EDM Presentation:
http://prezi.com/jvnox_kubkzy/untitled-prezi/
Going through this quarter and being exposed to EDM music and its culture has opened my eyes up to a lot of things. When I was first choosing my topic, I wanted to focus on a culture of music that I could see myself liking, but had no knowledge whatsoever about. When interviewing my interlocutors I had their side of the story, but I wanted to experience everything first hand.
My interlocutors told me that EDM was amazing, and that I should experience it to its fullest potential.
What was this fullest potential? Both interlocutors gave me similar answers:
-RAVES
-MDMA
My interlocutors had been around this scene for about five years now and have seen how its changed. One of them is from Northern California and the other is from Los Angeles Area. When asking them how EDM was different here than in Nor Cal or LA they both said that Trance was heard more where they are from, and that the scene in San Diego has more bass and Upbeat sounds.
My first EDM event: Armin (Trance)
AMAZING. I fell in love with Trance. I was able to connect with what the music.
EDC Chicago
-I traveled to Chicago to experience EDM to the fullest. I wanted to immerse myself in this culture and what better way than the biggest event in N. America. While this event was a blast I couldn't help but look at everyone around me. People passed out, people carried out on stretchers, people puking. It was bad.
If I had to some up EDM into something it would be PLUR.
Peace
Love
Unity
Respect
Although it might not be all so pretty, most people that are attending these events know their limits, they know what their body can handle. Just like there is people who are responsible there are people that take this out of hand. Dozens of people are hospitalized and some even die. While this culture might look as pretty from an outside perspective, there are its dangers around it. I will continue to attend EDM events because I feel like I am part of this culture. I feel welcomed.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
EDC
I'm currently at the biggest EDM event. I'm at electric daisy carnival! I've learned so much but got to keep dancing to the music. Will update blog on Tuesday about EDC.
I never got around to the Tuesday blog update because of some family problems back home, but I will update the blog now.
I went to EDC expecting the worse. A three day long festival. I did not know if my body was going to be able to take a toll this big, right before finals.
-Arrival:
Arriving at EDC I felt like I was at a county fair. A huge county fair, for adults. There were amusement rides everywhere. People walking around everywhere. Holding hands, laughing, smiling, dancing.
As hours progressed, peoples moods started changing. Some for the best, some for the worst. Some people kept dancing while others, laid on the floor, passed out, throwing up. Some people were lost, could not find their friends, while others were making friends by trading their Kandi. (Beads that signify friendship)
Day 2 was really fun. I experienced EDC/EDM to its fullest potential. My experienced was enhanced by this pill. This small pill changed everything around me. I could feel the bass underneath by skin. I was happy. All my troubles that I had back home...were gone. It was a new me. Words cannot fully describe how I felt. I felt one with the earth/music. I felt like I was friends with everyone. It was almost like music had..a taste. Like music tasted good.
Day 3 was exhausting. I tried to make the best out of it, but could not. I felt depressed. I was coming off my pill. It was bringing me down. Why would people do this? Why would someone want to feel great one moment and completely shitty the next?
Would I go to a festival of this magnitude again?
Yes! But not all 3 days.
I never got around to the Tuesday blog update because of some family problems back home, but I will update the blog now.
I went to EDC expecting the worse. A three day long festival. I did not know if my body was going to be able to take a toll this big, right before finals.
-Arrival:
Arriving at EDC I felt like I was at a county fair. A huge county fair, for adults. There were amusement rides everywhere. People walking around everywhere. Holding hands, laughing, smiling, dancing.
As hours progressed, peoples moods started changing. Some for the best, some for the worst. Some people kept dancing while others, laid on the floor, passed out, throwing up. Some people were lost, could not find their friends, while others were making friends by trading their Kandi. (Beads that signify friendship)
Day 2 was really fun. I experienced EDC/EDM to its fullest potential. My experienced was enhanced by this pill. This small pill changed everything around me. I could feel the bass underneath by skin. I was happy. All my troubles that I had back home...were gone. It was a new me. Words cannot fully describe how I felt. I felt one with the earth/music. I felt like I was friends with everyone. It was almost like music had..a taste. Like music tasted good.
