You’ve heard the terms “House Music” and “EDM.” So what’s the difference?

House music is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM), but the two are not the same: EDM is a broad term for many genres of dance music, including house, techno, drum and bass, trance and more. EDM can range from ambient music to hardcore, and was originally made for nightclubs, raves and festivals. Both music genres are DJ (not live musician) -produced.

House is a high-tempo style of EDM that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. House music is known for its signature four-on-the-floor beat and tempo of 115–130 beats per minute. It’s often influenced by disco and funk.

EDM is a broad term that encompasses a diverse range of styles and production approaches. To get even deeper into the differences, EDM has subgenres (and even more):

• Deep house: Known for its complexity and emotional depth
• Chill house: Offers a laid-back vibe with smooth rhythms and melodic synths
• Tropical house: Features calming melodies and soft vocals

House tracks make liberal use of samples, taking short snippets from classic funk and soul music and using these in their productions. By contrast, EDM typically takes a more synthetic approach to its compositions, using effects and filters more heavily on vocals.

Raves or rave parties are fast-paced dance events that include light and sound to create a euphoric audiovisual experience. Besides the experience, raves have evolved a culture based on freedom of expression, unconventionality, and acceptance. This philosophy is underscored by the acronym PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity and Respect).

Arora, the recently opened loft-style club space, recently hosted the DJ duo (and siblings) Tinzo + Jojo on their first-ever “Time Machine Tour,” which included 20 stops around the US. On Saturday November 16, New Orleans had her turn to experience Tinzo + Jojo’s “Librarian’s Manifesto.”

Located on the second floor atop Republic (828 S. Peters Street), Arora offers similar sounds and a talent list similar to its downstairs neighbor, but with a more upscale, art deco aesthetic. After walking into the venue and past the ticket check, guests are ushered up stairs that open into a loft, an apartment-sized space that embraces more of a small house party feel—considerably more inviting than any traditional club setting—and the expensive New York City-style loft vibe that felt right on brand for the artists, who hail from the Big Apple.

Tinzo + JoJo are the co-founders and minds behind the surging YouTube channel “Book Club Radio,” which does an innovative job of showcasing DJs across New York by recording their sets at various clubs and events. Book Club Radio has a set of seven pseudo-rules—called the “Librarian’s Manifesto.” The loose rules of this Manifesto promote more of a collective, party-going experience, focusing on the music rather than the DJ or posts to social media—or being self-conscious. The “Librarian’s Manifesto” is a dance party disguised as a book club, and the rules are direct and simple: 1. Come for the music; 2. Be open to unfamiliar music and sounds; 3. Respect one another; 4. Face each other instead of the DJ; 5. No phones allowed on the dance floor; 6. Dress to express yourself; and finally 7. Dance your heart out.

So the first rule was right on target for the Tinzo + Jojo’s experience: “Come for the music.”

The duo put on a predictably electrifying performance as their YouTube videos suggest. On their channel and in their live shows, it’s obvious they not only want to deliver an amazing show, but also have a great time themselves. The pair brought a luminescent liveliness that fueled the room, evoking a sense of freedom in the crowd that can only be felt when you immerse yourself in the music—and as we know, New Orleans is no stranger to that feeling of freedom.

“No phones on the dance floor” is also a crucial rule in the Manifesto. Fear of being seen “letting go” can many times drown out anyone’s self-expression. No phones means there’s no chance of being recorded while you’re trying to let loose. The essence of house music—like Tinzo + Jojo—is letting go, so this rule reinforces that sentiment and enables one to let go of any fear of being seen getting crazy on the dance floor.

“Face each other instead of the DJ.” Close your eyes to truly absorb what you’re hearing. It’s preferred that everyone dance, with each other or even alone, to immerse yourself in the music.

Prior to house music making its resurgence in New Orleans in the mid-90s, it made its debut in late 1970s Chicago, as a response to the anti-disco movement. Disco was the main dance scene at the time, but after a “Disco Demolition Night” led by radio DJ Steve Dahl, things began to take a turn.

On July 12, 1979 Dahl (literally) blew up several disco records in Comiskey Park, the major league baseball stadium in the city. Dahl incited a riot and a big backlash against disco commenced. It’s commonly believed that these actions had anti-Black sentiments because Dahl only burned the records of Black musicians, even those who were non-disco artists. DJs began looking for a new, but similar sound to take over the scene and so entered DJ Frankie Knuckles.

After moving from New York to Chicago, Knuckles began playing at the “Warehouse,” the now- famous Chicago club from which house music actually gets its name. Knuckles is one of the DJs that pioneered the new genre that eventually became house music, in addition to DJs like Larry Lavon, Ron Hardy, and later DJ Jesse Saunders, who produced the first #1 house record “On and On” in 1984, a remake of the same name by disco artist Machs.

Librarians Manifesto: “Respect one another.” We are all coming into the space to be free from judgment, in the spirit of PLUR.

Fast forward to New Orleans 1995, where EDM was established in the way we now know it to be. During the mid-90s the State Palace Theater on Canal Street was the center of rave culture in the city. The State Palace was built in 1927 and eventually became a concert hall that hosted over 52 raves in two years: the famed FreakFest in 1999 and hundreds of DJ Disco Donnie’s legendary shows. Unfortunately, The venue was temporarily closed in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, and permanently closed in 2007 due to fire code violations.

Speaking of pioneers, DJ Disco Donnie is one of the major contributors to the New Orleans house scene. Donnie, born  James Donnie Estopinal, grew up in the city with a DJ father (Disco Jim) and eventually took up the mantle. By the late ‘90s Donnie was one of—if not the biggest— promoter in North America, bringing young people to New Orleans from all across the country. Donnie was able to capture the true essence of what we now know as rave culture, which is especially evident in his 2004 documentary “Rise: The Story of Rave Outlaw Disco Donnie.”

 

Librarians Manifesto: “Be open to unfamiliar music and sounds.” Electronic Dance Music (EDM) encompasses many different genres including, techno, house, deep house, footwork, jungle and so on. It’s necessary to go into these spaces with an open ear and comfortable shoes.

Although NOLA doesn’t seem to have prioritized EDM in recent years, local deep house DJ, Zev Russ (Zevyman), asserts that the younger crowd in NOLA is “open to all types of sounds.” Russ is a Loyola student who has been booking gigs around the city for the past year. A band member of the nouveau funk Bread4Sale, Russ sees a bright future for the EDM genre in New Orleans. “This is a city that lives and breathes celebration. With its deep-rooted party culture, there’s a natural space here for club life, which allows EDM to thrive, and it will only continue to grow.” Russ explained.

Plenty of spots in the city still aim to introduce new and electric sounds to their audiences. The Rabbit Hole opened in the heart of the city almost three years ago and is known for its whimsical and inviting atmosphere. The club dedicates itself to being a space where people can come and be free, thus fulfilling the rules of the Librarian’s Manifesto.

“We’ve always prioritized creating a comfortable and inclusive space where people can truly be themselves and lose themselves in the music. Pair that with one of the best sound systems in the city, and it’s all about showcasing talent that embodies the creative and funky energy we stand for,” says owner of The Rabbit Hole, Nate Graff.

Final rule on the Librarians Manifesto: “Dance your freaking heart out.” Similar to its disco mother, house music pushes for personal liberation. House doesn’t seem to be about escapism, but introspection and inner freedom, the type of freedom that young music lovers experience in New Orleans.