SomeOfThatEDM

SomeOfThatEDM is a medium for you to better understand what is now considered Electronic Dance Music. There are many different spin-offs, mash-ups and sub-genres that encapsulate the full picture of how the music has evolved. I'd like to help try and paint that full picture. Each week, I will post a few songs going through a different classification of EDM and giving a little background about the movement and the artist. Music is appreciated for many different reasons. Predominantly, the emotion it can inspire. I hope to give you all some good picks. Enjoy.

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7 years of production and only 20 years old, Porter Robinson's creations, let alone his talents, are multifaceted. His first album release Spitfire, put out by Skrillex's OWSLA, contains songs of many different genres, from Electro House to Moombahton, ringers from all across the board. His passion for production began at 13 and since Porter has become a superstar in the global community. He has made quite the impact, especially with Beatport. His single Say My Name topped their Electro House charts and reportedly crashed their servers with the release of Spitfire. Those unique dubbed basslines of his are key to his style, but his sampling ability is also top quality as well. 

On a personal note, I never give Porter enough credit. Every time I've seen him, I've gone in with average expectations and come out shocked. His sets are some of the best I've ever seen, phenomenal in his live sets and overall stage production. His is a show that I wouldn't miss.

Porter Robinson - Say My Name: http://smurl.ws/2nzprt

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L.A.-based DJs Dave Nada, accredited founder of the genre, and Matt Nordstrom have got of perfect blend of the Dutch-House synth with that thumping, Reggaeton bass drop. The two, known by their duo Nadastrom, lived in the greater D.C. area (Nada from Maryland and Nordstrom from Virginia) and met up in 2007, forming an EDM group that was not only pushing the boundaries of the Moombahton movement, but also revitalizing the club scene in Baltimore. Their style exhibits a deep, tapered Moombah-bassline with a pitch-swerving synth lead that can't help but make you feel electric.

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From Reggaeton to Moombahton, with the help of Dave Nada.

Dave Nada, in late 2009 while spinning at a party, decided to take the Afrojack remix of Silvio Ecomo and Chuckie's Moombah just a bit slower, dropping the tempo from the usual House 128BPM to a different, infrequently-used 108BPM. Little could he know that his creative input would lead to the birth of an entirely new sub genre of dance music. Four years later, Moombahton has expanded to the likes of big names all across the board, from Diplo to Knife Party, and is now a huge contingent of EDM. The name refers to the fusion of Reggaeton with vocal-less electronic production that produces a heart-pounding beat with some Latin flare. While the hype around Trap and other sub genres of EDM have also been rising, Moombahton seems to hold a steady ground in the global community and looks to evolve even further in the coming years.

Chuckie & Silvio Ecomo - Moombah (Dave Nada Remix): http://smurl.ws/65gwu6

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At the end of every performance, Lorin Ashton takes what he calls Bassnectar's "family photo". If you go through them online, you'll see that he's got quite a big family. Millions pay to see him in concert and to be apart of the Bassnectar family. His shows are always spectacular. I've had the pleasure of seeing him multiple times, but if you have yet to trust me, check out the video below to get a taste of his bass and his unbelievable stage production. Bassnectar's talents range. Although he entered the scene with his breakthrough Brostep and Dubstep, he has transcended to a level above everyone else and makes beautiful production look easy, expanding what he calls "Freestyle" music. 

Bassnectar in Minneapolis: http://smurl.ws/2akkmu

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Shaun Brockhurst has been working under many different aliases for years. Sound Destructive, DJ Picto, Slum Dogz and his current, international-acclaimed moniker Doctor P are all names that he has adopted. Doctor P (P for Picto) began in 2009 with his release of Sweet Shop, which propelled Brockhurst into the rapidly-expanding Brostep scene with flare. Many know Doctor P by the work done with his protege, Flux Pavilion, but his original productions and remixes are indeed his best. This is one of his more recognizable songs, a frequently dropped selection at most of his shows. It'll get you ready for the weekend.

Check out this awesome Skrillex concert with the License: http://smurl.ws/kvsver

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Hayden Kramer new project has only been around for two years, but has already proven himself a multitude of talents. EDM producer out of Atlanta, GA, heRobust kills in every genre he's played with: Trap, Brostep, Dubstep, Glitch Hop and some interesting fusions. His music is frequently used in big name mixes, gaining him momentum and essentially the EDM seal of approval. heRobust shows a lot of potential, potentially on his way to becoming one of the hot players in the game.

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He was in the first post, and for good reason. Skrillex never ceases to amaze me, personally. Whether it's classic Brostep (Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites), a Dubstep-DnB* fusion (Goin' Hard Mix) or some new age EDM (Leaving EP), the 25 year old's production quality just can't be beat. This melodic, break-beat song off of his latest extended play, Leaving, rings of what is only true to the Skrillex name: breakthrough style and consistently great production. 

*Drum and Bass

Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites: http://smurl.ws/8g3ob0

Birdy Nam Nam - Goin' In (Skrillex Goin' Hard Mix): http://smurl.ws/c82ufk

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DC and Hooks in their duo Zeds Dead is one of those shows that you hear about. Their name was taken from Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. They've hit the Brostep scene hard with their heavy bass drops and unique, gritty synths. Many native-Canadian artists have embraced the North American invasion of Dubstep. Big EDM festivals like Shambhala are headliner hotspots for veterans like Zeds Dead. The group started with a weekly venue they called "Bassmentality," in which they would play along with the Killabits. Bassmentality eventually became an incredible song by the two (which if you haven't heard, check the bottom link). Not long after, people stopped asking "Who's Zed?" and started saying "Zeds Dead, baby." DC and Hooks breaking new ground in the world of EDM and bass music. They drop a mix every season or so, so check them out on SoundCloud. I would also HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you watch the music video. Professional dancing and production.

