DENVER, CO, September 24, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Kurt Criter is far from the only person who has been entranced by the hypnotic appeal of electronic music in its many forms. In the modern day United States, electronic music can be heard everywhere, from night clubs to major sporting events and from niche radio stations to mainstream television commercials. DJs who were lucky to gain recognition even in their own clubs just a few years ago are today known by name as mainstream popular culture icons.

A recent news article by Centre Daily explores this popularity of electronic music from its earliest roots to its rise, fall, and rise again in the esteem of pop culture.

Electronic music got its start, says the article, with the final dying strains of disco in the early 1980s. Although disco itself was on its way down and without any hope of resurfacing, elements of it still clung on in certain musical scenes. Specifically, a new dance music called "house" began to grow out of disco's remains, mixing its tracks with new musical technology such as drum machines and other sound effects.

As house caught on more and more, DJs everywhere began experimenting with the genre and the equipment involved in it. Soon, the article says, this genre took on darker themes and a harder edge, evolving into techno.

Here, however, is where the genre began to evolve. Although both house and techno could be heard in clubs across America and the United Kingdom, between the late 90s and early 2000s, the genre continued to expand into ever changing musical soundscapes that would forever alter the world of music and musical composition.

Unlike its musical ancestors, electronic music refused to simply fade away. Instead, continual improvements in personal technology gave the genre the widespread appeal and energy it needed to continue its evolution. "The current accessibility of electronic music presents much of its appeal," explains electronic composer Kurt Criter. "It used to be solely the domain of professional musicians and DJs, but now anybody with an ipad can mix their own music if they have the inspiration. All it takes is some software from the app store, a good ear, and an interest in music and creativity.

This ability to more easily create quality electronic music has many music fans questioning its validity as a true musical genre, says the article. After all, the argument goes, if the music is just a mixture of electronic noises, does it still have the same soul as other, more "legitimate" musical choices?

The genre's fans certainly think so. The main stream now has the tools to create quality music at a fraction of the cost and frustration felt by previous generations of aspiring musicians" admits Kurt Criter, "but like any other art form, it music in any form has exactly the amount of emotion and soul that the artist who creates it puts into it, making it as 'real' as any other genre out there."

ABOUT:

Kurt Criter is a self-employed professional involved in the industry of "green" technology. He defines himself, however, more through his artistic life than his business career. As an artist, Criter brings an experimental and progressive style to several different artistic fields. He is the pioneer for a unique new art style that blends painting with sculpture to create a new and unique expression. He also composes his own electronic music, mixing it with trance to create yet another experimental blend of artistry. Outside of the art world, Criter is also an avid poker player with a dedication to strategy. This has helped him achieve local and regional recognition on the poker circuit by ranking consistently in the top 10% in many poker tournaments.