Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is a relatively new genre of music that is growing in popularity. Starting around the 80’s, EDM is still commonly heard in clubs and festivals. Its creation involves the combination of different ideas and knowledge of technology, both of which juniors Ayaz Hafiz and Oded Falik have.

“Oded and I are a little more creative in the genre of EDM,” Hafiz said. “You see these typical producers who all make the same stuff, and at this point that became the norm. What we do is try to be more original, whether it be adding something not typically used or blending different genres of music.”

Hafiz and Falik are both creative producers of EDM who use personal experiences and unique perspective to make individualized music. EDM production proves very difficult due to the immense knowledge of math and computer manipulation needed. However, the most challenging part is figuring out how to get thoughts into a solid form.

“Everyone has their own ideas,” Falik said. “Everyone that you meet has ideas, and everyone gives me ideas, but it’s difficult to actually get those ideas out there.”

EDM has unlimited possibilities. Technology can create any sound, from simple chords to complex beats. Picking and choosing different waves or tambors proves to be difficult due to the limitless forms available. The manipulation of these technological elements to create desirable sounds requires great thought, not superficial and random placements.

“People don’t want to be creative enough to branch out from mainstream music,” Falik said. “That’s why this industry is filled with the same sounds.”

With a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) keyboard and a computer, these students produce sounds based on their sole preferences. Starting with the beats, the disc jockeys (DJs) then add harmonies and melodies and finally mix and master or fix the overall volumes. Although school has made it difficult to create more music, both Hafiz and Falik want to continue creating as well as DJing. Through his music production, Hafiz has received many opportunities to travel across the country to DJ at various venues, such as the Haven South Beach in Miami and Gas Monkey in Chicago.

“Especially during the summer, I am outsourced to different venues around the country that want someone like me who is relatively young and focuses on the reactions of people and produces energy in their general reactions,” Hafiz said.

DJs and EDM producers typically go hand in hand. DJs are the social aspect of music production and give producers the advantage of being exposed to a large number of people.

“It’s pretty important as a producer to also be a DJ, because that is how you gain recognition,” Falik said. “Playing at big venues, lots of people see you and then they follow you on Soundcloud.”

EDM is growing in popularity as young artists start to create unique sounds that identify with them. With this new age of technology, students gravitate towards this music that resembles that.

“EDM is the sound of the future,” junior Edward Zhang said.