D25: A friendly get-together

A well, that good ol’ Detroit scene. It’s been around for 25 years now and for us Dutchies the scene over there may seem as one big family. But that’s just something in our minds. Something that happened years ago. Right now it’s a big family that’s fallen apart. Grandma’s garden has been left empty. Everyone is living their own life now, sometimes in a different city. But they still know each other. They still think about each other. And every now and then, when they meet again, they relive old times. Like on Wednesday, in the Dylan hotel.

By DjBroadcast

Interviewer of the day is not someone who observed the developing in the D from aside. It is someone who’s been there, watched the Detroit scene come to live, and even is part of the scene. We’re talking Derrick May – who by the way often was funnier then comedian Kenny Larkin. The other invitees where Stacey Pullen, Carl Craig, Monty Luke, Greg Gow, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson and Al Ester. The last one might be a bit unknown to the audience, but the man has been deejaying for more than 27 years. Twenty-seven that is, people. And the guy gets nothing but mad respect from everyone sitting in the room. The only thing that drives him is the love for spinning and the passion for music. His musical career started when he heard Wheel Me Out from the legendary Was (not Was). The modesty of the man Ester shines through when he speaks about Derrick May. “Derrick is a true soldier, he is the shining example of a real deejay. He is one of the last true, real dj’s in the world.” The most surprising thing is that Al Ester is still learning, wanting to start producing soon.

When talking about  defining moments in their lives, almost everyone of the first and second generation talks about the show that The Electrifying Mojo runned on different radio stations. The show crossed borders and was filled with music from artists like Kraftwerk, Telex, Giorgio Moroder and Prince. The first to really kick of the scene was Juan Atkins.  “He is the pilar we all stand on” according to mister May, who befriended Atkins through games of chess. Mister Atkins started making music at elementary school, and talked his brother into asking musical instruments for his birthday and christmas he wanted to have himself. By the age of 16 he made Cosmic Raindance and Alleys of Your Mind. And then, Electrifying Mojo played the track on his show. A career has been made.

Unlinke others, Kevin Saunderson has also had  some musical experiences in New York. “I was one of the lucky once to have visited the Paradise Garage. I was young and nervous, hearing that there was music being played, but not able to hear the music yet, al the gays. But when I entered the room, saw the crowd and heard the music, I forgot all about them, I entered my own world.”

The only guy that hasn’t been really a part of the Detroit scene is Greg Gow, who originally is from Toronto. “I wanted to play hockey when I was younger, like al Canadians.” His first glimpses of electronical music where from guys like Nick Holder. Gow began throwing parties in Detroit and Toronto. Detroit gave him a different feeling, and inspired his productions. A friend of him, Derrick (not May) told him to send some stuff to Derrick (this time May). He did, and mister May asked him to send more, through Facebook. Even Carl Craig started playing his records.

The overall consensus is that the scene has fallen apart. When artists are happy with 1.000 paid downloads, they used to ship 40.000 vinyl records back then. Kevin Saunderson used to get 10.000 records from the pressing plant every week. By car. There’s no more record store community. Al Ester even says that you don’t have to be an artist anymore, you can let technology do the work for you. And clearly, all of them think that you aren’t a deejay if you can’t also spin a decent set with vinyl. Juan Atkins tells that we’re back in the time of Beethoven. It’s not about how many copies of a track you sell, it’s about performing.

Oh, and let’s not forget that Dj Sneak and Richie Hawtin popped by in the room. And Sneak had something to say to the guys from the D. “Stop talking about how it’s been done. Why not all go into the studio and show how it’s done now!”

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