‘Adventure Club: A Superheroes Halloween’

           Electronic Dance Music, or EDM for short, is a corner of the music industry that has created a world of millions of followers. Every day, around the world, there are many events that showcase the reason behind this genres sensation. These events display artists and the projects that they’ve created or are promoting. There are live musicians, djs and artists that provide visual aesthetics as well.

            For a Halloween celebration this year there was an event held called ‘Adventure Club: A Superheroes Halloween’. The world-famous dj duo Adventure Club headlined this event on Friday, October 26th, 2018 at Buffalo Riverworks. Eptic, SubDocta and Dirt Monkey were the other opening acts that warmed up the crowd starting at 8pm. “There’s nothing quite like the arena of electronic music today. Everyone has their favorite things in life and coming to shows like this one is mine” says James Turner, an attendee that shared his perception on the sensationalism of the EDM industry.

            Adventure Club specializes in the genre known as Dubstep. Dubstep is bass heavy, computer generated sound that runs at around 140 beats per minute. Many patrons find themselves dancing around during these shows to these sometimes slow but heavy beats. There are many hundreds, if not thousands, of djs that can be seen on any given night across the world but finding the genre that most intrigues you is a start to figure out which event you’d be the most happy at. 

            When entering Riverworks, the bass of the music could be heard from afar and was inviting by its rhythmic tones. Stepping inside the doorway provided a warm relief from the outside crisp October air and the sensation of the sounds were enticing. Scanning the tickets and getting bags checked was all that stood between us and the venue filled with hundreds of people.

            Like zigzags on a screen, people were already buzzing back and forth with excitement and energy from the music. Bass beats permeated from the stage, which was set back against a wall and built high on a platform so as to look out at the growing crowd. Laser lights rocked back and forth from the hardware that was built into a portion of the platform. The lighting continuously bounced off the faces in the crowd and, for seconds at a time, would highlight the patrons emotions to all.

            Riverworks is a venue that often holds major events and offers plenty of space for any level of organization with a capacity of up to 5,000 people at a time. One of the great features of this venue is the upper level which provides additional viewing and an alternative angle to being in the middle of the crowd below. From this higher angle a patron can see most of the space set out below and it gives for a great perspective of the crowd. The light show displayed on stage can also provide for an additional experience and is often another type of talent that is showcased.

            Another aspect of this event that added to its uniqueness was the Halloween costume concept that many patrons participated in. Hippies, gangsters, cartoon characters and superheroes alike were spotted throughout the night. Many smiles were traded with the acknowledgement of their alter-egos being shown through creative costumes, face-paint and a lot of glitter. Going to an event where you can trade in your ‘regular’ clothes for those that emulate a different side of your personality can often help to free some anxieties and apprehensions that a person may have.

Turner, a regular patron of EDM events, considers himself to be an unofficial expert in the music arena based on the hundreds of shows and festivals he’s attended over the past 10 years. Turner explains that through many difficult times in his life, the music ‘scene’ helped him to face issues with a more steady hand. “Sometimes the things you’re most passionate about are the things that can heal your most darkest places. These events are my passion. Songs like ‘Youth’ by Adventure Club really hit a soft spot for me and help to motivate me on some off days”.

There are many forms of art expression that are offered at EDM events. The music itself, light shows, and dancers just to name a few. Lisa Peacers, a well-known WNY performer, has spent the last few years developing the love that she has not only for the music but for the environment of freedom that the music offers. “The EDM scene is known to be a safe space for people to creatively express themselves” and Peacers does just that when dancing or performing to her favorite artists, including Adventure Club. “I loved high fiving fellow Spiderman impersonators and especially loved those who took the time to create their own super hero character!”

            There were about four and a half to five hours of music and the night was packed with a massive amount of bass, neon lights and dancing bodies. The night was over faster than anticipated but the memories will surely last a lifetime.  No matter the genre, EDM has a place inside for just about anyone that is looking for a space to belong to.

Swedish House Mafia Reunites!

