This Is A Podcast About House Music (ASMR)
All episodes and more at https://www.thatpodcastgirl.com
Season 1: House Music by city and decade. Immerse yourself in stories of the birth of House Music and its regional influences.
Season 2: Untold Stories in House Music. Listen to the stories that never made the headlines—the quiet ones, the erased ones, the ones still living in the basslines and breakdowns. House music rose out of the wreckage—after disco was declared dead, while AIDS was being ignored, and as Black and queer communities were pushed to the margins. It was protest. It was joy. It was survival. And the people who shaped it weren’t always let in, given credit, or remembered. We’re remembering them now.
This podcast is perfect for: people who like the style of an ASMR, spoken slowly, in a moderated tone, perfect for putting the entire season on autoplay while you do work in the background
Disclaimer: Some names and personal details in this episode have been changed or composited to honor privacy while preserving the emotional and cultural truth of these histories.
This Is A Podcast About House Music (ASMR)
House Music Reaches Around the World: Early 90s (S1 E4)
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“Hello, house enthusiasts! Welcome back to House Foundations. I’m C Dub your host, and today, we’re journeying through the early ’90s—a transformative era when house music transcended its Chicago roots and captivated dance floors worldwide. From the underground clubs of Berlin to the bustling streets of Tokyo, house music became a universal language of rhythm and unity.”
“By the dawn of the 1990s, house music had firmly planted its flag in numerous cities across the globe. In the United States, while Chicago remained a pivotal hub, other urban centers like New York, Detroit, and San Francisco began cultivating their own unique house scenes. Each city infused the genre with its distinct cultural flavors, enriching the tapestry of house music.”
“New York City, in particular, emerged as a powerhouse in the house movement. The city’s dynamic energy and melting pot of cultures fostered a fertile ground for innovation. Clubs like the Sound Factory and Shelter became sanctuaries for house aficionados. DJs such as David Morales and Frankie Knuckles, who had migrated from Chicago, mesmerized crowds with their eclectic mixes. Morales’s remix of Mariah Carey’s ‘Dreamlover’ exemplified the seamless blend of pop sensibilities with house rhythms, making the genre more accessible to mainstream audiences.”
“Across the Atlantic, the United Kingdom was experiencing its own house renaissance. The late ’80s acid house wave had set the stage, and by the early ‘90s, the UK was producing its own house anthems. Labels like XL Recordings were at the forefront, releasing seminal tracks that would define the era. The Prodigy’s early work, for instance, showcased a fusion of house beats with breakbeat hardcore, pushing the boundaries of the genre.”
“Meanwhile, in continental Europe, cities like Berlin and Paris were embracing house music with open arms. Berlin’s Love Parade, which began in 1989, grew exponentially in the early ‘90s, drawing hundreds of thousands of revelers. The city’s unique history and burgeoning club scene made it a hotspot for electronic music. Parisian clubs, too, were pulsating with house beats, with DJs like Laurent Garnier leading the charge. Garnier’s track ‘Crispy Bacon’ became a staple in the European house scene, known for its driving rhythm and innovative sound.”
“Back in the U.S., the West Coast was carving out its niche in the house landscape. San Francisco’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community played a significant role in nurturing the scene. The city’s clubs, such as The EndUp and 1015 Folsom, became epicenters for house music, with DJs like Doc Martin spinning tracks that blended deep house with elements of funk and soul. His sets often featured tracks like ‘Is the Swing,’ which encapsulated the West Coast’s unique take on the house genre.”
“Distribution channels for house music also evolved during this period. Independent record labels proliferated, pressing vinyl records that DJs would spin in clubs and on radio shows. The rise of mixtapes and DJ mixes allowed the sound to spread beyond club walls, reaching listeners in their homes and cars. This grassroots distribution was instrumental in building a dedicated following.”
“Reflecting on this era, it’s evident that the early ‘90s were a time of rapid expansion and innovation for house music. The genre’s infectious rhythms and inclusive ethos resonated with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering a global community united by the dance floor. As we move forward, we’ll explore how house music continued to evolve, giving birth to numerous subgenres and influencing countless artists.”
