House music is still a popular genre today, but what makes it different from other genres? Its influences and roots are fascinating. Read on to learn about the history of house music, its influences, early synthesizers, and more. This article will help you understand why this genre is still as relevant today as it was years ago. There are countless genres out there, and a little knowledge will go a long way.
Origins
Many EDM fans fail to recognize the roots of house music. Although disco had become the most popular genre, the underground genre’s roots are not as black and white as it seems. House music originated in the UK in the early 1990s. This genre merged 70s disco with synthesized Euro-disco. Its creation was a reaction to the anti-disco sentiment that swept the rock world, and was rooted in anti-blackness.
The genre of house music developed over the course of the 1990s as it continued to build on itself. Hardcore breakbeat DJs like Shut Up and Dance, alongside Chicago and Kraftwerk, began to add chopped-up samples and loops to their beats. These musicians gave birth to drum and bass and jungle, and house eventually evolved into the genre we know today. And as the genre continued to evolve, it spawned its own subgenres.
Influences
The influence of disco music on house music is no secret. The genre has a rich history, from the early years of disco to today’s mainstream success. Disco and house music have become synonymous with the hip hop and electronic dance music scene. In fact, these genres often find their way onto pop charts, despite their largely underground origins. Today, house and techno music are popular world-wide, and successive generations continue to carry the torch. DJs and producers morph genres, blending them into their own styles.
Dance music and socialising influence the relationship between house music and the dopamine system. Humans seek social belonging and are contagious through social networks. Psychological studies have supported this theory. For instance, one study involved participants viewing photos of people with happy and sad expressions, and their MRI scans were then used to assess how much they experienced the emotion. The participants in the study experienced the emotion of the person in the picture, in most cases the same one.
Early synthesizers
Some of the earliest examples of electronic music use synthesizers. Synthesizers were first developed in the 70s and became popular during the disco era. Moog and Buchla made some of the first synthesisers. Some big names in the music industry dabbled in the use of synths, including John Foxx, who led the group and produced their groundbreaking album, Metamatic. The sound of the synth became so popular that it influenced the production of other genres.
The Yamaha synth was used extensively by Vangelis in the 1970s when he was making the soundtrack to Chariots of Fire. This piece of equipment would later become the basis for the Blade Runner soundtrack, which sparked an era-defining sci-fi film. The music in the movie changed and evolved, but Vangelis’ synthesizers would remain a staple of the genre.
Techno
As the year ends, the emergence of new producers has become more important than ever. Techno house music has become an international style with producers from all over the world contributing to the scene. In the US, the genre is becoming more commercial, and some producers are taking this as an opportunity to make a name for themselves. Here are a few new names to look out for in 2019.
One early era-defining record is And On by LFO, released in 1993 on Plink Plonk Records. While the track is most definitely techno, it also has some house influences, such as the F.U.S.E. remix of LFO’s “Loop”. Techno’s early years were characterised by a mixture of house and techno. Calisto’s “Get House” and Jark Prongo’s “K-Ucci” are two notable examples of popular techno records from this period.
Deep house
If you’re looking for the best deep house music of 2019, you’ve come to the right place. Deep house music is making waves again thanks to its resurgence in recent years. The ’90s classic “Need U” has clocked over 17 million YouTube plays, thanks to its deep dive into New Jersey garage. And Disclosure’s woozy atmospheres and lanky grooves are making their way into mainstream dance music. But they’re not the only ones embracing the deep house sound. DJs like Jamie Jones, Maya Jane Coles, Breach, and Dixon of Innervisions are taking the deep house sound back.
There’s more deep house music than ever before. The Boiler Room series, which began broadcasting live music from London’s Fabric club, has shifted to an online subscription model, making it even more popular with fans. Meanwhile, Mixcloud’s Takedowns have affected the popularity of many mix series, but the deep house revival is far from over. Here are a few deep house radio shows that have been making waves this year.
Piano house
The rise of piano house was evident in the late 2000s, with the release of anthems by The Juan MacLean and Tony Lionni. Later on, artists like Maceo Plex and Eric Prydz took piano house to new heights, scoring worldwide hits with “Pjanoo” and the dreamy “Vibe Your Love.” The genre’s popularity continues to grow and evolve, but it’s not just for old people anymore.
The piano’s role in house music has been well-documented. From the genre’s beginnings to the current wave of dance-floor hits, the piano has been a key part of the sound. This HAROLD HEATH looks back on the history of the piano in house music and interviews current champions. To get a taste of what’s coming up next, here’s a rundown of the genre’s biggest names.
Tech house
If you’re looking for new and exciting techno and house sounds to get your groove on in 2019, then look no further than DJ Khaled. He first came to prominence in the early 2000s with his long-running Circus night and label. His 2009 debut album, A Collection of Scars and Situations, set the tone for his tech house-centric label, which continues to push the envelope on the dance floor. Here are five artists that will dominate the tech house scene in 2019:
When tech house first came on the scene, the majority of producers were male. While this is still the case, more women were starting to break into the scene. German-born Magda recently released her debut track, “Rattlesnake,” on the Pets Recordings label. Magda is a producer with a strong musical background, working across different genres and styles. She also remixed French DJ Francesca Lombardo’s “Spondylus” for her upcoming Pets Records debut.
Hybrid Minds
With a new EP and tour in the works, Hybrid Minds have a busy calendar for the year. There are more exciting remixes and collaborations on the way, as well as more summer festival dates. After a successful first year of touring, the group has already announced a few major dates for their upcoming summer tour. Hybrid Minds are definitely one to keep an eye on for house music 2019!
The British duo Hybrid Minds has been defining a new era in liquid DnB. They seamlessly move from lush vocal melodies to high-octane productions. The duo, comprised of Matt Lowe and Josh White, have been in the industry for ten years, and have achieved incredible success. Their music is both fresh and innovative, and their sound is distinctly their own.
Patrick Topping
If you’re looking forward to the future of house music, then you should look out for the latest releases from Patrick Topping. Earlier this year, the Newcastle-born producer launched his own label Trick. He is a recent cover star of the influential mix magazine, and has lined up DJs such as Elliot Adamson and Bryan Kessler to help produce his future output. Other artists he’s lined up for future releases include Gettoblaster, Alex Virgo and DJ Deeon.
While many DJs aspire to be the next big thing, few artists fit into the superstar mold like Patrick Topping. A dynamic DJ and prolific producer, Patrick has been a regular fixture at Jamie Jones’ Paradise parties in Ibiza for two years. He has more than 50 singles to his name, and has remixed Calvin Harris and Booka Shade. His music is both dance-floor-friendly and bass-heavy, and has been played at some of the world’s biggest parties.
Nu Groove Records
In the early days of house music, Nu Groove Records was a pioneering New York City label. Active from 1988 to 1992, it left its mark on the house music scene for decades. The label was recently re-launched by Defected, which remastered and redistributed the old catalogue for the digital age. Now, Nu Groove is releasing new productions from its archives that span more than 30 years. Jovonn is the first artist to release new material on the label.
The two brothers who co-founded Nu Groove Records worked independently in New Jersey studios and were credited with most of the label’s output. They used aliases such as Tech Trax Inc., Utopia Project, Avant Garde, and Aphrodisiac. They were best known for their hit single “I Say A Prayer” which is considered one of the quintessential tracks of Nu Groove. The song features minimal riffs, insidious drum programming, and a haunting title sample.
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