Three hours ago he had caught the last train after a gig in Leipzig, heading for his set in Berlin the very same night. But Dettmann missed to get off - and suddenly has found himself stuck at dead end Hamburg main station: no trains till morning, no one to call for a ride. Promptly - and without any hesitation about the ridiculous charge - he hires a cab, having only one destination in mind: Berlin, Berghain.
Consequently nothing but the Club as a musical and cultural life world forms and defines the life of Marcel Dettmann, who was born in the GDR in 1977 and raised with east German youth culture. Influenced by EBM and Wave he faces the offspring of virgin techno in early 90s Berlin and gets socialized with this new-born subcultural scene, whose way of life he shall live and develop until today. On the one hand he has spun records since 1994 including residency continuum at Berlin's Ostgut/Berghain right from its opening in 1999. On the other Dettmann started to produce and release tracks and remixes in 2006. Beside Ostgut Ton first and foremost his self-run label MDR provides the necessary and appropriate outlet: no compromise, free, independent, facilitating the 'quest for the optimal track'. His engagement at Berlin's technosaur Hard Wax also supports his innate quest: the continuous exploration of electronic music development.
Dettmann's persistent reply to inquiries on his DJ style - no doubts about its foundational and just natural club oriented functionality - simply and sparsely reads "dark" and "the dark side". At a closer look this brings to light a certain fascination in techno: a futuristic medium inherently pointing towards the new and unseen, unexplored and unknown, undefined and unexpected.
For Dettmann techno depicts a determination of both his life and music. At the same time it opens up the needed space to develop thoughts, actions and creations. Eventually Dettmann is having only this space in mind: Berlin, Berghain, the Club...
Tracks on "Conducted"
This Album is featured in Update #073:
The Best Albums of 2011
As the old year draws to a close, we recap the finest musical moments of 2011. For this update we have selected our favourite full-lengths of the year, and we are making all of these indispensable albums available to you for a special price until January 15, more...
Escape Myself
(Track 18 on this Album)
V3
(Track 09 on this Album)
This Album is featured in Update #072:
Elektro Guzzi, Marcel Dettmann, Sepalcure, Surkin
If you are based on the planet's northern hemisphere like we are, chances are you're either looking for a melancholic soundtrack to the greyness outside or some cheerful music to counter its adverse effects right now.
Either way, this month's releases more...
Top 6 in Download Charts of Week #47
Top 6 in Best Rated Releases of Week #46
El Mar
(Track 11 on this Album)
Sundog
(Track 06 on this Album)
Selected as release of the week
Berlin's techno stalwart delivers a mix of utter treats on Belgium's Music Man Records. With Sandwell District carving the journey's mysterious beginnings, Raster Noton's Signal, Reel By Real, Vril, The Analogue Cops and a good dose of Shed - a blissfully crisp and heartfelt selection. How mixes should be!