House: The Beat That Keeps On Giving

Electronic house music, born in the 1980s, is a genre built on a pulsating four-on-the-floor beat and a deep, hypnotic groove. Its roots are tangled with the fertile underground of Chicago, where DJs like Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, and Larry Heard were experimenting with sounds that would redefine dance music. They took the soul and funk of their city and blended it with the emerging technology of synthesizers and drum machines, crafting a sound that was both familiar and entirely new.

The “house” in house music comes from the Warehouse, a Chicago club where Knuckles, known as the “Godfather of House,” was the resident DJ. He played a crucial role in creating the scene, blending disco and soul into something fresh and vibrant. This early sound was characterized by its simplicity, its focus on repetition and groove, and its infectious energy. Tracks like Marshall Jefferson’s “Move Your Body” and Phuture’s “Acid Trax” are considered foundational works of the genre, defining its direction for years to come.

Funny Facts about House Music

• The “Acid” in Acid House: This term refers to the Roland TB-303 synthesizer, an instrument originally designed for bass but was instead used to create the characteristic squelchy sounds that defined the acid house subgenre. The 303 was originally a commercial flop, but its unexpected use in house music transformed it into a legendary instrument.
• The “Chicago House” Accent: Many early house producers used their own voices in their tracks, often in a sing-songy style. This “Chicago house” accent, with its distinct intonation, became synonymous with the genre and was even parodied in later tracks.
• The “House Music Hero” of the Animal Kingdom: A study published in the journal Animal Behaviour found that a group of capuchin monkeys showed a preference for listening to house music over other genres. The researchers concluded that the monkeys’ fascination with house music was due to its complex rhythms and repetitive nature.
• The “House Music” Pet: There’s a famous story of a man who named his pet parrot “Frankie Knuckles” after the iconic DJ. Apparently, the bird would sing along to house music and even mimic Knuckles’ signature mixing style!

Electronic house music has continued to evolve over the years, branching out into countless subgenres like techno, trance, and minimal. It has remained a powerful force in dance music, attracting millions of fans around the world. The genre’s legacy lies in its unwavering focus on the dance floor, its hypnotic rhythms, and its ability to bring people together. The beat goes on, and the party never stops.