The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix from The AM. The project of Detroit-based artist Ann-Marie Teasley (also half of HLX-1), The AM has become of the Detroit and perhaps America’s most exciting DJs across the electro and techno spectrums. The raver turned techno upstart kicked off her entrance as a DJ on NTS radio in 2019, then began playing at various clubs around Detroit making a mark by showcasing her dexterity in mixing sounds and genres. She also co-runs the UNDERGROUND AND BLACK podcast series and is set to drop a lot more in 2022.
Today we bring you this killer mix she did for us showcasing her multi-faceted skills and delivering this huge mix which is unmistakably Detroit. To accompany the mix, we also asked her some questions about her hometown, projects and more. (see below)
The Brvtalist: So being an American in Europe, people always ask me how the scene is in Detroit. I always then tell them I'm from L.A. and you need to ask someone from Detroit. So now that I have someone, how is the scene right now in Detroit??
The AM: The scene in Detroit has changed very much since it's heyday in the mid to late 90's. It has been taken over by larger corporations with millions of dollars to fly in mainstream EDM and Tech-House Headliners. Since these corporations have taken over, UNDERGROUND Techno isn't as popular as it once was. I was actually on the authentic techno scene in Detroit in the late 90's. Before the days of Facebook and Instagram it was completely normal to see a black artist headline a rave with 3K kids in attendance. My sister and I would go over to the east side on Harper and Van Dyke to an old mega theatre to party and we were used to seeing artists like DJ Bone, Terrance Parker, and Antwon Faulkner. Business techno was irrelevant, and the people wanted to heat the real shit. Since the business techno take over, it has definitely become less often to see the heroes headline in their own city.
There are also lots of talented young people that migrate to the surrounding areas of Detroit and attach the -Detroit Techno- legacy to their names and biographies, yet they do not bother to research the sound or reflect it in any of their work. It seems to have become a bandwagon that new artists jump on to boost popularity which is quite disheartening.
With all of that being said, the positive thing about it is that the number of people that support electronic music is constantly growing, and that there is room for artists to find their "lane." Due to the popularity of the music, we have so many different promoters and events to pick from. We are definitely trying to keep things alive.
TB: It seems like America in general has come back pretty strong as I see a lot of new parties, promoters, crews, etc all over. Do you feel that overall as well?
The AM: I definitely agree that things are coming back pretty strong with a lot of new parties and promoters. The thing about that, is that you have to find the collective that is doing things right, and doing things out of respect and love for the music and it's community. The majority of these new "promoters" are just kids with a lot of money who want to be DJ's. Many of them discovered techno 6 years ago or less, but because they have the upper hand financially, they are able to control the narrative by flying in big big names and adding themselves to the line up. They don't want to work for it, the goal is to "take over." If you have the right amount of money you can basically play alongside your favorite DJ who's put in work for the past 30 years, and have no mixes online, no real experience, resume, or technical skills.
When it comes to techno in particular I see a lot of these new collectives [in the D] attempt to throw grandiose parties using the Detroit name and legacy to attract a crowd, but only include one black artist to the line up. It's just such a sense of gross entitlement to exclude black artists from line ups in a black city, and in fact, in an all black neighborhood. It is rare to see 100% inclusivity from them.
TB: You also run Underground and Black, a blog, podcast, NTS monthly and more. Tell us a little about the project.
The AM: My sister Ashleigh Teasley created and runs the UNDERGROUND & BLACK monthly radio show on NTS, and I run the UNDERGROUND & BLACK -Detroit Edition, which is a monthly live show on Detroit Promo TV, which features artists of all colors, sexes, and creeds the third Sunday of every month. My sister and I strive to provide an inclusive experience for artists in Detroit who want to show their skills live on the decks. The series is called "The BASSMENT" and has been going strong since 2013, and was created by Detroit's own DJ Body Mechanic. The show definitely has its own cult following and is much more popular overseas than it is in Detroit. You can tune in "The BASSMENT" every Sunday fm 7-9 PM EST on www.underground313.com
TB: Tell us about the mix you made for our series.
The AM: The mix that I put together today is basically my signature style, lot's of Detroit Techno bass, electro, and selections from one of my favorite labels, UKR. I love hard techno and acid, but when I play it, I like to keep it pretty black and funky.
TB: What’s coming up next for you?
The AM: What's coming up next is my new residency in Detroit which begins in January on the first Friday of every month. (I will reveal the location closer to the time I begin.) I also just wrapped up my first solo EP which drops in February.
Follow The AM: