The history of electronic music.

Hello, I’m glad to know that you’re interested in the history of electronic music. It’s a fascinating genre that has had a great influence on popular culture worldwide and is constantly evolving. In this article, I will talk about some of the most important artists and their impact on the music scene, as well as the history of this genre in Mexico.

It originated in the early 20th century, but it was in the 1960s when it began to become popular. Experimental composers started using synthesizer technology and electronic devices to create new forms of music. One of the most influential composers of this era was the Frenchman Pierre Schaeffer, who developed the concept of “concrete music,” which consisted of recording sounds from everyday life and electronically manipulating them to create compositions.

Synthesizers have been an essential tool in the production of electronic music since their invention. The first synthesizers were developed in the 1960s, but it was from the 1970s that they began to be commercialized and popularized.

Among the first brands of commercial synthesizers, we can highlight Moog, ARP, and Roland.

Moog was founded by Robert Moog in 1953, but it was in 1964 when he launched his first commercial synth, the Moog Modular. This instrument had a variety of modules that allowed for the creation of complex and unique sounds. One of the most famous users of Moog synthesizers was progressive rock musician Keith Emerson, who used them with his band Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

ARP Instruments was another of the first brands of commercial synthesizers. It was founded in 1969 by Alan R. Pearlman and became famous for synthesizers like the ARP 2600, a modular instrument that allowed the user to create custom sounds using different modules.

In the 1970s, electronic music began to expand beyond experimental and academic music. Rock and pop artists began to experiment with synthesizers and other electronic devices to create new sounds. Kraftwerk, a German group, is one of the most influential groups of this era, using synthesizers and drum machines to create minimalist and futuristic music.

As it became more popular, new subgenres and artists emerged. Giorgio Moroder was one of the first to mix disco music with synthesizers and was a pioneer in the development of Eurodisco. Jean-Michel Jarre is another influential artist, known for his spectacular outdoor concerts. Aphex Twin is one of the most important artists in the IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) genre, known for his experimental style and use of advanced production techniques.

An era of great growth and evolution in the global scene. The genre’s popularity had rapidly grown in the previous decades, becoming one of the most influential genres in popular music.

Aphex Twin and The Prodigy are some of the most influential artists of the decade. The British band The Prodigy mixed elements of breakbeat, techno, and punk to create a unique and distinctive sound, while Aphex Twin produced a series of innovative albums, such as “Selected Ambient Works 85-92” and “I Care Because You Do”.

James (Aphex Twin) is also known for his focus on using field recordings and found sounds in his music. Instead of using preexisting samples, he records sounds himself and then manipulates and uses them in his tracks. Some examples include the sound of a lawnmower in “Windowlicker” and a recording of a crowd in “Come to Daddy”.

Daft Punk and The Chemical Brothers also became highly influential artists, with their albums “Homework” and “Dig Your Own Hole” respectively. Trance music also had great success in the 90s, with artists such as Paul Oakenfold and Tiësto leading the movement.

Daft Punk is a French electronic music duo composed of musicians Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, who met in school in Paris and began collaborating on music projects.

In 1997, Daft Punk released their debut album “Homework”, which included hits such as “Da Funk” and “Around the World”, helping to establish Daft Punk as one of the most innovative and exciting acts of the time.

In 2001, Daft Punk released their second album “Discovery”, which included hits such as “One More Time” and “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger”. The album was a commercial and critical success, helping to establish Daft Punk as one of the most influential acts in electronic music.

In 2005, Daft Punk released their third album “Human After All”, which received mixed reviews. However, the album included hits such as “Technologic” and “Robot Rock”, which became pop culture anthems.

They performed with helmets and robot suits, which became an integral part of their aesthetic and public image. In interviews, they have said that this decision was partly made to protect their privacy, but also to focus attention on their music and the experience of their concerts.

Electronica music also had a significant impact on disco culture during the 90s, with artists such as Frankie Knuckles and Todd Terry leading the Chicago and New York house scene, respectively.

Frankie Knuckles, known as the “godfather of house,” was an American DJ and producer who helped popularize the genre in the 80s and 90s. He was one of the residents at the Warehouse club in Chicago, where the genre name “house” originated. He also founded his own club in Chicago, The Power Plant, and later moved to New York, where he worked at the Sound Factory and other popular nightclubs. Some of his best-known productions include “The Whistle Song,” “Your Love,” and “Tears.”

Todd Terry is another American DJ and producer in the 90s house scene. He is known for his distinctive sampling and mixing style and has produced remixes for artists such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Björk. Some of his most well-known productions are “Keep on Jumpin’,” “Something Goin’ On,” and “Can You Party.”

In addition to house, other sub-genres of electronic music such as techno, trance, and drum and bass also became popular. In Europe, countries such as Germany, the UK, and Belgium became important centers for the scene, and many influential artists emerged in these countries.

Paul van Dyk became one of the most successful DJs in the world, and the group Scooter had several hits on the European charts.

There are many subgenres of electronic music. Below are some examples:

1. House: deep house, tech house, progressive house, acid house, garage house, soulful house.
2. Techno: Detroit techno, minimal techno, industrial techno, acid techno, trance techno.
3. Trance: progressive trance, uplifting trance, vocal trance, psytrance, goa trance.
4. Drum and bass: jungle, liquid drum and bass, neurofunk, jump-up.
5. Dubstep: brostep, deep dubstep, future garage, trap.
6. Hardcore: gabber, happy hardcore, breakcore, speedcore.
7. Ambient: drone, space ambient, dark ambient, new age, chillout.
8. Electro: electroclash, electro-funk, Miami bass, nu-disco.
9. Breakbeat: big beat, nu skool breaks, Florida breaks, funky breaks.
10. Industrial: EBM (Electronic Body Music), darkwave, aggrotech, industrial metal.

However, Mexico has a vibrant and constantly growing electronic music scene. One of the pioneers of the scene was Jorge Reyes, who fused electronic music with pre-Hispanic and traditional Mexican music. Other important artists include Murcof, who combines electronics with classical music, and Nortec Collective, which blends electronic music with norteña and banda music.

Mexico City is particularly known for its vibrant club scene and electronic music festivals. The largest electronic music festival in Mexico is Electric Daisy Carnival Mexico, which attracts thousands of music fans from all over the country and abroad. Other popular festivals include Mutek Mexico, Ceremonia festival, and Bahidora festival.

In conclusion, electronic music is a fascinating and constantly evolving genre that has had a significant impact on popular culture worldwide. From its humble beginnings in experimental music to becoming one of the most influential genres in popular music, electronic music has left an indelible mark on the history of music. In Mexico, the electronic music scene is constantly growing and has produced some of the most innovative and exciting artists in the genre.

You may be interested in rave culture. Rave culture.

Tagged as: dj producer / music production