An Attempt at Electronica?

[slinky]

I have never written in this style before but decided to take on the challenge because there are not many instrumental listings in Dispatch (I only write instrumental stuff). So I submitted and it didn't make the cut. In the listing description one of the references that was given was "Crystal Method" and I downloaded a very metal/rapish type tune. The metal part I could relate to being a guitarist so I went with it.Is this not considered Electronica? I really have no point of reference being new to this genre.http://www.broadjam.com/transmit/transm ... yhgbndsq=1

[aubreyz]

Quote:I have never written in this style before but decided to take on the challenge because there are not many instrumental listings in Dispatch (I only write instrumental stuff). So I submitted and it didn't make the cut. In the listing description one of the references that was given was "Crystal Method" and I downloaded a very metal/rapish type tune. The metal part I could relate to being a guitarist so I went with it.Is this not considered Electronica? I really have no point of reference being new to this genre.http://www.broadjam.com/transmit/transm ... bndsq=1Hey Steve. First of all, nice track. Produced very well. Electronica... not really. Listen to Keep Hope Alive by the Crystal Method. That's used in CSI. Though CM has some varied stuff, as far as electronica goes the track I mentioned is more in line with the genre.Hope that helps. Electonica is not really my thing, but it's a big chunk of what I actually end up producing for clients.Aubrey

[davewalton]

Quote:I have never written in this style before but decided to take on the challenge because there are not many instrumental listings in Dispatch (I only write instrumental stuff). So I submitted and it didn't make the cut. In the listing description one of the references that was given was "Crystal Method" and I downloaded a very metal/rapish type tune. The metal part I could relate to being a guitarist so I went with it.Is this not considered Electronica? I really have no point of reference being new to this genre.http://www.broadjam.com/transmit/transm ... bndsq=1One of my favorite topics!When I came to Taxi in 2004, I didn't even know what Electronica was and my first attempts were way off the mark. They're still not always that close. I love Electronica because it's so much harder to successfully pull off than meets the eye. I thought initially that it was just a bunch of simple, repetitive junk that anyone could do. Now maybe I'm just a clod, but getting the sound and feel of good Electronica is a real art and it takes some time and a lot of work.I'd also add there there are many sub-genres of Electronica, some of which are exclusively synthesized and some are heavy guitar oriented. If you could post the original listing, I think most of us would or could do a better job of commenting on your track as it relates to the listing.Generally speaking, I initially get a "rock" sound and feel from your track. If I were to pick two Crystal Method tracks that were representative of Electronica, I'd pick "Keep Hope Alive" and "Starting Over". Particularly "Starting Over" is a good example. If you A/B the style, sound, and feel of your track as compared to "Starting Over" you'll immediately notice the difference. The sound of "Starting Over" is more modern, a lot edgier and much more forceful. It is a great example, I think, of how to start with a cool, edgy groove, build that groove up to a peak, break it back down into just a few elements and then build it back up again in a different way. Other than the fact that I think it's too long, I think it's the "perfect" Electronica song.If you listened to something like "Weapons Of Mass Distortion", you probably didn't get the best representation of Crystal Method specifically and Electronica in general. Hope that helps a little, Dave

[andreh]

Hey Slinky-This is a cool sounding track; keep it in the bank...I'm sure you'll find a home for it one day.The filtered opening riff works for the style IMO, but when the body comes in and is driven mainly by distorted guitar without any filtered parts, it takes on a more rock sound. I'd drop the guitars altogether at that point, and bring in some more "synthy" (but still attitude-laiden) sounds to carry the groove. Also, a prominent, repeating vocal sample could add to the character; maybe a sexy sounding chick with a telephone filter, or a dude saying something cooly perverse with some dark ping-pong delays swirling around.All the scratching and weird FX do give it an "electronic" feel, but that's not the same thing as "electronica." Dave's comment about all the subgenres of electronica is right on; check out this link for some info & artists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronica . There are some defining musical aspects to all the subgenres, and you'll be able to pick them out once you've listened for them.Andre

[spariam]

Being strictly an instrumental composer as well, I too have considered submitting to Electronica listings (there seems to be a consistent stream of Electronica listings), but I'm not overly familiar with the genre. For me, I've spent some time listening to some of the "in the style of" artists listed in the Taxi listings: Crystal Method, Chemical Brothers, BT, etc...anyway, you probably want to stick more with keyboards, synths, and software, with just a little guitar. I concure with other replys here - there is a lot of subtlety and nuance to Electronica, and someone in the know can spot the real deal quite easily. It is a style of music that has grown on me as I've gotten into it.Also, another link to check out is:Ishkur's Guide to Electronic Musichttp://www.di.fm/edmguide/edmguide.htmlwhich breaks down the sub genres and has audio samples.

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Hey Slinky-This is a cool sounding track; keep it in the bank...I'm sure you'll find a home for it one day.The filtered opening riff works for the style IMO, but when the body comes in and is driven mainly by distorted guitar without any filtered parts, it takes on a more rock sound. I'd drop the guitars altogether at that point, and bring in some more "synthy" (but still attitude-laiden) sounds to carry the groove. Also, a prominent, repeating vocal sample could add to the character; maybe a sexy sounding chick with a telephone filter, or a dude saying something cooly perverse with some dark ping-pong delays swirling around.All the scratching and weird FX do give it an "electronic" feel, but that's not the same thing as "electronica." Dave's comment about all the subgenres of electronica is right on; check out this link for some info & artists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronica . There are some defining musical aspects to all the subgenres, and you'll be able to pick them out once you've listened for them.AndreAnother great critique Andre. J

[slinky]

Thanks alot guys for all the great comments and suggestions. Here's the listing:Energetic TECHNO ELECTRONICA INSTRUMENTALS/TRACKS [no vocals] are needed by the Music Supervisor who works on one of network TV's most popular action-dramas. He also has a couple of film projects in the works. Style-wise, think along the lines of the Prodigy, the Crystal Method, the Chemical Brothers, Aphex Twin, etcIs there a difference between Electronica and Techno Electronica?