A candid interview with the one of the US’s rising techno stars.

Dustin Zahn :: MPLS :: Enemy Records, Drumcode, Rekids

There are few interviews with Dustin Zahn online; which is surprising because Zahn is currently a rising star in the post-minimal techno underground.  Besides the releases on his own Enemy and Abiotic imprints, he has had a flurry of recent releases on European labels such as CLR, Rekids / Rek’d, Drumcode and Truesoul.   His music is a natural extension of the earlier Swedish and Detroit techno sounds but with an updated, more complex, intricate sound design.  His own imprint, Enemy, established in 2004, showcases this more diverse techno sound encompassing elements of minimal, house and experimental.

His past performances in Spain, Berlin, Colombia, Venezuela, Ireland, and at the Awakenings Festival in Amsterdam were only the start as Zahn is currently finishing his US Spring Tour, only to be followed shortly by another European adventure. Zahn’s solo live pa and 3-turntable DJ sets are renown for their quick pacing and aggressive style.  From his home base in Minneapolis, one of the US’s few techno bastions, he continues to co-promote both underground and club events, helping put the twin cities on the map and inspiring others in the Midwest scene.

While interviews may be scarce, I did manage to find a brief Q&A conducted at the start of 2008.  With the last question, “What can we expect in the near future?,” Dustin responded with a series of new releases and then replied, “And if all that fails, then you can expect me to get a job.”

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Projekt International

What is PROJEKT INTERNATIONAL’s core mission?

Our mission is to increase the visibility of avant-garde Techno & House music in North America, and to support the evolution of the electronic arts. We want to provide access to new and innovative media. We want to nurture new talent. We want to connect people with ideas. We want to contribute to the global musical conversation.

Who does PROJEKT INTERNATIONAL typically work with?

We provide record labels, promotional affiliates, event coordinators, and musicians/artists, aka YOU (our clients), with the tools to connect your products, services, and creative endeavors with a global audience

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Darius Syrossian of Breakoutaudio

The BreakoutAudio label, based out of Leeds, is run by a small army of dedicated djs, producers and promoters who host parties all over the UK and abroad, while dropping both vinyl and digital singles on the regular. The label’s latest salvo, Rob Small’s “Eighth of the First” EP, is set for release on the heels of the WMC.

With the recent celebration of its two-year anniversary, the upcoming new release and a Miami WMC secret villa party on the near horizon, expect the label’s momentum to keep building.

Straight from their headquarters in the UK, the BreakoutAudio crew breaks it down.
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