Techno City: What is Detroit Techno?

First broadcast on TV, Third Ear is proud to present for the first time online, its unique documentary filmed on location in Detroit and featuring personal interviews and commentary from some of the seminal figures in the story of Techno.

Including coverage of the inaugural Detroit Electronic Music Festival.

"Detroit Techno. The definitive Techno music.
Revered abroad. Ignored at home. Until now.

In the year 2000, nearly fifteen years after
the first pioneering recordings, the city of
Detroit held its first electronic music festival.

This film is a celebration of the Detroit sound.

Welcome to Techno City."

Includes:
Carl Craig - Planet E Communications
"A Wonderful Life" by Carl Craig
Barrett Watten - Wayne State University, Detroit
"Stardancer" by The Martian
Derrick May - Transmat
"Nude Photo" by Rhythim Is Rhythim
"Live For Friction" by Shake
"Reach" by Paperclip People (Carl Craig)
Kenny Larkin - Art Of Dance
"Java" by Kenny Larkin
"Velocity" Funk by E Dancer
"Blackout" by Lil Louis
Carol Marvin - DEMF Organiser
Stacey Pullen - Black Flag
"On The DL" by Eddie Flashing Fowlkes
Eddie Flashing Fowlkes - City Boy
"Night Illusions" by Octave One
Lawrence, Lorne & Lenny Burden - Octave One
Kevin Saunderson - KMS
"Groovin Without A Doubt" by Kevin Saunderson & Derrick May
"Without" by Kenny Larkin

Original Concept & music selection : Guy McCreery
Directed by Ben Cohen.

[tekesters]

Detroit is the best ❤
People say Germany is techno but the heart of techno and the idea around underground inclusivity is purely Detroit. You can feel it and its pure.

[xcreenplay]

As black man making techno in new york in stead of hop hop it really warms my heart that we have special ability to create genres that will remain forever 💖

[nusession]

" Life is life, and rhythm is rhythm. "

[popcycles]

I used to walk down Vernor Blvd from Mexican town under the bridge and pass by the old train station everyday to go to work.

I'd then walk down Michigan ave until I got to Woodward ave. Sometimes I would even walk from E Grand ave, from Submerge all the way back to Clark Park in Mexican town.

Ahh those days were good.

The humidity in the summer, and at dusk the glow bugs would come out

Such a sight to see.

[sterlingturner]

Black people invented Hip Hop, Techno, R&B, Rap, Jazz, Rock&Roll, Blues, Gospel, Funk and House music.

[koluvdough]

“put a soul in a machine and that’s how techno became what it is today” carl craig u legend

[ryanx]

I have two questions that pertain to differing injustices.

How have I not seen this documentary before now?
How has it not got millions of views?

[johneccher]

I have been listening to Techno and its many following sub genres since I was 6 years old... and while it's quite spontaneous to mistify the past from the present days, it really hits you how Techno came to be from such a struggle, something I had no idea about, because I simply wasn't there, in that reality. And even if I wish I was there, the real people would say "No you wouldn't have wished for it, it wasn't fun". Except that later it became fun. Is it like a rule that most of the beautiful art comes out from suffering? It really makes you wonder.

[philhowes]

Wow this is great. So many intelligent people talking passionately about making soulful music with machines. Those huge streets and buildings with no one there, that Carl Craig show’s no wonder the music sounds the way it does. I could listen to Kenny Larkin talk all day. Thank you to all the made this.

[buzzkillraven]

I was second hand shopping in Windsor and found a copy of Inner City's album for like $2. I bought it not knowing what it was and about 16 years later I'm at a big glow party in Toronto and guess what the DJ plays...I was blown away and then went down the rabbit hole of techno

[DelFlo]

Derrick May spittin’ straight facts, what a legend!!

[mirzaaljic]

I moved to the US from Europe a few years ago and was astonished by the fact that barely anyone listens to electronic music here. I'm a producer myself, but it's basically impossible to find other electronic music producers in the area. I currently live in West Michigan now and it's like people only know about 4 genres: rock, hip hop, r&b and country. I remember Kevin Saunderson playing in Sarajevo (Bosnia) in mid 2000s and he was basically a superstar over there. Here in Michigan, I am yet to meet a single person who is aware that Detroit had world-known names like Saunderson or Derrick May. I know that situation in Detroit is probably better as it's an urban area but it doesn't seem like people really appreciate the fact that it was the incubator of such a wonderful music genre. The first thing I did when I moved was to visit Detroit downtown area and walk around the city to get the feeling of what inspired all the cool artists from that era.

[apotts]

I am surprised that no one mentioned THE SCENE & THE NEW DANCE SHOW which helped popularize techno music as normal dance music to 2 generations of young black Detroiters. Those 2 shows are legendary Detroit creative juggernauts that made techno an everyday sound in many black homes.

[thescatman]

"We got our inspiration from the decay!" The same way that the founders of hip hop got their inspiration from the decay of the South Bronx!

[old]

What a good documentary; I love Detroit style techno ; literally cannot stop moving when I hear it. Something about it that comes from a track that’s true from the heart that just ignites a fire. Great film.

[pandzida]

It's very interesting. Techno has never gained much popularity in the US while remaining undergoun music. But Europe was crazy about it. The peak period of popularity of techno in Europe is the second half of the 90s. More or less since 2003, techno has started losing popularity. Now it is slowly recovering.

[Raydensheraj]

I love how culture really can be heard in the soul of these Tracks.

[dantedante]

From Ontario, Canada. This doc makes me so happy. I love visiting Detroit. Always felt a connection to the city. It has so much history and depth and beauty

[pelqel]

So... 'Inter City' became 'Inner City' by the time 'Big Fun' and 'Good Life' were released... interesting to hear the earlier stuff! Still got those 12s.

[firedragon]

Love this techno sound. FBA all the way, Akin.