I don't know why, but I love threads like this. I just love to hear people's experiences and origins for their passion for Trance and EDM. I realize my story is a little longer than most, but I am helplessly passionate about music that I just enjoy sharing the details.
Anyway, to answer OP's question:
I got into electronic music a little over a decade ago. Like many others, I do remember being about 10 years old or so and absolutely loving the electronic soundtrack of racing games, especially Need For Speed!
I don't remember how I came across it, but I do know that the very first electronic track that I fell in love with was Trance[]Control - Dream of Trance (
YouTube - Trance[]Control - Dream of trance), but it was mislabeled as being done by Paul Oakenfold. So, I asked my older brother if he knew who Paul Oakenfold was since he was just getting into the scene as well, and a few days later he let me listen to A Voyage Into Trance.
I immediately fell in love with Oakenfold (not realizing at the time that it was a compilation and not an artist album) and soon started getting into The Prodigy (Firestarter) and The Crystal Method (Keep Hope Alive) and eventually ATB (9PM - Till I Come). Like the OP, I began looking into anything considered 'techno,' and I knew nothing about the genre differences. Outside of my brother, the only electronic music that was popular seemed to be La Bouche.
It wasn't too much longer until I had an encounter with Push - Universal Nation, the one track that has reigned supreme as my all time favorite song throughout all these years. Despite it's repetition, I cannot get enough of it! It is one of many tracks that gives me goosebumps, but it was certainly the first track to give me goosebumps.
Still, NO one in my area listened to this kind of music. I felt kind of like an outcast since everyone thought it was weird, stupid, or gay. So, I mostly listened in secret, as lame as that sound, but at the same time I think that it helped me connect to it. I realize this sounds ridiculously corny and lame, especially since I was only about 12 at this time, but I was able to realize that electronic music can definitely be made very personal. I continued to listen in secret for a long while, finding so much personal satisfaction in artists like ATB, Paul van Dyk, Tiesto, etc.
While I listened to EDM on the side, I had developed a wonderful love for Heavy Metal (so it was definitely conflicting to have the harsh sounds and screaming vocals of Metal contrasting with the beautiful and warm melodies of Trance), but around 2005 I finally started listening to both genres about the same. It stayed that way until December 27, 2008. That night, I went to my first rave and saw ATB live here in DC.
Granted, a lot of people hate ATB, but to me he's always been a personal hero, and even though my date was sick (ended up vomitting twice :/) I still managed to have a great time while comforting her. We left early, but I was on such a high that night from the atmosphere - it was the most euphoric thing I had ever felt in my life and I couldn't believe the unity, harmony, and energy in the room.
I was hooked and couldn't wait for my next gig, which happened to be Above & Beyond in February, which I originally wasn't even planning on going to, but that night I stayed from 10:00PM - 4:30AM and it confirmed that this is by far the best feeling in the world.
Present day, I have been to dozens of shows and had my first festival experience at Electric Zoo Festival 2009 in NYC, but this year I have booked for both days instead of just one and I have been DYING to go all year. The more I listen, the more I become addicted. I honestly can't fathom how people can not enjoy the pure emotions and powerful energy that comes from Trance. No other kind of music comes close to Trance, but of course I love most styles of EDM as well, but aside from that I rarely listen to much else anymore. ESPECIALLY after participating in the global community of ASOT 400. I never felt such connection and unity before by just sitting alone in my room at my computer and listening to music while talking to complete strangers from other countries over IRC. -- It was INCREDIBLE!
Now, I feel much like this:
YouTube - Faithless - God is a Dj - I take how good I feel and share it with everybody!!
I realize that my story is pretty cheesy and corny, but I honestly don't care. Music is quite possibly my biggest passion in life, so I hold a lot of value to it. I just wish I could produce or mix, even for just a hobby. For now, I just stick to being the musical guru that friends come to when they are finally ready to embark on their Voyage Into Trance.