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Techno

Who created Detroit techno? New documentary shines light on pioneering musicians – WDET


Ryan Patrick Hooper

A documentary that shines a light on the visionaries behind Detroit Techno is getting a premiere at the Tribeca Festival in June. Additionally, a digital screening for at-home viewing will be available on June 13.

“God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines” has been 12 years in the making for producer Jennifer Washington and director Kristian Hill, who both hail from Detroit.

The documentary focuses on a six-pack of musicians — Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Kevin Sauderson, Blake Baxter, Eddie Fowlkes and Santonio Echols — who helped create one of the city’s greatest cultural exports with massive international appeal.

“Like New Orleans, where young people gravitate to brass band instruments… in Detroit, kids in my neighborhood gravitated to turntables, to samples and beat machines.” — Kristian Hill, director of “God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines”


Listen: creatives behind “God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines” talk about importance of telling story behind Detroit Techno.

 


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  • Ryan Patrick Hooper is the award-winning host and producer of CultureShift on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. As a longtime arts and culture reporter and photographer, Hooper has covered stories for NPR, Detroit Free Press, Hour Detroit, SPIN and Paste magazine.

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Source: https://wdet.org/2022/05/26/who-created-detroit-techno-new-documentary-shines-light-on-pioneering-musicians/