Electronic Music Article: The Evolution of Techno

Techno has evolved many times over from it’s humble beginnings in Detroit Michigan back in the mid 80s. The true origins of techno can be traced back to producer/ DJs Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, and Eddie Fowlkes. These three went to school together and together would bring the world techno.

Techno derives it’s form from other areas of electronic music such as house, IDM, and acid. It lacks the organic feel that you find in house music and instead follows a more machine driven rhythm. Techno’s popularity was spawned in Detroit by young promoters and high school kids. The illegal warehouse party scene was in full swing during the hay day of techno and promoters and party goers just gobbled it up. Shortly after the rave scene in the united states began London also began to host its own raves. These raves we go late into the wee hours of the morning or even longer.

Since the infancy of techno has passed and lost it’s appeal to many listeners as newer sounds came to the surface many electronic music heads find themselves heading back to techno or what is now called techno. Todays techno has very little resemblance to that of years past. The only remarkable similarity is the lack of organic instruments or rhythms. Today the music market is flooded with all things techno. Minimal techno is a big seller in many areas as Berlin based producers have cultivated there own techno sound. Artists like Dubfire (1/2 of Deep Dish) and Radio Slave continue to drop masterpieces for techno listeners world wide.

One could look back and see how techno has made this 180 from where it began to gain new listeners and new fame and wonder why other genres of electronic music are unable to do the same. I personally miss the sound set forth by early 90s underground house. It is a sound I don’t think we are likely to hear again for a while the world just doesn’t seem ready for it.

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