A Mau5’ Satire
By: Adam
By: Adam
Among the biggest names in electronic, Deadmau5 is one who s
very vocal with his dissatisfaction in the rise of new DJ’s and the explosion
of dance music into the mainstream. Recently, his first music video,
“Professional Griefers”, was the most expensive EDM video ever. Plastered with
robots, rednecks, and partiers, it had everything to compliment the high energy
beats in the track. However, when thinking about his interview and blog
history, I couldn’t help but feel that the whole thing is a satire and
expression on what Joel wants, rather than what Deadmau5 is.
From Kia Soul using “In My Mind” to Skrillex working for
Disney, it can be fair to say that EDM is becoming commercialized and
mainstream. Out of his own mouth, Deadmau5 says “EDM is as commercially viable
as coca cola”. Plastered through the video is the Ultimate Fighting
Championship’s logo. Watching this event and go down are hundreds live, and
people from every background all over the world, including those country
bumpkins. With this, Joel is
expressing how much that EDM has saturated pop culture and how everyone wants
to get in on the action. The iconic Mousehead is here a larger than life robot,
making a parallel of how huge it all has become. Deeper than mocking the
commercialism and mainstream appeal of this, however, is what Joel is trying to
say about...
DJ’s and the music industry.
DJ’s and the music industry.
Of anyone to be open and honest about the world of DJ’ing,
Joel is at the forefront of the criticism. The largest front of his criticism
came in the Special Summer issue of Rolling Stone Magazine, where he considers
DJ’s to be “button-pushers getting paid half a million,” with him “just pushing
a lot more buttons.” This comment was the first thing that makes one consider
“Professional Griefers” to be a satire. The second Deadmau5 and Gerard Way sit
down, they are mashing buttons and twisting knobs behind his “cube” in a big
competition to entertain and see who is best. While he does respect those who
try to bring more creative elements to live performances, Joe sees the average
dj set as something basic and boring. However, when fans, lights, and
production come into play, he sees the show as something incredible, which is
why he pulled out all the stops to make this video as massive as possible.
If EDM really is just hitting play, what does Joel want out
of this all? Of all the symbols around Deadmau5, Professor Meowingtons, PhD.,
his black and white cat may be just as big as the mousehead. With the new
arrival of a new pet, Miss Nyancat, (also shown off on his shirt through the
video), one can start to see what Joel is really like. His Tumblr account gives
the most insight to this: a guy who likes cats, making music, and eating
steaks. In this video, the clip that shows what Joel really wants is when his
robotic cat unplugs Gerard. This little bit is so powerful when seen on a
larger scale. Not only is it saying a simple plug can ruin a show, but Joel
wants EDM and himself to “unplug”, so that he can get back to basics. In some
ways, Joel longs for the simplicity of that country life and the “family [he’s]
always wanted”.
Behind the mousehead, behind the lights and show, Deadmau5
is not Joel Zimmerman. Joel is a smart man with strong opinions and a sense of
humor. By knowing his backstory and his views, one can see that he isn’t one to
want to cling to the mainstream for attention. He is not a sellout, he is not
just a button pusher. This video is awesome, and when one looks at it through a
different context, it becomes so much more than just a flashy backdrop to a
great song.
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