Everybody needs to start somewhere. It can be said for anything, and with the techno scene often stigmatized as snobby or gatekeepy, the doors may appear not appear to be always open. Today we have the goal of kicking that door open to anybody who wants to step into the massive realm that is techno. It’s a genre that we haven’t showcased very often in TSIS’s history, but with so much to offer, we thought an introduction was necessary.
We’ve compiled a list of 20 DJs and producers that you need to know right off the bat. These are the headliners, the label-heads, and the pioneers; acts that should immediately catch your eye if you’re looking for something good. Hopefully, each one of these artists can launch you in a new direction, allowing you to discover more on your own.
Below you can get started on your techno studying with a list of 20 artists you should know, each along with a hand-picked mix. Enjoy!
Carl Cox
Perhaps the most iconic person in the entire industry, Carl Cox must be on your radar first and foremost. He’s an ambassador of techno (and house), using his charm and talent to spread the genre around the world. His wide range was birthed by the beaming acid house scene of the UK in the 1980s. Carl Cox has over 30 years of experience as a label-head, promoter, and producer, but perhaps most prominently a DJ. Not many DJs talk on the mic during their sets, but his famous “Oh yes, oh yes!” phrase is often shouted during his.
Charlotte De Witte
Once just a raver in the crowd in Ghent, Belgium, Charlotte De Witte has become a global techno stalwart. Her career actually began with the alias Raving George, to evade negative misconceptions about female DJs at the time. In 2015, just two years after dropping her debut EP, Charlotte reverted to using her own name and was a certified superstar by the turn of the decade. She now runs her own label, KNTXT, pushing dark, stripped-back, acidy techno.
Maceo Plex
Maceo Plex’s sound has evolved distinctly over the course of his long career. His earliest hits like “Love Somebody Else” could be classified as deep house, but his most streamed tracks like “Conjure Dreams” are heavy techno weapons. He also produces electro under the alias Mariel Ito. A producer most prominently, you’ll find him playing most of his own tracks during his sets, but his DJing talents always keep us coming back for more (with often with a rare cut from his deep library of gems).
Jeff Mills
Jeff Mills is one of the most important techno pioneers who’s still very active today. A founder of the collective Underground Resistance nearly 30 years ago, it was Mills (among others) who helped bridge the gap between Berlin techno and Detroit techno. He has an astounding 38 solo studio albums under his belt, most released through his won Axis Records. His vinyl mixing skills are rarely matched, and sometimes he can even just jam on a Roland 909.
Richie Hawtin
Richie Hawtin is another techno OG that is still killing it today. No stranger to headlining large-scale festivals, Hawtin’s current sound is heavy, loud, and industrial. Even …….
Source: https://thissongissick.com/post/20-artists-that-every-techno-beginner-should-know/