Daft Punk say electronic dance music is in crisis

[bloomington-lib]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/apr/15/daft-punk-electronic-dance-music-crisis


Electronic dance music is having "an identity crisis", Daft Punk have declared. In their first interview to promote their new album Random Access Memories, due next month, the French duo claimed EDM "is in its comfort zone". "It's not moving one inch," Thomas Bangalter complained. "That's not what artists are supposed to do."

After months of teases and stunts, Daft Punk have finally started talking, revealing details of their fourth album in a conversation with Rolling Stone. Apparently the duo flew into California for the Coachella festival – not to perform but to sneak around backstage, anonymous without their robot suits, and to watch the world premiere of Random Access Memories' new teaser, which screened for the Indio masses.

Whereas most modern marketing campaigns rely on online widgets and exclusives, Daft Punk want to promote their new LP by giving fans "real-life" experiences – catching a surprise TV ad, or hearing the album at an Australian agricultural fair. "When you drive on the Sunset Strip and see [giant] billboards, it's more magical than a banner ad," Bangalter explained.
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By working with real people, in real studios, Daft Punk said they hope to shake up the complacent genre of EDM. "Today, electronic music is made in airports and hotel rooms, by DJs traveling," Bangalter said. "It has a sense of movement, maybe, but it's not the same vibe as going into these studios that contain specific things … You hear a song – whose track is it? There's no signature."

[OnyxCollie]

1. Thanks for posting. nt