EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
EARMILK EARMILK
EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Interviews
  • Techno

Movement Flashback: A time-out with Steve Rachmad in Motor City

  • July 7, 2015
  • Raquel Olmedo
Total
0
Shares
0
0

A few weeks ago the city of Detroit gained close attention as it hosted techno's most important event in North America; Movement Detroit. The celebration of all things techno called upon electronic music's biggest players of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It is where we had the opportunity to sit down with none other than Steve Rachmad. The Dutch producer – no stranger to any techno stadium – surely needs no introduction by this point. Dj'ing and producing techno music inspired by Detroit's pioneering efforts for over two decades now it was a germane opportunity to have a sit-down with the man himself in the midst of a crazy weekend. 

Meeting up with Rachmad at the Westin lobby we quickly get to talking. Well-mannered with a calming demeanor, his softened personality emanated a peaceful vibe that was a great antidote after two previous nights of loud partying. But Detroit party-go'ers weren't the only ones on a busy schedule. Having just landed from a gig in New York, Rachmad prepared himself for two sets during his stay in Detroit, which immediately followed a trip to Japan.  When I asked how he managed to keep a good head on his shoulder with all the travels his reply almost shot out of him saying eating as healthy as possible and having the capability to sleep on planes is something essential for him. 

Tough times with travels  weren't always easily handled, however. Recapitulating past moments  when traveling discrepancies and identity crisis'  all began to weigh in on him, he asserted the internal difficulties that came along when the so-called minimalism of the late 90's and early millenium started taking clubs by storm. Vowing to stick to the Detroit-rooted sounds he fell in love with and remain true to what he believed in, the rapid shift in club momentum proved to be a definitive moment for him. " For myself, I have to say, I had difficulties when the music started changing in 2006 when 'the other' minimal came up", he says thoughtfully. " I saw a lot of colleagues switching their stuff from techno to this whole minimal sound, which I couldn't understand." Resisting the trend that cost him bookings, he continues, "[Techno] was my big love. How could I say goodbye to it just like that? I couldn't. It took me a while to get over this tough time. I even thought to myself, 'Should I do music still?'" And thankfully he did.

With the mention of roots, the conversation headed back to his Amsterdam where one of the city's most noted clubs, Trouw, recently closed its doors for good. When asked if he thought the city had lost a sense of home, he quickly made note of another Amsterdam gem, which doesn't quite get as much mention as Trouw ever did, Studio 80. "This place really feels like home because I also like smaller spaces to get more intimate with the crowd and it's something that was difficult to get at Trouw. Studio 80 is the place where I don't play my Sterac stuff. I play my more housey side, softer Detroit stuff, and even 80's. It's a close intimate space and I've got to know the people real well… Indeed, it feels like a family affair."

Getting more into the aspects of his mindset while controlling the decks, he puts great importance in making sure he speaks to the crowd through the music. "To me it's important to be at a place about an hour before just to have a connection with the place and the sound. It's personal. Musically I usually never prepare, but it all usually comes to me when I'm there an hour before. It's more spontaneous for me". 

Sticking to his gut-feeling and not straying too much is something that seems to be something that's been working out quite well for an artist like Steve Rachmad. Resistant and resilient to the adversity faced, there are definitely strong similarities in character and heart that the Rachmad and the city of Detroit share. 

Steve Rachmad will be headlining an all-nighter at Studio 80 July 9th in celebration of their 10 year anniversary. Be sure you grab your tickets (available here) if you're in the area. 


  • Steve Rachmad Official
  • Steve Rachmad on Facebook
  • Steve Rachmad on Soundcloud

 

 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • movement detroit
  • steve rachmad
Raquel Olmedo

Editor / raquel@earmilk.com

Previous Article
  • Dance

Nu Era and Marc Mac remixes ZKI'R's "Los Entres" [Premiere]

  • July 7, 2015
  • Steph Evans
View Article
Next Article
  • Indie
  • Pop
  • Premiere

Clairity shares "Scarecrow" off forthcoming 'Alienation' EP [Premiere]

  • July 7, 2015
  • Colin Tewksbury
View Article
You May Also Like
View Article
  • Dark Pop
  • Interviews

[Interview] A journey into 19MIL’s ethereal dark pop universe

  • September 29, 2023
View Article
  • Interviews

[Interview] Dive into BABA’s harmonious symphony of life

  • September 23, 2023
View Article
  • Interviews

Billy Moran conquers centre stage with solo debut album 'Surprise Party for the Introvert'

  • September 22, 2023
View Article
  • Interviews

[Interview] Social media sensation Irene Wong chats debut single "mmm idk" & her music making process

  • September 17, 2023
View Article
  • Interviews

[Interview] Sam Quealy talks embracing chaos, latest single "Watch Me Now," and debut album

  • September 16, 2023
View Article
  • Interviews

Maximono shares emphatic album of unsurfaced gems titled "The Outtakes"

  • September 12, 2023
View Article
  • Indie Rock
  • Interviews
  • Psychedelic
  • Punk
  • Rock

MOLD! discusses their sophomore full-length, Peruvian heritage and more [Interview]

  • September 11, 2023
View Article
  • Dance
  • Interviews
  • Music Industry

Industry Spotlight: Chantal Chaichian drives home the synchronicity between digital marketing and brand management [Interview]

  • September 8, 2023
Popular Music
  • MOON AND ARIES share a new single, "Traffic"
    • September 29, 2023
  • [Interview] A journey into 19MIL’s ethereal dark pop universe
    • September 29, 2023
  • MAX RAD delivers a self-reflective and heartfelt EP 'Getting Better'
    • September 29, 2023
  • S.F. Johnson offers emotive yet uplifting debut album 'Digital Utopia'
    • September 29, 2023
  • Nick Marks
    Nick Marks shares his authentic debut EP 'Cinematic Chromatics Vol. I'
    • September 29, 2023
Recent Scoops
  • Rising star Adom's latest single "Poor Kid" soars to #1 on the US R&B iTunes Charts, signs with AWAL/Sony/Orchard.
    • September 22, 2023
  • A-Zal’s debut single "Movie Script" breaks through iHeartMedia’s Mediabase Top 40 Activator Chart
    • September 19, 2023
  • Ralan Styles collaborates with iconic brands to elevate his music and style
    • September 13, 2023
  • Inside pop singer Dea’s behind-the-scenes struggles of being in the music realm
    • August 31, 2023
Community Voices
  • From Machismo To Mujeres: Women As The Face Of Reggaeton
    • July 14, 2022
  • Tyler the creator
    4 things I learned on the 'Call Me If You Get Lost' tour
    • March 31, 2022
  • 4 things every artist needs to think about in 2022
    • January 27, 2022
  • The TikTok Takeover of Hip-Hop
    • January 11, 2022

EARMILK EARMILK
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
All Milk. No Duds.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.