Techno

What the Heck is Techno?

Let’s clear the air first: Techno is NOT just any electronic music. Born in Detroit in the late ‘80s, Techno is a genre that combines the essence of African American styles like funk, electro, and Chicago house with futuristic themes and sounds.

Think of relentless beats, repetitive synth hooks, and a BPM (beats per minute) that’ll keep your heart racing.

Detroit

Detroit. The Motor City. Techno’s birthplace. Three visionaries, often known as the “Belleville Three” (Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, and Derrick May), took their love for electronic music and sprinkled in some Afrofuturism, crafting a style that was so fresh, it needed its own name — Techno. And just like that, the Detroit Techno scene was born.

Berlin

What started in Detroit didn’t stay in Detroit. The Techno wave hit Europe hard, especially Germany.

Berlin became the mecca of Techno in Europe, with iconic clubs like Berghain and Tresor leading the charge. In Berlin, Techno is not just a genre; it’s a lifestyle.

The Sub-Genres

Techno itself has spawned a variety of sub-genres:

Minimal Techno: Stripped-down, raw, hypnotic.

Hard Techno: Fast, aggressive, and pounding.

Dub Techno: A softer touch, infused with ambient sounds.

Acid Techno: Built around the squelching sounds of Roland’s TB-303 synthesizer.

The Artists

Juan Atkins, Carl Craig, Richie Hawtin, Jeff Mills. They’ve set the stage, and a new wave of artists like Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, and Adam Beyer continue to keep the Techno flag flying high.

Techno in Popular Culture

While Techno may thrive in the underground, its pulse can be felt in mainstream culture too. Movie soundtracks, video games, and even commercials have featured Techno tracks. It’s a genre that transcends the clubs and underground raves it was born in.