Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
What Electronic Music means to me!
The last year or so has seen a lot of changes in my life and one of the more significant ones has been my introduction and pretty immediate patronage to the world of Electronica, House and Trance music. I find myself talking about it and listening to it incessantly, enough that I thought it warranted a post solely about what electronica is and why it must be regarded as highly as any other form of music excellence. Here is an ode to a genre of music that has blown me away!
When people think DJ, what comes to mind is a youngish tatooed fella, drink in one hand, half burnt cigarette in mouth, apparently spinning some sort of discs essentially playing some music. Though we all love them and won't be having the good time we do at clubs, parties and weddings, many don't regard dj'ing more than a hobby and definitely don't credit the 'hobby' to be a worthy source of music production. (It's just a guy/girl mixing tracks together). A singer or a composer, now that's music we'd say. It's time to challenge that notion and look a little further for what Electronica has to offer is a deeper and more surreal music experience. Let me explain..
Till a few years ago, my knowledge of House/Trance music was very rudimentary and was limited to some of the big name DJ's; Tiesto, Armin Van Buren,Benny Benassi and maybe David Guetta (He was just bursting onto the scene). These were the guys I knew, not necessarily liked. I went for a concert at a club here and there and happened to really enjoy the energy that these guys brought to an event. I was still an amateur, not knowing what I was getting into, not realizing I was in the midst of some great musicians. To the outside world, Electronica music is about raves and drugs and all that is wrong with society. That used to be rock and roll at one time right? How could someone enjoy music without any lyrics and just beats and tunes all night long, cynics would say. They have to be drugged they'd reason!
Oh how my world changed when I went to the Electric Zoo Festival in New York City, September 2010. A fellow enthusiast of this music, Akshay Goil, was the one who had hyped events like these and though I was keen on being part of the trance experience, I had a hidden interest of seeing my girlfriend who had just moved to New York. I bought the ticket. $270 poorer, I wasn't sure what this 2 day extravaganza in the open would have to offer. More so would I be able to take it for 12 hours a day.. Time would tell, that I would be left begging for more...
It's only fitting that I am writing this as I have a really great set playing on my Ipod to really get me into the zone of how I feel when I am consuming this music...
I arrived at Randall's Island, a little island between Manhattan and Queens, the venue of this Zoo thing and right away was impressed by the huge gathering of people. There were 3 big stages with one dj after the other continuously till 11pm. People came in all sorts of attire ready to have a great time. The more colorful and striking your outfit was the more at home you felt. Everything about this up till now suggested a big rave going out of control, kids with no purpose in life wasting their money, there only for the show and drugs than the 'music'. It didn't take more than one set (A dj on stage playing his music or 'set') for me to realize that this was something else! When the music came on, it did not matter who you were, what you were wearing or who was around you or how you felt or if you knew how to dance or not or if you cared for the music or not. All that mattered was that you were elevated into a realm of pure joy and pleasure and your body almost reacted in a natural way just like one learns how to walk. The body swayed, the hands flayed, the head bobbed; Jumps, kicks, squats, elaborate dance moves, gymnastics, dives, everything was fair game. There seemed to be a rhythm to the way the crowd moved, as drops in beat were followed by even crazier drops in beat. It was almost surreal to be just dancing and not giving even the slightest thought to what we all looked like.
The entire festival was back to back to back sets into the night that just blew the mind away. Some played up beat tracks and some played tracks that would suck you in, entrancing you in their hold and then suddenly releasing you when you least expected. Enjoying Electronic music requires losing your fear of being judged or laughed at. It's like a free fall, the more you are at ease the more you will enjoy it. The key is not to be impatient but to soak in the journey the 'artist' (dj) is trying to take you on. Many a time you can sense the artist trying to play the crowd, lulling them into a nice calm state with some melodic tunes and then when least expected, boom, into a different realm, a different tempo, a different feel.
It's a story that must be heard patiently and attentively.
Many a contemporary artist will play their brand of music, often composed by themselves (notable examples DeadMau5, Chemical Brothers, Tiesto, AVB etc.) but they will play a little more upbeat music at festivals as crowds are looking for a high energy event. Electronic Dance Music or EDM is what House Music is; Upbeat, fast paced, big highs and lows. Trance on the other hand can be a little more harder to enjoy as it really requires submitting yourself to the music. Not thinking, just letting your mind flow with the music. If one is able to do so successfully, not let the problems of the world wander into ones perception, there is nothing like getting lost in a trance track.