“Thank you for joining me on this journey through the early ‘90s house scene. Until then, keep the beats alive."
Copyright 2025. This is a Podcast About House Music, hosted by C-Dub
“Hey everyone, welcome back to House Foundations! I’m C-Dub, and today, we’re diving into an exciting chapter: the mid to late 1980s, when house music burst out of Chicago and took the world by storm. We’ll explore how this underground sound became a global phenomenon between 1985 and 1990.”
“By 1985, Chicago had firmly established itself as the epicenter of house music. But why Chicago? Well, the city’s rich musical heritage, combined with its vibrant club scene, created the perfect breeding ground for innovation. Clubs like The Warehouse and the Music Box were more than just venues; they were cultural hubs where DJs like Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy experimented with new sounds, blending disco, electronic, and synthesized beats to craft something entirely fresh. This unique environment fostered a sense of community and creativity that was unparalleled.”
“In 1986, Farley ‘Jackmaster’ Funk released ‘Love Can’t Turn Around,’ featuring Darryl Pandy. This track became one of the first house records to chart in the UK, peaking at number 10. Its success overseas signaled the beginning of house music’s international appeal. Farley once said, ‘We were just making music for our friends in Chicago; we had no idea it would blow up like this.’”
“Meanwhile, in the UK, the late ‘80s saw the rise of the acid house movement. Clubs like Manchester’s Haçienda became epicenters for this new sound. British DJs and producers embraced the Chicago house style, infusing it with their own electronic influences. This cross-pollination led to a rave culture that swept across Europe. A regular at the Haçienda recalled, ‘Those nights were magical; the music was like nothing we’d ever heard before.’”
“Back in Chicago, the group Phuture, led by DJ Pierre, released ‘Acid Tracks’ in 1987. This track is often credited with pioneering the acid house subgenre, characterized by its squelchy basslines produced by the Roland TB-303 synthesizer. DJ Pierre reflected, ‘We were just messing around with the 303, trying to make it sound different. We didn’t know we were creating a whole new sound.’”
“As house music spread, it began to influence and blend with other genres. In New York, the garage house scene emerged, named after the Paradise Garage club, where DJ Larry Levan reigned supreme. His eclectic mixes and emotive style added a soulful dimension to house music. Levan once mentioned, ‘It’s all about emotion; if the music doesn’t move you, what’s the point?’”
“New York’s house scene was further enriched by influential figures like Todd Terry, who fused hip-hop and house to create a grittier sound. His 1988 track ‘Can You Party’ under the alias Royal House became a dancefloor staple. Terry noted, ‘I wanted to bring the streets into the clubs, mixing the rawness of hip-hop with the energy of house.’ The Burrell brothers, Ronald and Rheji, also left a significant mark with their work on Nu Groove Records, producing deep, minimalist tracks that still resonate today. Additionally, clubs like The World in the East Village became melting pots for diverse crowds, featuring performances by artists such as Madonna and Public Enemy, and hosting DJs like David Morales and Frankie Knuckles, who further popularized house music in the city. ”
“Record labels played a crucial role in this expansion. In the UK, labels like FFRR and Rhythm King began signing house tracks, helping to bring the sound to a broader audience. Meanwhile, Chicago’s Trax Records continued to churn out hits, solidifying the city’s influence on the global stage. Marshall Jefferson, whose ‘Move Your Body’ became an anthem, noted, ‘We were just trying to make people dance; it’s amazing how far it’s come.’”
“By 1990, house music had firmly entrenched itself in clubs around the world. Its infectious rhythms and inclusive ethos resonated with diverse audiences, transcending cultural and geographic boundaries. As Larry Heard, aka Mr. Fingers, observed, ‘House music speaks to the soul; it’s a universal language that brings people together.’”
“Reflecting on this period, it’s clear that house music’s journey from Chicago’s underground clubs to international acclaim was driven by passionate artists and communities seeking connection through rhythm and dance. In our next episode, we’ll delve into the 1990s, exploring how house music continued to evolve and influence new genres. Until then, keep the beats alive.”
“Thanks for tuning in to House Foundations. I’m C.Dub, and until next time, keep the beats alive.”
