We all have our bad days, even a superstart like mills does. To the point that mills no longer plays in the USA, I have seen him 3 (maybe 4?) times in the last year and a half at arc, a club here in nyc. He has established a good working relationship with nick, the manager of the club, and continues to come back. He is treated with the uptmost respect and courtesy.. From being picked up at the airport to stocking the fridge in the dj booth with his favorite juices. A man his stature desserves this attention, maybe he doesn't get this elsewhere in the USA? Regardless, last time he was here in NYC, a few months ago, he was amazing and played for almost 5 hours. Too bad there were only about 4-500 people there to enjoy it.
-P -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 7:07 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: 313@hyperreal.org Subject: Re: (313) axis i think we're all better off with Mills not representing the American techno community. He had what is probably the largest public forum for techno in America (Hart Plaza) and his set was mediocre at best. On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > ----- Original Message ----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > the only belief i espoused is that no one here has the right to > > condem the man...i don't even know him, or buy his music, but damn > > does he really owe > > anyone to play in whatever city he lives in > > I've been watching from the sidelines, but wanted to comment on what > atomly and a few others touched on. Mills, Derrick Carter, UR or any > other artist are not obligated to do anything for the community, but > some artists do show interest in keeping their community alive and > some don't. In a music community that is struggling to stay afloat, > the locals personally involved in the community (record shops, > promoters, local djs, music lovers, etc) are obviously going to take > note of who is helping out. > > Nobody can speak for Mills' personal reasons for not djing in the US, > but it is more than that, it is his actions that show no desire to > mend whatever problems kept him from djing here, and no desire to keep > in touch with the issues affecting the changing face of the local > scene. Until he proves otherwise, it would be hard not to judge him as > such. Nobody is saying he is obligated to do anything- but by choosing > to ignore the local scene, regardless of the reason, he is bound to > receive criticism - and the fact that he does not openly discuss his > reasons leaves even more room for criticism.. > > As mentioned, UR is a good example of a successful techno-outfit from > the early days that has NOT forgotten the value of the community, > despite the decline of the stateside techno scene. After the move to > the new building they set up facilities for community workshops, a new > website/discussion boards, still doing local shows on a regular basis, > and still very vocal in the ongoing community dialogue. These actions > speak loudly to locals. > > I don't think Mills owes anybody anything, but knowing the state of > the Detroit and Chicago techno scenes, and knowing how apathetic the > rest of the music community is to the struggling techno community- you > can see where the techno community gets frustrated with the lack of > support, not just from Mills, but from any number of sources. Not > saying he should dj 'x' amont of times per year, or make specific > public appearances, but any actions that show a general concern are > appreciated. So many american artists/djs see that americans are not > into dance culture, and instead of trying to address that issue > locally, they just pack their flight-case and head off to Europe. > Meanwhile, the other 99% of the community who cannot afford to follow > along are stuck trying to keep the local scene afloat. I don't think > many people hate Mills over this, but it is a sensitive issue for > locals and frustrations are occasionally vented when the issue comes > up. > > peace, > p > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "/0" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <313@hyperreal.org> > > Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 7:53 PM > > Subject: Re: (313) axis > > > > > > > > > > the man lives in chicago and people dont see him there doing > > what he's > > love > > > for. if you cant understand that, maybe sit back and try ot > > open your > > mind > > > and at least see things from the perspective of another instead of > > > brow-beating them into taking on your own beliefs. how do you > > know these > > > people wouldnt say it to his face? I know lots of people I'd go > > off on in > > > person given the chance :) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > To: "/0" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <313@hyperreal.org> > > > Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 9:51 PM > > > Subject: Re: (313) axis > > > > > > > > > > why don't people attack jeff when they meet him in person > > instead of > > kiss > > > > a** > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > From: "/0" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <313@hyperreal.org> > > > > Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 6:17 PM > > > > Subject: Re: (313) axis > > > > > > > > > > > > > why dont you calm down and let people speak their opinion > > without> > attacking > > > > > them. > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > > From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > > To: <313@hyperreal.org> > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 9:32 PM > > > > > Subject: Re: (313) axis > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > From: "atomly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > > > > Jeff Mills hasn't played in Chicago since 1993? despite > > livinghere > > > > for > > > > > > > years. > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think artists/musicians/whatever have a responsibility > > to their > > > > > > > community beyond just releasing records-- art is not > > > > > > > created > > inside > > > > some > > > > > > > sort of a vacuum. > > > > > > > > > > > > hold up hold up...was that you i saw chillin over at ida b > > wells...oh > > > > wait > > > > > > maybe that was cabrini green...i'm getting older i > > forget...maybe> > > somewhere > > > > > > over on the west side... > > > > > > > > > > > > what community are you from? what responsibility does he > > have to > > you? > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think that Jeff Mills has a certain responsibility to > > > > > > > help > > foster > > > > the > > > > > > > American electronic music scene being that he is an > > electronic> > musician > > > > > > > from the United States. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ooooohhhh...now i see...b*tched lover.....! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > yeah baby...let that envy shine through...uuuuhuh...yeah, > > now rub a > > > lil > > > > o > > > > > > that ignorance in there....yup... > > > > > > now you beautiful.... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > you wanna talk about the price of the records that's > > fair...condeming > > > > him > > > > > as > > > > > > a person is going too far... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
