What better way to ring in the New Year than with a scientific study that shows electronic dance music distresses birds? A group of African gray parrots were observed when classical, “middle of the road,” and trendy pop music played, and while all birds had a preference for at least one, none seemed to “enjoy” – i.e. squawk and dance – electronic dance music from The Chemical Brothers and Prodigy. In fact, the birds began showing signs of distress. If they can’t handle “classic” EDM, how do you think they’d react to David Guetta?
A large amount of visitors for a single venue passed through Pier 94 over the week before New Year’s. From December 27 to January 1, 30,000 clubgoers went to see RPM and Pacha NYC’s hosted shows for Steve Aoki, Afrojack, Diplo, and Danny Tenaglia. Supporting these four heavyweights was an equally strong lineup: Benny Benassi, Nervo, Nobody Beats the Drum, Rusko, R3hab, Shermanology, Bobby Burns, Leroy Styles, Zawdi MC, Tommie Sunshine, and Victor Calderone.
Aside from the recent string of New Year’s Eve events, which occurred on both coasts, two releases were announced recently. One is Nicole Moudaber’s Roar EP on Carl Cox’s recently-revived Intec Digital. The preview hints at a strong techno release. The EP drops on January 28. Moudaber, as well, is touring in North America until January 26.
Also on January 28 is Darin Epsilon’s “Shine The Light” single, part of the Renaissance Masters compilation. Listen to a preview of the single here.
Before this point, look out for releases by Sander Van Doorn and Mikael Weermets.
Various pop artists, as we mentioned, are trying out dubstep and house music. Since we rounded up a list of dubstep-influenced pop and hip-hop songs, Taylor Swift put out such a single, and Mumford & Sons admitted to considering synthesizers for their next release. Dubstep on a Taylor Swift release sounds extremely out of place, and Mumford & Sons trying it out just appears cringeworthy on paper.
If “Mumford & Sons” and “EDM” seem like an odd combination, try looking at “reality TV” and “DJing.” Simon Cowell’s DJing competition thankfully fell through earlier this year, but now the producer of the Jersey Shore is casting for a reality TV show. While this may be one nail in the coffin of mainstream EDM, at least, assuming the show ends up on MTV, the channel once known for music videos is back doing actual music programming.
Even if folksy rockers may be trying out electronic and a DJing reality TV show is in the works, EDM made another positive stride over the holiday season: the first terrestrial station — in Boston of all locations. The station, Evolution 101.7, was launched by Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and is expected to feature both well-known and up-and-coming DJs and producers.