Day 3 was exhausting. I tried to make the best out of it, but could not. I felt depressed. I was coming off my pill. It was bringing me down. Why would people do this? Why would someone want to feel great one moment and completely shitty the next?
Would I go to a festival of this magnitude again?
Yes! But not all 3 days.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Journal 7: PLUR/Porter Robinson Interview
PLUR: PEACE LOVE UNITY RESPECT
UNDERSTANDING RESPONSIBILITY
PORTER ROBINSON, INTERVIEW:
When my friend told me that I could interview Porter Robinson, I had no clue what I was going to ask him. I was super excited to be able to meet him and be able to ask him a couple of questions about the EDM culture. She told me I only had about 2/3 minutes to talk to him so I tried to get them most out of it.
What got you interested in Electronic Dance Music?
Video games got me into EDM. DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) to be specific. After playing DDR I went out and bought an album, and since then I tried making my own music similar to it, and now I'm here performing at SunGod.
What inspires you to write music and what program do you use to write it?
My fans inspire me to write music. I love being able to go out to a show and give my fans a new music and see their positive feedback. It motivates me to continue writing and as to the software I use, I use FL Studio.
What EDM artists inspire you the most?
Skrillex, Tiesto, DeadMau5. They are simply amazing. Everything they do, they do it to their best of their ability and it shows. They truly have amazing work.
How do you become an insider to the EDM culture?
Honestly just being around the music and the people that love it makes you an insider. You don't have to be a DJ or producer to be part of the culture. If you can appreciate what you hear and can really absorb it and enjoy it, you've become part of the EDM scene. We are all about loving each other and helping each other out.
I unfortunately ran out of time and wasn't able to ask him anymore questions. What are some questions that you guys think I should have asked him? I wanted to ask him more about the culture, but wanted to see how he became part of it.
UNDERSTANDING RESPONSIBILITY
Definition:
Peace - To be in the same place as another, to exist similtaniously without conflict or adverse effects/reactions.
Love - To unconditionally feel great affection for a fellow being, and offer friendship regaurdless of race, sex, or creed.
Unity - To come together and defend common interests and give a sense of well being among those who feel unaccepted, to allow any and all to be a part of you and your friends.
Respect To allow yourself to be who you are without expectations, and allow others to do the same while helping each other, giving those around you the pride, courage, and honor you would yourself.
Before PLUR became the acronym to describe this culture LPE was used. LPE = LOVE PEACE ECSTASY which was then changed because of drug reference.
UPDATE: AFTER EDC
I experienced PLUR. I received Kandi from someone for the first time. This person was dressed like a bunny. She was wearing bunny ears, a white bra, white fuzzy boots, and had body paint all over her body. It was an amazing experience. I felt welcomed to the community.
UPDATE: AFTER EDC
I experienced PLUR. I received Kandi from someone for the first time. This person was dressed like a bunny. She was wearing bunny ears, a white bra, white fuzzy boots, and had body paint all over her body. It was an amazing experience. I felt welcomed to the community.
PORTER ROBINSON, INTERVIEW:
When my friend told me that I could interview Porter Robinson, I had no clue what I was going to ask him. I was super excited to be able to meet him and be able to ask him a couple of questions about the EDM culture. She told me I only had about 2/3 minutes to talk to him so I tried to get them most out of it.
What got you interested in Electronic Dance Music?
Video games got me into EDM. DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) to be specific. After playing DDR I went out and bought an album, and since then I tried making my own music similar to it, and now I'm here performing at SunGod.
What inspires you to write music and what program do you use to write it?
My fans inspire me to write music. I love being able to go out to a show and give my fans a new music and see their positive feedback. It motivates me to continue writing and as to the software I use, I use FL Studio.
What EDM artists inspire you the most?
Skrillex, Tiesto, DeadMau5. They are simply amazing. Everything they do, they do it to their best of their ability and it shows. They truly have amazing work.
How do you become an insider to the EDM culture?
