Get in to the classics first

Exploring the World of House and Techno

Introduction

So here we are in one of my favorite places, a record store. And not any record store, because this is my friend Melik's record store here in Paris: Heartbeat Vinyl.

Conversation with Melik

Me: Hi, Melik.

Melik: Hello! Hey, what's up?

Me: I'm good, I'm good.

We're doing this course about house and techno, aiming to provide guidance for up-and-coming DJs who want to learn more about the music, the genre, and maybe even the art of digging. I wanted to get your thoughts, considering you've been involved in running a record store or working in the music business for almost 25 years now.

Trends in Music

Me: How do you feel about all those cycles and trends coming up and down?

Melik: I mean, it's been, obviously, since '95. People are looking for different records. In the house and techno scene, it was more about new stuff at the beginning because it was a new revolution sound.

Now, though, kids are coming back to the originals, the originators. While there are still some new great records being produced, they are now trying to understand where it all comes from.

I'm only doing secondhand here, trying to pass on the history and the original music.

Understanding the Roots

Me: I realize for a younger audience, it can be distracting or challenging to grasp the essentials.

They often hear stories about amazing reissues of records that were once extremely pricey. Yet, they sometimes overlook the roots of the music.

Melik: Obviously. If you didn't live through what was actually happening at the time, you might confuse history with legend. Some records became famous because a DJ played them, while at the time, they were really niche.

You have classics that everybody was playing, yet they aren't considered hype at the moment. They are the foundation of what's happening now.

The Importance of Originality

Me: I remember a story you told me about a young music fan who wanted a hard-to-find reissue of a private press cover.

You didn't have what he was asking for, but you had the original, the beautiful record by Roy Ayers. But the kid seemed uninterested in the original.

Melik: Right. If you're serious about learning about music and its roots, it's essential to revisit record stores and engage with people who are passionate about what they do. Running a record store is done out of passion, not other motivations.

Me: The internet is great, but it lacks the personal touch.

Melik: Exactly! And there's the social aspect of the record shop. You meet other people who share their knowledge, tastes, and points of view, which provides an interesting angle on music.

Conversations Around Music

Melik: Yes, that private press might be rare and interesting, but the DJs who play it tend to know the original tracks by heart. They go for a different take, not because it's necessarily better.

Classics are classics not by chance; they are classic because they are good, often better! The Roy Ayers track is 100 times better than that private press. You should start with the original and then explore the private press once you appreciate the original.

Learning Through Personal Connection

Me: I remember you shared how it touched you when Louis Vega said he was giving the classics in the right context.

It's not about learning in a strict order, but understanding the music's story through a person.

Melik: Exactly. In a record store, you confront perspectives. You might love a record, but your angle on it can differ from another person's.

Me: Right! We might both enjoy the same record but for different reasons.

Melik: Yes, someone might appreciate the roughness of the groove while another prefers the deep chords. It's all about what you expect from the record and what you receive from it.

Conclusion

Engaging in conversations with others who appreciate the same music enriches the experience, allowing us to explore it from various angles. That's the beauty of going to a record store, learning, discussing, and connecting over the music.