 "Photo: Ethan Saks | Atlantic Records")
We are living in a time when nearly every song to hit the charts sounds like it belongs in a drug-induced, underground rave in Eastern Europe. Recently, across genres nearly everything popular is heavily driven by electronic influences. The musical climate seems to be almost entirely fueled by heart-thumping bass and the methodical crunch that only a computerized synthesizer could create. Some artists today have traded in their instruments for laptops and are beginning to change the way we think of music. Our grandparents had Sinatra, our parents had the Beatles and we have … Skrillex?
While that statement might bring a cringe to any music purist's face, with five Grammy nominations and three wins, Skrillex is making huge waves on the music scene. And he does all this without playing a single live instrument or singing a note. He hits ‘play' on a pre-loaded Macbook Pro, and his performance begins. He then proceeds to jump, scream, squeal and seizure while adjusting a variety of buttons and knobs that create the guttural tones that incite hysteria within his audience.
Although not necessarily musically complicated, the 24-year-old artist seems to have mastered the art of showmanship and entertainment for his audience. While many criticize the artistry of live music that isn't actually ‘live', some say there is no need for such a contraction.
Freshman cello major Emily Lewontin has been playing her instrument for more than 10 years and is currently enrolled in DePaul's School of Music. According to her, it's totally possible to appreciate both electronic and classical music because they represent very different things.
"I love a lot of electronic music, but I listen to a lot of classical music as well," Lewontin said. "They aren't the same experience at all, and it's possible to appreciate both."
While she said she listens to classical music when she is alone – doing homework or riding the train – it is a different story when she is in party mode. Lewontin said that it is attending "live" shows that draws her to electronic music.
"Both have an experience associated to them," said Lewontin. "People are less interested in the classical music experience because it is less relevant to our generation than an electronic one."
DePaul junior Alaina Haines has been playing violin for 12 years and also enjoys both genres. She acknowledges that both have their place, classical being more serious and dubstep more fun, but both are beautiful in their own way.
"Having played a classical instrument, it makes it easier to appreciate the musical element of some electronic music," said Haines. "While dubstep isn't usually as complex, it still produces feelings and emotions. I think that's ultimately the purpose of music."
Emotion is at the cornerstone of nearly all genres of music, especially in Chicago with its deep history in blues.
Local blues artist Linsey Alexander has spent his whole life loving (and playing) live music and doesn't see dubstep or other electronic genres as a challenge to his craft.
"I grew up on blues music, my daddy grew up on it and now it's time to pass it on," said Alexander. "Kids are definitely still interested in it and we're getting more young people than ever at our shows."
To illustrate his point, he recommends coming to the "Sunday jam session" that he hosts at Kingston Mines. According to Alexander, there a lot of young musicians who love the blues and come every week. The blues venue on Halsted and Wrightwood offers free cover to students during the week and is a great place to escape the bass.
"Blues doesn't bring in the same crowd [as electronic], but there are a lot of young people who prefer it to anything else," Alexander said.
While mostly centered between people ages 17-25, the electronic scene seems to be surpassing some of its perceived limits. In the past two years, artists ranging from The Doors (yes, the 1960's icons sans Morrison and Densmore) to heavy metal's Korn have collaborated with dubstep artists to produce new and invariably original sounds.
DePaul freshman Alexis Keilly is very involved in the electronic dance scene, going to shows regularly and writing a music blog. According to her, the electronic movement has the potential to incorporate interesting new aspects to traditional music, rather than alienating it.
"Dubstep isn't overshadowing other genres any more than rock, folk or indie did in their beginnings, it's just something different," said Keilly. "I love that artists are testing it out, even if their genre isn't electronic."
Heavy bass drops and steroid-pumping robot noises seem to be the sounds of the future, but it looks like many see it as an elaboration rather than an abomination.