10 Qs With Sean Tate

It was a looooong long time ago when I first encountered a mysterious poster on some forum (maybe RA?! lol) who called himself THE BUTCHER. Had to have been like 07-08 or so. And this cat was just hilarious and always on point. The world of dance music shit-talkers is not a big one so when I had the chance to meet him over one of those DEMF weekends I did. He was just as cool in real life as he was online so he instantly became one of my favorite Detroit personalities.

Over the years I noticed he was friends with a lot of cats I was friends with and was starting to put out music on that true underground techno and house tip. So I always kept an eye on what he was up to. When he asked me and Jwan to play on the Bassment web broadcast him and his crew do every Sunday, I knew we had to do it. Chilling in a basement of a house in Detroit with a bunch of music heads hanging out and bullshitting was just a great time. And it was so inspiring to see a bunch of cats hanging out who are making moves in techno music: Detroit Techno Militia fam, Jeremiah Shaw (whose Destination: Space EP is my favorite electro record in a long time), Vincent Brumfield, and of course Mollison Folson aka Body Mechanic (whose new EP on Detroit Techno Records is making its way out there now). We had a great time hanging out and checking out dope music. Hopefully this interview will give you a little taste of what Sean is all about….

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1. You always say “Remember why you started.” So why did you start? How does this philosophy direct what you do?

First, it was my uncle TW who got me started into music and vinyl since he had the album collection from Led Zepplelin to Parliament. Second, I got started because of Detroit Radio. It played a huge part in my decision to start DJing with The Electrifying Mojo, Rosetta Hines, Derrick May, Charles Hicks, Duane In the Mix Bradley, all the DJs on FM 98, WJZZ and Jeff Mills The Wizard. My love for music, vinyl and Detroit Techno got me started.

Personally and musically, the philosophy is to always keep me on the path of my dream. Always have high aspiration. It serves to keep me grounded and balanced.

2. When did you first get into music?

I first got into music in 1984/85. I wanted to be a DJ. I wanted my own record collection like my uncle. Then it happened…I became a DJ with decent record collection. Fuck what you heard. Straight up.

3. What are you trying to achieve when you and your crew do the Bassment broadcast every Sunday?

Education, balance and connection. It is to share Detroit’s rich, authentic, and beautiful music history, heritage and culture. It is to give an opportunity for local/national/international DJs and Live PA to have their musical talents be seen and heard across the globe. The Bassment has become place where people connect both artistically and professionally. Back in the day, Techno Brings People Together which was started by Trackmaster Lou was very important because it connected so many people.

4. Your newest record is called “A Matter of Creation” which follows your track naming convention of “a matter of….”. What significance does this have?

“A Matter of….” is a musical journey that will be coming to an end. Each title has significance from the perspective of Detroit mixed with my personal life reflections. “A Matter of Creation” is about my label RWYS being born. Celebrating the life of my first born, new life.

Dimitri Pike who has Teknology radio ALWAYS gets next to drop my new “A Matter of….” first. In 2019, I am releasing “A Matter of Faith” which has been played on The Bassment. I have to update my Discogs page. Much love to Brian Bonds, Martin Bonds, Kech Harrington, Brian Boyer, James Pennington and Anthony Shakir.

5. How did you meet your Bassment and production partner Mollison Folson?

I met him way back in the day at Ray 7’s spot -The Tunnel. However, we had crossed paths through my friend JoFuss who had his Interchange parties that showcased Toronto and Detroit artists.

My music production was always solo unless Mari Cliett came to the studio. He invited me to check out his set up in the basement on a Thursday. Friday, I did two digital only remixes of his classic track “Peace Of Mine” on Detroit Techno Records. I gained his respect and confidence.

Then, we began both music production and remixing for other underground labels and artists like Annix TM on Finn Audio, Electrified Mindz, Rennie Foster, The Seed, Subspec Records, Tec-Troit and Mahogani Music.

6. What is your favorite techno track of all time?

Did you know that I watched Carl Craig perfom “The Climax” and “Evolution” at the Majestic with a band? FAVORITE TECHNO TRACK ALL TIME…Reel by Real – Surkit. Get the vinyl 20 year retrospective on A.R.T.LESS.

