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-- The merging of the many genres of EDM... (Are you still a "Trance" DJ?)
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The merging of the many genres of EDM... (Are you still a "Trance" DJ?)

Sitting at work at 6AM on a Sunday morning can lead to many ponderings, and since the TA forums are always ready for yet another post of random incoherent rambling, I share with you my thoughts

I was thinking this morning about what got me into this whole EDM scene and inevitably I came back to Armin's "Blue Fear," the track that is really responsible for me diving head on into the world of "Trance" music.

5, 6, even 7 years ago it was that simple, I was into "Trance" and that was it, period. No house, not really into breaks, just unabashed, get stoned and maybe find time to eat a pill occasionally trance.

Fast forward to today, and after a few years on the decks I'm pretty happy with how my skills are progressing as a DJ, no where near perfect, but confident enough to at least attempt rock a party any night of the week. But what I really see as a major change is what's in my record crate, for example, around 2000 you may have seen the following in my crate or sets:

Armin Van Buuren - Blue Fear
ATB - 9PM (Til I come)
Mansun - Wide Open Space
Tilt w/ Robert Miles - Children (Tilts Courtyard Mix)

and Now:

Ficta - Eli (James Zaniela's Rave Lizard Mix)
Plump DJ's - Bullet Train
Guy Gerber - Stoppage Time
Depeche Mode - Only When I Lose Myself (Lexicon Avenue Mix)

I guess what strikes me is how often I now find myself looking through every "genre" of EDM to find the tracks I like, not restricted by a genre, and while a lot of those come from the sections with titles like "Progressive Trance/House/Breaks etc." I do find the one underlying theme for anything I buy/spin is that it still has to have that trance sound, regardless of genre.

So now my question is as follows: Do any of you think that the genre of "Trance" is dead, or would you rather say that the genre "Trance" has simply evolved into something that cannot be so much defined by the tracks within it, but how it makes the individual feel? Are these sets we're hearing that seem to be a combination of every possible genre out there really defineable as anything more than EDM? And if that's the case, would you say that a genre of EDM is dictated more by the DJ than the producer (I.E. each DJ has his/her own unique sound, and while it may be created from tracks produced by others, the overall feel and sound of the set is determined by the individual DJ performing the set.)?

Just thoughts, I'm probably too bored for my own good, but maybe some of you have had the same ideas running through your heads... if not, sorry for the longwinded post, thanks for making it through it .

Peace, Cheers,

RJT

"or would you rather say that the genre "Trance" has simply evolved into something that cannot be so much defined by the tracks within it, but how it makes the individual feel?"

nice way to put it, i think that's the most important sentence of your post

I never was a trance dj...

Yeh I would say my collection has evolved much the same.

In 2000, my collection was made up mostly of Trance from Additive, Neo, Bonzai, record labels and artists such as Transa, Taucher, etc..

But even then my collection was slowly evolving I would find more and more breakbeat that I enjoyed.

The last bundle of vinyl that I bought says it all, I still buy a lot of trance but my collection is covering much more genres. In the last lot there was breaks, prog, ambient from 70's and 80's, and some trance too.

And also whatever genre people wish to class Petter & Nathan Fake too.

Well currently, since I got into DJing and Trance only a few years ago, after the 98-00 craze, I started buying records that were releases from when I started. In the past 2 weeks I have been searching out (with success) a shitload of some of the best tracks from back in the day. At the same time I still look out for breaks, borderline psy, SOME hardstyle. Genres with a different sound than most of todays cookie cutter tracks (not that all of them are bad). As long as I feel as a DJ tht I will be able to incorporate it into my set affectively.

When I think of the world "Progressive" I am not thinking Markus Schulz style tunes, more rather how to progress my sets from start to end. With an ever increasing energy. I can't sit and enjoy Markus style mixing, it bore's me to no avail (personally).

Just my look on it. I do agree with the original post almost completely. At the end of the day, TRANCE will be what I spin.

In a word, YES!

I started out a trance DJ as well, the song that got me hooked was Lost Tribe - Gamemaster, and Robert Miles - Children was one of them too. I went out and bought all the trance of '99, Ferry Corsten, Armin, Tiesto, Oakenfold, etc.

But then, my taste's started to change. I think this was precipitated by the fact that a lot of trance that comes out these days is just crap, let's face it.

I've now ventured out into house, prog house, breakbeat, techno, hard house, and psy trance in my sets. about the only genre i don't incorporate, is d&b/jungle, i just don't really like the stuff and it's way too fast.

I don't even spin trance. I have some trance records but not enough to spin a set with. Juust a few of my favorite tracks I saw and had to buy for the sake of owning the vinyl.

I started my record collection well before (traditional) "trance"...mostly electro-pop...you know good 'ol Pet Shop Boys and the sort. When I started to DJ I'd say about 80% of it was goa and the rest was trance. Now, I'd probably say a majority is trance, with the other 40% being psy/goa, prog, techno with the occassional disco-threat or dnb tune thrown in. And I've never turned down an opportunity to pick up an 80's-90's classic on vinyl either when they come available.

