What We Like || Tech Trance – EDM Identity (blog)

What We Like is a new series that features genres we like in the electronic music scene.

TheWhat We Likeseries focuses on a sole genre that a contributor to the team is passionate about. Each month, that contributor will dive deep into the genre they care most about to bring you some history, information, and of course some music too. Our intention is to not just to provide some music for you to listen to, but to guide you on your journey in discovering new music or help you develop a deeper connection to genres you already love.This monthsedition of What We Like is focused on Tech Trance!

Tech Trance is best described as a sub-genre of electronic dance music that marries elements from both techno and trance production. In essence, it is the edgiest of all the trance sub-genres and one thathas garnered quite the massive following in the trance community since its emergence back in the mid-1990s. Now, although its relevancy sits high among those with close ties to the trance genre, tech trance actuallyfocuses more on the techno elements, incorporating traditional elements of techno, with its repetitive nature and strong 4/4 beat, while deriving its melodic elements from Trance.

Tech Trance productions tend to have a tempo of around 135-150 beats per minute and the synths on a tech trance pieceare often short, more repetitive, and contain fewernote changes than traditional trance, often having the same note played in a unique or alternative sequence. In addition, tech trance tends to gravitate its focus on adriving sound while often using distortion as an effect on the melodies. But what aboutbreakdowns and builds? While these may be indispensable elements of many of the most popular genres and sub-genres of electronic dance musicthey are much less prevalent in tech trance. As a result, more abrupt stops and starts are used to increase the effect of sudden changes within the music. In other words, themelody will suddenly stop, leaving the drums and a completely different synth to begin, whereas trance songs would generally continue with the same melody (ManyAlex Di Stefano productions are a brilliant example of this type of breakdown).

Although it saw its beginnings back in the mid-1990s, tech trance really didnt begin to evolve until the early 2000s. With a slew of producers like Keith Edwards, Skyscraper, Owen Vallis and DJ Amberon the job, tech trance began to find its way. It wasnt until 2006 and after when artists likeDave Schiemann,Simon Patterson, Bryan Kearney, Will Atkinson,Matt Bowdidge, Sean Tyas, Alex Di Stefano,Jordan Suckley, John Askew, Marco V, Indecent Noise, Tempo Giusto, and Mark Sherry, just to name a few,would stretch their tech trance legs seeing that thegenre would begin to explode. Today tech trance is on the rise and has fast become one of the most celebrated and sought after sub-genres in the trance community, breathing new life into the true trance underground.

One of the best ways to discover new music, artists and labels isby listening to radio shows that thrive on sharing whats out there.Check out these six shows and their curators below!

Simon Pattersons Open Up brand has truly become the bench markfor high quality underground trance, tech and psy. His weekly radio show aired every Thursday at 10:00 GMT onwww.di.fm/trance(Digitally Imported Radio) deserves some serious accolades as it is the hottest showcase of music from the tech and psy scene as well as it is the first place to hear the fresh new sounds emerging from Simons studio. In addition, Simon has recently been named as one of the VII elite, a new record label and brand pushing the boundaries of cutting edge tech and psy. Among the ranks with Simon arepsy and tech masters Astrix, John Askew, Freedom Fighters, Sean Tyas, Will Atkinson and Blazer. On a personal note, one of my favorite Simon Patterson tech trance productions to date would have to be Thump. This trackdishes out tech trance perfection in every way and even has room for a melodic breakdown in the middle of the piece revealing to all who listen that Simon Patterson truly is nothing short of a multidimensional genius!

Check out our featured interview with Simon Patterson righthere!

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Aleksander Stawierej, aka Indecent Noise is no stranger to the techier and darker side of trance and if you have ever had the chance to check out his extraordinary radio show called Mental Asylum Radio, airing every Thursday at 9 pm GMT / 10 pm CET on afterhours.fmthen you know exactly what this trance master is capable of. Recently celebrating its 100th episode and celebrated as the most appropriatehome for the mentally insane, Mental Asylum Radio features the sounds of the electrified, twisted, and more up tempo side of trance. In addition, Indecent Noise holds nothing back when it comes to his live sets and original tracks. Oozing with speed, power, insatiable techno kicks and crunchy beats blended with that sweet trance euphoria, Indecent Noise always comes with the fire.

Check out our very special interview called MyStro Presents Storylines With Indecent Noise by clickinghere!

