Also, does listening to it depress the shit out of anyone else? I'm not saying it's all bad or anything, but there definitely seems to be an all-consuming overpowering electro house domination going on. And most of it to me, seems lifeless and uninspired. All I'm saying is there's not much for variety and the tracks seem to blend into one another after a while. Is that what people actually want?


Okay that sounds pretty jaded, not trying to troll or anything, just want to hear your opinions.

It's what sells. There's not a very good way of accurately determining "what people want" but what sells best is one way of aggregating it.

I think looking to Beatport to see what's good in EDM nowadays is kind of like trying to find the best rock bands around today by watching MTV, though. If they even play rock anymore, hell if I know.

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Originally posted by Kysora It's what sells. There's not a very good way of accurately determining "what people want" but what sells best is one way of aggregating it. I think looking to Beatport to see what's good in EDM nowadays is kind of like trying to find the best rock bands around today by watching MTV, though. If they even play rock anymore, hell if I know.

I think you're right. There's also a bit of self appreciation in the charts though i.e. if it's on the top 10/100 chart then people buy it and I reckon sometimes it gets on that chart in the first place just for those reasons.

Bit of payola going on I reckon.

But christ, if you actually listen to those charts, they are full of crap and it beggars belief that so many people actually bought that dross.

Okay, I just finished going through the entire top 100. There were about 5 dubstep tracks, ONE traditional trance cut (that blew), a few top minimal tracks, and one sad and lonely breaks track that sounds like it's trying to be electro. No DNB anywhere. I am glad that there was some very enjoyable deep house peppered throughout. But I guess the electro house and peak-time tech house is what sells.

Terre Thaemlitz - Fireplace Chat - Redbull Music Academy

http://redbullmusicacademyradio.com/shows/3122/

This guy talks speaks to the fact that the industry seems hellbent on pushing crap music. It's kind of an old podcast but I guess I shouldn't be so surprised to find you making an observation Mr. Thaemlitz spoke somewhat eloquently, if not scathingly, to.

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i think now that beatport has a "My Beatport" Section it will allow users to buy and follow whoever they want. There's a reason why an Axwell song charts within 24hrs it's because the moment his song hits beatport, 10,000 kids have him in his 'my favorites' and all it takes is like 100 sales in the first few days to get charting. that said, that could happen to any artist, all it takes is a few people to really get behind you before you're amongst the "mainstream top 100"

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Originally posted by Zombie0729 i think now that beatport has a "My Beatport" Section it will allow users to buy and follow whoever they want. There's a reason why an Axwell song charts within 24hrs it's because the moment his song hits beatport, 10,000 kids have him in his 'my favorites' and all it takes is like 100 sales in the first few days to get charting. that said, that could happen to any artist, all it takes is a few people to really get behind you before you're amongst the "mainstream top 100"

That's true but herein lies the problem that I alluded to earlier:

If someone big has a following, there's already a built in number of muppets who will buy it regardless.

This then puts them in the top 10/100 charts, and then another bunch of muppets who buy things just because they are in the top 10/100 purchase it making it even bigger.

Therefore based on sheer following, a track can easily get in to the to top charts without even being really liked or in some cases even listened to.

Now compare that to say a great track, by a bedroom producer, that get's put out on a small label.

A few diligent music hunters might find it and then over the next few days/weeks it gets discussed on forums or put on peoples personal mixes or podcasts which again takes some time. It might get some radio play if they are lucky, and again that migth trickly down to some more sales.

Chances are that process, to reach the same number of sales as the latest SHM junk did in two days, will take several weeks, meaning that it won't even chart.

So basically, until that bedroom producer, gets a name for themselves and a bunch of followers that look for their stuff, they'll probably never appear in those top charts.

So in short, no it does not accurately reflect what people really like or what is even good music.

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Originally posted by DJ RANN That's true but herein lies the problem that I alluded to earlier: If someone big has a following, there's already a built in number of muppets who will buy it regardless. This then puts them in the top 10/100 charts, and then another bunch of muppets who buy things just because they are in the top 10/100 purchase it making it even bigger. Therefore based on sheer following, a track can easily get in to the to top charts without even being really liked or in some cases even listened to. Now compare that to say a great track, by a bedroom producer, that get's put out on a small label. A few diligent music hunters might find it and then over the next few days/weeks it gets discussed on forums or put on peoples personal mixes or podcasts which again takes some time. It might get some radio play if they are lucky, and again that migth trickly down to some more sales. Chances are that process, to reach the same number of sales as the latest SHM junk did in two days, will take several weeks, meaning that it won't even chart. So basically, until that bedroom producer, gets a name for themselves and a bunch of followers that look for their stuff, they'll probably never appear in those top charts. So in short, no it does not accurately reflect what people really like or what is even good music.

yup i can see that point of view but there are less muppets who follow labels and buy everything. For instance one of my favorite labels is Suara, i would say 80 % of what they put out is totally for me and the moment i see a track from them in "my beatport" section, i listen and make a decision. I think the existing filter of music use to be labels, and finding labels who support the sound you're after is a great way to find new artists but also find the music you like at the quality you think it should be at. Don't get me wrong i hear stuff on beatport all the time and say to myself "HOW!@?" but imo anyone can do it and quality records can reach the general beatport audience if just a few factors are there

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Originally posted by EddieZilker Terre Thaemlitz - Fireplace Chat - Redbull Music Academy http://redbullmusicacademyradio.com/shows/3122/ This guy talks speaks to the fact that the industry seems hellbent on pushing crap music. It's kind of an old podcast but I guess I shouldn't be so surprised to find you making an observation Mr. Thaemlitz spoke somewhat eloquently, if not scathingly, to.

really enjoying this, thanks for posting

It's true of anything else in life, people are afraid of the new. They want safety. It's why pop is so simple and universal. (Opinion)

I know this is a bunch of questions, but since we're analyzing this, we might as well look at other factors.

If producing a quality track isn't enough, how does one gain a big enough following to be taken seriously? How can you possibly know all the factors? Going by the charts? Talking to people who listen to the style of music? Listening to the big DJ shows and pushing your music that direction?

Is it random, or is there something more to it?

Now, someone like Deadmau5 created a sound of his own, and he was unknown. What made Deadmau5 stand out? The mouse costume?

I can't remember the last time I saw a DnB song break the Top 100. It's a lot easier to go to the genre specific charts then listening to the top 100.

As a side note, Beatport has Funk, Reggae, and Rock sections? Cool shit.

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Originally posted by arskinetica Now, someone like Deadmau5 created a sound of his own, and he was unknown. What made Deadmau5 stand out? The mouse costume?

Aaaaaaaaand cue flame war.

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Originally posted by arskinetica Now, someone like Deadmau5 created a sound of his own, and he was unknown. What made Deadmau5 stand out? The mouse costume?

Yeah actually.