December 5, 2011 - 10:36am
Upgrade/Downgrade: Electronic music
BY LAURA ARGINTAR
Electronic music, dubstep, house music and the like have become instrumental (no pun intended) in current college culture. From the radio to clubs, no party is complete without some trance-like background noise. My own personal connection to this type of music is one of a love/hate —when it’s 9 a.m. and I have class to attend, nothing wakes me up more like Swedish House Mafia blaring in my headphones, but when my head is pounding and I’m eating Advil for dinner, the last thing I want to hear is some dumb guy with a Mac computer repeating the same beat for seven minutes.
Upgrade: Music to my ears
Two occasions are perfect for house music — the gym and the pregame. Both scenarios call for a serious upbeat, pump-me-up sound to get the party started and spirits high. Listening to the creative tunes from masterminds like David Guetta, Afrojack and Avicii is an instant energy boost. These songs can immediately elevate any mood.
In the same vein, nothing beats going to an electronic music concert or festival. Attending a concert by a DJ like Laidback Luke is the best form of dancing entertainment; the light system is awesomely advanced while the sound system is powerful and robust. Festivals like Ultra and Electric Zoo are an equally unique, amazing experience. Random strangers suddenly become best friends as the crowd is united as one under the same passion for house music. A good DJ can create a strong, evocative connection with the audience and transform the whole arena. Some of my greatest experiences are dancing with my friends in a sea of strangers for hours just enjoying my surroundings and the music.
Downgrade: I’m over it
Since when did everyone become a DJ? Why does owning a pair of cool, overpriced headphones and expensive equipment that you probably don’t know how to use properly make you an expert? To those people who think replaying other real DJ’s music and throwing in some fancy crossfader makes you legitimate — it doesn’t. Knowing how to read those special clocks and fist pump makes you an advanced first grader, not Calvin Harris.
Does anyone else find it really upsetting that house music has killed the sing-along? Sometimes, especially on Saturday morning pregames, I get really nostalgic for a classic Journey “Don’t Stop Believing” group song and am disappointed when everyone is instead mumbling a “dun dun dun-na dun dun dun-na”. Instead of embracing a 90s jam or screaming Rihanna lyrics, it has become commonplace to jump up and down for a little bit before settling down to a lame mingle session while some random beat plays in the background, all because you can’t sing along.
Also, can someone explain to me why wearing neon make the music sound any better? Since when is watching Sebastien Ingrossio an excuse for clearing out American Apparel? Just because you’re going to an electronic music performance doesn’t mean you need to dress up like a crossing guard.
Lastly, there is a resurgence of ecstasy and MDMA use that goes hand-in-hand with the house music scene. Once popular in the early 90s clubs, “rolling” is now back. While no drugs are ever good for you, MDMA is especially terrible. Ecstasy, in particular, is like a trash-can of a pill that encompasses all kinds of bad shit. While I do enjoy attending an electronic music performance, it is extremely frightening to watch a crowd of overly sweaty people sucking lollipops. Let’s save the sex and drugs for rock’n’roll.
