Wha-a-t in the Tech-n-ooo

... Where Are the Women in Techno?

By: Demi Browder

Detroit Techno

Techno music started to become known around the 1980s and early 1990s. Specifically, Detroit Techno is what was known at the time, originated in the city of Detroit. This genre of music combined elements of electric technology and funk. Known Detroit techno artists around that time were Juan Atkins, Eddie Fowlkes, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, and more. I will touch on this later in the post but notice how not one woman was mentioned. Similar to other genres studied previously, Detroit Techno was used as an escape. Young African-Americans fused drum machines, futurist ideals, and funk elements to allow the audience to get lost in the music. The futuristic ideals implemented was put in to be the message. Once the audience wrapped their head around the beat and innovation behind it there was nothing else left for them to comprehend they could completely give themselves to the music.

Let's Talk About the Women

When Detroit Techno first arrived on the scene the popular artists were if not all, mostly male. You heard more women still active in the Disco scene and not really transferring to the techno genre. Personally, I believe techno is not for everyone and to truly enjoy it and take it in you have to be open minded and accepting. So, maybe the question to ask is were women even interested to get into the genre? Or were there women out there like past genres over-looked in this genre and not given a true chance to showcase their talents? We may never know the answers to those questions, but what I do know is that there is women in the techno industry. Just to name a few Alison Wonderland, Amelie Lens, The Black Madonna, Charlotte de Witte, and many more. All of these women have taken the original Detroit Techno and transformed the vision to relate to modern day technology while incorporating more futuristic elements. These ladies are now more recognizable in big clubs, raves, and summer music concerts making the adults feel young, and the youth even younger. I am a firm believer that the world would not go round without women and even though they may be recognized late or not always given the deserved opportunities, as soon as they are given the chance women always showcase talents effortlessly.

Sources

Glasspiegel, Wills, and Marlon Bishop. “Get Familiar With Detroit Techno: 10 Essential Songs.” NPR, NPR, 27 May 2011, www.npr.org/2011/05/27/136655438/get-familiar-with-detroit-techno-10-essential-songs.

Mmkrishna CherlaScience undergraduate by Day and a DJ by night. Fell in love with Trance music at the age of 10. “21 Female DJs That Have Paved The Way In The Electronic Music Industry.” T.H.E – Music Essentials, 8 Mar. 2020, themusicessentials.com/editorials/best-female-djs-2020-dance-music-industry/.