Music Movements

From Post Modern to "EDM" & "Virtual" Performers

Many advancements in technology have been seen over the past century, which have played a significant and direct role in influencing artists and musicians as well as the development of tools and instruments that they use. While it is quite beyond the scope of a single class period, the FMX 211 class recently plowed through over 16 musical movements that use technology, and some of the prominent artists, musicians, and bands that made significant contributions to the movements or otherwise embody their genre. The discography (found at http://art211.santiago.bz/?page_id=181) provided does a great job of representing each of these movements. However, I do feel that there are at least a few "notable mentions" that are worthy of adding to this list.

The following is a list of  5 Artist's / Musicians / Bands that I feel should be included to the aforementioned discography:


DISCO
Lipps Inc. - "Funkytown"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVwiixXViT0

This track is just oozing with technology! Synthesizers, effects, and even a vocoder that uses the human voice to modulate the carrier signal of a synthesizer. I think the vocoder is one of the coolest things that has happened to the human voice in the past century. Here's a link to "The Secret History of the Vocoder" published by the New Yorker on 20 August, 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvR4qK0B--w



FUNK
George Clinton, P-Funk, Parliament, Funkadelic (or what ever name you happen to know them by). Funk was completely left out of the discussion. I understand that it is closely related to disco, but it's definitely not the same thing. George Clintons music in the 70s and 80s continued to be heard throughout the house movement and is still played by DJ's around the world. Synthesizers and Samplers were a big part of his sound. I think a good example of his work is "Atomic Dog"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etRu094xhvE



INDUSTRIAL / GOTH
Nine Inch Nails - How were they not on this list? Ok, I guess they could have also been included in the Nineties movement, but they weren't there either. Rant Over...
The "Downward Spiral" album featuring "Closer" & "Hurt" were recorded in a Mansion that was the site of one of the Manson Murders. Trent Reznor's use of synthesizers and samplers on this album is quite incredible. 

Nine Inch Nails - "Closer"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv3M5OvCJuQ



NINETIES
Rage Against the Machine... Just a typical four piece rock band from the nineties right? Nope! They're the first group that comes to mind when I think of "crossover" bands (Bands or Musicians that blend 2 or more styles together), with their particular combination of Rap & Rock. However, I have them listed here as a result of Tom Morello's (the Guitarist) contributions. His use of effects pedals and extended techniques (non standard articulations or ways of playing a musical instrument) often imitate sounds normally made by DJ's / Scratch Artists & other electronic musicians. A good example is "Killing in the Name"... Check out his guitar solo that starts around 3:50...

Rage Against the Machine - "Killing in the Name"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWXazVhlyxQ



ELECTRONIC / PRODUCER CULTURE
Mostly Robot - This group is made up of several endorsed artists from Native Instruments. They create original electronic music live on stage in a highly improvisational way. One of my favorites in the group is Jeremy Ellis, who is well known for his particular style of "finger drumming" using Native Instruments "Maschine".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DauCj-wH1Fg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-q5KkwHtmw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE_iEf4c8Ss