Honestly just being around the music and the people that love it makes you an insider. You don't have to be a DJ or producer to be part of the culture. If you can appreciate what you hear and can really absorb it and enjoy it, you've become part of the EDM scene. We are all about loving each other and helping each other out.
I unfortunately ran out of time and wasn't able to ask him anymore questions. What are some questions that you guys think I should have asked him? I wanted to ask him more about the culture, but wanted to see how he became part of it.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Journal 6: Armin, becoming part of the culture? PLUR.
Armin Van Buuren was amazing! When I walked into RIMAC I did not know what to expect. I arrived to the event right before Armin (the main headliner) went on stage to perform. I tried to get as close to the front of the stage as I could, but could not stand being surrounded by so many people that were touching each other and dancing like the world revolved around them. I quickly went up to the bleachers portion of the stadium and was seeing the performances from above.
I was observing all these strange things occuring. People with gloves that had lights at their fingertips were waving their hands in front of people that were just sitting completely still in front of them. I went up to one of the guys that was wearing these gloves and I asked what he was doing. He said he was giving someone a light show. I asked him what that was and he pretty much told me that when a person in really into the zone (taken "e") they enjoy these lights in front of them. I asked if i could watch him do one and he said yes. I watched as he performed one of these light shows to a stranger at the venue and saw that this person was really into this light show*.
Another thing I noticed is that people were wearing tons and tons of colorful bracelets made of beads. I saw people exchanging beads with each other and doing something with their hands before exchanging beads. I observed and observed all night and then this girl came up to me and asked if it was my first time at an event like this. I told her yes and then she told me about PLUR. PLUR** stands for Peace Love Unity and Respect and is known as the Mantra of Electronic Dance Music. She made me do this hand sign things with her and then gave me one of her bracelets. Was I now being invited to become part of the culture? I began to feel welcomed.
*Going to be looking more into light shows because it seems that this is a big part of the culture.
**PLUR seems to be the welcoming into the culture. Definitely going to look into this.
I was observing all these strange things occuring. People with gloves that had lights at their fingertips were waving their hands in front of people that were just sitting completely still in front of them. I went up to one of the guys that was wearing these gloves and I asked what he was doing. He said he was giving someone a light show. I asked him what that was and he pretty much told me that when a person in really into the zone (taken "e") they enjoy these lights in front of them. I asked if i could watch him do one and he said yes. I watched as he performed one of these light shows to a stranger at the venue and saw that this person was really into this light show*.
Another thing I noticed is that people were wearing tons and tons of colorful bracelets made of beads. I saw people exchanging beads with each other and doing something with their hands before exchanging beads. I observed and observed all night and then this girl came up to me and asked if it was my first time at an event like this. I told her yes and then she told me about PLUR. PLUR** stands for Peace Love Unity and Respect and is known as the Mantra of Electronic Dance Music. She made me do this hand sign things with her and then gave me one of her bracelets. Was I now being invited to become part of the culture? I began to feel welcomed.
UPDATE: TRANCE. After going to EDC I feel like I could honestly say that Trance music is my favorite subgenre of EDM. The words, the rhythm. Everything about trance is more soothing than that of brostep, or dubstep, or hardcore electro. Do I like trance better than dubstep because it was what I was first exposed to?
*Going to be looking more into light shows because it seems that this is a big part of the culture.
**PLUR seems to be the welcoming into the culture. Definitely going to look into this.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Journal 5: Armin Van Buuren
This Tuesday I will be experiencing my first ever EDM event. I am excited to see what the big hype is all about. My first EDM event and its going to be with the number one DJ in the world Armin Van Buuren! I am beyond stoked about this. A lot of my friends are pressuring me that I should experience this event to its full potential but I do not know if I am ready to do that yet...We'll see what happens once Tuesday comes around. I plan on updating this blog on Wednesday with my experiences seeing Armin Van Buuren.
Any EDM fans in the class? What should I do to make my experience better?
Any EDM fans in the class? What should I do to make my experience better?
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Journal Entry 4: What is EDM
Why EDM? What is EDM?
