The following article was by Jeff K, from a Dallas Magazine called The Vibe, August 1991.
Recently John Acquaviva, cofounder of the Detroit techno label +8 Records spent a weekend in Dallas. He came to check out the scene, and guest dj at Dallas' premiere techno spot and on Edge Club 94. The support for him, his label and the scene in general confirmed his suspicion there was definitely something happening in big D. Acquaviva's been a DJ for ten years. In that time the Italian-born 27-year-old has collected over fifteen thousand records, started his own label, and performed worldwide. To understand his success, what we gonna do right here is go back! John's first attempts at creating his own sound came when he moved from Canada to Buffalo, New York in 1988, to start a hip-hop label called "Flavor records". He released a four-song EP by Scott Down, the label's first and only artist. The A-side, "Ring My Phone", employed samples from the disco classic "Ring My Bell"; John did all musical production. Only 300 copies were pressed and sold locally in Buffalo. "The EP was very raw", John recalls. "The ideas were there, but something went wrong in the mastering and it didn't quite come out as planned." Unfazed, he moved to Detroit to check out his roots. He was impressed by early Detroit DJs like "The Wizard" (who turned out to be Jeff Mills of Underground Resistance), Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, and Juan Atkins, the latter three had radio shows. John shared with them the same techno roots. Bands like Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, and Gary Numan. John was especially intrigued that these DJs played their records faster than normal, which seemed to increase the energy level. John developed his DJ style during the disco era, when long smooth mixes were the norm. But once he encountered the hip-hop style of DJing, his style changed; for example, take two copies of a record, find your favorite part and play it over and over, then move on to the next record, creating a lightning-fast collage of tracks. Such tricks earned him the nickname "Jacquaviva +8". While frequenting the Detroit club scene, John met his partner and close friend Richie "Rich" Hawtin. Richie was DJing at the Shelter and also doing edits for Full Effect Records. He and John had similar ideas about what they wanted to achieve. Their first project was some megamixes for Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson; unfortunately, these never came out. However, the work cemented John & Richie's partnership. The more John played records by originators, the more motivated he became to lay down his own ideas on wax. With the money he saved DJing and equipment he built in his studio, he & Richie embarked on their own venture: the birth of +8 records. The name is taken from a formula: faster equals exciting equals +8. The first release on +8 was the "States of Mind" EP, 200 copies of which were pressed on distinctive red vinyl. The record sold well; orders came in for more. The second release, an EP called "We Shall Overcome" by close friend Kenny Larkin, also did well. http://www.htcomp.net/stephen/kennylarkin.ram But it was the third +8 release in 1990, "Technarchy", by Cybersonik, that sent the label over the top. A healthy demand in Europe for Detroit techno made timing ideal. Champion Records signed +8 for a European distribution deal, opening a whole new market for the young Detroit label. Nearly every release since has scored impressive results. Just when everybody began doing "technarchy" soundalikes, Cybersonik released "Backlash", a track that put them miles ahead of the copycats. Other +8 releases include Kenny Larkin's "Integration" EP; "Psyance"; "F.U.S.E."; "From Our Minds to Yours Vol1", a double LP; and "Final Exposure", a collaboration with Joey Beltram. Success brought a chance for the +8 posse to tour Europe. John found the performing atmosphere to be significantly different abroad. "DJing in Europe is quite different then America, where each town has its own core group into the scene but in Europe its incredible, there are two to three thousand people, all into new music and new ideas." John toured "Benelux" - the Belgium/Holland/Luxembourg circuit. He also participated in the recent Cybersonik live show in Amsterdam with Fierce Ruling Diva and Frequency. Judging by audience energy level, the tour was a tangible success. John also appreciated the difference in attitude. "It's nice to be in a room with thousands of people where you don't feel like a freak or a minority". In closing we discussed the current state of dance music, techno and the future of +8. John was quick to respond: "The current state of dance music is overwhelming. As far as techno is concerned, most DJs who want to do stuff can afford the equipment to put their ideas down, and that's exactly what's happening. Each week brings great new tracks. But the people who make the difference are the crowds. The movement is the people, and they are the party. The DJ/artist just helps the party. They want me there because they like my ideas on music and I can give them another window to having a good time." As far as the future of +8, the label based in Detroit with it's eyes on the world...what else but a +8 WORLD TOUR starting this fall. Also, be on the lookout for a new F.U.S.E. ep. John wouldn't give in to anymore questions about the future, however he did leave me with one last quote that sums up his ideology. "OPEN YOU EYES AND YOUR MIND WILL FOLLOW......"
