What is melodic and minimal techno? To answer that question, you have to understand what Techno actually is. Just type 'Techno definition' into google and there are vast arrays and essays about it, it's meaning, it's origins and it's anatomical component parts. Best described by my youngest daughter as 'it's so repetitive!'. Where time is marked with a bass drum on each quarter note and some random squiggle of a sound (could be a clap or a hi hat or a vocal or any catchy noise) on every second eighth note. Techno hails from the use of the 'Techno Rebels' label (those who have read Alvin Toffler's 'The Third Wave' will understand this) and how true techno tends to have been generated on older analog synthesizers and those wanting to keep vinyl production alive. So that's Techno in a very small nutshell.
So, when someone asked me 'what is melodic techno?' - I typed that into google, only to be stood upon a parapet of the unknown. Curious, I decided to explore this a bit more, so as to come up with a definition that wouldn't have me reaching out for a search engine. Techno stalwarts will know about minimal techno - best heard in places like Berghain or Trouw or anywhere with stark, dimly lit concrete walls and a DJ with a gas mask on. A perfect DJ example would be Pearson Sound (and I quote as I have seen him live) - a series of interesting percussion noises, beats and misplaced sounds that kind of work well in a really surprising way. Add electro glitches, progressive drum beats and noises that would appear to been taken from a sci-fi film and you have minimal techno. I.e. there is little to no melody.
Have a listen to this for a good minimal techno DJ set example from Pearson Sound and his latest Essential Mix for the BBC. If you can quote a better example then send it over or comment below.
Melodic techno uses the underpinning structure of techno and instead of sounds and interesting noises, overlays it with...wait for it...melody! The binding together of melody makes a Techno track warmer, more intimate and sometimes uplifting. But what is melody? Stupid question, right? Wikipedia describes it as 'a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying; a tune'. Does that mean that minimal Techno could potentially be dissatisfying?! In the end it's all in the musical eye of the beholder. A lot of current DJ's and producers are able to swing between minimal and melodic, with ease. You might be up for a night of minimal techno because you're just in that mood, maybe you've had a bad day and you want to hit those techno sounds hard in some dark shady corner. On the other hand, you might be heading out with your mates, all is good in the world and the warmth of melodic techno captivates you all into a lovely bonding session of hugs and love (and that's without a single instance of MDMA ever being taken!).
Good examples of melodic techno DJ's are Maceo Plex and Worakls to name but just a few. Melodic techno at it's best could probably be best encapsulated by this Boiler Room DJ set by Maceo Plex.
Do you agree with this description? What is your take? I'm all ears.
Cathy
