It sometimes comes up in conversation what my criteria is for the electronic music that is featured on solipsistic NATION<\/b>. You might think my answer would be fairtly straight forward. \u201cWhy, electronic music, of course!\u201d But what are we talking about when we\u2019re talking about electronic music?<\/p>\n
Take music made with synths and a drum machine. That\u2019s clearly electronic music. But what happens when you add vocals? Is it still electronic music? See? Things immediately become murky. Take Depeche Mode<\/a>. They used a lot of electronic gear so did they make electronic music? I would say no. They were a pop band that happened to make songs with electronic instruments. The Normal<\/a>, on the other hand, were clearly an electronic music band.<\/p>\n What happens when you start adding guitars, bass and drums into the mix? Again, it depends. Kid Rock<\/a> is a rock act that utilizes electronic equipment while Ministry<\/a> is an electronic band that plays rock.<\/p>\n Ah, you say, but all music these days is played with instruments that are electronically amplified, and recorded digitally. And you are right. But I ultimately take the position that electronic music is whatever I point to and say \u201cThat\u2019s electronic music.\u201d It\u2019s my show, after all, and I can make my own rules. I just ry and make the rules consistent.<\/p>\n And that brings us to today\u2019s show, which is all about dub.<\/p>\n Dub is one of those grey areas because even in the earliest days of dub all the instruments were traditional instruments like guitars, bass and drums. And being reggae influenced that hardly qualifies as dub, right? But the difference is how a dub producer manipulates those instruments in a recording studio by dropping track in and out and adding reverb and echo. The studio itself becomes an instrument and, to my mind, makes it electronic music.<\/p>\n On this week\u2019s show we\u2019re joined by Bruno Natal, the director of the Dub Echoes<\/a>. Dub Echoes is a documentary on the history of dub and its effect on music, from pop to punk and, of course, electronic music. Dub Echoes is full of great interviews and features legendary greats such as Lee \u201cScratch\u201d Perry<\/a>, Mad Professor<\/a> and Sly & Robbie<\/a> and many, many, many<\/i> more!<\/p>\n If Dub Echoes is screening in your area<\/a>, I highly recommend that you see it. If not, no worries, you soon will be able to purchase it on DVD from Soul Jazz Records<\/a>.<\/p>\n Photo Credit: Federico Bebber<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n