Marcel Dettmann

Marcel Dettmann is recognised as one of the most influential proponents of contemporary Techno. Widely associated with iconic places – Berlin, Berghain and Hard Wax – Dettmann stays true to his roots by consistently innovating his interpretation of electronic music. Raised in a small town near Berlin, Dettmann counts bands like Depeche Mode and The Cure, as well as Post-Punk and Industrial, as his earliest influences, long before he discovered his affinity for Techno. Since his hometown lacked a record store specialising in electronic music, Dettmann started selling vinyl from his own home between 1995 and 1998. The mid-90s saw Dettmann frequenting Berlin’s nightlife. This included club institutions E-Werk and Tresor where the resident DJs of that time aroused his passion for the Chicago and Detroit influenced sound. In 1999, after many (including self-organised) parties, his turning point came; Dettmann began to work as a resident DJ at Ostgut, Berghain’s predecessor. Shortly thereafter upon receiving a job offer from Hard Wax, he finally moved to Berlin.

Dettmann quests tirelessly for new ways and inspiration to further develop his own concept of electronic music. His label MDR serves as a platform upon which to shape his musical vision, and through its releases launch new talent onto the Techno scene. His own releases comprise two albums on Ostgut Ton, numerous singles and remixes for artists of various genres – Junior Boys, Fever Ray, Moderat, and Laibach to name a few. Furthermore, he has produced compilation albums for London’s fabric club, Berlin’s Berghain, as well as one issue each of the DJ Kicks (!K7 Records) and Selectors series (Dekmantel).