Huh. I actually just got back from my Swedish class so this is an interesting topic.
I think an important thing to do if you are to compare Swedish Techno to Detroit Techno is realize the different influences. Go back to the time of John Sinclair in Detroit, arguably an influential time in jazz for Techno if we look back on it now. That's just for the simple reason that it was a recent movement, these people (a good majority) are still alive and influenced the artists of today. Swedish rock and jazz were quite different at that time. A lot of 'progg (progressive alternative) musik' was popular in Sweden along with milder forms jazz (if I'm allowed to generalize). From what I have heard of it, progg musik is somewhat like America's hippy bands turned half punk. I think another important point to notice is that Detroit Techno has the great benefit of having Motown as a precursor, firmly embedding "soul" in the city's popular music. Of course Swedish Techno and Detroit Techno are going to sound different. A lot of music is coming out of Stockholm. A beautiful city. A city in a country that arguably has one of the highest standards of living in the world. Likewise, a lot of music is coming out of Detroit. I love Detroit, but I'm not going to say that it's economic status or environment run parallel to Stockholm. And I think this creates a huge influence in the creation of music. I don't want to stereotype all Swedish Techno, but it isn't as dark as Detroit Techno. It isn't as pressing and it doesn't have that edge to it. Perhaps that correlates to the environments. I think this also applies to Swedish House, both end up being not so dark and smoother than their American counterparts. That could just be my personal observation, I'll be happy to see what other people think. In Sweden the government (currently, not so much in the 80's) stands behind young musicians quite a bit more than here. Equipment is available to the public, practice rooms are available to the public, and you can play non traditional instruments in high school if you so choose. I've heard statistics that rank Sweden as the third largest exporter of music in the world (1.US, 2.GB). I've said that on this list before, I think. If correct, it is very impressive considering that the population is about 9 million people. If it isn't correct, oh well. Of course the demographics of race are quite between producers of Detroit and Sweden. I'll leave that point as it is, I don't think it really matters. I've taken a few Swedes to hear Detroit Techno. They all think its hard and dark but energetic. Of course, we did see Alan Oldham. hej då /j
