A History of the Roland 303 in 10 Tracks

When you ask any of today’s techno up-and-comers who they look to for inspiration, there’s a good chance they’ll say Richie Hawtin.

Hawtin, who has produced his signature minimalist techno under a variety of aliases, —including, perhaps most notably, Plastikman—is a pioneer of the genre, pushing fans and the wider industry to embrace and appreciate his nuanced, haunting, and sometimes delicate take on techno.

Born in 1970 in the UK, Hawtin was raised in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, just a stone’s throw from Detroit, where the techno scene was booming in the 1980’s. The Detroit River, which runs between the two cities, was enough of a barrier, allowing a young Hawtin to carve out his own path and artistic vision, listening to the work of artists like Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream. By age 17, Hawtin had adopted his first onstage moniker, DJ Richie Rich, and was playing clubs across the Detroit area.

In 1990, Hawtin established Plus 8 Records with John Acquaviva, and with the label’s first release (“Elements of Tone,” attributed to States of Mind) the two artists quickly began to generate buzz in the techno world. Soon, the label became a home for others, like Kenny Larkin, Speedy J, and Vapourspace, who shared a similar pared-down yet razor-sharp techno vision and sound.

In 1993, Hawtin debuted Plastikman, which has become his most successful and well-known  project to date. As Plastikman, he released albums, tracks, and mixes prolifically, even teaming up with fashion designers and labels like Raf Simons and Prada for runway shows and events. Despite a variety of additional ventures and projects over the years, Hawtin returns to Platikman consistently (his most recent release was in 2022) and continues to surprise and intrigue techno fans across the world.

Germany

acid house

detroit techno

intelligent dance music

microhouse

minimal techno

techno

Plastikman

electra

float house

Peggy Gou

United States

brostep

complextro

electro

pop dance

Skrillex

United Kingdom

tech house

Sosa

Brazil

brazilian edm

Vintage Culture

Mochakk

Chile

Paula Tape

Canada

canadian electronic

Jayda G

, an annual event held in Barcelona, is a globally renowned festival that celebrates advanced music and new media art. Founded in 1994 by Ricard Robles, Enric Palau, and Sergi Caballero, Sónar has grown into a cultural phenomenon, attracting thousands of attendees from around the world.

The festival is divided into two distinct parts: Sónar by Day and Sónar by Night. Sónar by Day focuses on showcasing emerging talent, hosting professional networking activities, and featuring exhibitions and conferences that delve into the intersection of technology, creativity, and music. This segment is known for its relaxed atmosphere, set in various urban locations around the city, providing a platform for artistic exploration and innovation.

Sónar by Night, on the other hand, transforms into a high-energy extravaganza featuring some of the most acclaimed names in electronic music. The night-time events are held in expansive venues, where cutting-edge audiovisual performances and immersive experiences create a unique ambiance.

One of the festival’s key highlights is its dedication to fostering dialogue between the creative and technology sectors. The Sónar+D conference runs concurrently with the festival, offering workshops, panel discussions, and presentations by industry leaders and innovators. This convergence of music, art, and technology positions Sónar as a forward-thinking event that continuously pushes the boundaries of creativity.

Over the years, Sónar has expanded its reach with international editions in cities like Reykjavik, Hong Kong, and Buenos Aires, further solidifying its reputation as a global hub for contemporary culture. With its unique blend of music, art, and technology, Sónar Festival continues to inspire and influence the global creative community.

Plastikman

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