what I consider to be electronic dance music. This is the way it should be and continue to be.

"But as the ever-shifting vernacular around dance music has started to congeal, some sort of consensus has formed around its definition: EDM is a pop-driven, mostly high-energy, commercial strain of dance music."

EDM is so much more than just pop driven dance music. If we start referring to EDM by only that narrow definition then we risk to lose the spirit of electronic dance music and it's incredible variety that resides in all sorts of different scenes all over the world. EDM Canada will never abide by such a narrow view of what this scene really is.

(Source: NPR)

Read about Chris Liebing's complicated DJ setup

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From an interview conducted by Lessthan3:

"I work with two computers that are linked via ethernet cable. One runs Traktor, which is the master clock, and one runs Ableton. I'm using an Allen & Heath Xone:92 with sends and returns, so I have four channels coming out of Traktor. I have Maschine running as a plugin in Ableton, and I control that with another controller. And I have the internal effects of Ableton running, as well as external effects via Traktor. It's all automatically synced, and some people try to give me sh*t about it, but it has to be for the way I play."

Who cares about beat matching when DJs have this at their disposal.

You can read the whole interview from the Lessthan3 site.

OWSLA Tour Prep: Music From Birdy Nam Nam, Jack Beats, Monsta

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The OWSLA Tour is fast approaching Canada and you need some beats to familiarize yourself with the various DJs that are apart of this fantastic tour:

Birdy Nam Nam - 'Geto Bird Mix':

Here's the associated video that explains the birth of the 'Geto Bird Mix'

Jack Beats - 'Progression Mix':

This 35 minute mix combines tracks from their previous work along with their new album that is due to come out on Dec 9th.

Monsta - 'Monsta EP':

The Monsta EP, just released by OWSLA, is the Monsta's introduction to the world of EDM and the reception has been warm so far. With hits like 'Holdin' On' and full remix support by the likes of Skrillex, Nero, Dillon Francis, Alvin RIsk , and Kill Paris - this trio are ready to make a big impression in their Canadian debut.

With so many interesting and diverse acts apart of the the OWSLA Tour this Fall it's going to be an event that you don't want to miss.

November 7th - Vancouver, Celebrities Nightclub - Kill the Noise, Jack Beats
November 8th - Calgary, Flames Central - Kill the Noise, Jack Beats
November 11th - Ottawa, Mansion Nightclub - Birdy Nam Nam, MONSTA, Nick Thayer
November 13th - London, London Music Hall - Birdy Nam Nam, MONSTA, Nick Thayer
November 14th - Toronto, Wrongbar - Birdy Nam Nam, MONSTA, Nick Thayer
November 15th - Montreal, SAT - Kill the Noise, Birdy Nam Nam, MONSTA, Nick Thayer