Luke Hess
Techno new-comer
Detroit Techno new-comer Luke Hess talks to Jon Agha about the differences between Europoe and the States, Obama and Omar-S.
You are in London soon - what brings you here?
I was booked to play a gig at Melody Ballroom. Don't have airfare confirmation yet, so hopefully I'll still play...
How does London compare to Detroit?
I'm not sure you can compare the two. London has been an important city for well over a thousand years and has influences today in politics, fashion, architecture, arts, education, etc. Detroit has only been around for a few hundred years, and it's influence has been steadily declining for the last 50 years. However, music and art seem to flourish in any city when economics are at a low, so it's definitely an exciting time for electronic music right now in Detroit.
How does the uk/european techno/club market compare to that in America?
Europe, it seems, is much more excepting to electronic/dance music than the United States. You hear electronic music being played everywhere in Europe, and not just remixes of Madonna or Daft Punk (not that Daft Punk isn't great), but some real underground house and techno. In the United States the average young adult listens to crap, some venture into really great folk music, jazz, indy bands etc., but it's not too often you hear a new Omar-S jam on the radio...
The party scene is different too. In Europe you have these massive clubs and huge underground techno events. Even if nobody special is playing you have a tonne people out just because. In most cities in the US it's hard to get 300 people into a room for a techno night (DEMF is an exception). However, the 50-150 people that do come out to a techno event in Detroit on a random night are like a big family.
Can you tell us a little bit about the motown (Detroit) minimal sound?
Good music is directly related to an artist's surroundings and emotional experiences. My idea of the Detroit sound is rooted with elements of funk, soul and motown music. There are emotional elements of longing and isolation. There are also common themes such as looking to the future, sounds of technology, science fiction, industrialism, and the hopefulness of a restored sense of community. Ultimately, I believe that restoration can only begin on an individual level and it starts with a relationship with Jesus Christ, which is part of my personal sound as well. Music is not meaningful to me without the Soul.
Do you use analog gear/hardware or all is your stuff all computer based?
I use a combination of analog gear and computer software. I get most of my sounds from various keyboards, drum machines, field recordings, effects units etc., then sequence and master on the computer.
Influences?
I'd say my top 5 influences are: Holy Spirit, Rob Hood, Science, DeepChord and Nature.
Future releases?
In the near future there will be a release on Modelisme (20) and a remix for Kontra-Musik. In April/May my album on FXHE will be released. And there will also be more releases on Echocord and Beretta Grey. Hopefully the list of labels will grow, as there are some labels that are a huge influence on me and I would love to be part of their release schedule in the future... but who knows what the future holds.
Any more collaborations with Omar-S or any other Detroit artists?
There is a good possibility that there will be more collaborations with Omar-S. It's a pleasure to work with him. Also, I have a collaboration project with Brian Kage from Beretta Music, Detroit called Reference. Our next Reference EP will be coming out this month. We have collaboration tracks with Seth Troxler and Ryan Crosson, both Detroit natives. There are also a few secret projects in the works; I'm hopeful these projects will surface soon...
Finally, what are your thoughts on Obama as president of the US? How is the feeling in Detroit?
Black or white, brown or red, these are the distinctions that separate us. These labels keep us focused on the past, and separate us from accepting people based on the content of their character. Politics for most people in Detroit is a sore subject. Many presidents and leaders in general make huge promises and fail to deliver. Only time will tell if Obama will create the "change" this country needs.
However, I'm not sure any president has enough power to effect change on the level that we need in the United States and in the world. I think those who have most of the influence in the economic and political systems are very wealthy. And usually with wealth comes characteristics of pride, greed, and power. Our world economy is in the situation it's in right now because these negative characteristics and sets of values are present in those who are making the decisions.
I'm not a pessimist or a cynic or a conspiracy theorist, but I think it's obvious that leaders and people with power need to practice more selflessness and less selfishness. If the desire to impact the lives of those around us doesn't come from something pure and true, then it will eventually fail. The bible says things are going to get worse before they get better... look around, this is a wake up call.
Related articles
CHOICE
