Mikl Moose

This is Wikipedia’s list of electronic music genres. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_electronic_music_genres
EDM (short for Electronic Dance Music) is a STUPID FUCKING TERM. If you’re over 16 and you say EDM, FUCK YOU. Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Will.I.Am, those are examples of EDM and are not what you’re talking about when you say it (nor are they actually good to dance to). You’re talking about Techno and/or specific subgenres of techno. EDM = Electronic Dance Music. Techno = Technology, a.k.a. music made “electronically.” Same fucking thing, except that when you say EDM you aren’t talking about any subgenre of techno, you’re talking about Dubstep or electronic pop (which are subgenres of techno despite what I just said). “But EDM encompasses ALL (non pop) genres of electronic music.” No it fucking doesn’t. Techno does. The term Techno was first used in 1988 as a way of separating certain electronic music from other styles of pop and dance music. If you listen to Dubstep and you call it EDM to avoid the negative connotations that go along with it, you’re an idiot. Be My Lover by La Bouche (1995) is Electronic Dance Music, specifically music made electronically FOR DANCING (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F-4T3dy7fI). This is dance club gold, with, in my opinion, one of the best electronic kicks ever (hear this at dance club volume to understand why I say this). This music just drives you on the dance floor. Dubstep (with the exception of Krewella, who really is just pop anyway) was never made for dancing. Sure, you can “flow” to it, or hardstyle depending on the song/artist (and only if you are already quite familiar with every song). But in general, no one plays “EDM” (by your shitty definition) at a real dance club.

Here’s a list of electronic styles I’ve personally seen fall into “EDM”: Trance, Hardstyle, Dubstep, Trap, Eurodance, Jumpstyle, Electro, … The list goes on, but this is primarily what my friends listen to besides metal. Of this list, most of these songs are/were not made for dancing (and definitely not intended for a dance club). Sure, Benassi, Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, Armin Van Buuren, they all love it when the crowd at their show is dancing or at least jumping around having a good time. But that doesn’t make them EDM. EDM is the term people use when they’re too fucking stupid to spell Techno, or are afraid to say they listen to it since Eminem said “Nobody listens to techno,” though if you care what Eminem thinks then you’re not really worthy of calling yourself anything but a pop fan anyway (yes Eminem is pop, not rap. 14 years ago he was rap. Things change, get over it). “Well if things change, you have to admit that EDM is now the umbrella term for all electronic music.” No I fucking don’t, because when you say EDM you don’t mean all electronic music. You mean Dubstep or your preferred subgenre of electronic music. When “EDM” means specifically (and only) Electronic Dance Music (in the way stated above), then I’ll consider using the term (most likely to describe pop). Until then, say what you mean and learn that all electronic music is a subgenre of some sort of Techno (Yes, I realize that the list posted above has most genres outside of “Techno.” Guess what? Disco is the only one on that list that is not always somehow a subgenre of Techno for two reasons: 1. Plenty of songs used real instruments and not technology, and 2. Disco that used technology is pretty much the original Electronic Dance Music. But you don’t mean disco when you say EDM, do you…).

Now a quick word before I go about “EDM” being played at dance clubs: Yes, Electronic Dance Music is about all that’s played at dance clubs. I’ve dj-ed at dance clubs and can tell you for sure that there are virtually no dance songs you can play nowadays that aren’t made electronically. This doesn’t mean dance clubs are playing “EDM.” They’re playing Dance music. Yes, I’ve played some heavy dubstep and trap before. Even death metal. Not while people were in the club dancing though. And yes, in cities with much larger populations than mine, there are clubs specifically for techno, trance, hardstyle, etc. That’s because these places have enough people of each scene to separate themselves. They are the exceptions, and no, they don’t play “EDM.” Also, Dupstep concerts and the like are NOT REAL RAVES. Get over yourself. Real ravers would never say EDM. That’s what 16-year-olds say. I’ve just been told that certain dj’s also use the term EDM to push themselves away from certain electronic genres. As a dj, I’d have to say you’re fucking stupid if you choose to call your music “EDM” instead of techno, dubstep, house, whatever you play. If you want to avoid being placed in certain categories, define your category, don’t just use an “umbrella term” and expect people to know what the fuck it is you play. In conclusion, here’s a similar article (not a rant) I found about just this- http://www.discodemons.net/2012/09/09/edm-vs-electronic-dance-music/