That Underground Sound

There is nothing more exciting, in my opinion, than going to a show not knowing what tracks you will hear. This sound or event–what we call “the underground”–can’t be measured in terms of numbers. In fact, there are underground DJs with larger fan bases than some you hear in mainstream dance music today. First, you must understand that the underground sound is not played only at underground parties. There are huge events today that play a unique blend of music that appeals to a large audience, but is still considered underground.  You might ask yourself, “How is that so?” You see young grasshopper, the reason they are labeled as underground is not because of their level of popularity, but rather the unpredictability of their music. The artists playing and producing underground music are the same artists consistently pushing the envelope of sound, the forward thinkers if you will.

There isn’t a single word to describe the underground sound completely. It crosses many genres of dance music and is even sometimes played by the heavy-hitters of pop DJs today. To me, it’s not just a specific sound, but an overall event. Underground dance events are so special and unique because the audience (meaning you) doesn’t know what’s going to be played next or at all. I always find it interesting talking with friends the night after a show about which DJ played the track that blew their minds the most. Chances are, the track you heard that night might not ever be heard again for some period of time. That one track though, had an impact and got everyone talking. That is just one of many effects the underground has on its fans.

It seems to me that the older we get, the more sophisticated our style of music becomes. With age there is a greater understanding for the music; we appreciate it more. Case in point, I have attended many events in my lifetime, and a common theme I notice is artist popularity and audience age are inversely related (eg. the most popular artists have the youngest audiences). I have no problems with this trend. I think it’s great for dance music because the kids we see today will grow up and become the forward thinkers of tomorrow. They are the ones that keep the scene alive and growing for many years to come.

I encourage everyone to attend an event with a DJ who is considered “underground”.  Not only will you hear things that you’ve never heard before, but you will also witness a strong bond between music, artists, and fans. If you want to hear some examples of what’s considered “underground,” then I recommend listening to artists such as Sasha, James Zabiela, Pole Folder and UMEK. To get a true understanding, house heads must attend events like our current weekly house night, Circuit Sundays @ Dollhouse  in Old Town Scottsdale. Also, keep an eye out of other events that may not have fist-pumping headliners. This past week we had the honor of hosting John Digweed at Giant Wednesday / Wild Knight and you can be sure that we will continue to bring a diverse array of artists.