Low Entropy's Producer Q&A: Do I think it's okay when people masturbate to my music?

For this article, we're having guest author Low Entropy over here in our magazine.

Hello friends and strangers,
It's another round of my producer's Q&A.
For this time, I want to focus on a quite special topic:

Last year, a rather unusual feedback regarding my music reached me:
A fan told me he got "addicted" to 'touching himself' while listening to my tracks; and he turned it into a little ritual where he would "overdub" movies of an explicit nature with my sound and then go on a very private session.
(It should be noted, it was not just my tracks that had this effect on him; but he noted my tracks are amongst those that 'worked best' for this purpose).

So, what do I think of this? How did it made me feel to be the recipient of such "candid" details?
Well, what I think and feel is that when it comes to topics of sexuality, the discourse in western society is often rather childish and silly. Let's try to have a more mature, rational take on this.

I don't think these "incidents" are related to any kind of attraction or "horniness" towards me or my music, maybe not even related to "sexuality" as it is understood by the laymen.

Due to my very personal history, the main theme of music has always been "healing": the healing of issues on a mental or emotional level, helping to cope with traumas or inner conflicts, and generally liberation and empowerment of the mind and the psyche (I make no claim that I'm always successful at that, though!).

Now, the reproductive system, and sexuality in general, are a huge part of a person's health, no matter if man, woman, or any other gender (or even agender). This is all very natural.
Reproductive and sexual well-being is just as much an important issue as well-being of one's digestive system, heart, lungs, and so on (maybe even more important).

So, I think what happened is that my tracks maybe helped undo / fix a mental blockade, that in turn led to this sexual improvement.
My music is about *release* after all, release of pent-up emotions such as anger, frustration, fury, sadness, melancholy. This release is often joined with a physical activity, such as intensive dancing in a club.
Now if my music leads to a release of pent-up emotions of a sexual nature, and is accompanied by a very special "physical movement", this is all fine with me. please go for it.

If someone went to a "real doctor" because of an issue regarding the reproductive system, the doctor tries to fix in, and in a follow up the person told him that sex / pleasure has improved by a lot now, this would not be weird or strange or unusual either, but part of the doctor's profession.

Thus, such "unusual" feedback does make me feel uneasy or uncomfortable.

Masturbation is good and healthy, and if my music is a help there, then this is all the better.

Music to get tied up to: BDSM and Fetish tracks in the Hardcore Techno genre

Hardcore Techno is - more or less - a non-erotic audio variant of BDSM; as the listening experience is usually described as pain, torture, torment, an ordeal for the mind and the senses by those outside its circle; yet its fans feel pleasure, joy, fulfillment, ecstasy, while listening and celebrating Hardcore Techno.

Despite these similarities, Hardcore tracks whose definite theme is BDSM are actually quite rare.
So here is a list of tracks (in no particular order) that can be associated with BDSM and related fetish topics; directly or indirectly, through track title, vocal sample, or sentiment, serious or not-so-serious. And in some cases just through a mental relation.

Because of this, we do not want to imply that any of these tracks or artists actually did want to send a BDSM message with their tracks; we don't know the artists' intent. It could be so, yes, but it could also be just a gimmick, or a completely random connection (though many cases seem to suggest either the former or the latter).

We hope these tracks evoke feelings of pain&pleasure amongst our audience, too, and, who knows, maybe some of them are suitable for your next session with a special person?

1. LFO - Tied Up
2. No Name - Latex
3. Neuwerk - Black Domina
4. Phoenix - Dominated
5. Hanin Elias - Tie Me To The Wall

6. Human Resource - Dominator
7. Lords Of Acid – Rough Sex (Beltram Whip Mix)
8. Formalities - Submission
9. The Shizit - Gak Bitch
10. Senical - Wanna Beat my Lover

11. Random Rampage - Submission
12. Sieste - Kitty Whip
13. Rave Creator - Me, The Master
14. Masters Of Rave - Pump It (Like A Master)
15. Inferno Bros - Slaves To The Rave

16. Lenny Dee & Ralphie Dee - Power Dominion
17. E-De Cologne - Slaves
18. DJ Alex - In Control
19. Masters of Torture - Power of Yoga
20. Nasenbluten - Feel Disciple

21. The Prophet - Dominatin
22. Noface - Torment
23. Titanium Steel - Slam!
24. DJ Buzz Fuzz - Power Punch
25. The Kotzaak Klan - Locked Inside

If you're in the mood to add your own favorite tracks on this topic - then please don't hold back in this regard!