     2018 has surely been a memorable year for EDM but one of the most memorable events has been the relaunching of 'Swedish House Mafia'. The musicians that form the Swedish house music super-group, originally founded in 2008, independently pursued projects during their recent and extended break. The coming years will show what the group is looking to do for the brand that they have been on hiatus from for the past five years. Find the some of the details here:

https://weraveyou.com/2018/10/swedish-house-mafia-reunion/

The Money Motive of EDM

     In the age of electronic music there is a great draw of fame, power and, most notably, money. Although it is not everything, money can often intrigue djs and musicians to go after what they thought was impossible only to discover that while some make it big, it is not always the case for every artist.
     Local artist and dj Charles Cirrito, also known as AudioPrizm, recognizes how difficult the struggle to become successful can be. “One of the hardest things for and up and coming dj is getting heard and finding a niche in an overly saturated culture of thousands of djs. Marketing yourself plays heavily on how much you get booked and, ultimately, how much you get paid per gig”. 

  Electronic Dance Music, or EDM for short, has become its own sector of the music industry and has carved out a corner of the “cash grab” frenzy that comes from fame. From small club shows to 100k attendee festivals, there is no doubt in the economy of the genre and the growth that it has had. It has earned many billions in the 20 (or so) years that it has existed but some say it seems to have slowed down due to variety in its presentation.

  More variations in the production of the music have allowed for it to be categorized in other genres. According to magneticmag.com's article ‘IMS Report 2018’, based on the International Music Summit meeting held in Ibiza, Spain, the industry revenue has witnessed a small decline. “One of the main takeaways is that after years of growth, the estimated value of the global electronic music industry seems to have potentially peaked and fallen 2% to $7.3 billion.” While this number may seem staggering, it is currently being analyzed due to the small decline it has faced. 

  When considering where the money comes from and where it goes, there are many factors that have to be taken in to account. Djs can earn anywhere from $50 an hour to a staggering six-figure payout for a one to two hour ‘set’ of music. The variance in these profits come from experience, notoriety and whether or not they make the music that they are playing. For many, the higher pay comes with many years of hard work and constant dedication.

  Leading the charts for the highest paid dj is Tijs Michael Verwest, known in the music community as Tiesto. According to celebritynetworth.com “DJ Tiesto is a Dutch DJ who has a net worth of $150 million. DJ Tiesto is a widely successful DJ, producer, and musician who DJs for massive audiences around the world.” He has been in the industry for a little over 20 years and has most certainly benefited from his longevity in the EDM scene. Although many djs will never reach the net worth that Tiesto currently has, there are many other artists that consistently build their financial wealth.

  The abundance of money that is earned from the fame that djs can attain does not always mean that they will find happiness. Most recently, Tim Bergling, better known as Avicci, was the center of electronic music fame and its downfalls after he committed suicide in April of 2018. Avicci rose to fame in 2011 after a few years of hard work in the industry and quickly gained money, fame and all that seemed to come with it. He struggled with mental and physical health issues late in his career that ultimately contributed to his demise. Even with a net worth of $85 million at the time of his death, money could not positively motivate the world-famous dj to overcome the internal struggles he suffered from.

  Regardless of the amount, there are ways to increase your stability when dealing with the financial aspects of fame. Kristy Drew, an experienced account representative in the financial industry located in Buffalo, N.Y. says “The easiest way to manage your money is to prepare for the worst and best case scenarios. Whether you have a penny or a million dollars, you have to be educated on ways to protect yourself and your assets.” Hiring a financial advisor, taking classes or just having a savings account are a few of the ways to manage your money confidently.

     Although the money and fame can be enticing, the world of electronic music is not always a positive experience. There are benefits and obstacles that must both be faced with the same openness and dedication involved in every day life. With education and assistance, you can open yourself up to easier coping strategies and properly defend yourself against the struggles of money, both within and beyond the borders of the EDM world.

The Man Behind the Music

        The age of Electronic Dance Music may seem new to many, but for Mike Marshall this ‘scene’ has been an important part of his life for over 20 years. Breaking into the event promotions and party planning circle was not always easy for Marshall, but back in the 2000s it was a prime time to get into the business because of the rise in popularity for EDM. Electronic Dance Music is a sector of the music industry that relies heavily on manufactured sounds. It is primarily created with computer software and often integrated with live music as well. 

The critical wave of popularity in EDM at this stage gave Marshall prime opportunity to create MNM Presents, a music event company that services the better part of Western New York. Dubstep was trending at the time and that really helped to give MNM Presents a push in the right direction.