This week I was out in Muir at the coffee shop with my friend Amanda. She works at the Muir coffee shop and she said that I could hang around her with her and we could try and make small talk with customers about EDM.
I stuck around for three hours and I was able to interview 5 random people. **
Allison: "I listen to EDM, primarily trance music because I can connect to it. Theres something about the music that I can connect to." I then asked her if she used any drugs while listening to EDM and she said no comment.
Jake: "I love EDM music. I started listening to EDM about five years ago before it started to become mainstream. I listen to EDM primarily while I am doing homework. It helps me focus while studying. EDM to me is the best type of music there is."
Sam: "I do not like EDM at all. Whenever I hear EDM all I think about is drunk frat boys dancing around and being annoying. I hate it! People just listen to EDM to do drugs."
Mary: "EDM. My favorite part of SunGod. I am so excited for the dance tent. EDM just makes you feel good. It is like you can be a part of the music. Its something that you either do or do not like."
Eric: "I am indifferent about EDM. I have times where I like it and times when I do not like it. I can listen to it primarily when I am in a good mood and ready to party."
**I recorded these short interviews on my iPhone**
Next Journal: EDM History/EDM Changes lately
Jake: "I love EDM music. I started listening to EDM about five years ago before it started to become mainstream. I listen to EDM primarily while I am doing homework. It helps me focus while studying. EDM to me is the best type of music there is."
Sam: "I do not like EDM at all. Whenever I hear EDM all I think about is drunk frat boys dancing around and being annoying. I hate it! People just listen to EDM to do drugs."
Mary: "EDM. My favorite part of SunGod. I am so excited for the dance tent. EDM just makes you feel good. It is like you can be a part of the music. Its something that you either do or do not like."
Eric: "I am indifferent about EDM. I have times where I like it and times when I do not like it. I can listen to it primarily when I am in a good mood and ready to party."
**I recorded these short interviews on my iPhone**
Next Journal: EDM History/EDM Changes lately
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Journal Entry 3 : EDM and Drugs
I interviewed my friend "Molly"on Friday of April 19 to ask him a bit about EDM. He told me that he started listening to EDM music about four years ago and has been going to raves since his Junior year of high school. (He is now a sophomore at UCSD) He told me about his experiences with MDMA which is now by its street name ecstasy. He told me how MDMA enhanced his experiences with EDM and how it adds another dimension to the enjoyment of the music.
He described how he felt while on ecstasy step by step but said it's something like no other. It is something that you have to experience yourself. He mentioned that when he took it for his first time he was in the car on the way to his first rave. "Molly" mentioned that he felt this "tingling sensation that traveled from the bottom of his feet slowly up his body until it got to his head". He said that when he got to the rave he felt like he was friends with everybody. He said he could talk to everybody at the event and that everyone was his friend.
After hearing that MDMA enhanced his experience listening to EDM I began to question if this was a big thing and if this drug actually made people feel "spiritually connected" to music like my friend Gabe mentioned. I went on google and started researching ecstasy and its effects with music. What I found was actually really interesting. It is scientifically proven that ecstasy effects are enhanced with music. "The drug produces feelings of euphoria and energy, and a desire to socialize". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4716500.stm Maybe this is what my friend "Molly" was describing to me.
He described how he felt while on ecstasy step by step but said it's something like no other. It is something that you have to experience yourself. He mentioned that when he took it for his first time he was in the car on the way to his first rave. "Molly" mentioned that he felt this "tingling sensation that traveled from the bottom of his feet slowly up his body until it got to his head". He said that when he got to the rave he felt like he was friends with everybody. He said he could talk to everybody at the event and that everyone was his friend.
After hearing that MDMA enhanced his experience listening to EDM I began to question if this was a big thing and if this drug actually made people feel "spiritually connected" to music like my friend Gabe mentioned. I went on google and started researching ecstasy and its effects with music. What I found was actually really interesting. It is scientifically proven that ecstasy effects are enhanced with music. "The drug produces feelings of euphoria and energy, and a desire to socialize". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4716500.stm Maybe this is what my friend "Molly" was describing to me.
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