New E-zine

Our fanzine is now mostly defunct.
But why not check the new E-zine "The Hardcore Overdogs" with a similar concept / content?

https://thehardcoreoverdogs.blogspot.com/

Beyond the penis: An alternative look at sexuality expressed in Hardcore and Gabber tracks of the 90s

One of the many things that has often been criticized about the hardcore and gabber scene of the 90s is the sexism, misogynism, queerphobia expressed in some of the tracks of that era, both in well and lesser known ones.

Lyrics like "Bitch, do you wanna be my mistress?" or "Happy is for homos!" can be seen as very problematic today. This resulted in some very heated debates, with some claiming this was just pure provocation or nonsense from a drug-fueled era, with minds being completely hazy all the time anyway, and that one shouldn't look for any deeper meaning in this, while others say these lyrics are meant to be taken at face value.

We will not get into this particular discussion here. Let's just say that if tracks with lyrics like this will not be produced anymore, we don't think there is a lot that the world would miss about them.

We will sidestep this debate, and take a look at - and try to uncover - something different, that is often blotted out by the aforementioned debate.

Which is that there were indeed tracks with a subtext or content related to human intimacy (aka sexuality) that don't come from a male-dominated, misogynist perspective.

And, if one looks closely, there were a lot of tracks and releases like that!

So here, we will feature some of them.

Just a word of warning here. These tracks can be interpreted in many ways, we don't know what the artist had in mind, their true intents, and so on.

Maybe some were serious, others tongue-in-cheek, or had no real meaning connected to them at all.

We don't want to suggest that the artists we mention had this or that intent, or whatever.

We are just giving examples of how these tracks can be interpreted, without saying our interpretation is the right one.

We don't want to imply the artists here are queer or activists or into BDSM or something else. Not least because, honestly, we don't know it.

You catch our drift?

But let us begin.

Female Empowerment

Let's not forget that in the very male and machismo dominated world of 90s gabber, there indeed were female artists, and they truly had something to say, too!

Cumshot - Urogenital Groove

This duo had only very few tracks out, but they were superb nonetheless.

This is a quite noisy early breakcore affair here. 

Hanin Elias - Tie Me To The Wall

Hanin needs to be mentioned here, of course. If I remember correctly, she stated that the intent of the track (and video) was to criticize sexism, objectification and attempted subjugation of women in the music industry (and the techno underground).

Brides Make Acid - Fucked All Night

The queens of acidcore chanting "... I just wanna get fucked all night". This can be interpreted in two ways, of course. Getting completely wasted and / or high in a hardcore rave party context. Or, well, as in having sex.

But it's a bold, provocative track and concept, in both ways.

Mouse - Lick My Pussy E.P. (Underground Perversions Records)

Stella Michelson with a very clear instruction. I see this title as a clever subversion of all the "Suck my cock, bitch!" track variations by all-too-male gabber producers.

No Name - Kamasutra

It's not clear to me how the title relates to the track, apart from that the sound is very twisted and contorted, too. But it's a great piece of music.

Conclusion

A common theme in the above-mentioned tracks seems to be a very hardcore, provocative, defiant take on human intimacy (aka sex), at times mingled with a bit of BDSM.

Non-misogynous

Not all male tracks have to be misogynist, either.

Marble Cybos - I'd rather get fucked by a vibrator

Very early hardcore track on the "Influence Recordings" label.

I always liked the "I'd rather get fucked by a vibrator than your cock" sample, as it reverses the usual gabber machismo by degrading and insulting males, not females, instead. 

Phoenix - Dominate

Titled "dominate" and featuring a "female dominatrix sample" (more or less. It's a female vocal taken from a BDSM themed track.), the males are definitely not in power here, and have to be content with being subs for the moment.
Well, yeah, that's one possible interpretation. but either way, it's a sex-themed sample that is not macho or against women again, and this is what we wanted to point out.

Gender and roles

One might think the 90s scene was very hetero-normative and binary, "gender solid" instead of fluid. It was not. And it seems it's not easy to find tracks that are beyond these concepts. But then, there were many of them.
Here are just two examples.

Deadly Buda - Themes For Androgenous Super Heroes

The intent or thought behind this track and EP are unknown to us. But, well, it's an example of a more androgynous-themed title, isn't it?

