6 Reasons EDM Does NOT “Suck Donkey Ass”: Rebuttal To The Bros

Recently, a fellow blog source posted an article pointing out a few broad reasons as to why electronic dance music “sucks donkey ass,” essentially pigeonholing an entire genre of music that has been flourishing since the disco era into a Tetris soundtrack (side note: Doctor P crushed that remix).

To this I shrug my shoulders and say wisely, “haters gonna hate.” Being part of a generally peace loving group of music fans, my first reaction was not to retaliate but instead to educate.

This poor author has clearly spent too much time seething within the confines of his Frat house and not enough time frolicking in the fields of a music festival. Lucky for him and the other stooges behind that article, I’m here to shed some light on their misconceptions.

#1 You Don’t Need Drugs To Enjoy “EDM”

Studies have proven that music in general, but specifically electronic dance music, has an incredible capacity to flood the brain with dopamine. The roller coaster of rhythm that exists in EDM causes the body to naturally react with feelings of positive anticipation and climactic relief. This is the same positive reinforcement exemplified in Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiment. Anticipate the drop. Then wait for it. BOOM comes the drop and instantaneously we feel the dopamine release.

The ever present bass lines, snares and kick drum percussion found in EDM has been known to easily induce feelings of euphoria and has an almost trance like effect on listeners when played at high volume. The vibrating bass lines we feel during a loud set allows the music to affect our physical state by stimulating the vestibular system in our middle ear which controls our sense of balance.

When we combine the effects of rhythmic loop patterns, high intensity music and low frequency bass with a sense of euphoria – the result is a pleasant sensation of thrills and shivers. Psychological studies have concluded that this natural high can have an addictive quality but I can’t think of anything I’d rather be addicted to than good music. Essentially, the saying “Music is my Drug” has never been more true.

#2 Variety and Ingenuity of Sound, Rhythm and Structure

The genres and subgenres of electronic dance music are endless. There is a huge range of sound under an umbrella category of “EDM” as a whole that all utilizes synthesized notes in very contrasting ways. I suppose to the grossly untrained ear they may all sound the same but to the majority of us who grew up around music that wasn’t made with rocks and sticks… they are different.

Technology is an integral part of life on this planet and its future. If you can’t embrace that simple fact by now then you’re probably living on an Amish farm somewhere and sadly will never hear of EDM. For the rest of the population, technology is only enhancing our lives. For music, it is giving us the chance to use sounds and manipulate rhythm in a way we never could before.

Music is in the sound of the universe from the rhythmic pattern of feet on the pavement when jumping rope to the resounding bullhorn during an intense sports game to the sweet sound of birds chirping in the morning. All these sounds can now be used to create recorded music people can identify with but are completely unique. Even classical music and old school hip-hop can now be sampled and manipulated to create something new.

#3 Judgement Free Zone. No Critics.

The trance like euphoric state described in reason #1 paired with energetic movement can also cause the body to release a chemical in the brain called “oxytocin”. Oxytocin is generally linked to the forging of bonds between humans. It is released during childbirth to fabricate the ironclad bond between a mother and her child but has also been found to appear during communal thrill seeking activities like perhaps… raging.

The bond we form during festivals through our mutual love of good music and good times allows for a sense of community among ravers not found in other genres. There becomes a peace loving fellowship that avoids judgement and criticism while encouraging mutual love and respect. What a coincidence!! That happens to be the raver’s mantra – Peace Love Unity Respect. Crazy…

#4 Dedication to the Craft Takes Real Skill

I think of learning to DJ like learning to ski. If you only aspire to be an amateur then you can accomplish that goal in a matter of days. Most people can make it down the mountain without hurting themselves the first day they ever try skiing. If you want to become an expert; however, there is a huge leap in the amount time and effort involved.

Scratching, live mixing, DJing from oldschool turntables, etc… all take years of practice before one can really call themselves a master. Then the ability to read a crowd and play for the mood is a skill that can only be honed over time. You have to have rhythm and an ear for music which (surprisingly) not everyone is gifted with. It’s much more than pushing play for most professional DJs. If you’re actually producing on top of that, it’s exponentially more difficult. Ever seen a launchpad master at work? Mind = blown.

The difference between the button pushers and the dedicated artists is obvious. Yes, there are some that simply fade in/out the Beatport Top 10 bangers but there are others that invest years into cultivating a dynamic library of sound that when mixed in the right way… becomes a modern-day symphony.

#5 Combined Aural and Visual Stimulation

Most EDM performances incorporate colored lights, lasers, written messages, smoke and decorations to some degree which adds a visual component to the experience. Morgan Page even went so far as to use the 3D technology that was developed for Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” tour to enhance his performances.

The sensory stimulation at electronic shows is unparalleled. It creates an alternate reality for fans in which they escape in order to fully invest themselves in the moment and shut themselves off from the worries of the outside world. For these brief moments we are at peace with ourselves, our lives and the people around us. Entranced by the lights and the music, we connect on a different level where reality meets fantasy.

I’m sure rock artists and rap artists could start destroying their fans with lasers but it wouldn’t flow as effortlessly. There is no rhythmic trance induced by these genres. The trick is when the beat syncs with the lights and the harmonious output transposes onto the hearts and minds of the fans. Then we are truly enveloped by our environment.

#6 It’s Fun

As the great Van Wilder and Ferris Bueller both said “Don’t take life too seriously, you’ll never get out alive.” Music is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. When you start arguing over rules, categories and what makes good music good you’re just over-complicating things. If you get your jollies off of telling people they’re wrong to like what they like or dance to music that makes them feel good then you probably have bigger problems than can be resolved in a blog post.

Ridiculous DJ names, crazy costumes and lyrics with absolutely no deeper meaning to analyze all amount to lighthearted music that reminds us to simply have a good time. There are times when we want something more. A song to relate intense emotion with. A song to empower a movement. A song to enlighten the masses. Other times we just want to relax.

There is a genre for everything and when it comes to feel good music – electronic dance music is the genre of choice. So turn up the bass, strap on your dancing shoes and shuffle your problems away. Don’t over-think it. You might hurt yourself.

Sources:
Original “Why Electronic Dance Music Sucks Donkey Ass” Article
Facts Regarding EDM’s Psychological Effects
Additional Article Supporting The Psychology of EDM
Slash Ultra Photo by Ask Media Productions

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