I am going to add links to some things EDM to get readers an idea of what I might be talking about.
Why I decided to write this was because I felt that it would be a good challenge to try and express the emotions I feel when I listen to this music. To be honest I don't feel I've done justice to it and it's one of those things you have to submit yourself to, let it affect you! For me the Electronica experience is a pure experience between me and the music. No adulteration, no distraction, just a connection between the mind, body and soul. I really do mean it when I say I thoroughly enjoy all the nuances and fine points of this genre. It's sometimes the unsaid that can say so much more than the said. That's what electronic music is in my opinion, an art form wherein the 'artist' expresses himself/herself through sounds and images that can be interpreted one way or the other. In it's pure form it's absolutely brilliant.
I hope that next time someone hears or thinks about this genre, they think twice before dismissing it. Yes there are a lot of wannabe, second rate dj's but there are some truly gifted musicians as well.
It's like when you first try a different cuisine and you're apprehensive. But one time you give it an honest shot and you fall for it entirely. That's what happened to me.
I heart ELECTRONICA!! And I mean it!
p.s. Did I mention that I don't use any drugs or alcohol while at these concerts. Pure 100% adrenalin!! Cheers
When people think DJ, what comes to mind is a youngish tatooed fella, drink in one hand, half burnt cigarette in mouth, apparently spinning some sort of discs essentially playing some music. Though we all love them and won't be having the good time we do at clubs, parties and weddings, many don't regard dj'ing more than a hobby and definitely don't credit the 'hobby' to be a worthy source of music production. (It's just a guy/girl mixing tracks together). A singer or a composer, now that's music we'd say. It's time to challenge that notion and look a little further for what Electronica has to offer is a deeper and more surreal music experience. Let me explain..
Till a few years ago, my knowledge of House/Trance music was very rudimentary and was limited to some of the big name DJ's; Tiesto, Armin Van Buren,Benny Benassi and maybe David Guetta (He was just bursting onto the scene). These were the guys I knew, not necessarily liked. I went for a concert at a club here and there and happened to really enjoy the energy that these guys brought to an event. I was still an amateur, not knowing what I was getting into, not realizing I was in the midst of some great musicians. To the outside world, Electronica music is about raves and drugs and all that is wrong with society. That used to be rock and roll at one time right? How could someone enjoy music without any lyrics and just beats and tunes all night long, cynics would say. They have to be drugged they'd reason!
Oh how my world changed when I went to the Electric Zoo Festival in New York City, September 2010. A fellow enthusiast of this music, Akshay Goil, was the one who had hyped events like these and though I was keen on being part of the trance experience, I had a hidden interest of seeing my girlfriend who had just moved to New York. I bought the ticket. $270 poorer, I wasn't sure what this 2 day extravaganza in the open would have to offer. More so would I be able to take it for 12 hours a day.. Time would tell, that I would be left begging for more...
It's only fitting that I am writing this as I have a really great set playing on my Ipod to really get me into the zone of how I feel when I am consuming this music...
I arrived at Randall's Island, a little island between Manhattan and Queens, the venue of this Zoo thing and right away was impressed by the huge gathering of people. There were 3 big stages with one dj after the other continuously till 11pm. People came in all sorts of attire ready to have a great time. The more colorful and striking your outfit was the more at home you felt. Everything about this up till now suggested a big rave going out of control, kids with no purpose in life wasting their money, there only for the show and drugs than the 'music'. It didn't take more than one set (A dj on stage playing his music or 'set') for me to realize that this was something else! When the music came on, it did not matter who you were, what you were wearing or who was around you or how you felt or if you knew how to dance or not or if you cared for the music or not. All that mattered was that you were elevated into a realm of pure joy and pleasure and your body almost reacted in a natural way just like one learns how to walk. The body swayed, the hands flayed, the head bobbed; Jumps, kicks, squats, elaborate dance moves, gymnastics, dives, everything was fair game. There seemed to be a rhythm to the way the crowd moved, as drops in beat were followed by even crazier drops in beat. It was almost surreal to be just dancing and not giving even the slightest thought to what we all looked like.