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Is he techno? Is he trance? One listen to Alex Di Stefanos Podcast that he has dubbed FireCast Radio, airing every 1st of the month, and it becomes unbelievable clear that this is an artist who has forged his own unique path, crafting a style of tech trance all his own. Alex Di Stefanobrings a breath of fresh air to the electronic dance music scene with his out of the box styleand his implementation of only the grimiest of the underground sounds. If we rewind time and take a look at his artistic growth, history would show us thatAlexs desire to try new sounds and musical flavors would ultimately lead him to Rimini where he would hone his craft, unveiling a brilliant talent that highlightscombining techno and trance styles made evident in his 1998Hesperia EP with Blue Waves, Mizar EP with Volcano, and Mizar EP II. As the years progressed, Alex would begin torelease tracks in more minimalist style which would evolve itself to what we call his tech-trance style of today, avoiding all the mainstream evolutions that seem to be flooding our current scene.

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Now, we cant talk tech trance without giving a shout out to the tech trance king himself, Tempo Giusto! Debuting in 2008 with the single Agent Orange Tempo Giusto has since hit the big time with six top ten hits on Beatport. Tempo Giusto has redefined the art of driving trance and both 2015 and 2016 will forever be known as the years that Tempo Giusto reigned supreme. He was namedFinlands best selling trance artist in 2015 and #29 globally with hitsingles including trance hits Benzin (#4 on Beatport), Blacksmith (#4 on Beatport), Majestic (#8 on Beatport) and TechCorp (#9 on Beatport). Described as a true magician and the king of triplets by some critics and artists, Tempo Giusto is without a doubt an innovator of his genre and one of the future driving forces in the club music scene.If you want to hear the latest and greatest of all that is tech trance, fans have to look no further than Tempo Giustos wildly infectious podcast calledGlobal Sound Drift.

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Hitting the airwaves every third Tuesday from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm GMT on Digitally Imported Radio, Damaged takes you deep into the twisted realm of tech trance with Jordan Suckley leading the way. What you will find as you listen is that Damaged Radio hostsa slew of maestrosboth new and fresh to the scene as well as well established artists boasting the very best in tech trance genre-defining sounds. When it comes to Jordan Suckley, track selections with a lot of edge are his go to choices, alwaystakinghis listeners on the ride of their lives. HIs unmatched drive to take his passion for both the techno and trance genres is clearly translated through all that he does whether it be in hislive shows, original productions, or radio show. With a flair for the acid sound mixed with deep bass, melodic breakdowns, and a whole lot of tech driven kicks, Jordan Suckley has this genre on lock. And if we are going to be honest, the tech trance genre would not be complete without this talented young artist firmly planted in the drivers seat.

Check out our interview with Jordan Suckley HERE!

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As is made evident by Mark Sherrys brilliant Outburst Radio show track selections, this is a man with true diversity and experience. While not always locking himself down to one specific sub genre Mark Sherry has built an empire surrounding himself with everything that oozes trance! MarksOutburst Radio Show, airing every Wednesday at 12 pm on the DJ Mixes Channel on Digitally Imported Radio has amasseda huge global fan base but continues to stay true to its trance and tech-trance beginnings. This weekly 2 hour show and iTunes podcast has boasted huge guest DJ mixes from some of the scenes biggest names such as Ferry Corsten, Gareth Emery, Judge Jules, Fergie, Arty, Lange, Rank 1, Andy Moor, Michael Woods, Sean Tyas & Orjan Nilsen just to name a few. Clearly this is a man with a broad repertoirebut at the end of the day, it is in tech trance that Mark Sherry finds his sweet spot. To get a true feel of who he is as a tech trance artist check out his set from Circus Hell in Montreal Canada and be prepared to be blown away with some of the darkest tech trance beats this man could offer up!

Check out our Mark Sherry live at Circus Hell event review righthere!

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Bryan Kearney is probably one of the most diversitile artists on this list and his attention and passion for the tech trance genre certainly deserves some major praise. While you never know what Bryan may be in the mood to deliver, his knowledge and expertise of everything trance has seen him dive into the world of tech trance through his insanely popular podcast appropriately titled Kearnage. His genius tech trance expressions are also very much presentwithin his original productions, 2 perfect examples being Ridiculous and El Gatounder his tech alias Karney. Bryan Kearney has mastered literally every trance art form and when it comes to his tech trance expertise, he is at the top of his class. The set that I have chosen to highlight below is the perfect example of his diversity but his true tech trance soul shines brightly in the latter half of the set. Now, this may be a contraversial choice for an article focusing solely on tech trance but in my opinion, everything this man touches turns to gold and with tech trance high on his list of mastered musical art forms, I certainly had to give him a nod.

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Maria first fell in love with electronic music in the early 2000's when she heard a little tune called "Satisfaction" by Benny Benassi. Since then she has dived head first into the scene and become passionate about the trance, techno, and tech house genre's. Festival's like EDC, Dreamstate, and TomorrowWorld hold the key to her soul and dance music will always and forever be a major part of her life.

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What We Like || Tech Trance - EDM Identity (blog)