“Just because someone plays vinyl, doesn’t make them a better DJ than someone that plays digital. It’s a matter of preference. I still enjoy a tangible thing I can look at and touch and feel and completely manipulate – like a record, I will always enjoy that – but there are things you can do digitally that you simply cannot do with turntables. Both have advantages and disadvantages – i perform with both”
– Delano Smith
[Rewind 2016]
With it’s reputation as the birthplace of techno, Detroit is known for it’s rich heritage in electronic music, and Delano Smith represents one of the last of a rare group of Detroit’s first house DJs. Still going strong, the artist is known for his impeccable mixing and track selection which has seen him become a favourite on the global scene. Known for his association with Berlin label Sushitech and his recently launched label, Mixmode, he has also remixed and worked with artists like Kerri Chandler, Hector and Acid Mondays. We caught up with the legend for a quick chat on the eve of his whirlwind Australian tour…
You’ve definitely witnessed a lot of developments in the house scene, I mean you began DJing even when so no such thing as DJs! And now you’re regarded as one of the key stalwarts of Detroit. What does this mean to you?
Well, let me start by saying there were DJs way before I started in Detroit, I just happen to be there when Ken Collier made mixing/blending two records together popular in Detroit. I was in no way the first to do it – but I did witness a lot of firsts since the inception of DJ culture and became popular as a DJ because I think I grasped the skill of beatmatching relatively early on as a kid. I opened for Ken at a lot of Detroit’s hot spots during the early 80’s.
Ken Collier was your mentor and the first person that you saw mix two records together. That must’ve been a game changer for you. What effect did hearing him play have on you?
For a lot of us it was life changing. It completely changed the way we listened to music – and with Disco being the music of choice at most high School parties back in the late 70’s early 80’s – Watching Ken Mix and work the EQ was something totally new for us. Earlier DJs sat down while playing one record after the next. Ken was the first DJ we saw that stood and danced while he dj’d. Back then – that was a totally different thing… sounds odd by today’s standards I know… LOL!
What is the most important lesson that Collier taught you that you’ve been able to carry through with you to today? Patience, to build anticipation in the record and the set. Among many other things.
Nowdays, DJs who spin are in the minority, with more DJs opting for USBs and CDs. How important is it for you to keep playing with records and keep the tradition alive?
Not as important as one may think. I don’t travel with a lot of records anymore, I carry some, but not nearly as many as I used to. I don’t get mixed up in that whole vinyl/digital thing. If you can have a good set with digital as well as with vinyl, that’s good enough for me. Just because someone plays vinyl, doesn’t make them a better DJ than someone that plays digital. It’s a matter of preference. I still enjoy a tangible thing I can look at and touch and feel and completely manipulate – like a record, I will always enjoy that – but there are things you can do digitally that you simply cannot do with turntables. Both have advantages and disadvantages – i perform with both.
There’s a lot genre melding in music today and artists out there that state Detroit as being inspirational to their them. Are there any up-and-coming artists that have a Detroit feel to them and are really wowing you at the moment?
Sure, my friend Walter “HazMat” Howard who helped me with my first album “an Odyssey” is an amazing musician and he’s just getting into house and techno and does a completely Live analog show – with no computer in sight. His grooves are amazing. He comes form the school of live bands and has toured with some of Detroit’s best R&B groups, so on that analog tip, he knows what he’s doing! He is who I’m feeling at the moment, because no one out of Detroit is doing what he’s doing.
There’s no doubt that you play mostly in Detroit, the home of your genre, but where else in the world do you play often that we might be surprised about?
Actually, I play mostly in Europe. I may play Detroit 3-4 times a year. I’m not such a big deal in Detroit as I’ve been around since there was such a thing as DJ culture. Although I love my city – I prefer to play abroad. I always played a certain way in Detroit, more soulful vibes – but in Europe, Japan and other places around the world, I’m more free to expand across the spectrum of house and techno.
What’s the next best thing to do in Detroit besides listening to the diverse music that the city has to offer?
Nowadays, so much! Enjoying the Beautiful scenery that Belle Isle Park has to offer, where you can enjoy nature, the Detroit Skyline and the Detroit River, The Historic Motown Museum, Detroit’s beautiful and historic Art Museums, see how the first automobile was produced at Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village, the new and vibrant Downtown Area which includes casinos, great food at Greektown, all kinds of music festivals in the Summer – Detroit is not some industrial Techno Ghetto as it’s usually depicted, it’s actually quite nice if you know where to go and what to do.
If you had to be a tour guide for first-time visitors to Detroit, where would you take them and why?
Motown Museum, Submerge and Downtown Detroit for a Coney Dog! The Motown Museum to me is what put Detroit on the map (other than it being where the first auto was built). The Motown sound is known the world over as well as techno (Submerge Museum). Submerge has on display vintage gear that was used in making a lot of classic Detroit Techno – with a record store too! And Lafayette or American Coney for a chilli hot dog that’s distinctly Detroit – can’t find this taste anywhere in the world!
Looking at your touring schedule, you seem to duck in and out of countries all the time! What’s one travelling tip you can share with BBM Live readers?
Eat healthy and get plenty of rest! And bring your patience!
Tour Dates
Friday 22nd July 2016: Friends of Friends @ Brown Alley, Melbourne
Saturday 23rd July 2016: Bare Essentials @ Cafe del Mar, Sydney
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