Deep House Music Guide

Deep House is just one of the many sub-genres that has evolved out of house music. Characterized by deep basslines, soulful vocals, and remnants of the early underground sound, it’s one of the most popular house genres in today’s EDM scene.

And today, we’re taking a deep dive into Deep House, breaking down its history, sound design, production techniques, top artists in the scene, and what the club & festival scene looks like. We’ll also see how it compares to other genres like Progressive House, Electro House, and Tech House, so you can impress the homies when you identify a track only a few seconds in.

Origins of Deep House Music

Like every house sub-genre, Deep House traces its roots back to the vibrant music scene of Chicago in the 1980s. As the House music movement was gaining momentum, DJs and producers began experimenting with new sounds and styles, leading to the birth of Deep House.

Deep House emerged as a response to the mainstream House sound that dominated the clubs of Chicago at the time. DJs and producers wanted to create a more soulful and atmospheric form of House music that resonated with their emotions and connected on a deeper level with the audience.

The genre drew inspiration from disco and soul music, specifically the smooth melodies, lush chords, and soulful vocals. Artists like Larry Heard (aka Mr. Fingers), Frankie Knuckles, and Marshall Jefferson played pivotal roles in shaping the sound of Deep House, infusing it with their unique musical sensibilities. Even to this day, you can hear jazzy and funky elements of live instruments mixed with basslines and detailed percussion patterns. Some people look at Deep House and think: “There’s not much going on.” They couldn’t be more wrong.

Deep House found its early home in the underground clubs of Chicago, but quickly spread to other cities in the US and around the world. European countries, particularly the UK and Germany, embraced the genre and added their own unique flavors to the sound. Labels like Defected Records and artists like Kerri Chandler and Henrik Schwarz became synonymous with the global Deep House movement.

Defining Features of Deep House Music

To the untrained ear, most house music sounds the same. But Deep House is one of the easier sub-genres to identify because of, quite literally, the deep basslines. But it’s more than that; these are the defining characteristics of Deep House Music.

Musical Components

Individually, these elements aren’t much. But layered on top of one another, they create the iconic genre that has taken over underground clubs:

• Deep, Hypnotic Basslines – The pulsating basslines, shaped by rich & warm tones, create a solid foundation for the music and drive the track forwards.
• Soulful, Melodic Chords – The lush, melodic chords are inspired by jazz & soul progressions that add a sense of emotion, depth, and sophistication to the sound.
• Soothing Vocals – Vocals play a significant role in Deep House, which add an extra layer of emotion and serve as a melodic element, complementing the instrumental elements of the music. There are generally pretty few words in Deep House tracks, so you can bet that everyone in the club knows them.
• Smooth, Groovy Beats: The laid-back and groovy beats are the final touch, using syncopated rhythms and intricate percussion patterns to create a relaxed and danceable vibe.

Production Techniques

At face value, a deep house track is “simple,” a beat, a hook, some lyrics, and a drop. But as simple as it may sound, there are dozens of elements that go into the final song. And in case you’ve ever felt yourself underappreciating deep house, that phase is over. Now, you’ll learn exactly how hard artists work to produce your favorite songs:

• Rhythmic Foundation – In deep house, the beat is steady and regular, usually with a four-on-the-floor pattern and a tempo between 110-125 BPM. This creates the danceable groove that deep house is known for. Percussive elements keep the rhythm interesting and engaging, making it easy to mix and match tracks when DJing.
• Harmonic & Melodic Elements – Deep house uses a lot of synthesized sounds, chords, and melodies, often with hints of jazz, soul, or funk. These sounds bring emotion and richness to the music, creating diverse tones and moods, and allowing for creative musical progressions within the track.
• Bass & Low-Frequency Elements – The bass is deep and powerful, with round kick drums adding to the low-end punch. These bass elements are key to the energy of the track, getting people moving on the dance floor while maintaining a clear and balanced sound.
• Atmospheric & Ambient Sounds – Atmosphere is important in deep house music, we both know that. Producers use effects and sound design techniques to create airy, immersive backgrounds. This adds depth and space to the music, allowing the main and background elements to interact in interesting ways within a track.
• Vocals – Vocals in deep house add a human touch, often using samples or hooks that are soulful and emotive. These vocals can be central or complementary to the arrangement, adding an extra layer of interest and giving DJs more options when mixing.
• Structure & Arrangement – Deep house typically has a simple structure with repetitive loops and longer track lengths. This simplicity allows for subtle changes and developments in the music, creating engaging sonic journeys and giving DJs flexibility for creative mixing and transitioning between tracks.

Next time you hear someone in the crowd say “deep house is boring,” make sure to educate them on all of the intricate elements.

Cultural Significance of Deep House Music

Deep House is more than just music. It’s been a driving force of the club, festival, and fashion scenes in the house genre.

