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I found this gem while surfing the Subject Detroit website of I figured I'd archive it here to make sure future generations find it.
NO MORE HEROES. A discussion with DJ Bone.
Uncompromising. Real. What you see is what you get. Hype hater. Deck magician. More accomplished than most ten DJs put together. Vastly underappreciated musician. World's greatest BBQ. These are all things that come to mind when I consider Detroit's DJ Bone.
To some he's a household name, others see him for the first time and ask the person dancing like crazy next to them, "where DID this guy come from?". Truly a DJ's DJ, the list of superstars who regularly travel just to see him play is long and consistent.
A real Detroit native, Bone has been one the short list of infamous "Detroit DJs" for a long time. But when I said uncompromising, that aint no joke. Bone does things on his terms and on his terms only - some people in the city know this all too well. You'll never be confused where you stand with DJ Bone. He doesn't suffer fools nor stars. But with that focus comes a single-minded mission, one that, when you're exposed to it, is crystal clear. Get your hands on the 7-inch "Music (Speech)" we talk about in this interview: It's all about the music. These days it's often hard to believe that from Artists, DJs, Producers.
Not so with DJ Bone. It's all about the music. It's that simple.
GM: We all know how Detroit helped give birth to so much of what we do, but how do you feel about the city now as it relates to our music? Is it relevant?
Bone: Detroit'll always be relevant to the music. This city has been the main inspiration/backdrop for many artists & remains to be today. The problem is with people who don't nurture or encourage new talents. This is detrimental to the entire Detroit music movement.
GM: Tell me about your original thoughts behind the Attack mixes (www.7mzdt.com/subjectdetroit).
Bone: Well the Attacks are my way of venting my frustration with how stagnant I think Electronic music is at the moment. There are too many personal agendas and politics overshadowing great music and great DJs. I also wanted to only allow them as streams instead of downloads to bring back the anticipation factor. Not just accepting what's played but hoping for something better each week. No one else is doing this!
GM: Now that we're 12+ weeks into the Attack series, how do you feel about the project now?
Bone: I feel good about it. The mixes have been received well and I've been getting a lot of emails thanking me, people who had given-up hope or were just as sick of the scene as I am. The intros let me say things I think need to be heard. The Attacks will continue to only get better so watch-out. I am FEARLESS!
GM: That you are. I recently read a funny quote from Tommy Sunshine: "Instant Messenger is the new record store". We both know there's been a lot of resistance to how the Attack mixes are distributed. I think you summed up your feelings about this in the intro for Attack 12. Do you think technology and the access to music is positively or negatively affecting how people look at music?
Bone: The technology of music distribution is great! Helps me get my music to more people than ever super-fast. But the way it made some people lazy is a negative. The best selection of music is always gonna be in a mom n pop or independent store period. Some people need to get out from in front of that computer monitor and hit the shops for a diggin' session.
GM: Isn't it funny that simultaneously right now, mostly because of technology, everyone is suddenly a DJ and a producer... but at the same time being a "DJ" is maybe at it's lowest point of popularity?
Bone: It's only hard when people believe everything they read. If a website or magazine says that he or she's a good DJ people believe it without even hearing em play. Hype is bigger than ever now! Talent, originality and innovation have faded and become less important. People want to sound like someone or something else, they don't want to be themselves...just famous. That's why there's a glut in the "DJ" market now. Anyone who buys records (or CDs now) can call themselves a DJ since there's no certification or skill requirements needed to hold that title.
GM: It's funny: I know that you are someone who has a lot of very specific feelings about music in general, electronic music, even hip hop and soul. However the nature of what you feel is the right way for you to approach your art and your presentation to the world sometimes means that not as many people know about you, what you do, what you're about. How do you feel about that? Do you think that situation is changing?
Bone: I'm happy with the way things are going right now. I've always believed that people should seek new things and decide for themselves what they do or don't like. I won't let magazines dictate what I like nor will I allow them to control my career. That's why I won't cater to them. It's all hype anyway.
I chose a long time ago to remain an underground artist even though it would mean less notoriety. I have a core following and that's all I need. If others catch-on that's cool but I'm fine the way it is.
If you know what you're capable of then it isn't necessary to try to reach or please everyone on the planet. I have enough confidence in my skills that I will always be ready if new avenues open up that appeal to me. I have been reaching more people thru the Attack mixes and I don't mind because this project is deliberate and has a purpose. I'm not trying to get attention just for attention's sake.
GM: You've had a busy fall in terms of travel and gigs. Any highlights? Seems like they are still reeling back in Dublin...
