Rave Curious

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From the melodic glitches of the debut Telefon Tel Aviv album Fahrenheit Fair Enough to the fury of Nine Inch Nails live, Josh Eustis is a consummate electronic music artist—one who struggles over every byte playing off his trusty laptop, the musical tool that has been the center of his world since the mid-90s. Through two-plus decades of musical triumph and personal tragedy, Josh tells Rave Curious how he's stayed focused on making his art, even during the toughest times. And reveals the current challenges he's facing as a solo artist. 

Some might call his music punk techno, but Perc insists that everything he does on his Perc Trax label is all in good fun. Maybe that's why the UK DJ and producer has become a favorite at hardcore-yet-cheeky events like Bangface Weekender and Even Furthur. Perc talks about the secret to surviving in the tough world of techno—from loosing records in distributor liquidations (three times in 13 years) to playing packed clubs one weekend and half empty rooms the next.

Leading up to the 15th-anniversary celebration of Droid Behavior, Los Angeles duo Raíz recap a decade and a half of delivering uncompromising techno to a city better known for house, trance and dreaded EDM. Brothers Vidal and Vangelis Vargas offer insights on the city's unique Latino electronic heritage, trying to throw techno events during the dark ages of the early '00s and why relocating to a more flight-friendly locale (ahem, Berlin, ahem) is just not an option when an entire community has come to count on you.

Dutch DJ Steve Rachmad is one of Holland's original techno producers. He's also one of the truest in term of his undiluted commitment to the music in its original Detroit-manufactured form. No wonder he carries with him a "Detroit pass" like fellow European greats Laurent Garnier, Maurizio and Luke Slater. Whether making and playing music as Sterac (his harder techno alias), Tons of Tones (his most Detroit-sounding records) or as his own groovy self, the Amsterdam fixture continues to move crowds after more than 25 behind the decks.  He talks about his early discovery of pre-techno electronic music, his close call with Dutch hardcore and his ambition to play live...someday, all on this episode of Rave Curious.

DJ Garth is one-quarter of Wicked Soundsystem, the legendary San Francisco crew of British expats that brought UK acid house to the Bay Area at the dawn of the 90s.   Along with Jeno, Marky and Thomas, Garth pioneered the full moon party scene in Northern Cali before hitting the road in a vintage Greyhound bus and a massive purple Turbosound system to carry the gospel, first to Burning Man, then across the West Coast.   Today, Garth lives in Los Angeles. He discusses the move south, how things came together in the early days of Wicked, how the faithful are still following the crew 25 years later, and why the Bay Area rave scene gave birth to a little thing we call the Internet.

Mike Huckaby is best known as the former manager of Record Time's legendary Dance Room, a store that helped define the musical taste of an entire generation of Detroit DJs. Since the store closed in 2011, Huckaby has come out from behind the counter and has made his own way as an international DJ, surprising many by mixing Tresor's 20th Anniversary Compilation and assuming the role as the semi-official remixer of all things Sun Ra. Add to this his work teaching students young and old about creating electronic music via his relationships with Ableton and Native Instruments, and you'll start to see an artist who has truly created a distinct niche in the often cookie-cutter world of record selectors.

Mike Huckaby is best known as the former manager of Record Time's legendary Dance Room, a store that helped define the musical taste of an entire generation of Detroit DJs. Since the store closed in 2011, Huckaby has come out from behind the counter and has made his own way as an international DJ, surprising many by mixing Tresor's 20th Anniversary Compilation and assuming the role as the semi-official remixer of all things Sun Ra. Add to this his work teaching students young and old about creating electronic music via his relationships with Ableton and Native Instruments, and you'll start to see an artist who has truly created a distinct niche in the often cookie-cutter world of record selectors.