Music Video via YouTube: http://smurl.ws/99er76

Bassmentality - Zeds Dead and the Killabits: http://smurl.ws/r9kurl

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Brostep and the Great American Dubsorption.

To be fair, Dubsorption isn't a real word. It is the only grouping of letters I could think of to describe what Dubstep has evolved to become in the US. What is now called "Brostep," starting with the king, Skrillex, and his Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites album is an integration of the Dubstep tempo, with a more prominent, intricate bassline. Of course, one can't forget the drop. The drop has evolved from previous House drops, to a much more glamorous, purposeful instance. The drop now defines a song as much as the whole composition. Great artists have gotten even more creative since Brostep's initial founding by adding multiple drops in the song. Some have even composed their productions to mimic a Rock-like structure, with a couple of verses, a chorus and a bridge. Nevertheless, this awesome new sub-genre encapsulates many different styles and is open to endless creativity.

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One of the more nuanced groups in Glitch music, the Glitch Mob prides itself of being one of the first groups to use MIDI controllers and computers to perform a live set. Originally a group of five, the current three, Justin Boreta, Edward Ma and Josh Mayer, regrouped in late 2008 and have been producing beautiful music since. One of my first experiences with the Glitch Mob was with their song Drive It Like You Stole It off of Drink the Sea, which I will include at the bottom of the page. The trio has got an amazing intuition into raw production and sets a chill, but epic mood with their tracks.

YouTube link here: http://smurl.ws/fu104v

The Glitch Mob - Drive It Like You Stole It: http://smurl.ws/xjxfm2

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Gramatik started his production career at the age of 3 in Portoroz, Slovenia. After getting to the US, he wasted no time in seeking out a record label with his ideals. "Freeing music by making music free." So he obviously took his talents to Pretty Lights Music and has flourished. Gramatik made permanent residence in Brooklyn, NY.

It would only make sense then that he would team up with Brooklyn-based Break Sceince for this track. Break Science, Adam Deitch and Borahm Lee, formed within the last few years, but have already dropped two successful EP's out also on Pretty Lights Music. 

Both groups are true to the label's name in their style and bring a vocalized bassline along with a resonating 70's synth for this awesome track.

YouTube link here: http://smurl.ws/a08n3d

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The term Kōan has multiple meanings. It's usually referenced in a few Southeast Asian cultures as a test to instill the "great doubt" in a student who is undergoing Zen practice. To listeners of their sound,  Will Weeks and Jim Bastow certainly exude a Zen-like quality. Influences of their group, KOAN Sound, include alternative, grunge rock groups such as Rage Against the Machine and Incubus, but the two have adopted production techniques that are unique to their style. Their Glitch Hop portrays a relaxed ambiance with a bouncing beat that will get you out of your seat to jamming along with them. Active since 2008, the duo has earned a spot on Skrillex's highly-acclaimed record label OWSLA, but has not been out-shined by the other star-studded members of the team, such as Zedd or Porter Robinson.

YouTube link for the song here: http://smurl.ws/qw77ta

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Rank Frizzo, AKA The Mavrik, is an up and coming Glitch hop, EDM producer with a think bass sound that brings back the essence of 90's hip hop with a dubstep twist. Nevertheless, Frizzo's style is jammin'. Along with his other new single, Supersonic, this song has a groovy beat that will trip you up. His editing technique utilizes deep, cutting basslines and roaring synths that blend together in a perfect fusion of funk and hip-hop. The Mavrik is definitely one to look out for at your next music festival. He's sure to be quite a show.

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Glitch hoppin' all over the place.

Coming from Germany in the 1990's, Glitch hop is an awesome new sub genre in modern-day EDM. Glitch music has been traced back to the early 20th century as a genre, but has been popularized by the Brostep music movement. Artists take advantage of heavy synth and basslines, along with the limitless creativity of sample editing. The product of this fusion is a funky beat that will get you hoppin'.

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While the House and Dubstep scenes were rapidly expanding in 2010, Megan James and Corin Roddick decided to move into EDM with a slightly different concept. The two formed their EDM duo Purity Ring with an Indielectronica, Dream Pop style that is as young and fresh as they are (24 and 21 years old respectively). This is one of the more beautiful faces of production. Purity Ring will be touring in 2013 and has their own winter tour coming up later this year.

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With a diversity of talents, the last three years have been astounding for Colorodo-native Alex Botwin. He first entered the music scene in 2004 as a bassist for the EDM group Pnuma Trio and has since started his own label and small design company in his home town of Boulder. In 2011, Botwin began his solo career as Paper Diamond, a progressive electronic music project with no particular genre, but a diverse range of styles. Using only a few pieces of equipment and his iPad routed to Ableton, his live sets are consistently electric.

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Jennifer Lee's musical style is one that combines R&B, Indie and EDM and regurgitates a thick, nuanced soundscape. Under the moniker TOKiMONSTA, Lee has been featured on radio mixes, at music festivals across the world and is the first female member of the LA-based label Brainfeeder. As far as I've seen, TOKiMONSTA is one of a kind. Her crisp sound and smooth transitions through different rhythms are unbelievably creative. If you like this one, check out the link at the bottom of the page for another great remix. 

Youtube Link: http://smurl.ws/wwgtnf

Eight And A Half - Scissors (TOKiMONSTA Remix): http://smurl.ws/rne9ja