Bone: In October alone I hit London, Liverpool, Dublin, Paris and Berlin (with Tokyo & I Love Techno/Belgium the next 2 weeks). All the gigs were off the hook but Dublin was like old times. It was packed and so hot that the ceiling was dripping! Berlin woke a lot of people up. Tons of people said that they've never seen a DJ play like that before and they want me as a resident. I go in, hit 'em and break out.
I like that, Ninja-style. Very effective and destructive then disappearing having left an everlasting impact.
GM: I love the real ninja exits - and I won't even talk about what that is. Do you ever plan or program your sets?
Bone: NO! NEVER, not even the Attacks or my mix CDs. Every set should be different.
GM: You've spoken in the past about the Vibe of a party, club, event. As a DJ, how much control over that do you have?
Bone: If the gig is set-up with the music as the main focus (as it should be) then I have total control over the vibe. That's my duty. I'm not worried about having a Hollywood production going on or special effects with video images, smoke, etc. Just playing the best possible music as well as I can.
GM: A lot of people rave (no pun intended) about your 3-deck skills. Is that an important thing to be able to do? I've always just seen it as an extension of who you are.
Bone: It's important to me as I feel the need to constantly progress skill-wise and I feel my 3 deck sets are truly unique. Many DJs have 3 decks in front of them but how often do they actually have 3 records playing at once (with the levels up)? I feel very natural with 3.
GM: You recently released your third mix CD, Subject Detroit Volume 3 - Parts Unknown. Volumes 1 and 2 have been really successful in the past. But as mix CDs go, this one is unique: it's a double mix CD and all the tracks on it are original works from producers around the world. Every track is new and previously unreleased. Why go to all this trouble?
Bone: To be innovative. To challenge myself and raise the bar for mix CDs. To push things forward and hopefully have people anticipate what I'll be doing next.
GM: You also made a point of explaining that on the CD that Parts Unknown is an unedited, non-digital mix. You, three decks, a mixer, and a huge stack of dubplates. Is that an important distinction to you?
Bone: Yes. I'm not one for final scratch, MP3s or CDs. To me they kill the excitement of having a DJ there and all you're left with is a Human Jukebox. The human feel is very important in order to connect with the listeners' spirit. I embrace technology but in my opinion it's made DJing easier not necessarily better.
GM: This mix CD project is an independent Subject Detroit release. How has the reaction been?
Bone: The reaction is overwhelming! We've sold so many directly to the people by offering a limited 7 inch only available when the CD is ordered from Subject Detroit. Being 100% independent allows me creative freedom with no restrictions. Distributors have been extremely receptive as well.
GM: Why two CDs?
Bone: I tried to squeeze everything on one but the songs didn't have enough room to breathe. I felt each song needed to shine a lil more since none of them had been heard before.
GM: Everyone asks me when tracks from Parts Unknown will be released on vinyl. There's some amazing music in this project. What's on deck as far as Subject Detroit releases?
Bone: Don't know if we're gonna do the SDV3 on vinyl yet.
Comin' up we have: Tears EP by Aaron Carl, our Subject Global series kick-off with the Subject Scotland EP by Stephen Brown, 2 EPs from DJ Bone (Struggle & Bridge the Gap) as well as my DEBUT ALBUM titled Out of Knowhere, Longevity 4 and my new hip-hop/soul label INFO with E-Sum as the first release. Man we've been so busy!
GM: Can't wait for that Aaron Carl EP to hit the streets. I always point to Tears as further proof that there's no real separation between house and techno. I listen to that track beginning to end all the time.
Bone: Exactly. I love that area between House and Techno. If it's good it's good.
GM: Also really excited about the Stephen Brown EP. Amazing music. Tell me about the Subject Global releases?
Bone: Well it's a series I wanted to do to showcase the many allies of Subject Detroit. Most of them were influenced by Detroit and have supported us throughout the years. Their music intrigues me and I think they deserve to be heard. So far we have: Subject London EP by Mark Williams, Subject Scotland EP by Stephen Brown, Subject Tokyo EP by Futago Technologies, Subject Dublin EP by D1 crew and Subject Manila by DJ Lhoie.
GM: I was stoked to hear you play your Music (Speech) track in Dublin. Tell me about the reaction that gets. Also what inspired you to record it?
Bone: This is the 7" that's only available thru Subject Detroit. My girlfriend Ahnne inspired me to do this after she saw how fed-up I was with the electronic music scene as a whole. The politics and hype of it all overwhelm me at times.
GM: And then U2!? Man that was great. I wonder how many DJs would turn up their nose at the idea.
