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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
66
Richie Hawtin
5

The past year has seen Richie Hawtin once again re-invent his approach to techno, this time with the release of an audio-visual album. Hawtin says that ‘CLOSE COMBINED’ was conceived in response to what he viewed as the narrowing of the definition of DJing and features a fusion of video and audio from his CLOSE performances in London, Glasgow and Tokyo. True to his trademark style, ‘CLOSE COMBINED’ features on-the-fly edits of the productions of other artists’ material accompanying video footage from each event.   

While Hawtin’s DJ schedule continues to span continents with performances at big festivals like Primavera, Movement and Awakenings, his Minus and Plus 8 labels were relatively quiet this year. However, 2019 did see the re-release of ‘Dimension Intrusion’, the album that he recorded under the F.U.S.E moniker. Coinciding with the twenty-fifth anniversary of its original release, it provided a timely reminder that when it comes to mind-blowing techno like ‘Substance Abuse’ and widescreen electronics like ‘Nitedrive’, Richie Hawtin has few peers.

Do you submit your DJ setlists to the relevant royalties collecting society?

“Yes.”

What more can we do to combat the mental health crisis in our scene?

“Remembering to switch off sometimes from social media and the scene in general?”

Are you personally doing anything to improve the gender balance of line-ups?

“I’ve been supportive of many great artists over the years, many who happened to be women, and I’ll continue to support those who I love and respect!”

What changes have you made this year to be more environmentally friendly?

“I’ve been offsetting all my flights for over 10 years, among other things.”

What was your favourite toy when you were a kid?

“My Dad’s old reel-to-reel tape recorder.”

What’s your guilty pleasure?

“Sake.”