The entire festival was back to back to back sets into the night that just blew the mind away. Some played up beat tracks and some played tracks that would suck you in, entrancing you in their hold and then suddenly releasing you when you least expected. Enjoying Electronic music requires losing your fear of being judged or laughed at. It's like a free fall, the more you are at ease the more you will enjoy it. The key is not to be impatient but to soak in the journey the 'artist' (dj) is trying to take you on. Many a time you can sense the artist trying to play the crowd, lulling them into a nice calm state with some melodic tunes and then when least expected, boom, into a different realm, a different tempo, a different feel.
It's a story that must be heard patiently and attentively.
Many a contemporary artist will play their brand of music, often composed by themselves (notable examples DeadMau5, Chemical Brothers, Tiesto, AVB etc.) but they will play a little more upbeat music at festivals as crowds are looking for a high energy event. Electronic Dance Music or EDM is what House Music is; Upbeat, fast paced, big highs and lows. Trance on the other hand can be a little more harder to enjoy as it really requires submitting yourself to the music. Not thinking, just letting your mind flow with the music. If one is able to do so successfully, not let the problems of the world wander into ones perception, there is nothing like getting lost in a trance track.
I am going to add links to some things EDM to get readers an idea of what I might be talking about.
Why I decided to write this was because I felt that it would be a good challenge to try and express the emotions I feel when I listen to this music. To be honest I don't feel I've done justice to it and it's one of those things you have to submit yourself to, let it affect you! For me the Electronica experience is a pure experience between me and the music. No adulteration, no distraction, just a connection between the mind, body and soul. I really do mean it when I say I thoroughly enjoy all the nuances and fine points of this genre. It's sometimes the unsaid that can say so much more than the said. That's what electronic music is in my opinion, an art form wherein the 'artist' expresses himself/herself through sounds and images that can be interpreted one way or the other. In it's pure form it's absolutely brilliant.
I hope that next time someone hears or thinks about this genre, they think twice before dismissing it. Yes there are a lot of wannabe, second rate dj's but there are some truly gifted musicians as well.
It's like when you first try a different cuisine and you're apprehensive. But one time you give it an honest shot and you fall for it entirely. That's what happened to me.
I heart ELECTRONICA!! And I mean it!
p.s. Did I mention that I don't use any drugs or alcohol while at these concerts. Pure 100% adrenalin!! Cheers
A Quest of Sorts
This post, unlike the last two is about my travels. Not too much soul searching going on in this one. Sorry. Let's talk about the time I went to the Capital. The Capital of the United States they call America.
When I think of American cities, I think interstates, fast food joints by the dozen, big buildings, big houses, suburbs and the odd attraction here and there. Obviously there are a few cities (I have not been to all American cities so pardon me if I miss any) like New Orleans, Atlanta (yes even Atlanta), Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago etc. that bring more to the table and might not be your run of the mill big sized American city. I had been hearing some rave reviews about Boston and Washington DC for some time and decided to go visit a friend working at MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council) for a weekend. Oh was I in for a surprise!
As the MD-90 aircraft scooped low, the Potomac river gently flowing beneath, the gleaming building of Downtown DC to the right, the plane made a sharp right towards the runway at Ronald Reagan International airport(DCA). Walking quickly onto the metro trying to meet up with my friend as soon as possible, I briefly glanced at the first brief sightings of the city. After getting of in an Area called Van Ness, we caught up on the happenings in our lives on the way to dinner. Dark and warm outside, the road appeared wide and was lined with trees. Good sign I thought to myself. I was informed this was a sort of residential and quiet area and was pleasantly surprised by the host of charming and classy restaurants that lined this slightly buzzing street. My first night in DC was to end in the apartment without much excitement.. I didn't know what to expect from the most important city in the world..
As the sunlight seeped in through the large windows in the room, I groggily awoke to what seemed like a familiar sight. There were two large trees that stood astute outside the window reminiscent of my room in Delhi and the plethora of green you surprisingly find there. Was this going to be a green city? You bet it was.
