The History Of Electronic Dance Music
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Electronic dance music, or EDM, has a rich history that dates back almost a century. It all began with Ferrucio Busoni's book, "Sketch of a new aesthetic of music" in 1907, which predicted the use of machines in the music of the future.
Early electronic musicians like Busoni began composing music with acoustic noise to replicate the sound of machinery. The development of the vacuum tube in the 1930s inspired renowned composers like Joseph Schillinger to adopt them.
The introduction of electronic recording encouraged experimentation, with John Cage creating “Imaginary Landscape No. 1” by adjusting the speed of the recorded tones. Recordings could be spliced together to create sound collages.
These techniques would be further explored in the genre Musique concrete pioneered by French composer and theorist Pierre Schaeffer in the 1950s. The 1960s saw synthesizer technology becoming more accessible, with Delia Derbyshire of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop creating the iconic Doctor Who soundtrack.
In the 1970s, electronic music began making its way into the mainstream. The 80s saw the birth of techno and house music, two genres that are considered the cornerstone for modern electronic music today.
DJs like Frankie Knuckles, Jamie Principle, and Jesse Sanders took disco and turned it into a completely new genre with songs like “Your Love” and “On and On” in Chicago. The Bellevelle Three, comprising Derrick May, Juan Atkins, and Kevin Saunderson, were preparing Detroit for a brand-new sound inspired by Kraftwerk’s legendary performance in the 70s.
As EDM continued to evolve, it gave rise to various subgenres, each with its own unique sound and style. In the 90s, trance music emerged, characterized by its hypnotic beats and melodic soundscapes. Meanwhile, DnB, with its fast-paced rhythms and heavy basslines, gained popularity in the UK. In the 2000s, dubstep became a major force in electronic music.
Today, EDM continues to evolve, with artists and producers from around the world pushing the boundaries of what is possible with electronic music. Despite its long history, EDM still feels like the music of the future.
Also read: The Synthesizers That Helped Stevie Wonder Get His Biggest Hits
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Kammari Venkatesh —