The Club & Festival Scene

Deep House was born out of the underground club scene and it truly has stuck to those roots. Most Deep House venues are dark, intimate, and exclusive venues that provide an immersive listening & visual experience for DJs and crowds alike. With minimal graphics, lasers, and strobes, concertgoers can bob their heads and shuffle to their own groove.

In my experience so far, PLUR is alive & well in the Deep House community, even more so than other house genres. Subjectively, it’s not a genre that EDM rookies find themselves liking, so the people who frequent Deep House shows are truly there for the music, artists, and vibes. It’s not uncommon to see total strangers form new friendships in the center of the dance floor, which is a testament to the cohesiveness of the genre.

Deep House is known for its extended DJ sets, often lasting several hours or even all night in some cases. Standard sets are usually 1.5 to 2 hours in duration, with extended sets going as long as 6 to 8 hours.

These sets are more than just syncing & mixing tracks. DJs take listeners on a journey over these several hours, building up the energy and creating a truly transcendent experience.

You won’t find Deep House artists on every festival lineup. Most house slots go to tech, progressive, and bass house artists. But if you’re hunting for a Deep House festival, you should check out Sonar in Barcelona, Burning Man in Nevada, Tomorrowland in Belgium, and CRSSD in San Diego.

Fashion & Lifestyle

Just like every genre, even sub-genres, Deep House has its own fashion style. Typically, it’s laid back & effortless, with elements from streetwear, bohemian fashion, and vintage pieces dominating the outfits. More so than other types of EDM, where tank tops, pasties, and other rave outfits are staples, Deep House fashion is characterized by loose-fitting garments, flowy fabrics, and eclectic accessories.

Deep House is often associated with wellness and mindfulness practices. The genre’s soothing and atmospheric nature creates a space for relaxation, meditation, and self-reflection. Many Deep House events incorporate yoga sessions, meditation workshops, and holistic practices, promoting the well-being of attendees.

Deep House was born out of black, gay clubs in the 1980s. And even as it quickly spread across the globe and entered the mainstream media, the genre has managed to maintain its cultural & sexual diversity. The genre is inclusive of all individuals, which is a major part of the reason that it’s been able to transcend geographic, political, social, and sexual boundaries.

Comparison with Other House Sub-Genres

Deep House is a distinctive genre in its own right, but it’s often compared to and even confused with other sub-genres of House. And though there’s plenty of overlap, there are distinct differences. Here’s how it stacks up against similar sub-genres:

• Progressive House – Deep house has a slower tempo and more relaxed, atmospheric vibe compared to progressive house, which is fast, energetic, and a gradually building structure. Progressive house tracks are more of a festival anthem-type and deep house is an underground club scene.
• Electro House – Compared to Deep House, Electro House is characterized by hard-hitting beats, aggressive basslines, and the heavy use of electronic synths. It has a faster tempo and a more intense, electrifying sound that’s far more bass-y than Deep House.
• Tech House – Tech house combines the rhythm of techno with the melodies of house. It’s even more minimal than Deep House, a stripped-down version with driving beats and hypnotic repetitions.
• Future House – Future House combines the sounds of Deep House with influences from EDM and futuristic synths. It often features energetic drops, catchy hooks, and a more high-energy and club-oriented sound.

Deep House does share similarities with other House sub-genres, but its distinct musical components, production techniques, and atmospheric qualities set it apart. And good news for House lovers, the genre’s future is in good hands.

Top Deep House Artists & Tracks

There are thousands of talented Deep House artists, each producing revolutionary tracks. And while most of them light up underground clubs, there are a handful of artists that are making waves in the industry.

Top Deep House Artists

• Disclosure – This British duo has been at the forefront of modern Deep House, blending soulful vocals, infectious melodies, and intricate production techniques to create chart-topping hits.
• Lane 8 – Lane 8 has gained a strong following with his emotive tracks that fuse elements of Deep House and progressive influences. If you’re into Deep House mixtapes, Lane 8 releases a new one every season (spring, summer, winter, and fall) on SoundCloud – definitely worth a listen.
• Nora En Pure – With her signature blend of Deep House and indie dance, Nora En Pure has become one of the prominent figures in the modern Deep House scene, captivating listeners with her melodic and groovy tracks. In a largely male-dominated industry, she’s turning the tables.
• Meduza – Meduza is an Italian group made up of 3 members: Luca de Gregorio, Mattia Vitale and Simone Giani. They play around with a few different sub-genres, but their Deep House music welds classic Deep House elements with modern sounds, resulting in high-energy tracks that light up dance floors.

Top Deep House Songs:

• “In the Trees” by Faze Action
• “Latch” by Disclosure
• “Come With Me” by Nora En Pure
• “Piano Boy” by Amtrac
• “Go All Night” by Gorgon City ft. Jennifer Hudson

If you want to check out these top Progressive House artists and their tracks, check out our Official Deep House Music Playlist, full of our favorites: