Techno-logy

Techno has revolutionized the idea of music. It is a product of a new culture, an offspring of the technology of that culture. As DJ@llen, the godfather of techno in Taiwan, says: "There are no lyrics, so of course there are no star singers. With electronic instruments like the TB303 to remix music, even someone who cannot play any instrument can make their own music. And the music is not limited by any style or tradition, so the creative process is uninhibited."

Giovanna Sun of Rock Records says that local record companies began importing techno albums back in 1998, with techno dance music being the dominant element. There are also a number of techno artists in Taiwan, such as Jimi Chen, who is also known for new age and ambient compositions. Lim Giong, known for his Taiwanese-language rock, can also be considered among the ranks of techno artists these days.

Sun emphasizes that techno does not necessarily bring the baggage of MDMA along with it. Techno can now be found in many places, from mobile phone signals to film soundtracks. The mobile phone company Ericsson has even adopted the Moby song "Porcelain" for its commercials. "In fact techno has been a part of our lives for quite some time!"

Techno is also the main form of music at "raves." In the last few years, dedicated local DJs have sponsored raves at their own expense so that techno fans could have a space to enjoy the music without outside interference. The first outdoor rave party was held back in 1995, when @llen organized a "DIY" rave on the Erchung flood diversion channel. Since then, some 30 to 40 such events have been held in Taiwan, in places like the Pishan campground in Neihu, the open space under the Huachung Bridge, and the Ming Dear amusement park.

Inertia Huang, editor-in-chief of Pots magazine, notes that it is not uncommon to see online rave parties that draw hundred of thousands of people from around the world. "Things like the Love Parade in Berlin, which attracts more than a million people each year, or raves in Britain that draw hundreds of thousands-and of course Ecstasy, which is an inseparable part of the rave scene-have written new pages in the history of youth sub-culture."

A sub-culture represents the lifestyle of a new age cohort. It is part of the process of growing up, so mainstream culture might as well just recognize it and try to understand it. Maybe it could change your life.

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DJ@llen, the godfather of techno music in Taiwan, feels positive about the new culture. He says that techno crosses musical boundaries, giving artists more freedom to create, and allowing listeners to appreciate the pure music, without being manipulated by record companies' star system.

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Giovanna Sun emphasizes that techno does not necessarily imply use of MDMA, pointing to techno in filmtracks, mobile phone signals, and video games.