Listen To Ataxia's 'Techno Punks' Playlist
What was the inspiration behind your debut album 'Out of Step' and how did you approach its release?
Inspiration comes from our punk and rave educational touchstone. Less about the live musical influences, more about the cultural music of our Detroit experience. If you grew up going to shows and parties here, here's a gist of the cult appeal that spans the various "genres" Detroit, especially in the '90s and early 2000s, was simply underground. - So the 'genre' nature of the album is anchored in a cult mindset... imperfection twisted with glimmers of hope.
You can go to a suicide car show like Plasticman or Slum Village. Interspersed here is the city's fascination with the suburban rich who flock to the city every weekend for events.
When DJ Tennis signed our album with Life & Death, we had over a decade of partnership based on our love and affection for the history of old school punk and hardcore. The album is a bit of an extension of that energy, bringing influences across the rift to the forefront of the project. It's a relief to get out there...the process seems endless, but pushing this project through the clay of the world is a great motivation.
The record includes collaborations with fellow Detroit DJs Minx, Andres and Mr. Joshua; What are those artists?
At the risk of ass-kissing (very unpunk) these are some of the cool, cool, cool people you get to work with in the game. Many people love them because their talent is supported by laughter and lots of love. Detroiters just hit differently.
We are grateful to Jennifer (Minx), Des (Andres) and Josh (Mr. Joshua) for helping us with their tastes on the album. It was amazing to be joined by people who were heroic in so many ways with us on our first full trip. Best wishes to them, it's an honor to be on our discography with these lovely people.
Read it next. Movement Festival shows that Detroit is still at the forefront of techno
What defines "techno punk" in your opinion?
Anyone who wants to experiment with a noisy car risks failing publicly and leaves everything transparent, no matter how it's received.
Making music for music and its audience. Instead of doing it for what it will do for your career.
Having values that defy traditional expectations and a willingness to be outside.
You can talk to us through your playlist.
The playlist consists mainly of people we know personally from Detroit and Michigan, whose production reflects punk values and in many cases comes from the punk scene and hard rock itself. Of course, there are a few other tracks that are also known to fit, so to speak…
From the pure rebel rock of Underground Resistance and Dave Clark to Jimmy Edgard, the electronic wave synth sound of electro-punk giant Adult, contemporary Detroit producers like ADMN and KeThu, to popular punk fans like DJ T-1000, BillyBob, Lauren Flex, and of course DJ Tennis. (“Repeater” FFS – it’s a guy we love)…it’s a guy we guarantee won’t kick ass, and everyone loves playing, making and playing music, and doing it themselves. Way, no compromise.
Thanks Mixmag for giving us a buzz on your channel!
Out of Step is out now with Life and Death, download it here