In the late 90s the EDM scene started at a minimal level in warehouse parties that were usually unauthorized and usually organized. A group of young and passionate patrons started a group called the ‘Gallactic Peace Alliance’ aka ‘GPA’ and threw parties in the abandoned TCI building, then located at Main and Fillmore. The vibes were free and the music was loud as the young men and women embraced the magic of their environment. Marshall was part of those early days which eventually helped motivate his desire to start throwing parties himself almost 10 years later.

Although Marshall has a passion for Dubstep, Trap, Techno and many other genres, Drum & Bass tends to be his overall preference. Each show that he brings takes anywhere from six months to one year to prepare. Some of the most memorable shows that he has brought to Buffalo are Lotus, Ed Rush & Optical and Excision, although he admits there are many more shows that have stayed fresh in his memory over the years. Although these events are topping his list of favorites, ‘The Christmas Party’ is undoubtedly his favorite event. It has been running for 14 years now and packs the Pearl St. Brewery on Christmas night every year. What started as a multi-level house party many years ago now offers people the ability to celebrate the season with their friends and fellow bass music lovers of Western New York.

Marshall’s love of the music scene is motivated by his desire to make the patrons happy and one of his favorite aspects of the events is “Watching the kids get crazy” as he states. The desire to spread the same feelings that he had when he was first introduced to the music leads the charge for his strong work ethic. Through sharing his passions he feel he has gained many friendships that are long-lasting and life-changing.

One of the most memorable EDM shows that Marshall brought to Buffalo was Rusko performing at the former club Soundlab back in December of 2009. He reminisces that “the small club was packed and kids were crowd-surfing and getting wild”. Diplo in 2010 and the ‘Mad Decent’ party in the Summer of 2006 were high ranking on his list of favorite shows as well. Marshall’s favorite show as an attending patron were Marshemello and Excision, which both were thrown at one of his favorite newer local venues, Buffalo Riverworks.

Marshall talks of the ever-evolving scene and reflects back on where EDM started, for him, over 20 years ago and how it has so many possibilities for the future. “Genres will always evolve and the music is here to stay” he proudly declares when asked of the possible changes of this industry. “Many are working hard” Marshall says of the current state of music in Western New York. He believes that there are many other people devoting themselves to the music and helping to bring their favorite genres to the forefront of the music scene in and around Buffalo.

Attendees have seen Marshall throw hundreds of these events over the years and those who work closely with him respect the work that he does. Michael ‘Nico’ Nistro, a local event photographer, shares his thoughts on the man behind the music. “Mike Marshall's work ethic and devotion to bringing new and big artists alike to Buffalo is unparalleled by anyone in the city. His commitment to sound quality and production value are miles above any other promoter in Buffalo”, says Nico. Many like Nico are motivated by the energy that Marshall delivers to the fans.

Festivals are another well-known way to enjoy the music but Marshall loves the intimacy of club shows and believes they are “more personal.” He plans on continuing to spread his passion of music through event planning and hopes to pursue it as long as he’s able. With his small, yet powerful, team he continues to stay dedicated to the vibe of those 90s warehouse parties that first piqued his interest in EDM more than two decades ago. 

Introduction to the Culture of EDM

        A dark backdrop, bright lights and a heavy base line are the epitome of electronic dance music. Set in a festival of 10,000 attendees or a tiny basement club of 100, the energy that is shared is drawn from the same place; a love for the music.

        EDM has evolved tremendously over the last 20 years and brought, along with it, a culture of living that has transcended the music scene itself. Through different areas of financial and business aspects, EDM has become it’s own sector of the music world. Electronic music is created by manufactured sounds and the culmination of ideas that are funneled through software programs.

       The producers and DJs of the genre are pioneering what it means to be a millennial in the current age of creating music and art through sound. Theirry Godard of smartasset.com writes in his article “The Economics of Electronic Dance Music Festivals” that “The acceptance of EDM into the cultural mainstream allowed the 10 highest paid DJs to command a combined $115 million in  2012 according to Forbes.” In all corners of the world EDM has marked it’s territory by claiming the following of hundreds of thousands of sets of ears. A wide variety of people that are eager and willing to spend their dollars and their time to lose themselves in a beat. 

        With all the glitter and glam that accompanies the EDM culture also comes the opposite, and often, dark side. Mental health issues along with drug and alcohol dependence are just a few of the aspects of the industry that are receiving public attention. With both the positive and negative aspects growing at a steady rate, the EDM industry shows no signs of slowing down.