Unraveling the Journey of a Techno Icon
Early Years and Influences
Brighton played a crucial role in Dave Clarke's early years. It was a place with a rich musical heritage, from the first Virgin record shops to the vibrant second-hand vinyl and hi-fi worlds. However, it wasn't always an easy place to start a music career. He faced challenges like being beaten up by an off-duty policeman at a Norman Cook gig. But DJs like Shem and Rory inspired him with their technique and music choice. The origins of techno in Brighton were a blend of different genres like disco, punk, new wave, hip hop, and electro. DJ'ing at a Jungle Brothers gig remains a memorable experience.Despite the difficulties, Brighton provided a wide learning ground for Clarke. The professional music shops like The Tape Shop and Future Music were excellent. And although it wasn't a techno hotbed initially, it laid the foundation for his musical evolution.
Career Reflections and Perspectives
Reflecting on his career from the early 2000s, Clarke realizes that all the decisions he made along the way have shaped him into who he is today. He has no regrets about not compromising, as it has led him to follow his artistic path.Regarding the current state of dance music, he sees it in disarray in terms of honor and respect for counter-culture and clubs. Money has become the main goal for many artists and organizations, pushing music to the sidelines. But he also noticed changes starting to come back around 2012/13.
Technology and Its Impact
Technology is a double-edged sword for Clarke. It can be a powerful tool for building or tearing down. While he isn't afraid of technology itself, he is concerned about those who use it with bad intentions.In his long career at Archive One, he had a legal battle to gain back the rights. Now, with the re-release, he is happy to see it presented well and making people happy. It feels like a stylistic bookmark and sounds fresh in his sets.
Collaborations and Remixes
Recently, Clarke released a collection of EPs with remixes from influential artists like Chemical Brothers, UMEK, and Robert Hood. These remixes were often a celebration rather than commissioned. Artists sent him tracks that meant a lot to them, and it felt like a completion of a circle when they were re-released.For example, Umek and Mark Broom were part of this journey. He always asked artists he admired to do remixes, and he remains a fanboy at heart. His weekly radio show is a way to support producers and bring light to their work.
Challenges in the Music Industry
Clarke has been outspoken about the challenges of surviving on music sales. In the commercial scene, music is no longer the prime motivator. Some "techno" DJs earn a lot without choosing their music carefully. There's too much music being thrown out there, and the importance of DJs has decreased.He believes that an implosion and a reset might be the only way forward. But he continues to do his best for producers by hosting a weekly radio show.
Other Artistic Ventures
This year at ADE, Clarke held his first solo exhibition as a photographer. It was a wonderful experience, and he hopes to have more in the future. Photography and his radio show feed each other, creating a unique artistic combination.He also shares his thoughts on AI in art. Technology is a tool, and he isn't afraid of it. But he is concerned about those using it with bad intentions.
Political and Social Influences
The political situation, especially the US election, has an impact on music. The polarization of social media and greedy politicians affect the cultural landscape. Commercial EDM and the cultural appropriation of techno show right-wing thinking.He is cautious about predicting the future but believes that music will continue to be affected by these challenges.
Joy in Studio and DJing
DJ'ing is instinctual, and production is intellectual for Clarke. They complement each other, but his production has moved away from dance music in recent times.He also recommends emerging artists like White Noise for techno/electro and Saga for alternative music.
A Final Question and Conclusion
When asked to choose between the 312 and 313 remixes of "In the Dark, We Live" to be erased from history, Clarke would likely choose the 313 mix to force himself to play the 312 more often.You can find Dave Clarke on Facebook and Instagram. He also contributed some answers to our new book on techno production, which can be viewed here. Follow Attack Magazine for more music insights.
