In a recent interview with the Huffington Post, Deadmau5 expressed his views on the future of EDM, and what the industry’s current problems are. Deadmau5 went into detail on the effects of the ‘hive mentality’, and why EDM is not here to stay forever. Although he does not predict the decline for several more years, he also took time to address the problem with the industry’s current state:
“I think a big problem with EDM right now – and I mean right now, I don’t mean fucking last year or two years ago, I mean right fucking now – is that there’s a lot of safe betters and they all want to do this safe bet thing. And that’s [what] will kill it off before anything. And it’s not the listener’s fault and it’s not the producers’ fault. You guys can go back and forth all you want about how ‘We always have to make the same music because it’s popular, it’s what the kids want.’ The kids are like ‘Can you stop making the same fucking shit over and over again?’ You’re never going to win that argument. The responsibility is the risk-taking to start pushing it.” 
Deadmau5 also went on to explain why Skrillex and Avicii are great example of ‘risk takers’ in the EDM scene:
“Look at Skrillex. He took a bit of a fucking risk on the brostep thing and that had this thing that had momentum and now it’s… I’m not saying that that’s going to be around forever, either, because that got tired pretty quick, too. But at least it was a Plan B in the same vein. And everyone’s got their own Plan B. Avicii’s taking risks. That’s actually admirable. I’m not going to fucking shut the kid down for making something completely fucking different because that’s actually what you need to do with music right now.”
And right he is. The stagnation that some fans are frustrated with is simply the lack of artists taking risks, or if they are, not correctly exposing their fans to it. With more money and more people pouring into the EDM industry, the desire to do what is a known formula for EDM success is in fact, endangering the future of the industry. You can read the full interview (HERE) and as always, let us know what you think!
Preach Deadmau5…preach.
Once again deadmau5 is right! I wonder what he would say about his own music if it was a different artist making it though. “If this guy hates dj’s so much, then why does he make the easiest music to dj?”
The Beat is Infinite.
He couldn’t put it any better!
Is it just me or does Deadmau5 make a lotta good points?
I’m glad someone finally had the balls to publicly point this out. Hopefully his message will begin to sink in.
I knew it before he said.. There’s not anything new about thing, that IF you take a risk, and choose YOUR OWN way (not someone’s other way) you will become better than everyone choosing someone’s plan of reaching success…
I’m curious to know what risk are being taken? Avicii should win a Pulitzer for his XYou track. The idea to link artist from around the world to make one track is inspiring. However, its still the same boom boom synth build up break down build up boom boom.
Not a fan of the track its self. The idea is just unique. Other then that with so many bedroom producers making videos on producing I feel that music will only move forward. In order to stop the decline and push for it to evolve listeners and djs shouldn’t look for the top 10 and billboard hits. The internet is endless and to settle at the top 10 downloads is what’s killing it. Sure producers may have something to offer. I feel though that djs need to “dig” deeper to find gems now. If I go out and I hear someone playing a track I won’t play it. Every set I do I try my best to make sure its something that I found from the “45th” page of a website. I try to find what hasn’t been heard but should be. Websites like sound cloud are amazing for supplying free tracks that are absolute bangers from future big name producers. If you find an artist with that one track you love and only 10 followers, make sure you’re the 11th. If that producer were to quit just think of all the club and festival goers that would miss out on talent.
TR:DL – Stay away from top 10 and play what you love. Period.
He’s right and yes Avicii take a big risk with his new “Country-electro” album (Don’t worry I don’t criticize it) and what he do to the Ultra Music Festical. The Creativity have always be the base for new and good music.
It won’t die, it’ll go back to the underground 🙂
Espero Que Nunca Pase “Pero Las Palabras de Deadmau5 Son Sabias” ;).