So, no, I never was exclusively a "Trance DJ"...even if I categorize myself as one. Better than calling myself a Mut..which when it comes to tunes that's what most of us play anyway

i think good "trance" died after 1999.

since then it's hard to find anything innovative in the genre.
i own quite a few trance alblums, but only throw 3-4 trance tracks into the end of a set. I still bleed trance, but not that many club go-ers do around here anymore. As much as I'd like to start a set with Magik Journey, I think I'd clear the dancefloor if I dropped that nowadays.

Personally, I've just heard so many fucking synths and female vocals in my life that I can't stand any new trance. I'm now into prog and dirty, deep house. It's an evolution and I think it's for the bettter. I still own many trance classics, but they're more for listening/personal mixing than playing out. In my sets I try to play a little of everything, just to keep changing it up and to disprove the "all techno music sounds the same" comment I get all the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Tegu i think good "trance" died after 1999. since then it's hard to find anything innovative in the genre. i own quite a few trance alblums, but only throw 3-4 trance tracks into the end of a set. I still bleed trance, but not that many club go-ers do around here anymore. As much as I'd like to start a set with Magik Journey, I think I'd clear the dancefloor if I dropped that nowadays. Personally, I've just heard so many fucking synths and female vocals in my life that I can't stand any new trance. I'm now into prog and dirty, deep house. It's an evolution and I think it's for the bettter. I still own many trance classics, but they're more for listening/personal mixing than playing out. In my sets I try to play a little of everything, just to keep changing it up and to disprove the "all techno music sounds the same" comment I get all the time.

CLASS response man!!!

Its a shame music discussions threads don't go this smooth. We DJ's are one of a kind.

quote:

Originally posted by J:\Digital CLASS response man!!! Its a shame music discussions threads don't go this smooth. We DJ's are one of a kind.

SShhhh, teh DJ Booth is the secret music discussion forum.

Re: The merging of the many genres of EDM... (Are you still a "Trance" DJ?)

quote:

Originally posted by rturn214 So now my question is as follows: Do any of you think that the genre of "Trance" is dead, or would you rather say that the genre "Trance" has simply evolved into something that cannot be so much defined by the tracks within it, but how it makes the individual feel? Are these sets we're hearing that seem to be a combination of every possible genre out there really defineable as anything more than EDM? And if that's the case, would you say that a genre of EDM is dictated more by the DJ than the producer (I.E. each DJ has his/her own unique sound, and while it may be created from tracks produced by others, the overall feel and sound of the set is determined by the individual DJ performing the set.)?

Genres are pretty much set in stone AFAIK, it's more of individual tastes evolving...

Re: Re: The merging of the many genres of EDM... (Are you still a "Trance" DJ?)

quote:

Originally posted by `pr0digy AFAIK

What does AFAIK stand for? I went ahead and abbreviated the rest of my post to make it easier to read:
AKDKLSJ. DSKJSDJKS. ASAPW. SDAJASDKJA.

i started off spinning full blown synthesized trance; got bored of that real quick then discovered progressive house. things got boring from there; however, i finally discovered house!

i now spin underground house music. i guess if you want to put a label on it as a whole it would be deep house.

to get a better grip of what i play-- think of mark farina, derrick carter, diz, and etc. (not eric morrillo, richard humpty vission, eww!)

if you have open ears for some of the deeper shades of house; give my mix in my sig a try, you should be pleasently suprised.

always open ears for new music

I've moved on to progressive/electro/funky house, much to the disapointment of my trance buddies.

when I first started DJing and buyign records I would pretty much always go out and buy the big trance tracks that all the big-named DJs were playing. I have a couple hundred vandit, Bonzai, ASOT, etc records that I barely ever touch now. Since then, the last year or so I've really started to develop my own tastes which seem to fit more into teh Progressive House category. I still buy an odd trance record here and there, but not as much as I used to. So, yeah, my tastes have definitely changed.

quote:

Originally posted by Dirk W. What does AFAIK stand for? I went ahead and abbreviated the rest of my post to make it easier to read: AKDKLSJ. DSKJSDJKS. ASAPW. SDAJASDKJA.

Oh my God, you're hilarious!! LOL! I was wondering the same thing.


Ok, back to the topic at hand. I first got into EDM when I went on my senior trip to Cancun in 2000. My favorite club down there was called Kristine Club (hence my name). The two tracks that I really loved were (don't laugh) "DJ Jean - The Launch" and "Johnny Vicious - Ecstacy". When I got home, I searched the depths of Napster (rest in peace). "Ecstacy" was easy to find obviously (both the song and the drug at the time ) but "The Launch" was very difficult since there were no words. In the process of searching, I found many other cheesy tracks that I fell in love with.

