Part 7/10:
The discussion turns toward the broader scene of instrumental and progressive rock. Erin frames it as a "progressive instrumental" genre, often conflated with alternative labels. He observes that the genre’s rise can be linked to cultural shifts, notably the influence of electronic dance music (EDM) and artists like deadmau5, whose minimalistic, vocal-free tracks resonate emotionally with audiences.
He credits the ambient, vowel-like quality of jazz and Pat Metheny's melodic storytelling as major influences, inspiring the vocal-like phrasing achievable on guitar. This approach allows instrumentalists to communicate emotion and melody directly, without vocals, emphasizing mood and atmosphere.