Get an EDM boost for your Workout Playlist

Summer officially ended but the party’s not stopping in the EDM World. Dillon Francis, Dada Life and Boys Noize just announced their fall tours today. In order to prepare for this epic madness, and extensive dancing, I came up with some EDM playlists and ideas that’ll help keep you pumped at the gym. How else are you going to keep up on the dance floor?

At 3 o’clock in the morning, where will YOU be?

For each category I listed the artists that have many songs that work great for that category, specific songs that are super effective, and Pandora stations I listen to that usually have a good mix.

Warm up Routine

For a warm-up, I need some beats but nothing too fast yet. My best example would be LMFAO, most of their songs have a good rhythm to get your heart pumping. Think “Sexy and I Know It” and “Shots”.

Artists: LMFAO, Dada Life

Songs: “Heads Will Roll” (A-trak dub remix) by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “I’m in the House” and “The Pursuit of Happiness” (Steve Aoki Remix) by Kid Cudi, “Animal Rights” by Wolfgang Gartner and Deadmau5

Pandora stations: “Steve Aoki”, “Deadmau5”, “Bloody Beetroots”

Cardio

Fast, bumping beats help me enjoy running on the treadmill. And I need the most help I can get. One of my favorite artists to run to is Wolfgang Gartner, his songs are fast-paced and I can play on shuffle without needing to constantly skip songs. He has many hit songs such as “Spacejunk” and “Illmerica”.

Artists: Wolfgang Gartner, Dillon Francis and most Jungle or Drum and Bass artists

Songs: “Bounce” by Wolfgang Gartner, “Grand Theft Ecstasy” by Feed Me, “Rage Valley” by Knife Party, “Through the Loop” by Pendulum, “Masta Blasta” by Dillon Francis

Pandora stations: “Wolfgang Gartner”, “Knife Party”, “Pendulum”, “Skrillex”, “Drum & Bass” (If you need super fast beats, try “Happy Hardcore” on Pandora)

Muscles

Usually I work on muscles after cardio, so I like music that isn’t as fast or pumping but still keeps a steady rhythm so I stay motivated. I like to stick to trance or trance-y music.

Artists: Daft Punk, ATB, Kaskade

Songs: “I Remember” by Kaskade

Pandora stations: “Swedish House Mafia”, “ATB”, “Gareth Emery” (I don’t recommend the “Trance” station on Pandora, some songs that play are too slow for me)

Cool Down

For cool downs, or if I want a slower playlist for muscle workouts, I like listening to dubstep artists or slower beats.

Artists: Nero, Flux Pavilion, 12th Planet, Porter Robinson

Songs: “Got 2 Know” by Flux Pavilion, “We Can Make the World Stop” by The Glitch Mob, “Woo Boost” by Rusko

Pandora Stations: “Dubstep”, “The Glitch Mob”, “Subfocus”

Most of these suggestions are based on Pandora, a free music app available on smart phones. Not a fan of Pandora? Find out what app works for you (more extensive list of apps at bottom of linked page).

Have suggestions of your own? Add them to the comments below!

“You talking to me?” DJs and Social Networking

Dillon Francis, a recent up-and-coming DJ, posts daily humorous statuses on Facebook that concern his every day life. Other DJs, including ATB, Pendulum and Flux Pavilion also post Facebook statuses that are directly addressed to the fans as questions or as a conversation starter.

Screen shots of Facebook statuses from ATB, Pendulum, Flux Pavilion

Most of the success developed by these DJs derive from their heavy use of social media websites to promote their music and tour dates. But the statuses also seem to try connecting with fans at a “personal level”, even though their statuses on Facebook and videos on Youtube are viewed by several thousands of people. Should fans buy into this “down to earth” vibe from DJs?

Despite being concerned with how “genuine” these statuses may be, the technique is genius for marketing purposes. Since most of the EDM fan base is young adults, the information is relatable to the fans that follow the sites.

By DJs adding a personal touch to their Facebook pages, they gain trust with the fans by appearing down-to-earth. This seems to keep fans interested in artists longer; fans feel as if the artist still appreciates his fans and has not “sold out” to the mainstream.

However, in contrast with other celebrities and their popular Facebook pages, most DJs actually respond to several of their fans’ statuses. Also, DJs post more statuses that seem appreciative of their fans, like reminding their fans how much they mean to them and how none of their success would have been accomplished without them.

Although appreciating fans seems almost like a cliche from musicians in general, it seems to be more prominent from DJs. These statuses represent DJs as still having a grasp on the values of being a musician. This is rarely seen from pop music icons, Beyonce, Britney Spears and others merely perform and have various publicists take care of their pop culture “empires”, no longer caring to establish a real connection with their fans (if there ever was one).

Listening to EDM still feels as if one’s part of a community, despite the recent proliferation of up-and-coming DJs and fans into the scene. Although the outreach from DJs still seems genuine, only time will tell if this will form into long-term appreciation.

As you decide, here is Flux Pavilion’s Got 2 Know: