Turn it Up: We Chat with T.Linder from Detroit Techno Militia 2×4
PUBLISHED September 17th, 2016 12:13 pm
T.Linder and DJ Seoul share a similar upbringing in the world of electronic music. Both lifelong Detroiters, these formidable DJs gained their underground education by studying the techniques of the versatile street-style DJs of their youth like Jeff Mills, Claude Young, and Gary Chandler. The no-nonsense, all encompassing approach to the craft shaped the formative years of the young DJs and this aesthetic is still evident in their performances today. Both Seoul and Linder display their shared respect for their musical forefathers through a painstaking touring and production schedule both as solo artists and as Detroit Techno Militia 2×4.
A combined ensemble performance by the two DJs playing on four turntables at the same time, DTM 2×4’s weapons of choice are analog turntables with vinyl records – without the aid of computers or controllers.
In this interview, we managed to have a quick chat with T.Linder from Detroit Techno Militia on DTM 2×4, their musical influences and their debut in CANVAS Singapore for their 2nd year anniversary on 24 September 2016. Partygoers can expect to hear an aggressive, edgy blend of music, spanning many genres and eras with a heavy emphasis on homegrown Detroit Techno and Electro Bass.
How did the Detroit Techno Militia (DTM) 2×4 come about?
Bill (DJ Seoul) and I started doing the Detroit Techno Militia 2×4 as a way to push the art of DJing. Both of us have been performing for more than 20 years each and we’ve known each other for that entire time. One day we just said, “Let’s do the 4 turntable/2 mixer thing, and see what happens.” It worked out well since we share a pretty close connection when it comes to music, and life in general. Ten years later, the act is still going strong. We don’t ever rehearse, it’s pretty much all on-the fly improvisation. Doing the 2×4 made us both better DJs, because anyone can mix records solo, but when you add another variable with another person, it can take a DJ set to a different level.
Who are your musical influences?
Production wise, “Mad” Mike Banks from Underground Resistance of course. Also artists like Juan Atkins, Aux 88, and Scan 7. We both came up listening to a lot of Hip-Hop and Industrial music. Public Enemy’s production team “The Bomb Squad” is a big influence, right alongside groups like Nitzer Ebb and Front 242. When it comes to DJ influences, Jeff Mills, Claude Young, Gary Chandler, Dave Clarke, Ben Sims and a lot more. I love the harder, more aggressive, “street style” of DJing, and we both really respond to DJs pushing the art, playing different genres within a set and tricking out records.
Tell us more about the idea and crew behind Detroit Techno Militia.
When we first started Detroit Techno Militia, Detroit Techno had really fallen out of fashion here in the city. My wife Angie came up with the concept. She said, “If we just keep pushing the music that we love, other people will catch on. We’ll connect with others who share the same passion for Detroit music.” We put together a crew of DJs and Live Performers who had a really high standard of what constitutes a great set. A few years later we launched a proper record label with the help of Cratesaverz Muzik and our mission really took off internationally.
How’s the techno scene in Detroit these days?
The Techno scene in Detroit is a double edged sword. We have a ton of producers and DJs but a lack of consumers of the music. We have never really had a strong club/rave scene like they have in other American cities like Chicago or New York, but we’ve always had a great music scene. Quite often we’ll go to a show and the entire audience will be established DJs and Producers, with a small handful of people just going to the party to appreciate the music. Eventually I think the producer to consumer ratio will even out, but either way, I’ll never leave. I was born here, and Detroit will be my home for the rest of my life.
Do you have any pre/post shows rituals?
Our pre-performance ritual is pretty basic. We love being there for soundcheck to make sure our equipment is tight. I like to hang out with the Sound Technicians and have a couple beers. We want our output to be powerful, and I want the Sound Techs to be able to push their equipment to its fullest potential. In our opinion, the Sound Techs are musicians’ best friends, because we want to sound great, and they want their equipment to sound great. When it comes to the after-performance ritual, we always like to hang out with the other Techno- heads in the crowd and listen to the other performers. Often times, this isn’t possible because we have to catch a plane to the next show, but that’s part of the business
Are you excited about your Singapore debut?
This will be the first time anyone in the Detroit Techno Militia has performed in Singapore, and we cannot wait! We always look forward to exposing new people to our music and more so, we love experiencing cultures that we have not been exposed to. Naturally, the show is first priority, but we absolutely love meeting people and experiencing the everyday life that comes with travelling to new cities and countries.
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