If there’s one question that I’ve heard numerous times over the past four and a half years, it’s this: “What is it about Hard Dance music that’s so special?” This question is usually followed up with a little something like “you know, the festivals look pretty fun, so I guess I can see why you like it so much.” Sure, the festivals are great, but for me (and the majority of you reading this) this undying passion for music runs a hell of a lot deeper than its party culture, although a solid festival each weekend is conveniently great.
When I fell in love with Hard Dance music back in 2012, I felt as though I was falling into a love affair that was pure and filled with fire-fuelled passion. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world; each day was a new discovery and joy continued to fill my soul as I became further immersed in this parallel universe. Unlike the immature relationships I found myself in and out of, music became a steadfast character in my life, a character that never left, was never unfaithful and thus, opened up a whole new life path for me.
Back in the ‘real’ world, I was studying a degree that I was barely invested in and was the type of person who was either too lazy or afraid to travel. As some of you may know, I have been writing stories since I was a child, but after suffering a huge writers’ block and falling ill with chronic fatigue I was unable to write for many months. During these months I spent resting, there wasn’t much I could really do, so I started pursuing my passion for music a little further and keeping up to date with things online. Slowly, I began observing the politics of the Hardstyle scene and the ‘regulars’ online. It seemed as everybody knew each other, however it was a scene small enough that you didn’t just feel like another button in the collection.
My friends and family didn’t particularly understand my infatuation with Hard Dance music – actually, for a while they thought that I was only joking about it. But I wasn’t, and little did they know that this love affair with music was blossoming into the biggest commitment I’ve made in my life. This music and the feeling it brings is indescribable – it’s like a drug, but without the distressing comedown.
The pure euphoria and power that Hard Dance music provides is something truly special and it doesn’t even matter if your friends and family don’t understand it, because trust me, you’ll meet people along the way and these people will be some of the most incredible, passionate people. When you enter this movement, the world suddenly feels like a much smaller place and despite the intermittent bitch-fests online, once the souls of Hard Dance music unite at a festival, the negativity rapidly dissolves and an extraordinary harmonic vibe rolls to the forefront…
I don’t know where I’d be without this music, but if I can take a guess it would probably be this: I would’ve graduated from a university course I was half-hearted about, got myself stuck into a crappy job and probably never would’ve started travelling the world. I wouldn’t have been able to unlock this creativity, nor found my purpose in communicating with others through the written world if it weren’t for this music. Most importantly, I would be a far cry from the spicy, vivacious, thrill-seeking, current red-head that I am today…
Thanks to this music and its movement, I moved abroad, met the most incredible people, developed myself professionally and learnt many important life lessons. I became more independent, found an outlet for my energy and founded my own fucking business!
Hard Dance music has been here to comfort me during gut wrenching heart-break and pain, has served as inspiration for all corners of my life and has inevitably transformed me into a powerful, strong and effervescent individual.
But of course, just like any partnership or steadfast commitment, you have to take the good with the bad. Sometimes there’s bullshit going on in this scene that I’m not fond of, and sometimes I’m just filled with frustration. Sometimes I want to say “fuck it, I’m out,” but I just can’t, because I know that nobody, nor any other style will make me feel the way that Hard Dance music does. Don’t get me wrong, I love numerous other genres and regularly attend Techno and Drum & Bass parties, but there’s just something missing, and that’s the beloved feeling of solidarity that we all rant on about.
Now, let’s get a little personal. I’ve been having a rough time lately. Wow, I’ve actually always wanted to write that on paper, but usually it’s too pride-consuming to ever admit out loud. Now that we’ve addressed the elephant in the room, which I’m putting down to the recent interplanetary transitions and some current situations occurring in my life, I can tell you this – it’s all going to be okay. I know that because last night I found myself feeling incredibly lost and close to bursting into tears, however when I threw on my all-time favourite track “Vive La Frenchcore,” the moment I heard those pounding kicks and felt that beloved Frenchcore energy, I felt an unexplainable fire burning throughout my entire body.
I suddenly felt overwhelmed with vitality and become excited to return to The Netherlands and kick some fucking ass. I began thinking about the permanent state of euphoria I was stuck in at Defqon.1 whilst filming the Day Reports and I just couldn’t shake the excitement. In that very moment, all the petty worries of my life seemed stupid and all I could think about was either being a badass bitch and doing my thing on camera, or being back in the crowd, holding a white wine and jubilantly screaming at the top of my lungs.
So, the next time somebody asks me what’s so special about this music and its movement, let this article serve as my answer…