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above & beyond have carved out a pretty interesting fan base for themselves (pg. 2)
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| Sykonee |
Had a 30-something co-worker for a short time that was really into A&B. Well adjusted chap, married, nothing unusual about him. Got talking about electronic music of course, wondering whether I'd heard of them or not. As politely as I could (I try keeping music snark out of my everyday interactions), I told him yes I had, but wasn't overly impressed by the group, their music coming off as entry-level trance music (so yeah, the Coldplay comparison is apt).
He understood, realizing that I had far more experience in electronic music than he, and was wondering if I could recommend him anything. I gave him some Ultimae postcards. |
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| Paradox Lost |
| quote: | Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
I have a theory that people who like modern trance music are probably emotionally unbalanced or emotionally stunted in some way. I struggle to believe any developed adult can listen to Above & Beyond and Armin and take it seriously. A fifteen year old kid, maybe. But not a grown man or woman. |
I wouldn't say that it's necessarily product of instability, but it definitely seems to attract the sort of person who's looking for the ridiculous soundtrack to their weekend hedonism. As for the remainder of modern trance fans, I liken them to modern Simpsons fans, in that they're both pre-existing fans who refuse to accept that the show has become utterly dreadful. |
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| Redd |
| quote: | Originally posted by Sykonee
Had a 30-something co-worker for a short time that was really into A&B. Well adjusted chap, married, nothing unusual about him. Got talking about electronic music of course, wondering whether I'd heard of them or not. As politely as I could (I try keeping music snark out of my everyday interactions), I told him yes I had, but wasn't overly impressed by the group, their music coming off as entry-level trance music (so yeah, the Coldplay comparison is apt).
He understood, realizing that I had far more experience in electronic music than he, and was wondering if I could recommend him anything. I gave him some Ultimae postcards. |
This situation, though not specifically with a co-worker, has happened to me numerous times. It feels a little frustrating to figure out how to respond. Keeping the music snark as you call it out of the conversation is usually a big priority, but it's kind of difficult to not come off as a dick if you're also going to be honest. "I think the music you listen to is utter gash, but I really love the genre".
I don't even know what to recommend to them since most of the mainstream music now is very far away from what I enjoy.
Just last weekend this guy I know through a friend, and who obviously knew I was into that kind music, wanted to show me a track. He had seen the light. Luckily it wasn't absolutely horrible, so I gave him credit for the fact that it didn't have any vocals. I then continued talking about something else. |
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| Lews |
| I mostly just admit I've been listening to electronic music for years and am a bit snobby, so that while I'm glad they enjoy X artist, it's not what I enjoy. Then I change the topic. There's no way I can keep the snark out of my voice while discussing A&B/AvB/etc. for more than 60 seconds. |
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| Mr Game+Watch |
I'm an early 30's guy in software development, own my own house and have been steadily employed since college graduation (whether I'm emotionally developed is up to you! I still drop oodles of money on gaming and I do like cutesy anime!), and will admit to listening to the TATW podcast. And of course I'm quite the Anjunadeep fan. Sure a ton of A&B's own productions are cheesy and very smoothed-over, but I've always had a small place in my heart for the cheese. When you're drunk, or high, or just getting a rush from being surrounded by a ton of over-emotional people at a festival, it's fun belting out "A Thing Called Love". :P
The one thing I have noticed about many fans of modern-day trance is that trance is ALL they listen to. I'll run into them at festivals and it's like they refuse to check out any acts outside of the #trancefamily (groan)... And I've noticed that A&B in particular draw a big Indian crowd. Could be because of the "Anjuna" name.
If people tell me they like Armin and A&B I can keep a straight face... but it's kinda hard to prevent groaning when they mention they listen to Hardwell, Aoki, 3Lau or DJ Snake. |
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| Lews |
| Pretty sure there are more DJ Snake songs I like than A&B, lol. Certainly more fun to dance to. |
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| blackplasma |
| FWIW the only people I have met in real life (outside of clubs) recently who said they liked Above & Beyond both happened to be incredibly hot, normal, down-to-earth girls. I still couldn't bring myself to pretend to like their music. |
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| Trance-M |
| quote: | Originally posted by blackplasma
FWIW the only people I have met in real life (outside of clubs) recently who said they liked Above & Beyond both happened to be incredibly hot, normal, down-to-earth girls. I still couldn't bring myself to pretend to like their music. |
Many just like to party and do not as most over here collect music the way we do. They go out, have a good time, love to dance. Those are the people who have a good time while we complain about the music choice of the DJ's.
I can only say, some things never change. |
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| SYSTEM-J |
| quote: | Originally posted by Mr Game+Watch
I'm an early 30's guy in software development, own my own house and have been steadily employed since college graduation (whether I'm emotionally developed is up to you! I still drop oodles of money on gaming and I do like cutesy anime!), and will admit to listening to the TATW podcast. And of course I'm quite the Anjunadeep fan. Sure a ton of A&B's own productions are cheesy and very smoothed-over, but I've always had a small place in my heart for the cheese. When you're drunk, or high, or just getting a rush from being surrounded by a ton of over-emotional people at a festival, it's fun belting out "A Thing Called Love". :P |
The key here is that you know it's cheese. My whole point is that surely no right-minded adult can take this music seriously. You know the kind of trance fan I'm talking about. Not someone who listens to lots of stuff and has a small place for some uplifting cheddar. I'm talking about the kind of #trancefamily zealots who think this music is life and death. |
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| _Ocean_Drive_ |
| For what it's worth, I think AvB is a very knowledgeable, technically-talented DJ. It's just a huge shame that he panders to all the 'fans' you describe, above. If his set lists were devoid of pressure from labels / marketing whores, I'm sure he'd still be easy to listen to, but in my opinion, his music selection has absolutely sucked for well over 12 years, now. |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by _Ocean_Drive_
For what it's worth, I think AvB is a very knowledgeable, technically-talented DJ. It's just a huge shame that he panders to all the 'fans' you describe, above. If his set lists were devoid of pressure from labels / marketing whores, I'm sure he'd still be easy to listen to, but in my opinion, his music selection has absolutely sucked for well over 12 years, now. |
I'm not sure I completely agree. I know this is all personal taste but ta least even a few years ago (3?) you could listen to ASOT for working out or some but these days he has gone so far to the EDM mainstream I can't even listen to a single track. It's not like I've suddenly become a snob but if you juts look at the tracklists, you can clearly see a shift designed to cater to the newbs entering the EDM scene and wanting music-by-the-numbers. It's a financial decision for him, and in fairness it's nothing that Tiesto or a bunch of other guys who used to produce semi decent music haven't done. |
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| Trancelover03591 |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
I'm not sure I completely agree. I know this is all personal taste but ta least even a few years ago (3?) you could listen to ASOT for working out or some but these days he has gone so far to the EDM mainstream I can't even listen to a single track. It's not like I've suddenly become a snob but if you juts look at the tracklists, you can clearly see a shift designed to cater to the newbs entering the EDM scene and wanting music-by-the-numbers. It's a financial decision for him, and in fairness it's nothing that Tiesto or a bunch of other guys who used to produce semi decent music haven't done. |
Interesting you mention that. I have noticed that Armin has kept playing trance (in the broad sense, don't care if it is 140 bpm or not) for many years past a lot of others. However, his Ultra set this year was almost indistinguishable from a Hardwell or Tiesto set to me.
I think Armin has done an amazing job from a business side of things. 3-4 years ago I thought he would be out of the top 10 shortly. But as of right now I think he is as relevant as ever in terms of name recognition. |
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