The 1990s: a decade where electronic music truly came into its own. Emerging from underground scenes, it surged into mainstream culture, becoming a defining sound of the era. This was a transformative period, arguably the last time a musical genre so fundamentally reshaped the cultural landscape, leaving an indelible mark that resonates even today.
In the 90s, the underground was still a fertile ground for innovation, birthing trends that would soon dominate the mainstream. It felt like the last echo of the recurring cycle where every fourteen years, a cultural shift would redefine pop culture. Then, the internet arrived, and the music industry transformed into a global machine, rapidly absorbing and commodifying emerging trends. This led to an explosion of microgenres, creating a vast and diverse musical landscape that became increasingly difficult to navigate, even for the most dedicated enthusiasts. This era also witnessed the beginning of the decline of record stores, a poignant precursor to the digital music revolution of the new millennium. For many, experiencing New Year’s Eve 2000 at a massive open-air festival, dancing in the Australian bush, felt like the culmination of this vibrant era.
For those who spent their twenties in the 90s, like myself, it was a time of musical awakening. After immersing myself in the underground open-air festival scene, I felt a need to break free from the constraints of genre expectations. Despite having a major record deal focused on underground techno, I felt compelled to explore a wider range of sounds. This led to producing music for smaller vinyl releases, intentionally staying below the mainstream radar, a path I’ve continued to this day.
The 90s were more than just a musical era; they represented a cultural movement. Gathering and dancing together, whether under the open sky or in dimly lit venues, for nights on end, was a powerful act of collective expression, a statement that transcended mere entertainment.
The 90s held a certain magic, a unique energy that was palpable in the music and the atmosphere of the time.
