CDM’s Peter Kirn turned us on to the Global Shuffle Dance Channel, the Youtube presence of techno producer Nick Hayes, aka The Last DJ.
Hayes is 66, a grandpa, and makes brutal techno with his Elektron Syntakt. And, with nearly a quarter of a million subscribers, he’s clearly doing it right. New life goals!
When he’s not unleashing sick beats, he’s sharing his experience with gear, like demonstrating how to make an epic build up:
Or showing how grandad makes a r
“Techno music has no age limit,” says Hayes.
“Age should never be a barrier to pursuing any form of creative expression, including making techno music,” he adds. “Music production, including techno, is a diverse and inclusive field where people of all ages can contribute their unique perspectives and experiences. Whether you’re young or old, as long as you have the passion and dedication, you can definitely create amazing techno music.”
I dunno, I just don’t see what’s so mind blowing about this. Jeff Mills is 60!
I agree. 66 is not old. I’m 114* and still going strong. Nothing to show for it, but why stop now?
* not quite
I’m 58 and a grandpa. I’ve been making electronic music for decades. Is that more or less impressive.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter as long as you enjoy it.
excellent ! I am 57, not grandpa yet, making music since 1993… We rules !
What’s great to see is folks like Mort Subotnik doing it at 90+ or whatever he is. Inspiring.
Well, Carl Cox is in his sixties as well and still drawing crowds and is regarded as one of the top DJ’s ?
I am only 60, doing circuit bent glitch and dark ambient. But the people I collab with in other acts are of more mature age 😉
While there are a lot of youngsters in electronic music as well, I am certain the number of greyhaired bedroom producers, finally having access to all the fun gear is high.
I like your music
Morton Subotnick 90. I’m 70 still composing and performing electronic music.
Techno 4 Life
Nick was 22 years old when the TR-808 was released. He was 23 when the Jupiter 8 arrived and 24 when the SH-101 hit the market. Many of us have been into electronic music since we were teenagers and are approaching his age. It’s both terrifying and immensely satisfying.
You can feel old with crack and keta even when you’re young!
Hell, I got into it in my early forties when the technology via DAWs and instrument and FX plugins came into being making it accessible to me. At 62, I’m having the time of my life.
I’ve started my adventure in electronic music production in 1986 with Steinberg Pro 24 V.1 on Atari ST. I was 21 😉
Moving along, I’m still actively producing electronic music but now with Cubase Pro Ver. 13 on Mac in conjunction with VST’s rather than hardware instruments and don’t feel like slowing down anytime soon 😉
Great stuff! However I suspect he is cultivating the grandad image. If he shaved his bonce & put on a filthy t shirt he would just look like all the other industrial music blokes ?
Great stuff! However I suspect he is cultivating the grandad image. If he shaved his bonce & put on a filthy t shirt he would just look like all the other industrial music blokes ?
[link to Gary Numan (66) – My Name is Ruin video]
I’ve recently subbed to his YT channel and his positive childlike energy for synths and music are refreshing and inspiring.
I agree with Jeffrey Knapps comments technology has made making music available to everyone and now I am retired I can really enjoy making music and started about 6 years ago music is universal and I hope any music what ever genre brings happiness
Gone but not forgotten, like a bad Bob smell.
I don’t like that kind of music much, but that’s a cool dude right there!
My first gear was a Yamaha A3000. ….I am getting pretty old too.