Solid Gold: The remarkable influence of Detroit techno’s first album, ‘Enter’ by Cybotron
Ciel announces new EP on Ghostly, ‘Why Me?’: LISTEN
Ciel has announced a new EP, ‘Why Me?’, on revered US imprint Ghostly International.
The Toronto-based DJ, producer, pianist and Discwoman-affiliate has unveiled the title track, with the full release slated to land on 24th May.
Describing the background of the EP, which is notably heavier than her previous releases, she has said, "I was dealing with a lot. Anger, despair, paranoia, feeling unjustly targeted... I wanted to communicate that nothing is permanent, that there's always hope for understanding and resolution."
Voting for DJ Mag’s Best of North America awards is now open
The nominations have been announced for DJ Mag's annual Best of North America poll.
The poll is our chance to put a spotlight on the immense breadth of talent to be found throughout North America. Across 16 categories, representatives from the worlds of house, techno, bass and disco sit alongside electro, jazz and experimentalism in the hope of platforming the wide-ranging and ever-changing dance music environment of North America. You can see the full list of categories and nominees below.
Techno pioneer Juan Atkins is rewiring his electro legacy
Juan Atkins has always been, in his own words, “a music lover”. Growing up in Detroit, he would treat his parents’ dinner parties as an opportunity to act as DJ for the night, taking control of the record player to share what was catching his ear as a young, impressionable teenager. This was some years before he would first be exposed to synthesizers and electronic music, and go on to form countless essential partnerships as a producer, DJ, label owner and mentor.
“There’s something about Cybotron, in the name, that has picked up a cult status over the years”
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Juan Atkins and Ciel locked for DJ Mag BoNA Awards show
Juan Atkins and Ciel have been confirmed for the first party to be announced as part of DJ Mag's Best of North American Awards tour.
Techno behemoth Atkins, who's taking his legendary Cybotron project to London later this year, will play the awards show at Coda, Toronto on Saturday 4th May, supported by the reliably excellent Ciel, as well as Jackie Spade and Jamie Kidd.
Juan Atkins reveals first-ever Cybotron live show
Juan Atkins will debut pioneering electro project, Cybotron, live in London's next year.
The Godfather of Techno will premiere the Detroit band's music live at the Barbican Centre on April 12th. The event will kickstart the Cybotron Live tour, before stopping off in Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris, New York City, Sydney, Tokyo and elsewhere, between 2019 to 2021. Full details are to be confirmed.
Tresor is reissuing classic techno albums from Jeff Mills, Robert Hood, Drexciya, Juan Atkins, more
Tresor Records will reissue a string of classic techno albums from November.
Taking the angle "Masters then, masters now" the series will welcome back Jeff Mills' ‘Waveform Transmission Vol. 3’, ‘Internal Empire’ by Robert Hood, Juan Atkins presenting Infiniti's ‘Skynet’, Drexciya’s infamous ‘Neptune’s Lair’ and ‘Arrange and Process Basic Channel Tracks’ from Scion.
The re-issue of Mills' 'Waveform Transmission Vol. 3' was announced last week.
Watch the trailer for Detroit techno documentary, God Said Give 'Em Drum Machines
A Kickstarter campaign is currently in progress to help raise finishing funds for a new documentary focusing on Detroit techno.
God Said Give 'Em Drum Machines: The Story of Detroit Techno is the work of Detroit natives and filmmakers Jennifer Washington and Kristian Hill who have spent the last seven years researching for the documentary, as well as following the lives and work of pioneers such as Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, Eddie Fowlkes and Blake Baxter.
10 hidden techno gems released between 1998-2008
Techno's four decades evolution and ubiquity can make it tough for anyone to feel truly knowledgeable. With literally thousands upon thousands of records released, creating any kind of brief anthology is a fruitless, unnecessary task. That being said, it never feels like a bad idea to present a list of just some tracks we think deserve some reflection… So here you go. 10 superb techno tracks from between 1998 and 2008 featuring the likes of Omar-S, Juan Atkins, Silent Servant, The Other People Place and more! Dig in...
There’s a rave on a Georgian beach resort this summer
There’s a rave happening on a Georgian beach resort this summer. EchoWaves, a new beachside festival from Serbian promoters EXIT, is set to take place in Anaklia, Georgia, between 23rd and 26th August.
John Ochoa is the editor-at-large of DJ Mag North America. You can find him living his best life on Twitter.