We headed in the metro towards Metro Center station, the center so as to speak of the city. This also happened to be the area of Washington DC's annual Gay Pride Parade happening this very weekend I was there! What struck me at once about this city was the wide roads, abundance of trees (surprisingly you don't see enough in big cities here) and the architecture of homes on show. The old and well restored, blending well with the new styles and designs of modern buildings. It felt grand, it felt magnificent, it felt right. As we gallivanted, turning corners at a whim looking for a place to eat, I spotted a Pho restaurant (Vietnamese rice noodle soup, absolutely delicious). Sipping on the fatty beef soup that was bursting with flavor, we sat at a table overlooking the street outside when it suddenly began. The parade was going to pass through there.. The next few hours were to be the funnest few hours I have spent for free. The parade came with a watch at your own discretion tag, but for the daring and adventurous, the gay, the lovers of celebration and the odd person that found him/her there, it was a truly colorful parade. Floats after floats, decked up, music blaring, graffiti and knick knacks flying, dancers dancing, people campaigning, water splashing, the parade had it all! For those a little taken aback and shocked at my enjoyment of such a celebration, most people that came through the parade merely showed their support and were not trying to impose themselves on the audience. It was a big celebration and it was great to see the way the Capital embraced it lovingly. I ended up with everything from a bouncy ball, candy and float to sunglasses, beads and sun screen lotion. Thoroughly entertaining.
The next few hours were to really win my heart over. As we walked away from the street that had been chaotic and colorful just a little while ago, we crossed over a bridge and were inadvertently walking towards Georgetown. What I saw as we randomly walked were absolutely gorgeous homes, the kinds you would see in parts of Europe. Homes with large doors, bold colors, backyards, front yards, big bay windows, all this in the heart of the city literally. My fascination with trees lies in that I lived in Delhi which has one of the highest green cover for a city its size and density. That's what I was loving about walking about these streets, there was a certain calm that the canopy of trees brought to this otherwise semi busy street. Each home was different, built in a different style, used different colors, oriented the windows and doors differently, but they all gelled well together and brought out, the 'Oh how marvelous' kind of expression!
What lay ahead is hard to describe and not something I thought existed outside some charming European cities. Georgetown, the famous area known for the University of the same name had boutique stores, quirky restaurants, art galleries, mom and pop stores alongside lamp posts and bushes of violet and white flowers. It felt like you were not in the US anymore. Not the US I had know up till then. It seemed like there were regulations regarding haphazard and unregulated construction as all stores in this area were built into old homes adding that extra charm. The area was abuzz with youngsters from the surrounding areas but it still seemed private enough. One of the things that really stuck out about DC was despite the myriad of people around, there is always space to be with yourself, to not be bothered if you might want that. Bustling yet peaceful, Wild yet Serene is the impression I was getting.
The icing on the cake was when in our nomadic quest through the city on foot, we ended up at the river. As we walked on the grass between interracial couples, people walking their pets and a few quiet families there to soak in the view, we found ourselves a spot by the bank and dangled our feet over the concrete. The water couldn't have been more still, the air couldn't have been more pleasant, the atmosphere couldn't have been better. Up above, as a plane made a sharp right towards the runway at DCA, a well lit yacht filled with people in Tuxedos and dresses calmly moved along the water in front of us and the trees and flowers swayed to the tune of the breeze besides us, it was apparent why I had instantly loved the city; Buzzing one minute and Blissful and calm another, exactly what the 21 year old me looks for in a place. Action and Inaction very close to each other!
The next morning I went and saw the things I couldn't have left without seeing; the White House, the Smithsonian, the Capital building. Not to take away anything from these structures, it was the small things like the clean metro, the big roads, the diverse crowd, the quirky places around, the unique pace of the city etc. that had already given this city a 10/10 in my books.
As my plane made a sharp left, as we scooped up this time, I wondered if this could be a city I could see myself living in! Why not I thought! Whether that happens or not, visits to this city in the future are inevitable!
When I think of American cities, I think interstates, fast food joints by the dozen, big buildings, big houses, suburbs and the odd attraction here and there. Obviously there are a few cities (I have not been to all American cities so pardon me if I miss any) like New Orleans, Atlanta (yes even Atlanta), Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago etc. that bring more to the table and might not be your run of the mill big sized American city. I had been hearing some rave reviews about Boston and Washington DC for some time and decided to go visit a friend working at MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council) for a weekend. Oh was I in for a surprise!
As the MD-90 aircraft scooped low, the Potomac river gently flowing beneath, the gleaming building of Downtown DC to the right, the plane made a sharp right towards the runway at Ronald Reagan International airport(DCA). Walking quickly onto the metro trying to meet up with my friend as soon as possible, I briefly glanced at the first brief sightings of the city. After getting of in an Area called Van Ness, we caught up on the happenings in our lives on the way to dinner. Dark and warm outside, the road appeared wide and was lined with trees. Good sign I thought to myself. I was informed this was a sort of residential and quiet area and was pleasantly surprised by the host of charming and classy restaurants that lined this slightly buzzing street. My first night in DC was to end in the apartment without much excitement.. I didn't know what to expect from the most important city in the world..
