Everything Electronic

English-Canadian Richard "Richie" Hawtin was part of the second wave of Detroit techno innovators as his Plus 8 label and Plastikman alter-ego set the stage for Minimal techno. He has released 12 albums under his moniker Plastikman. On his first tour in India, he performs in Delhi today.

What prompted you to make music?

As a child, I was adept at computers. I spent hours playing and programming video games. It was a natural progression of sorts that I began fiddling with music technology and I fell in love with it. As a teenager, I used to go to nightclubs to dance. It was the love of electronics and technology, mixed with music that started me off. I feel connected to technology-based music.

You spend half the year in Berlin. What excites you about the city?

Berlin is a microcosm of electronic music — it has everything you need in terms of venues and technology. It is an energetic city, but it is also quiet. It's only a few hours away from New York where I play 70 per cent of my gigs. I relate to the people in Berlin. It's similar to Detroit.

What's your process of making music?

I'm a loner and like to be alone in my studio. DJing is more about the music and how you programme it, you need to feel it within your core. It's different with each album. First, I work on the drum tracks. I have a sound in my head and then I begin to experiment.

Which musicians have inspired you?

My father introduced me to Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream. Then there's John Acquaviva who I've worked with. Also, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson and Skinny Puppies.

What do you expect from an Indian audience?

... contd.

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