Farley Leads Black Techno Matters In A Reclamation Of Electronic Music For Black Creative Expression
"I think I was sent into this world to be a party instigator. The person who turns the energy on in the room and makes sure everyone is there. I also like to think outside the box and create music and art that shows people new ways of seeing or doing what I see, founding Black Techno Matters. as one of the highlights of my career and a combination of both.
These words belong to the multifaceted artist Bernard Farley, whose work is based on the celebration of black artistic expression. Washington, DC native Bernard's journey from childhood immersed in music to his work as an advocate for techno innovators is about perseverance, self-confidence, and the power of community.
Bernard's introduction to sound began in his youth with cassette tapes and making beats. "In sixth grade, I enjoyed doing tape transparency, distortion, and simple channel mixing effects on my sister's old karaoke machine," he says. “When my family finally got their first computer, there was a demo of Beat2000, a program for creating loop-based music with all kinds of funky, techno, drum and bass and rave loops. I started with modular music software like Audiomulch and DAWs like Ableton Live, now I only record with drum machines and a synthesizer like a Roland TR-8.
Music took center stage in his childhood and instilled in him a love of various genres. "My mom was always listening to disco," says Bernard. “He had a very beautiful voice; he always sang at home and composed songs on the spot. She was also a great dancer, that's where my dance genes come from. I absorbed the music of artists like Sylvester and MFSB and labels like Salsoul Records. In elementary school, I lived in Queens, New York, and my mother brought home mixes made by a New Jack Swing DJ she met.
Bernard's father was a jazz musician and multi-instrumentalist who played several instruments, including guitar, saxophone and keyboard, and was a fan of artists such as Sade, Anita Baker and Prince. “He improvised on jazz instruments and recorded directly to tape. My father was tough as a board: he tried to teach me to play the guitar, but he couldn't. I think I'd rather learn everything myself, including acting and writing music.
Growing up obsessed with Michael Jackson, Bernard was one of those kids who knew all of his musical choreography by heart. The college introduced him to artists like Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers, and Aphex Twin on local radio in Middletown, New Jersey, and he became fascinated with technology while studying Jeff's music in high school. Abstract music like Mills, Richie Hawtin and Autechre.
“I went to Virginia Tech and spoke on their college radio station. I burned hundreds of CDs on my computer while singing on the air, and it really opened my taste buds to all kinds of artists, including Steve Reich, Philip Glass and John Cage. I also became a big fan of Björk during my studies and learned to sing her songs "Homogenic" and "Vespertine" by practicing them over and over again.
Recovery technology
Based on the need for a platform to elevate Black artistry in techno music, Bernard founded the Black Techno Matters collective, whose mission is to reclaim techno as a manifestation of Black self-expression. The collective creates online and in-person spaces that celebrate techno's black origins, protect the creators of the genre, and provide space for young creators to find their voice as artists.
“I started Black Techno Matters in October 2019 after googling 'Black Techno Artists' and being disappointed with the search results. Some sites have mentioned The Belleville Three and artists like Jeff Mills, but I haven't seen a list of artists of color creating techno particularly in the modern era. It shocked me mostly because it was techno black! After about an hour of searching the internet, I realized I could fill a notebook with the names of black artists.
“I came up with the phrase 'Black Techno Matters' and threw a party in Washington DC with only black artists on the roster,” Bernard continues. “A few of the people who came to the show thanked me for creating this space, and that's when I realized there was a real need to highlight Black artists, as well as physically bring them together in one place. From Since then, Black Techno Matters has grown into an event showcasing hundreds of artists of color from around the world and adults to celebrate collective events, playlists, mixtapes, music releases and other resources.
Personally reviving the techno genre and celebrating black music, Bernard's music has taken on many identities over the years. “I have recorded several electronic music solo albums called Outputmessage, ranging from dark, techno to indie dance. I've also recorded some ambient albums like Smoke & Tea with my good friend and music partner Patrick Blinkhorn. I have a new album coming out in March, it's called "hell0" and I think it really sets the stage for the music portals I want to open like B_X_R_N_X_R_D. Bernard will release his new album B_X_R_N_X_R_D via music label Black Techno Matters, as well as streaming platforms and Bandcamp.
Bernard's determination to celebrate the presence of a black artist and the history of black art drives his work both personally and in the community. His state of mind refuses to succumb to the depressing story and so he creates his own.
“As a black man, to stay sane in this racist society, I must choose hope over fear, patience over anger, and joy over despair. I also have to think and work outside the system to achieve goals because the system' just doesn't work for people like me. The music business is no different. My music as B_X_R_N_X_R_D and my work with Black Techno Matters aim to be a alternate time where the great power of black creativity is properly respected and celebrated creates an agenda.
Recalling his time with Black Techno Matters, Bernard's words have an unmistakable sense of pride and celebration.
“I'm having moments like the crowd chanting 'Black Techno Matters' to techno music at our Liber8 party in San Francisco. how they are welcomed and appreciated after playing our events.
The Black Techno Matters website also serves as a vast resource for black electronic music, including the "Blackness is a Revolution" playlist featuring over a thousand songs from black electronic music artists. “Look at the artists who connected and collaborated on our platform due to crossing paths, the artists who started seeing themselves in the genre after feeling isolated, all the black faces on our Contributors page on our website – I could go on. All this gives me energy to keep working and developing Black Techno Matters.
The community is the future
“2023 marks the 20th anniversary of my first music release, Bernard's Song, on Ghostly International,” said Bernard. “I see Black Techno Matters as a way to channel my artistic strength and experience in the music industry to create opportunities for new artists in the community. In general, this is how our team works: we all contribute to the mission of Black Techno Matters using the skills and experience we have acquired along the way.
While techno formed the basis for the creation of Black Techno Matters, the collective also supports other forms of artistic expression outside of music, which in turn creates a more cohesive and global arts community. “Audio and video documentation of our events is an important part of what we do. Graphics are important in promoting and setting the mood of our events, and the dancers at our events bring their energy to the space we create. explicit words used to highlight artists on "Our Instagram" are a true tapestry of love and pride in black music.
2023 is a year of growth for Black Techno Matters. “We are spreading the blackfire that we started in Washington and taking it to other cities across the United States. As always, we will be doing something special for June 19, but all I can say is: stay tuned.”
As part of Black Techno Matters, a year-long initiative designed to celebrate and inform others about the impact of Black innovation on music, art and culture, Bernard actively challenges undervalued perceptions of the contributions of people and collectives of color to world history. It seeks to change the perception that black history is seen as "a special chapter at the end of a U.S. history textbook that a teacher can never cover in class," as Bernard quotes.
“To be clear, black history is American history. This country was built on black slavery and suffering. "Black people have made countless contributions and innovations in music, art, culture and technology that have literally changed this country and the world," he said. .With Black Techno Matters, we celebrate our color heroes every day.
Supporting black artists throughout the year is an integral part of what Black Techno Matters does, and Bernard shares how everyone can help support and uplift black voices by supporting the collective through their online channels. . "Sign up for our newsletter or buy a t-shirt, attend one of our events, follow the artists we represent on social media, attend their events, buy their music, leave a comment or send them a thank you message. Contact us other artists or venues in your area so they can get more concerts. People can donate through Venmo or CashApp (@blacktechnotters) to support other artists. Every little thing counts."
Community and shared knowledge are core values of the Black Techno Matters philosophy. Through the exchange, their community grows stronger, and in that strength lies strength. "The future is the family. The future is society. The power of the people is a new power. Everything.
Find Bernard on Instagram.
Find out more about Black Techno Matters on Instagram, Bandcamp and Spotify.