As the sunlight seeped in through the large windows in the room, I groggily awoke to what seemed like a familiar sight. There were two large trees that stood astute outside the window reminiscent of my room in Delhi and the plethora of green you surprisingly find there. Was this going to be a green city? You bet it was.
We headed in the metro towards Metro Center station, the center so as to speak of the city. This also happened to be the area of Washington DC's annual Gay Pride Parade happening this very weekend I was there! What struck me at once about this city was the wide roads, abundance of trees (surprisingly you don't see enough in big cities here) and the architecture of homes on show. The old and well restored, blending well with the new styles and designs of modern buildings. It felt grand, it felt magnificent, it felt right. As we gallivanted, turning corners at a whim looking for a place to eat, I spotted a Pho restaurant (Vietnamese rice noodle soup, absolutely delicious). Sipping on the fatty beef soup that was bursting with flavor, we sat at a table overlooking the street outside when it suddenly began. The parade was going to pass through there.. The next few hours were to be the funnest few hours I have spent for free. The parade came with a watch at your own discretion tag, but for the daring and adventurous, the gay, the lovers of celebration and the odd person that found him/her there, it was a truly colorful parade. Floats after floats, decked up, music blaring, graffiti and knick knacks flying, dancers dancing, people campaigning, water splashing, the parade had it all! For those a little taken aback and shocked at my enjoyment of such a celebration, most people that came through the parade merely showed their support and were not trying to impose themselves on the audience. It was a big celebration and it was great to see the way the Capital embraced it lovingly. I ended up with everything from a bouncy ball, candy and float to sunglasses, beads and sun screen lotion. Thoroughly entertaining.
The next few hours were to really win my heart over. As we walked away from the street that had been chaotic and colorful just a little while ago, we crossed over a bridge and were inadvertently walking towards Georgetown. What I saw as we randomly walked were absolutely gorgeous homes, the kinds you would see in parts of Europe. Homes with large doors, bold colors, backyards, front yards, big bay windows, all this in the heart of the city literally. My fascination with trees lies in that I lived in Delhi which has one of the highest green cover for a city its size and density. That's what I was loving about walking about these streets, there was a certain calm that the canopy of trees brought to this otherwise semi busy street. Each home was different, built in a different style, used different colors, oriented the windows and doors differently, but they all gelled well together and brought out, the 'Oh how marvelous' kind of expression!
What lay ahead is hard to describe and not something I thought existed outside some charming European cities. Georgetown, the famous area known for the University of the same name had boutique stores, quirky restaurants, art galleries, mom and pop stores alongside lamp posts and bushes of violet and white flowers. It felt like you were not in the US anymore. Not the US I had know up till then. It seemed like there were regulations regarding haphazard and unregulated construction as all stores in this area were built into old homes adding that extra charm. The area was abuzz with youngsters from the surrounding areas but it still seemed private enough. One of the things that really stuck out about DC was despite the myriad of people around, there is always space to be with yourself, to not be bothered if you might want that. Bustling yet peaceful, Wild yet Serene is the impression I was getting.
The icing on the cake was when in our nomadic quest through the city on foot, we ended up at the river. As we walked on the grass between interracial couples, people walking their pets and a few quiet families there to soak in the view, we found ourselves a spot by the bank and dangled our feet over the concrete. The water couldn't have been more still, the air couldn't have been more pleasant, the atmosphere couldn't have been better. Up above, as a plane made a sharp right towards the runway at DCA, a well lit yacht filled with people in Tuxedos and dresses calmly moved along the water in front of us and the trees and flowers swayed to the tune of the breeze besides us, it was apparent why I had instantly loved the city; Buzzing one minute and Blissful and calm another, exactly what the 21 year old me looks for in a place. Action and Inaction very close to each other!
The next morning I went and saw the things I couldn't have left without seeing; the White House, the Smithsonian, the Capital building. Not to take away anything from these structures, it was the small things like the clean metro, the big roads, the diverse crowd, the quirky places around, the unique pace of the city etc. that had already given this city a 10/10 in my books.
As my plane made a sharp left, as we scooped up this time, I wondered if this could be a city I could see myself living in! Why not I thought! Whether that happens or not, visits to this city in the future are inevitable!
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