#129 Mike Parker: Art and techno, "If it's about money or fame then maybe you've lost the original motivation"
Aug 13, 2024
auto_awesome
Mike Parker, a renowned Techno musician and fine art professor, discusses the essence of artistic motivation beyond money and fame. He shares insights on recording methods without computers, his formative experiences in bands, and the vibrant East Coast techno scene of the 90s. The conversation touches on the evolution of music production, comparing traditional to experimental techniques. Parker also critiques the impact of the EDM boom on underground appreciation, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in both art and music.
Mike Parker's fusion of fine arts with techno music highlights how visual creativity can enhance auditory experiences in production.
The conversation addresses the financial barriers in the music industry that stifle access and opportunity for aspiring musicians from diverse backgrounds.
Discussions on techno music explore its cultural evolution and the challenges of preserving authenticity amidst the commercialization of the genre.
Deep dives
Boost Mobile's Competitive Offer
Boost Mobile is promoting an attractive plan that offers unlimited talk, text, and data for a flat rate of $25 a month indefinitely. This offer is designed to appeal to customers of all ages and stages of life, even promising continued service and rate retention as they age. Despite potential slower speeds after 30 gigabytes, this pricing strategy positions Boost Mobile as a competitive player in the telecom market. The simplicity and longevity of the plan may attract those seeking affordability and reliability.
Whole Foods Market's Back to School Initiative
Whole Foods Market is enhancing their back-to-school offerings by ensuring quality and health in food options for families. They have a rigorous standard that bans over 300 unhealthy food ingredients, such as high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated fats. This initiative reflects a commitment to providing high-quality, allergy-friendly options, making it easier for parents to prepare healthy meals and snacks for their children. The focus on health in their product selection is intended to help families start the school year off on the right foot.
Mike Parker's Artistic Duality
Mike Parker is a notable figure in techno music, balancing his career as a producer with his work in higher education as an art teacher. His background in fine arts deeply influences his music, allowing him to blend visual and auditory experiences. This duality enriches his creative process, as he applies artistic principles to music production. His unique perspective, shaped by years of teaching and creating art, translates into a distinctive sound that resonates within the techno scene.
Challenges of Rehearsing in the Music Industry
A significant barrier for aspiring bands in the current music industry is the high cost of rehearsal spaces, which largely hinders affordability and access to artistic development. This issue particularly affects those from less privileged backgrounds, while some successful bands may consist of members with financial advantages. The conversation highlights that many talented musicians are unable to progress due to structural inequities in the music scene. This reality is a concern for nurturing diversity and innovation in contemporary music.
Exploring Techno's Evolution
The discussion of techno emphasizes its historical roots and evolution, touching on the genre's complex relationship with the broader cultural landscape. Artists like Mike Parker reflect on the past, identifying influences from the DIY ethos of punk and the challenges of gaining visibility in a shifting market. The impact of the commercial EDM boom on underground music is critically examined, noting how it has often failed to inspire a deeper appreciation for techno. The ongoing dialogue about maintaining the genre's authenticity amidst commercialization remains crucial for its future.
Mike Parker is one of the most singular practitioners of the discipline of Techno as is possible to identify. His biography describes his approach to music as 'experimental and ritualistic' and on detailed listening you'd have to agree.
So this is an episode about Techno, but not typical of nominally similar episodes of recent weeks.
We discuss recording, work in the studio without a computer, his early experiences in bands, the influence (or not) of EDM, and the mid 90s east coast warehouse scene.
And we also get a definition of 'art' from someone who actually knows what they're talking about!
If you're into what we're doing here on the pod then you can support the show on Patreon! There are two tiers - "Solidarity" for $4 a month, which features the show without ads, regular bonus podcasts, and extra content. And "Musicality" which for a mere $10 a month gets you all the music we release on Hotflush and affiliate labels AND other music too, some of which never comes out anywhere else.
You can also make a one-off donation to the podcast using a card, with Paypal, or your Ethereum wallet! Head over to scubaofficial.io/support.
Plus there's also a private area for Patreon supporters in the Hotflush Discord Server... but anyone can join the conversation in the public channels.