How does the SF techno scene compare to the rest of the US?
Submitted By: Javaight
In light of the discussion about "Dance more, talk less", I'm curious to hear thoughts on how SF's techno scene compares to other scenes in the US. Granted, I still think SF is a house dominated town, but we've got quite a few techno promoters, producers and DJs in the Bay Area, and our audience has a great potential to grow.
So how do we compare to the rest of US: New York, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles, other cities? Are we leading the way or are we laggards? Or are we on par with the rest of the country?
Let's try to be as objective as possible, keeping in mind DJs, promoters, producers, labels, clubs and audience to support techno.
Let's hear your thoughts!
I think we're runnin tings.
LA is getting stronger and stronger between Droid and Compression. Deeper Moods is doing well, but it's definitely the smaller of the three events. Still, I say NYC is losing ground, and Chicago has a very weak techno scene from what i'm told by the siteholder guys.
i truly think we have lockdown on best techno city in the states.
a
Alland Byallo
Nightlight Music | [KONTROL] | Forward SF
THE BEST! Although LA and NY have a great scene and great people making it happen, i think pound for pound though, we got it locked. Just look at the events calender on the regular and the hometown talent here. Enough said
Clint Stewart (Auralism Records, Nightlight Music)
clint@auralismrecords.com
www.myspace.com/clintstewartsounds
www.blue-collarent.com
SF is killing it.
period.
Mattie Bowen/Mossmoss | Racecarprod. | NLMX/Nightlight Music.
www.myspace.com/mattiemossmoss
i like scenes that are not too big... you can really get to know people here, & it's not too glitzy. Also, you really get to see the best djs anyway just like you would in a larger city.
the techno parties in l.a. have a different energy, it's also very special there--&& in other places techno rules everywhere so that you get lost. what i love here is that it's very much appreciated.
ive been lucky to get around lately...let me just say, i was VERY happy to come home.
people stress out too much in other cities from what i can see.
j
the techno scene first time around or this time?
it was here before?
...this time, the only time I've been here for, then.
Mattie Bowen/Mossmoss | Racecarprod. | NLMX/Nightlight Music.
www.myspace.com/mattiemossmoss
Now.
...this time, the only time I've been here for, then.
Yes it was, but IMO it was never as big as it is now.
I've only been here 10 years, but back in 2000 I did a bunch of techno jams called Optimal, Staple had a few Detroit techno DJs, Greg Bird did a party called Clean Plate Club, this chick named Justi used to do a great party called Maze, Guthrie put together Integral Concepts, Andre Lucero, Nikola & Gourachandra did Urban Development, Eli B & Raf One did some stuff (independently), and I vaguely remember a party called Statik.
If there are any SF techno historians, please feel free to chime in....
David Javate | Javaight | JV8
Killswitch | Stap[e
www.javaight.com
i just moved here from boston. that town is dead. while living there i made a lot of trips to nyc, and that place started to taper off circa 2003 or so. i've always been rather surprised by how small their techno scene is in a city with over 8 million people, or when compared to their massive "nu rave" scene. but i definitely had some good times there. i'm from ohio originally and at this point, it seems the midwest in general is dead because everyone moved elsewhere. and i have yet to go to LA for a techno party but i hear its pretty fun! i think as far as the US is concerned SF sits pretty high on the list, if not at the top.
www.monocle-music.com
www.myspace.com/monoclemusik
It's a lot better than when I first got here six years ago, in terms of interest (which draws big names). There was still a scene of dedicated people mixing 'pure' techno. Of course, tr#nce and pr0g house where still really big then along with a splash of dNb. I think guys like Derrick May and Richie Hawtin coming down are great, along with Carl Cox and even Green Velvet but I get so jealous when I see other cities in this country pulling Adam Beyer, Christian Varela etc.
We seem to get the same folks over and over, I think more variety is needed (although I actually could see Derrick May every night and not get bored, class act).
That being said, the quality of local DJs (ie you guys on this forum!) is very good even compared to a lot of Euro DJs getting paid far more and touring South America ffs! As long as you guys keep doing, and a few folks turn up who gives a sh!t, right? Keep it small, and there will be a lot less posers. I watched it go overground in the UK mid nineties and suddenly everyone was an expert in the latest Terrace remix, it was a trainspotting extravanganza at every Weatherall night or Slam party. Although, it usually does add more women into the mix
:wink:
Just my humanity, getting the better of me.
I agree for sure, the SF scene is special. The DJ's here keep it varied for the locals and different from all the rest of whats going on in the global scene. I love how SF guys come out with their own special treatment from what's typically popular. SF keeps to the spirit of the scene I think. It's about sound, movement, and people, not monotony, masses, and celebrities. But that's just my tid-bit.