The annual Dirtybird Campout has become a major event on the West Coast festival circuit, by presenting every shade of the label’s beloved sound—from house and techno to bass and hip-hop—and combining it adult updates on good old-fashioned summer camp activities (sexy musical chairs, anyone?). DB boss Claude VonStroke sat down with the Rave Curious Podcast to reveal a couple of surprises he has in store for this year’s gathering. He also offers up advice on how to make it as a musical entrepreneur and explains the back and forth it took him to arrive at his destination as one of America’s most successful DJ-producers.

Josh gives some good news in this 4-minute update on the state of Rave Curious following the closure of our partner, THUMP.

Heidi Lawden is much more than just DJ Harvey's Manager. The dance music "den mother" is also one of LA's best DJs.

Heidi Lawden is much more than just DJ Harvey's Manager. The dance music "den mother" is also one of LA's best DJs.

Heidi Lawden Is Much More Than DJ Harvey's Manager The dance music "den mother" is more than DJ Harvey's manager. //  Running off to London as a teenager meant that Heidi Lawden was hanging at the coolest clubs at an age when most ravers are still dreaming of big nights out from inside their parent's suburban homes. And Heidi hit the capital at just the right time, when the fashion-forward city was about to be overtaken by the acid house phenomenon. "I thought the streets were paved with gold in London. And they were!" the self-proclaimed "den mother" told the Rave Curious Podcast about the club culture that would embrace her as a DJ and promoter during its 90s heyday of Ministry of Sound. That scene also led to her befriending heroes like Larry Levan and Masters at Work, as well as managing DJ Harvey, who she's worked with for over two decades. Heidi dishes about those early days of clubbing as well as the now legendary story of her move with Harvey to LA and the career rebirth that has taken place for both of them over the past 15 years. She also addresses the very real battle of being a DJ versus working behind the scene for one of the world's most in-demand talents, and even spill some secret news about her charge's next project. Check it out.

The star DJ discusses his decision to call it a career at the end of 2017.

The star DJ discusses his decision to call it a career at the end of 2017.

Jesse Rose Wishes More DJs Would Retire. //  By pretty much any standard, the life of a successful DJ is a good one. Sure, social media is perpetually flooded with DJs complaining, but the cons of long flights, lost luggage and logistical meltdowns pale in comparison to the pros of global travel, VIP accommodations and endless afterparties. Oh yeah, and getting to share music with adoring fans around the world ain't a bad deal either. It's little wonder why once most DJs reach the upper echelon, they'll be damned if they'll let go. Which is why it was so surprising the DJ/producer/labelhead Jesse Rose announced his intention to end his enviable career following his final album, Alright Mate, and a 2017 full of gigs at the best clubs and festivals in the world. But as he reveals on the Rave Curious podcast, Rose isn't the only successful DJ who considers calling it quits after multiple decades behind the decks. "Half the DJs who have been playing for so long would love to retire but they don't because they're earning a great living and traveling around the world," Rose reveals before explaining the fundamental problem with this evergreen DJ mentality. "It's actually a bad thing. New kids coming up with passion and excitement is what got us into dance music to begin with."

Swedish techno pioneer Joel Mull keeps flying the flag for nordic dance floors.  

Swedish techno pioneer Joel Mull keeps flying the flag for nordic dance floors.  

Joel Mull Is Saving Swedish Dance Music From It’s EDM-Sullied Reputation //  As some of the pioneers of the Swedish techno sound, Joel Mull and friends Adam Beyer and Cari Lekebusch dominated much of the late-90s scene with unforgiving bangers that defined the looping minimalism of the era. Today, Mull—the Stockholm-based DJ and producer—has broadened his palette considerably, creating various shades of techno for everyone from Berlin leaders Dystopian to Sasha's Last Night On Earth imprint, along with his own Parabel label. Though admittedly not as high-profile as some of his Drumcode peers, Mull is an unsung hero of many a party across the globe, delivering sets of full-bodied techno that combine melody and drama with relentless rhythms and daring experimentation. In other words, everything that will keep you on the dancefloor hours after it was time to go home. He joined the Rave Curious podcast this week to chat about his history in techno, and his home country's musical reputation.

A lesson in patience from the Mauve label co-founder.