Rhythmism.comQ&A with JUAN ATKINS (Saturday, May 5th @ Sullivan Room)
by sleepy&boo
Wednesday, May 2nd 2007, 09:28 AM
The story of proper Detroit techno begins with Juan Atkins, the pioneering producer and DJ whose seminal releases laid the foundation for the Motor City musical revolution. He is the aptly-named "originator", the man behind Cybotron, Model 500 and the creator of dozens of records that have profoundly changed dance music worldwide over the last 20-plus years.
Atkins tracks like "Clear" and "No UFOs" were some of the first productions that properly crystallized the vision and unique sound of what came to be known as Detroit techno. Fusing together stark, electronic rhythms and sounds with moody melodies and a human warmth, Atkins' futuristic focus soon began turning heads in his hometown and beyond.
It's rare to get a chance to see such a living legend up close and in person, but techno fans will have the opportunity this Saturday, May 5th, when Atkins hits New York to play at Basic Technology. He is the third member of the "Belleville Three" to play at the Sullivan Room for Basic NYC over the last few months, and arguably the most influential. A few weeks after this performance, Atkins will be headlining at the Movement festival in Detroit with a live performance by Model 500. We had a quick chance to catch up with him as he was preparing for his New York visit.
Tell us about your performance at the Movement festival. What are you going to be doing and what do you have planned?
We're doing Model 500 live. Just playin' all the hits, man. Probably do some new things too. It's me, Mike Banks, Mark Taylor and Skurge. We just did our first live show down at Miami for the Dance Music Awards, it was pretty cool.
When you were making your first records, did you think what you'd be doing would have such a big impact?
Nah. I had no idea. I wanted to have a good time, put out some good music. I mean, I always thought that, even from my first record, I knew it was going to sell a few records. I had no idea it would do what it did.
Out of all your records, do you have one that's your favorite?
I don't have one particular favorite. I would probably have to pick two – "Clear" and "I Wanna Be There." Probably those two, just for being the most inspirational to me.
What do you think was your biggest accomplishment when it comes to making music?
Probably releasing my first record, just to kick the whole thing off for everyone. I guess you could say that was my biggest accomplishment: getting my first record out, and starting up my label Metroplex.
How did it feel when that first record came out? Did you get the feeling that something was happening there, that it would impact the world?
Nah, nothing like that. I was just glad to hear it on the radio. When I heard my music on the radio, that was probably one of the best days of my life. Nowadays, you hear something in a mix, it's no big deal. But this was before they had mix DJs on the radio. Electryfin' Mojo played my record for the first time. To have him play it was a big thing, he was a real inspiration for me.
What's been your favorite place to play over the years?
South America. Anywhere in South America.
Do you like the bigger clubs or smaller rooms more?
I like more medium sized rooms. 1,000 capacity, something around there is a good party for me.
What is some of the new music and styles you've been into lately?
I don't know. I know what I like, I don't try to get into too many categories, I don't like to stay real linear. I like to go up and down, you know, peak and valley. So therefore I play a variety of stuff. I don't like to stick on one thing.
Have you switched to some of the new technologies when it comes to DJing?
Nah. I know there's a lot of people doing Serato, CDs; I still like vinyl, man. I know there's a lot of people moving on from there, but it seems like everytime people move away, vinyl comes back. A couple of clubs I've shown up at lately, they'll have a couple of turntables, one of them is not working; some people just aren't using them anymore.
What are some of the new projects you've got coming up?
I got the Model 500 track "Starlight" being re-released, with the main remixes coming from Deepchord and Convexion.
What can NYC expect on May 5th?
A really, groovy, sexy funky good time.
JUAN ATKINS @ SULLIVAN ROOM
SATURDAY MAY. 5TH
Atkins tracks like "Clear" and "No UFOs" were some of the first productions that properly crystallized the vision and unique sound of what came to be known as Detroit techno. Fusing together stark, electronic rhythms and sounds with moody melodies and a human warmth, Atkins' futuristic focus soon began turning heads in his hometown and beyond.
It's rare to get a chance to see such a living legend up close and in person, but techno fans will have the opportunity this Saturday, May 5th, when Atkins hits New York to play at Basic Technology. He is the third member of the "Belleville Three" to play at the Sullivan Room for Basic NYC over the last few months, and arguably the most influential. A few weeks after this performance, Atkins will be headlining at the Movement festival in Detroit with a live performance by Model 500. We had a quick chance to catch up with him as he was preparing for his New York visit.
Tell us about your performance at the Movement festival. What are you going to be doing and what do you have planned?
We're doing Model 500 live. Just playin' all the hits, man. Probably do some new things too. It's me, Mike Banks, Mark Taylor and Skurge. We just did our first live show down at Miami for the Dance Music Awards, it was pretty cool.
When you were making your first records, did you think what you'd be doing would have such a big impact?
Nah. I had no idea. I wanted to have a good time, put out some good music. I mean, I always thought that, even from my first record, I knew it was going to sell a few records. I had no idea it would do what it did.
Out of all your records, do you have one that's your favorite?
I don't have one particular favorite. I would probably have to pick two – "Clear" and "I Wanna Be There." Probably those two, just for being the most inspirational to me.
What do you think was your biggest accomplishment when it comes to making music?
Probably releasing my first record, just to kick the whole thing off for everyone. I guess you could say that was my biggest accomplishment: getting my first record out, and starting up my label Metroplex.
How did it feel when that first record came out? Did you get the feeling that something was happening there, that it would impact the world?
Nah, nothing like that. I was just glad to hear it on the radio. When I heard my music on the radio, that was probably one of the best days of my life. Nowadays, you hear something in a mix, it's no big deal. But this was before they had mix DJs on the radio. Electryfin' Mojo played my record for the first time. To have him play it was a big thing, he was a real inspiration for me.
What's been your favorite place to play over the years?
South America. Anywhere in South America.
Do you like the bigger clubs or smaller rooms more?
I like more medium sized rooms. 1,000 capacity, something around there is a good party for me.
What is some of the new music and styles you've been into lately?
I don't know. I know what I like, I don't try to get into too many categories, I don't like to stay real linear. I like to go up and down, you know, peak and valley. So therefore I play a variety of stuff. I don't like to stick on one thing.
Have you switched to some of the new technologies when it comes to DJing?
Nah. I know there's a lot of people doing Serato, CDs; I still like vinyl, man. I know there's a lot of people moving on from there, but it seems like everytime people move away, vinyl comes back. A couple of clubs I've shown up at lately, they'll have a couple of turntables, one of them is not working; some people just aren't using them anymore.
What are some of the new projects you've got coming up?
I got the Model 500 track "Starlight" being re-released, with the main remixes coming from Deepchord and Convexion.
What can NYC expect on May 5th?
A really, groovy, sexy funky good time.
JUAN ATKINS @ SULLIVAN ROOM
SATURDAY MAY. 5TH