After almost two years, I picked up my first decks. I listened to strictly Trance at the time (I have this forum to thank for that). I was very naive about the different types of music out there. Thankfully, my knowledge and taste for music developed (check my sig). Nowadays, I don't even listen to new "trance" stuff unless it's progressive. For some reason it's even more difficult for me to play. I like to blend prog trance and prog house with some prog and nu skool breaks. However, I will forever be a sucker for those classic tunes (except for "The Launch").

So to answer your question, I think everone has a "trance" (just like everyone has an "El Guapo") that they started out with. You can still hear trance influences in new music so people who say trance is dead just need to expand their limits (like Tom) and grow with the times.


P.S. Bullet Train is such a badass track!!

im still very electronic dance, what makes my ears and emotions feels good i play.
most of the time it's trance, but i have my taste in all music genres.
because if you can bring different elements into a song it make it much inspiring to listen too.
i definatly keep my ear open to anything without putting it down. the people these days shit on about how this music is shit and this is good.i dont listen to them.

i play anything from trance to breaks, house and progressive stuff.
although these types of sound suite diferent enviroments or what the crowd is feeling like so i thinks its good to have taste in anything that you like.
sometimes i mix all them genres in, but its what the atmosphere is like and what ur like.u just gota feel it if u know what i mean.

quote:

Originally posted by Nou omg are you a girl111111 PICS PLZ````````~!

no, he's not, i made that mistake though too.

quote:

Originally posted by Nou omg are you a girl111111 PICS PLZ````````~!

Sorry, my name is Greg.

But you're right. What makes a good DJ is their ability to find quality music that no one else is playing. Many times, I'll buy a track that I love that just happened to be in the record store when I was there and then I'll hear a huge DJ play it in a club. I think you'll have much more respect for yourself as a DJ if you have your own original style.

I used to play mostly trance 4 years ago. But lately i've been into more of downtempo, deep house, progressive house, and i've been experimenting w/ samples i record & scratch live.
I also love to dig for those "diamond in the rough" records.

quote:

Originally posted by KristineClub Sorry, my name is Greg.

Such a cute name for a girl! I <3 BOOBS!!!11

AFAIK = As far as I know, AFAIK.

quote:

Originally posted by KristineClub Sorry, my name is Greg.

Hahahah, serves you all right! Didn't you notice the post count? No girl would have ever survived past "tranceaddict in training" before the harassment made her leave

Well first off, I wanted to say thanks to everyone in this thread, it's damn nice when once in a while a thread doesn't turn into a flame fest .

Getting back to the topic at hand I figured in order to help you guys see a little more effectively where I'm coming from I'd post my latest practice setlist here:

1. Dave Brennan - Drink Deep (Some Zabiela mix, I forgot which one on the way to class )
2. Audioholics - External Key (Perry O'Neil Remix)
3. Guy Gerber - Catch the Breeze
4. Trafik - Your Light (Luke Chable Coval Breaks Mix)
5. Nubreed - One Day (Luke Chable Extension Mix)
6. Tomcraft - Loneliness (Klub mix)
7. Plump DJ's - Bullet Train
8. Ficta - Eli (James Zabiela Rave Lizard Mix)
9. Layo & Bushwacka! - Love Story (Tim Delux Remix)

Kinda breaks heavy, but there's still a little trance and some serious McProg in there. I guess where I find myself these days is in the "I play what I like category" and the one benefit I've really found from not limiting myself to any one genre is that when I spin a live set I really feel like I have a lot more control of the party. When I was limiting myself to a certain genre or a certain BPM range, I was really setting some very unwelcome limits on what I could do live.

I have found that I really like to start a set around 126-128BPM with some kind of proggy stuff, maybe a little downtempo trance pitched up a bit, but then it's like there is this moment in any set where I say to myself "Throw a damn break in there and get people moving you jerk!" Inevitably I'll throw a random break, and if the night is right the crowd picks up, and I've found that once you get them moving a bit you can throw in a McProg track or a Trance track, or whatever and you'll definitely be able to keep the audiences attention, or at least be able to gauge whether or not the audience is following you and where you're headed with the music.

Depending on the length of my set, the venue (Radio/Party), I'll end my sets differently. Short sets I may work up to the low to mid 130's pretty quick, and then maybe bring it back down to 129-130BPM's to finish. If I'm going for a long guy (Longest set I've spun at a party was 2:40) I'll generally take my time working up to the upper 130's, maybe 140, rock out a few classic anthems, try to keep the energy up, and generally I'll keep it above 135 to finish.

In any event, I hope you guys can get a feel for how I like to throw a party, and I also hope this gives you an idea of how much moving around from genre to genre in order to gauge the crowd. I guess this is my take and only my take on it, but in summation, casting off the restriction of genre, I feel has made me a much better DJ.

Thanks again for helping me explore this stuff guys, I'm glad to see that a lot of people are making this evolution, but I'm also glad there are some real "Trance" DJ's out there sticking it out, you gotta do what you love.

Peace, Cheers,

RJT

Excellent tracklist there.

I agree with you, I always appreciate a party that starts off a little slower- it just makes the peak hours that much more incredible.

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