7. Who played the best set on the Bassment so far?

Tough question. Messed up question. The best set is ALWAYS the one when people leave The Bassment like….”Damn, I wasn’t ready” or my inbox blows.

My birthday show on 313 this year. Rick Wilhite’s set. Body Mechanic was mad at me for some reason. I get there and about 10 minutes before we went live Rick Wilhite walked in the spot with Raybone Jones. Body Mechanic was REALLY MAD..LOL..everything was unannounced.

I opened pretty solid but Rick played sum shit that was straight fire. He went into The Zone.

8. Rick Wilhite has been a big supporter of yours, releasing your tracks on a number of compilations as well as on Godson IV. How did you get hooked up with him?

Rick and my brother Stephen Tate went to Benedictine High School. He was into DJing as well. We bought our first Numark mixer from Rick. We go back to Buy Rite. Fuck what you heard.

Then, he began to mentor me about music in 1998. I stopped buying vinyl for a long time because Vibes became my classroom. It was no longer a record store.

All of the music compilations were definitely ahead of their time. Rick has an amazing way of introducing “lesser-known” Detroit DJs and artists who have real talent, raw style and a unique sound to the world. He has enough knowledge, ability and skill to run his own music festival and to curate any music stage for any festival in the U.S. or Europe.

9. How would you describe Detroit’s techno scene?

She is healing. She didn’t recognize me at first because her face was fucked up really bad. Everything was fucked up. She can use her hands again. Her voice is getting stronger day by day.

Earlier this year, we just sat in my truck behind White Castles on Woodward and West Grand eating chicken shawrmas reminiscing about the old UN. She knows the difference between people changing and people growing.

Real shit…this year she actually went down to Hart Plaza to hear DJ Stingray play. She loves Excursions, Beautiful Sunday and Tec-Troit. She was very happy when Nomadico banged The Bassment. Her and Raul Roach had a blast at Tec-Troit watching chickens, drinking beer and listening to Esteban Adame.

Unfortunately, she got sick when I took her behind 1315 Broadway. The next day she didn’t want to have Starfish and Coffee with me at 3am. But she still managed to talked with everyone Bassment Backyard BBQ weekend. She took pics with Josh Garrett and Andy Garcia from Cryovac/Docile Records

Sooooo…yeah…she is healing. She likes The Bassment. More importantly, she has confidence in herself again. She knows that…I am right here…with a few of my friends.

10. What’s your favorite spot to eat in Detroit?

Big Bertha’s house on Calvert off Woodward. Ask for Dutch.

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You can find Sean here:

Underground 313

Twitter

Discogs

Flight 2 Berlin- Folson and Tate

Sunlight Lane Mix

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Sean also had some questions he wanted me to answer (lol) so here we go….

Choose Low End Theory or Midnight Mauraders

TC: This is a funny one. Low End Theory has always been my favorite Tribe album ever since back in the day. I remember this was a controversial opinion in the 90s when it seemed like most people liked MM better. But LET is so stark and skeletal and jazzy in such a grimy way. Still one of my favorite albums. It seems like more people like it over MM now for whatever reason.

Choose Fan-tas-tic 1 or Fan-tas-tic 2

TC: Man I love both for different reasons but if I had to choose just one it would be the first. Yeah I’d give up “Fall In Love” but the original versions of the jams on 1 are just so filthy and loose. There’s nothing like it even in the rest of Dilla’s catalog.

Choose Faygo Grape or Faygo Red

TC: Grape all day every day. Shit, now I’m thirsty. And give me a bag of Better Made red hots to go with it!

Choose Welcome 2 Detroit or The Shining

TC: So when I first heard Dilla’s name was on a hiphop beat email list back in the late 90s. I knew the shit he did for Tribe and Pharcyde and Janet and heard some SV etc. But then he had a solo record coming out so I had to check it. And I remember my one friend being like “the beats are dope by the rhyming is terrible” but I really didn’t agree. And to this day I think Detroit emcees ride Dilla beats the best and Welcome 2 Detroit is still his best overall album.