If it’s one name that keeps popping up on everyone’s “must see” list its definitely that of Daniel Bell… Detroit DJ/producer mastermind. This Techno/house producer is known internationally for his unique minimalist approach to production and  DJing.  ITM’s Rezok delves further into the button down mind of Daniel Bell.

Dan, talk a bit about the stuff you were into as a kid and when it was you found music?

I was into a lot of science fiction type stuff, like Star Wars and Star Trek. When I first heard things like Kraftwerk it sort of just spun off from that. I got deeper into music and production and started playing in a band and eventually started making records – I put out my first record when I was 20 but I was doing house for at least 3 or 4 years before that.

You grew up in Sacramento California – where are you living now? Explain also, this fascination people have with Detroit?

Nowadays, I split my time between Berlin and Connecticut. As for Detroit, there’s a kind of uniqueness to each producer there; there are a variety of styles from Detroit but they all come from the same roots. It boils down to 2 or 3 shows on the radio from the late 70s and early 80s which influenced everything. Detroit is heavily into soul and funk – it’s a black music city. Black music got weak around 1981/82 and a lot of the black audience started looking elsewhere – to England or Germany and that’s what opened up the interest in electronica. There was such great music in the 70s – Kool and the Gang etc. By the time the 80s turned, it was terrible. There was interesting stuff like the beginning of hip hop, but listening to the radio, there wasn’t much to connect to.

You have been credited with playing a considerable role in the creation of minimal techno, influencing artists like Josh Wink and Richie Hawtin into the sound? Do you think this credit is deserved?

I can’t really be objective about that, I just do what I do and if people are influenced by it that’s great! A lot of people really dug the early music of the time; especially the early Accelerate stuff and early 90s when a lot of techno or house was going one way or another – I really found my approach at the time and I hear that in Germany a lot, from the artists I know there.

And who were your influences?

It was mostly early Chicago guys. Before I even knew about Detroit, there were guys like Larry Hird, Mike Dunn, Armando.

You created Accelerate Records. Tell us the direction you took with it – and is it still going strong?

What happened was in 1992 when I started the label, we first started 7th City – then Accelerate and then the project with Hawtin – Cybersonik – we were touring raves in the USA constantly. But I decided I was going to get out or do something more that represented where I wanted to go. The raves were a carnival and circus and it was all based on impact and I wanted to go in the opposite direction, and that why I got into experimental. I put my worlds all together. The label is still strong. I have plans to develop it further, but we will take our time with it, when it’s ready, it’s ready.

In all your years of being a part of the music business, tell us what you have learnt and experienced?

I have to say I’m really happy. I think I’m in a good position because I have the creative freedom to do what I want, so if you love music and treasure music and you have creative control then it’s really gratifying. Maybe it’s not the most lucrative, but every time I felt uncomfortable or thinking I should have done something else, as soon as go back to doing what I want, it all works.

Today, you are a DJ and producer. Do you prefer one or the other?

It’s definitely producing, I came much later into being a DJ so I feel most comfortable producing and I hope to return to it soon. I’ve spent the last 2 years traveling so next year I hope to devote plenty of time to music in my studio.

What are some of life’s inspirations – musically and otherwise – that you draw upon to keep you motivated?

I still try to spend a lot of time in clubs. When I’m in Berlin I try to go out and never to be too far away from the scene. Just as in Detroit I really enjoy going to clubs and listening to everybody I could. Traveling also, is always inspiring, movies and things like that – I appreciate how things are constructed and arranged – how they’re put together.

Finally, Australia is really excited to have you touring soon. What are some of the things we can expect from your upcoming gigs?

You guys always end with this question! If people are familiar with my mix CDs and my productions then it will be consistent with that, they can expect a good time!

Daniel Bell plays Honkytonks this Friday 28th October.  Check ITM whatson for more details.