A Brief History of Techno

Hel10
Photo by technochick

The word “techno” has become popular in recent times, referring to a genre of music that has been around for quite a while and is now taken somewhat for granted. Techno is essentially the foundation of contemporary dance music House Music - A Fast Developing Trend inside Music business - House Music: A Synthesized Electronic Dance Genre House is a synthesized electronic dance genre that emerged in the mid-1980s. It originated in Chicago, where it was first produced by DJs in local clubs, drawing inspiration from a variety of music styles such as funk, dance, and disco. The origin of the name "house music" is… and has gained significant notoriety in a relatively short period of time. So where did it originate from, and how did it achieve such rapid recognition? Here’s a brief history.

As is often the case with music, it was a small group of individuals who developed the techno sound and built it from the ground up. The Belleville 3 – Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May – along with their high school friend Eddie Fowlkes, were the pioneers who brought techno into existence. As teenagers, they were fans of funkadelic music, including Devo, and wanted to create a new, catchy sound of their own. Their aim was to make music that was less alienating than the deliberately challenging music of the new funk movement, yet still incorporating innovative and unconventional sounds.

Detroit has a history of embracing new music, from early jazz to Motown and disco, leading up to the New Wave Funkedelic sound that influenced the Belleville group. Techno quickly spread and gained a following in various clubs Trance Music - Free Flowing Electronica - Have you ever found yourself dancing in a club, utterly absorbed in the melody, feeling as if the trance music is flowing through you and guiding your body's movements? This is an experience I've had numerous times during carefree nights at local techno clubs I've often wondered which type of techno generates this unforgettable sensation… and underground venues. It was appreciated as a form of music that made use of technology as a distinctive feature, rather than just incorporating it. The tracks all had an artificial, mechanical sound, combined with jazz influences and danceable beats.

Europe caught on to techno very quickly, much like the disco trend. The movement spread across clubs, making Detroit the center of the music scene once again. When DJs in Detroit grew tired of that scene, there was what is known as the “techno exodus,” with many artists heading to England and Germany to create new sounds and scenes. This resulted in the emergence of acid house and other hardcore genres.

More recently, there has been a resurgence of techno in Detroit, reclaiming its status as the heartland of this music phenomenon. Many artists felt that techno had become too commercial and was losing touch with its edgy persona. In response, they created what is known as “smart Techno,” with Detroit artists infusing authentic touches and further exploring jazzy creativity within the already thriving field. So, techno is by no means dead and continues to evolve and thrive.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME