Tom always comes with the strong opinions. Then people get their backs up. Then it gets personal. I'd be really impressed if people would just refute his arguments and leave it at that. Or, failing that, bring up butt-ugly UK pop stars from the 80s.
Personally, I think that Detroit Techno is what it is because of a confluence of external influences filtered through the artistic sensibilities of Detroit musicians. Afrika Bambaataa, Kraftwerk, Prince, yadda yadda bling bling -- you know the story. And if you don't go read "Techno Rebels." Once Detroit artists began establishing an artistic identity of their own -- which is by no means limited to one true 'Detroit Techno' style -- the Detroit music influenced and inspired musicians all over the world. DEMF has always been a many-to-many dialog between people -- some from Detroit, some from elsewhere. Some (on the 313 list) apparently from other planets. Given that Richie started playing in Detroit at Shelter in the late 80s, and that he has many personal and artistic ties to Detroit people, to say he's not 'Detroit Enough' would disqualify a lot of folks who are playing or have played at the festival, many of whom Tom (among others) really like. Sure, people got mad when Richie etched his white labels with "new sound of detroit." But if he hadn't done that, they'd be mad at him about something else. When has the Detroit Techno community ever been harmonious? It's been over twenty years of one damn drama after another. I'm not suggesting that anyone have to like his music, and I'm familiar with every possible rant against him. Go ahead and make fun of his haircut. Call him a Väth-kisser. But I don't think a 'Detroit-enough' litmus test exists. Hell, I've been to Belleville, and believe me, Belleville ain't Detroit! On 5/17/06, Thomas D. Cox, Jr. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
so, when richie and crew put the "new sound of detroit" stamps on their white label records, causing all kinds of controversy about music not from detroit taking credit for what they did, do you think that this year's DEMF is EXACTLY what people were concerned about?
