techno god
Charming and witty Toronto singer/
W
MARK ZIEMBA
hile most people argue about whether techno was born in
Detroit, Carl Craig, himself from Detroit, looks to the
future. “The past makes no difference any more, this is the
21st century. It only matters who will develop the next future
sound.” Craig has been doing exactly that, and he demon-
strates this at The Necto on Thursday, February 13 at 9pm.
“Any track that had synthesizers in it, I liked the most,” he
says of his attraction to techno. Under the tutelage of Detroit’s
legendary Derrick May, Craig developed his own style, draw-
ing on jazz, rock and African music. “I am not afraid to ex-
periment,” he says. His sound is as varied as the monikers he
has assumed through the years. From smooth down-tempo
tracks to throbbing dance floor hits to enthusiastic club-fa-
vored remixes, Craig defines his style as “environmental funk.”
Craig’s apotheosis began when he launched the Detroit
Electronic Music Festival in 2000. Created to bring the social
community closer to the music, it succeeded in bringing di-
vergent political factions together, while hugely popular with
fans.
Craig runs the Detroit record label Planet E with his father,
wife and a close circle of friends. Planet E’s success is evident
from the parties that they throw. Recalling one event in Florida
he says, “people were insane for Kevin Saunderson … and
others at a restaurant called Tantra. That’s where supermodels
go to eat. I got to walk around greeting people in my robe and
slippers! I felt like Hugh Hefner!”
This isn’t Craig’s first appearance at The Necto, either. “I
had a good night there last year,” he says, “the crowd in Ann
Arbor are definitely great. It seems like the smartest students
make the best party.” Without an opening act, Lust Thursday
will see a monster five-hour set. —Prashant Rajkhowa
Carl Craig plays at The Necto on Thursday, February 13 at
9pm. Cover is $10 ($15 under 21) before 11pm and $15 ($20
under 21) at 11pm and after. For more information call (734)
994-5436 or visit www.thenecto.com.
Linda M
songwriter plays melodic pop rock. 9pm,
Espresso Royale Caffe, 214 S. Main St.,
free.
Soot
Heavy funk rock from Ann Arbor. 10pm,
T.C.’s Speakeasy, Ypsilanti, $3.
“Youth-Owned Records
Presents”
Ann Arbor band The Misters plays alter-
native rock, plus The Ninjas and Smoke-
stack. 7pm, The Neutral Zone, $5.
FOLK/COUNTRY
“First Saturday Contra Dance”
Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Music
& Dance presents. John Freeman calls to
live music by Sharon Hollow Stringband.
No partner needed; all dances taught. Wear
cool, casual clothes and bring flat, smooth-
soled shoes for dancing. 8pm, Pittsfield
Union Grange, $8 ($5 stu).
The Gigantics
Honky-tonk country rock. 9:30pm, The
Wooden Nickel, Ypsilanti, $5.
“North Country Opera”
The Ark hosts a special 20th anniversary
performance of area folk songwriter Jay
Stielstra’s beloved musical celebrating
romance and Mother Nature in northern
Michigan, which toured Michigan to criti-
cal acclaim after its Performance Network
debut. The original starred two-thirds of
popular song trio The Chenille Sisters, folk
balladeer David Menefee, Michael Smith
(of the Cadillac Cowboys), vocalist Tracy
Komarmy (of the Imperial Swing Orches-
tra) and Charlie Weaver. Several original
cast members reprise their roles, but cel-
ebrated young folk songwriter Chris
Buhalis and Tamar Schoenberg play the
lead roles this time. 8pm, The Ark, $20
($12.50 with stu ID, union card or fishing
license).
Evalyn Parry, Eve Goldberg,
Trevor Mills
Three Canadian singer/songwriters
present their “Three-ring, Rootsy Road
Show.” Canadian folk and spoken-word
performer Parry weaves together the per-
sonal, the political, the poetic and the hi-
larious in haunting acoustic ballads and
thought-provoking commentary. Guitar-
ist Goldberg employs a lovely voice in folk,
country, bluegrass, swing, blues and gos-
pel music. Singer/songwriter Mills per-
forms intelligent, compassionate tunes
ranging from the serious to the whimsi-
cal. 8:30pm, Crazy Wisdom Bookstore &
Tearoom, free.
Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic
Saline high school students perform Ameri-
can folk fiddle music with an emphasis
on bluegrass and old-time music, led by
February 2003 CURRENT 49