Bone: Yeah, ya never know what I'll do. I played that for the people of Dublin since U2 are very well respected there. I dig their music too.
GM: What is Info?
Bone: INFO is my Hip-Hop/Soul label that will debut in 2006. A lot of my friends and associates are very talented musicians, poets and MCs. They make tons of funky songs but never release them so this will be their outlet. This label will be very much an interesting trip into underground soul and hip-hop.
GM: How about Encounter?
Bone: Encounter is my alien label. It goes through the stages of close encounters (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). This label was truly inspired by artificial intelligence. Codes, signals, signs and water play huge roles in what is created. Some releases are even translations ...
GM: True or false: people might be shocked to know how much DJ Bone music there is awaiting release. I'm talking about your own productions.
Bone: Yeah, I feel the need to always produce music when the spirit hits. Sometimes I'll go into the studio and stay in there for 3 days. I gotta take advantage when my inspirations come and put them into music form.
Right now I have 3 albums completed and enough songs for about 15-20 EPs. I have 3 studios (1 is mobile) in 3 locations to keep a broad perspective in my music.
GM: You mentioned the forthcoming DJ Bone LP, Out of Knowhere. I've heard it and can't say enough good things about it. What does it mean to you? Is this the right time for an LP and if so, why?
Bone: Thanks. It's been finished for a while but now is the right time for me to release it. The album represents me and what I stand for very well. I go thru all styles and moods like electro, Detroit Techno, House, water sounds, ambient and more. The album has snippets of an interview I did during the 2nd DEMF in between songs. This project is different, it represents me and I truly love it. I put all of my effort into this one for sure.
GM: Will Out of Knowhere be a Subject Detroit release?
Bone: Definitely. 100% Subject Detroit. No one can buy me.
GM: You've recently made some changes to your main studio. What's the most important thing about your musical workspace?
Bone: It has to feel like a sanctuary to me. Like I'm sitting in the cockpit of my spaceship.
GM: Having been the resident at Motor in it's heyday, would you do that kind of thing again? Do you think a club of that magnitude is even possible in the US anymore?
Bone: My nights at Motor were great. The crowds were amazingly dedicated and deep. We had the live broadcast on the radio every Friday. Things were cool..... til they fired the one owner that knew anything about Detroit Techno. After that they wanted to book whoever they saw in the magazines. How can you go from DJ Bone to Paul Oakenfold?
It'll happen again in 2006 or 2007 in the form of a Subject Detroit weekend so keep your eyes & ears open. I just had to wait for the right circumstances.
GM: A few years ago the American media flirted with "electronica", found Daft Punk blah blah blah, and then promptly fell asleep. The age old question: why is it so impossible for America to get it's collective arms around techno, even a fraction as much as Europe? Does it even matter if the US ever does embrace it?
Bone: Americans are constantly bombarded with the same 20 songs all day long no matter where you are (courtesy of Clear Channel & Viacom) and that makes it extremely difficult for people to discover new independent music. This vicious cycle has crushed America's ambition to venture out on their own in search of what they like as individuals. It's all monkey-see, monkey-do now. As long as people continue to accept mediocrity disguised in a million dollar outfit, sittin on chrome rims soundin' like everybody else, not only electronic music but all great, innovative music will remain in the shadows.
It doesn't matter if the US embraces it or not. This music has already survived over 20 years without major US props. It will never die.
GM: Juan and Derrick have all but disappeared musically. Kevin is doing his thing and working on the festival. Jeff Mills is becoming a one man audio/visual/alien festival. Claude is deep in new technology and Japan. Carl Craig is consistent as ever -- and using Final Scratch ;). Kenny Larkin is channeling both Prince and Richard Pryor. UR and the 430 West guys appear to be trying to reach larger audiences. Berlin apparently is now techno's answer to Paris in the 20's... so of course Alan Oldham is there. Dave Clarke is in Amsterdam. Carl Cox is having heart problems. Richie is evangelizing "minimal" all over again and letting his hair down. Kenny Dixon and Theo are putting out enough records to feed a small country. Trance is being played at the Olympics. What's going on? Are we getting old?
Bone: Some are getting old, some older but it all comes down to your latest efforts. Are you still effective? Do your records have purpose or are you hanging on by a thread of history? Are you truly helping younger guys hone their skills to carry on the legacy? I know a few people who are still goin' strong as ever and that makes me happy. Other than that i'm in NO MORE HEROES mode now.
GM: ...something tells me DJ Bone and Subject Detroit are going to be right here regardless.
Bone: We still here....we still here...
This interview will appear in DEQ - Detroit Electronic Quarterly |
Techno History 
