Glad to find the Steem Platform! This is my first post here and I'm looking to use this as a place to write about some of the music that I love. A little bit about myself. I've been a DJ and avid dance music lover since I was about 15. 17 years later I DJ significantly less than I did in my 20s because of life commitments, but I still spend much of my time largely obsessed with Techno, House, and Hip-Hop as well as producing techno as a side project. Looking forward to using this to write more about the music I love and interact with this community. With that said, here are some of the most formative and influential (not necessarily my favorite) tracks from my early 20s and teenage years in no particular order. Hope you find some classic songs that you like.
1. Felix Da Housecat - Silver Screen Shower Scene
Released in 2003, this track was the one of the defining tracks of the short-lived Electroclash genre which was known for being a interesting mash of synthpop, punk, and techno (with notable artists as Tiga, Erol Alkan, ADULT., Fischerspooner, and DJ Hell being key members of that movement). This genre became the springboard that I needed to get into less commercially acceptable electronic music. Being a huge fan of synthpop like New Order and Depeche Mode at the time, Electroclash brought so many genres together in an anything goes vibe where songs by Duran Duran stood up alongside more difficult techno artist like Pan Sonic or Thomas Brinkmann creating an energetic and accessible way to get into Electronic Music. Silver Screen Shower Scene epitomizes the anything goes values of the scene for me. The distant monotone lyrics that dripped of excess oozes a casual cool that was unlike anything I had heard at the time all pinned down by throbbing beat that surprises when the 80s styled synths finally hit. It was exciting in a way that music often failed at and an important intro for me to artists that would come to define the music I love.
2. The Chemical Brother - Out Of Control
Released in 1999, my love of New Wave once again rears its head. Featuring vocals from New Order's Benard Sumner (and a video featuring a young Rosario Dawson), this song's more structured lyrics provided an anthem for my younger years and that structure was a key entry point to moving from listening to pop to techno . The Chemical Brothers provide a near constant build that gives way to a breakdown that gives a huge hand in the air moment of brief euphoria before plunging back down to the beat. It's fantastic drama as The Chemical Brothers have delivered for almost 2 decades.
3. Dave Clarke - What Was Her Name? (Feat. Chicks on Speed) (LFO Remix)
First off, RIP Mark Bell. Even if you aren't terribly familiar with his work with LFO, you may remember his production touches on some of Bjorks best songs from the 90s. In my period of listening to Electroclash, I picked this up falsely believing Dave Clarke to be a big electroclash artist because of a popular Fischerspooner Remix. Luckily I was wrong in the best way. This song is sound design at it's most insane that holds up over a decade later and will truly test any hi-fi stereo with a synth line that rapidly sears through nearly every conceivable audio frequency. It's trippy and suited for those 3am moments when you want to push a willing crowd into a frenzy. This song single-handedly influenced me into moving into play techno.
4. Layo & Bushwacka! - Love Story
Featuring samples from both Nina Simone and Devo, this has a rare quality about it that makes it function in dark clubs and on huge stages. The thumping beat that drives the opening inevitably give away to the ear catching piano chords and Nina Simone vocals that instill a sense of melancholy that stays with you long after you listen to it. It's a classic slice of house music with a restrained sense of melody that has stayed with me for many years since it was at the peak of it's popularity.
5. Pan Sonic - Hapatus
This song is an exercise in minimalism. One of Pan Sonic's more accessible works, this is one of those records that never fails to inspire me when producing. I originally purchased this on a whim from a Tower Records that was going out of business when I was 16, this is one of those records that is one of the largest influences for me as a producer. I love how it does so much with so little creating a hypnotic and trippy vibe that is so far away from many of the maximalist songs that dominate the popular consciousness. Listening to this before I start a production session ensures an afternoon of creativity. I didn't fully understand it when I first heard it, but it's mark on me is so evident.
Well, I hope this was an interesting first post for me. Looking forward to sharing more music with you as I get envolved in this platform more.