SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblymember Mark González was joined by the Grammy-nominated electronic music duo SLANDER to present ACR 216, of which declares June 2026 as the second annual Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Month in the State of California. The resolution honors EDM’s profound cultural, social, and economic impact on the Golden State.
“EDM started as a refuge – a space where people could break free from society’s constraints and embrace their authentic selves,” said Assemblymember González. “And in times of worry, when a lot is going on in the world, music is our escape. It’s where we find solitude. It’s our oasis.”
In a state that has never stopped moving, California has always needed an Oasis. In EDM culture, an oasis can be a designated sanctuary within a festival. It is a quiet, safe space where anyone feeling overwhelmed can step away from the noise, find calm, and be cared for before returning to the floor. It is the part of a party that makes sure that everyone gets to stay there. That is precisely what EDM has always offered California, and what ACR 216 honors for the second year running.
EDM traces its roots to the 1970s with the rise of disco, evolving through underground warehouse parties of the 1980s and 1990s into the global movement that it is today. At its core, EDM has always been supported by the philosophy of Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect (PLUR), stamping a code of ethics onto every dance floor.
California didn’t just adopt that philosophy; it became its amplifier. Electric Daisy Carnival, HARD Summer, Beyond Wonderland, Nocturnal Wonderland, and Coachella, alongside the countless individual shows, have supplied the stages on which EDM was built.
“And I would be remiss if I didn’t also acknowledge the community behind EDM. said Assemblymember González. An industry powered by working-class stagehands, sound techs, vendors, hospitality workers, lighting crews, local artists, small businesses — real people building real opportunities across our state. Events bring millions from around the world to California. Driving tourism, fueling neighborhoods, and contributing to the melting pot of our diversity.”
EDM generates millions in revenue annually and creates countless jobs statewide. Behind every beat drop are stagehands, sound technicians, hospitality workers, lighting crews, local artists, and small businesses whose livelihoods are built on California’s thriving EDM economy.
Assemblymember González was proud to welcome the Grammy-nominated EDM duo SLANDER to the Assembly floor as honored guests. The two artists behind the group are California-natives Derek Andersen and Scott Land, who met as Political Science students at UC Irvine. Their anthems, including the iconic “Love is Gone,” have reached billions. The two additionally hosted a benefit concert for those in need after the 2025 LA fires devastated our California communities, living out the values that have always made California’s EDM scene a true oasis for those who need it most.
Lastly, Assemblymember González launched an official EDM Month Spotify Playlist. This playlist honors EDM artists and DJs from around the world and includes his favorite songs from across genres. That playlist can be found here.
Assemblymember Mark González is the Assembly Majority Whip. He serves on the Committees on Appropriations, Health, Public Safety, Rules, and Utilities & Energy. He represents the 54th District, composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Vernon.