Reid Speed is one of electronic music's greatest dark horses – a feisty chick whose skill set and her record label(s) (Play Me Records) hold a steadfast respect place in the world of bass music. She brings plenty of knowledge to the table and this year welcomed plenty of attention from her words.
We interviewed Reid Speed last August she's been pretty talkative since- highlighted just in the past couple weeks with a recent THUMP article called “Here's What 10 Old (School) DJ's Think about EDM” that went viral – immortalized in this image/post:
Her thought-provoking comment raised plenty of eyebrows and provoked truth-seekers, to the point where she was compelled to do a follow up statement on her Facebook page:
“Woah didn’t realize this went a little viral. Good to keep the discussion going, here’s my expanded dollar & 50 cents on the subject, let me know what you think! Music is for everyone, but the unique thing we sought to create with dance music was a dark yet vibrant space where artists and punters alike were free to create and express their souls without judgement, a place to change the discussion, not regurgitate the same old (often negative and empty) stereotypes. The experience itself was the star, the magic happened in the symbiosis between DJ or artist and the dancers who came to create their own self-expressions in response to this flow of love. Only those who were really good – DJs, producers, and promoters- MAYBE got to profit off their talents (maybe not, but profit was never the motive). Only people doing real work got what little money there was. Sure, there were sketchy raves thrown by shady promoters whose lineups didn’t deliver.
No underground is without flaw. But the majority of the scene was there for the pure joy and love the music brought us. Today, many a festival has traded this authentic experience for a commodity that can be purchased, consumed, and discarded with about as much thought as a we give a plastic water bottle. And sure, most underground cultures historically have been co-opted in similar manners. But the scene we built was not a corporate cash cow for an elite business class who profited handsomely at the expense of the skilled but less-well-marketed. It was a true supply and demand culture of talent and appreciation. I firmly believe real artists deserve to make a fair living off their art.
But when so much of “what sells” in EDM today is just marketing at work, and when what is being sold is often not even made by the person who collects the paycheck for maybe not even really playing the show, we have a serious disconnect at play. Do YOU really want that? Do YOU really want to see more ghost-produced button pushers winning because they have the biggest marketing budget? Or would you prefer to see authentic artists reaping the benefits of their talents? The choice is ours.”
Reid's statements ring true for many fans who enjoy “underground” music and continue to re-define their definition with the evolving times.
Electronic dance music culture is truly finding itself right now with plenty of debates at hand. Follow Reid for more thoughts and make sure to check her out live! A dubstep and drum and bass specialist originally from New York, she is now a West Coast native. Catch her on the inter web tubes:
Reid Speed: Soundcloud, Facebook,Twitter, YouTube, Discogs
Play Me Records: Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, iTunes
