Militant _ Interview with REALMZ

Just wondered what you though about that new word for electronic music that seems to have drifted over the Atlantic – EDM? It’s attempting to gather everything under the same umbrella category it seems. Is there a big Techno scene in the states, or is it getting diluted by EDM?

I haven’t paid much attention to the whole EDM thing. I think it refers more to certain derivative styles like what they call hardstyle, electro house (which has absolutely nothing to do with either electro or house) and the various newer bass styles – stuff like Skrillex, but the brief snippets I’ve heard just sounded terrible,  generic, and cheesy to me.  I really have no interest in any of it.

The techno scene in the states is relatively small but there are pockets of people out there in various cities trying to maintain throwing quality events.  I’m sure it does get diluted in some cases.  There’s the festival in Detroit every year which brings tens of thousands of people out, which is always interesting to see that many people come out for techno.  Most of the major cities have decent events scattered around. There is stuff going on if you search for it I think.

Is there an interest in good music at home, or is it quite influenced by the commercial? Do most people realise the musical heritage of Detroit / Chicago and about the work of labels such as Sonic Groove?

There is some interest. I think it varies quite a lot from city to city.  People that have been around for a bit and even a good deal of younger people are aware the Detroit/Chicago/New York influences.  I do thinks it’s important in some respects in that if you love the music or any art form – you want to study the roots, development and evolution of it.

I’m guessing then that its hard to make a career out of Techno in the US then? Have you been abroad to play yet?

Maybe it’s possible but I’d say one would be better off traveling.  Have I been abroad to play? Not yet but it could happen at some point.  I’d rather live in Europe than here tbh.  If anybody wants to help me defect from here feel free to get in touch haha.

Are you thinking about getting any artists on your label – Realmz Technologies?

Not at the moment. Just me but I need to scrape some money together first.