In regards with Mills, I think it was just the timing of it, being scheduled on Thanksgiving. I think the support hasn't been there because it isn't mainstream. How would you go about finding out about these artists unless someone introduced you to that genre? I think it's a daunting task for newbies to sort the good and the bad of electronic music. And it would be a risk for radio definitely. Hopefully with the DEMF results of 1.5 million people, they will recognize there is an audience for this type of music. Furthermore, I think it showed that there is a face to electronic music. I think there may be a notion with all the different aliases, dj names, and themes (a la space and alien associations like Drexciya) that the music is cold and otherwordly. I think what we saw at the DEMF is that there are other more traditionally humanistic elements to the music, like a soulful James Brown song during May's set or how about Curtis Mayfield on Deason's set, and not to mention the congas and poetry reading. All good.
Respect and a deeply heartfelt thank you to the organizers. PS. Anyone see the news covering the event, in particular Stacey Pullen? I heard he was overcome with emotion and tears welled up. He was just plain awesome. In a message dated 31/05/00 11:33:07 [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Did you click through the gallery at the Free Press' site? > > http://www.freep.com/entertainment/music/efest30_20000530.htm# > "This was uncharted territory, in a city not known for embracing its techno innovators the way other parts of the world have. One of the most disappointing turnouts in my career covering Detroit music was a weekend gig in 1998 from pioneering DJ Kevin Saunderson, with perhaps two dozen fans on hand." (Taken from the article Technotown by Brian Malcolm, 2000.) In the light of the success embodied by this year's DEMF, several questions loomed in my mind as I read this article particularly this paragraph. I remember a discussion sometime last year on how a Mills gig was cancelled because of poor ticket sales in his hometown of the D. 1) Why is it that it would take such a huge festival (DEMF) for people to come out and give respect to the music and innovators (Detroit DJs and Producers)? 2) Would this year's DEMF change certain perceptions about Detroit locals supporting their 'home' DJs, which may have been obviously somewhat lacking in the past and (possibly) driven some of these DJs/Producers to go elsewhere, including Europe? Undoubtedly there would be many people in Detroit who supported the music from Step 1 and believed in the soul of the city and its producers. But at the same time it would be hard to believe (from an outsider's point of view) how such a city of such an important geographical musical nucleus would have a side effect of its population 'supposedly' not giving the techno innovators the recognition they deserve. A_Zed _________________________________________ Program Co-ordinator, Ambient Zone RTRFM 92.1 Sunday Electronic Listening [http://rtrfm.ii.net] Perth, W.Aust (WST) 23.00-01.00 Detroit (EST) 10.00-12.00 Frankfurt (CET)/ London(GMT)16.00-18.00
