Adelaide’s DJ HMC – aka Carmelo Bianchetti – is widely regarded as Australia’s Godfather of Techno. In the early 80s House Master Cam was among the first DJs in Australia to champion Chicago house and Detroit techno. In the 90s HMC – closely identified with Dirty House and Juice Records – emerged as the figurehead for Adelaide’s dance scene. Back then Adelaide, not Melbourne, was Australia’s techno hub.
HMC scored an international club hit with Phreakin’. He attracted impressive media coverage – with Adelaide cast as the Aussie Detroit, isolated, strange and creative. Indeed, the DJ travelled overseas, playing events like Mayday. But in recent times the ever influential HMC has become something of a recluse, rarely DJing even in his home city.
In the past HMC has expressed disillusionment over the stagnation of Adelaide’s club culture and the proliferation of commercial promoters and DJs.Any number of rumours have circulated over the years. Reports suggested that HMC would leave Adelaide – and possibly Australia. In 2002 Bianchetti revealed that he was moving to Berlin. “I think I will go indefinitely, I haven’t really made up my mind, I’m just gonna go.” he said. “It’s just I’m feeling really unmotivated being here, and I know that I do have a lot to offer and I need to go and see what I can do over there.”
Today the enigmatic HMC is still based in Adelaide – but of late there’s been talk of him retiring from the DJ circuit altogether. Yet in 2004 HMC is producing music – and is actually aiming towards an LP. Perhaps, like Underground Resistance’s “Mad” Mike Banks, he just likes to keep everyone guessing. This weekend the DJ who opened the doors for Voiteck, Southern Outpost and Microworld makes a long-awaited return to his second home – Melbourne.
You are coming to Melbourne to play a five-hour set at Honkytonks. What kinds of things will you pull out for the set? What prompted you to say yes to this opportunity?
I haven’t been to Melbourne for a few years now and I’m glad I have this opportunity to spin again. I’ve never played a five-hour set there, so it’s pretty exciting. You can expect to hear a wide range of underground techno, house, electro and a few classics. The reason I accepted this gig is that I’ve always loved playing in Melbourne and I’ve never played Honkytonks.
The press release eludes to your ‘retirement’ and there have been rumours of this in the scene for some time now, but many a DJ takes a hiatus and then makes a triumphant return – like, for example, Francois K. What exactly is the status of your DJ career at the moment?
I have mentioned to a few people that I’m hanging up my headphones but the truth is, after 20 years of playing records, I think I’ve earnt an extended break. I will put myself out there again, but for now I’ll only accept a few gigs.
When overseas, especially in Detroit, many people ask after you. At the same time it is baffling to many here in Melbourne that you have not been acknowledged by the Australian Dance Music Awards for high achievement. Do you feel the Australian dance industry has accorded you respect for your pioneering role in house and techno?
I’m very pleased to hear that people overseas ask about me and also very pleased that the Australian Dance Music Awards haven’t acknowledged my achievements.
How do you see yourself in relation to the Australian dance scene – and the Adelaide circuit – in 2004?
Right now I don’t really feel a part of the Australian dance scene…
What have you been up to on the production front of late?
I still write and produce music – I love doing it. At the moment I have a few projects going on. I’m recording two tracks for a Various Artists CD of music from local and interstate artists to be released on Juice Records. I am putting together a DJ HMC LP, which has been four years in the making – so don’t expect to hear it anytime soon! I’ve also just finished producing my first vocal track, which will be released soon on my brother’s label, Digital Recordings.
Your brother, Rob Little, is DJing – and producing – too. What kind of influence has he exerted on you?
My brother Rob has been producing music for some time now and he and his music partner Justin [Astbury] release music under the name Systembot. They’ve played many live shows in Adelaide and recently did a live show in Sydney. I have a lot of respect for what they do.
At one stage you hinted at moving to Berlin – where you played back in the day – and, of course, Melbourne people have always wanted you for themselves. Why did you decide to stay in Adelaide? Would you ever move now?
Moving overseas or interstate has always been a temptation, but I don’t think I could make music anywhere else, so I think I would be safe in saying that I’ll be in Adelaide for a while yet.
HMC plays a 5 hour set this Satruday 26th June @ at Honkytonks in Melbourne.
