How to Get Into EDM
Before I started listening to EDM, I was definitely an avid listener of indie rock and alternative rock. Going to shows and seeing live music has been a consistent activity in my life for a very long time. I am a millennial, so I started to identify with the music scene early in junior high. Rock bands were a favorite conversation topic of mine, and my taste in music was biasedly impeccable. It wasn't until the year after I graduated college that I began to listen to EDM.
Indie music started to make a big merge into synthetic instruments such as programmed drums, synthesizers, and rhythmic chopped vocals. Pop music was dying out and underground DJs seemed to be popping up at every popular club in Chicago. The funk/ indie/ house scene seemed to be fusing, and it was the greatest thing ever.
1.) ASK YOUR FRIENDS WHO TO SEE LIVE
After seeing my first couple of Djs in Chicago and moving to Dallas where I realized that I loved EDM, but didn't know of any new artists to go see live, I enlisted the help of a few friends. The best way to discover new music in a new city is to ask a few friends who you should go see live. You will get the best, honest answers. While in Dallas, I discovered this AMAZING club called the Lizard Lounge. Lizard Lounge has a very "dive-bar" vibe to it, however, it hosts some seriously big named artists and has a tendency to sell out every show. Dallas's music scene is also currently blowing up as far as EDM clubs go. While I was still living there, the Bomb Factory re-opened and hosted some pretty cool shows. This year, Stereo Live will be hosting it's grand opening in Dallas. For those of you who love the Houston music scene, definitely check out Stereo Live. You won't be sorry.
2.) START LISTENING TO SPOTIFY OR ITUNES MUSIC
There is no better way to get into EDM than to listen to a good playlist or radio station on your favorite music app on your iPhone. Whether you are driving in the car, working out, or just hanging out with some friends and partying, there is no better time to discover a new artist or DJ. The best part about Spotify is that you are able to give a song a thumbs up on a radio station and it will play more artists that are similar to the one you just liked. If you haven't started using Spotify or iTunes music premium services, yet, you absolutely should. Because like...are you living under a rock?
3.) BUY TICKETS TO FESTIVALS
If you are legitimately interested in getting into the EDM scene, I definitely recommend that you purchase a music festival ticket. There is nothing better than spending an entire weekend camping with your close friends and a bunch of complete strangers listening to a bunch of new artists that you've never heard of. Going to a festival and seeing someone you've never heard live is also awesome, because you are able to pick and choose who you like, how much you enjoyed their live performance, and you can dwell on the nostalgia about how much fun you had listening to your new favorite artist and how much fun you had that weekend listening to them.
4.) FIND A NICHE
The one reason I absolutely love EDM is because the EDM community is so accepting of everyone. Everyone has different talents, and when it comes to going to shows or festivals, you get to observe all of the different elements that everyone brings to the table. Some people are good with flow arts or poi, others are amazing dancers, other members of the EDM community are super creative and love to craft. Being a part of the EDM community has brought out some of my most creative moments and allowed me to discover a lot about myself and my talents that I never otherwise would have realized that I was good at. Some people make kandi, some people glove. At an EDM show, the side shows are just as enthralling as the main event. Discover who you are and where your talents lie.
