Philip Sherburne on the state of dance music (Pitchfork)

I really liked Philip Sherburne’s latest Month in Techno column in Pitchfork. After ruminating negatively on the state of the scene, he posts responses from various musicians, producers as follows:

Dance music has plenty of rules– some of them good, some bad, all of them unwritten– but where are the manifestos? Inspired by Pearson’s column and Matthew Herbert’s “Personal Contract for the Composition of Music”, I decided to solicit similar manifestos from a number of DJs, producers, critics, and label owners. Out of 100 or so artists contacted, only about two dozen got back to me…

The piece has caused ripples across the blogosphere, it’s well worth reading in its entirety. This is my favourite response in the original article:

Cristian Vogel (No Future, Tresor)

Techno music is not important; it is nothing.

Techno music can strive to be as empty as possible.

Techno music can be poetry about the ecstasy in the universe.

Techno music should give awareness, not take it away.

Techno music is too good at describing our cyclic existence.

DJs should strive to enlighten.

Techno music needs to be kind and rest.

Link:The Month in Techno | Pitchfork