Chicks With Dicks - Musik Ohne Eier EP

While this is not really gabber, it's done by a very well known hardcore producer.
"Ohne eier" translates to "without balls" (aka testicles).

(Again, we don't want to imply the artists mentioned here are androgenous or transgender / transsexual in real life, etc.. Not that this would be a problem, though.)

Asexual

The Stunned Guys - Love Really Sucks

Apart from music that doesn't come from a macho perspective, or is critical of it, there were also tracks that expressed a dislike or disinterest towards human intimacy (aka sex) in general.
We don't think this is really the case here, but the lyrics of the tracks are witty and at least go in that direction.
"...please don't make me fuck you, honey!".

Lbgtqia+ spectrum

Slab - Anoint Me With The Black Sperm Of Beleth

Is it "gay" to be anointed with sperm provided by a demon in a ritual? What if you say "no homo" afterwards?
Aleister would probably approve!

Various Artists - Join The Queercorps EP

One of the only "openly queer" projects of the 90s it seems. I don't have much information on this venture. It's amazing music, though!

Summary

So, these were just some examples of tracks which show that the history of hardcore techno is not made up just of angry bald-heads on too much amphetamines, coke and testosterone, and that take a refreshing view on human intimacy (sex).
This was our little trip beyond the "penis perspective".

Did you like our picks? Do you know more tracks? let us know!

Anarchist Techno

there have been attempts to strip techno, hardcore, and similiar music, of all politics in the last years. while techno in the beginning had strong roots in the working class, in countercultural movements, in freaks and outsiders, and in many cases in overt politics, this had tried to be removed eventually. and totally.
politics, anarchism, are now despised in techno. most people who listen to it don't want to hear anything about it. they hate it, it annoys them, they dislike it. if it's any politics related to "the left" or anarchism, though - right wing politics are accepted in the hardcore mileu, and eagerly passed on. it is said that "the music" and "the party" should be enjoyed for what it is, and not be about "politics". as if music could exist in a vacuum! you won't solve the troubles of society, or of your live, by merely escaping into music - not in this way, at least. and apart from that, politics and these escapees have a common goal - anarchism shows you how to escape your troubles and those of the social, and not just for an hour by an ecstasy fueled high, but permanently.
but we also see a typical 20th century dichotomy here; that of party, fun, fulfillment, highs vs boring grey "politics" - but this should be left in the 20th century. dreams, social reality, politics, and thrills don't have to be opposites, contradictionary terms anymore.
so leave the unpolitical dancefloorhead behind - on to the future!
so the situation right now is, that techno is indeed a completely depoliticised scene (apart from the right wing politics i mentioned). it's funny that in rock, punk, guitar hardcore it is still possible to put a political message across, and people accept it and appreciate it and receive it, and in techno this is almost impossible anymore, in a genre that used to be so ahead of the others.
so, let's get active. switch this. create political techno again. create anarchist hardcore again.
i know a lot of you are out there. there is a lot you can do. first, realise that we anarchist types are not some isolated flakes in the electronic / hardcore world. spread the message. get involved. do some tracks, do vocals, start a zine, anarchist techno parties, whatever. the possibilites are plenty. your imagination is the only limit. so let's get up! take a stand for our beliefs.
create anarchist techno.
the "unpolitical dancefloorheads" can stay in their consumer techno amphetamine hole for a while longer. we don't care. but we want to create political, social and - dreamer music again.

Art And Utopia

there are people who suggest music to me, various styles, the established genres, the "established niches"; they say the music is really nice, good produced, exciting, well-made, interesting, enjoyable; good to party too, good to chill too, or good to listen to in other occurances.
but, when i listen to this music, i ask myself, what has this music to do with me, how does it relate to me, how does it relate to my live, my heart; to my dreams, my desires, my thoughts, my wishes; how does it enable me to change my life, to rise above the circumstances; how does it enable me to reach utopia; how does it enable me to reach my dreams? and does it give me new dreams, now wondrous thoughts, adventure, the wonderful?
there is music like that. there was music like that. but most music, today, or maybe in the past too, is not like it. but there also is different music.
the hippies thought their music could change the world. to overthrow the establishment. to create an utopia. the punks thought they could fight society and win.
where are these artists now? where are the bands? is there an artist who honestly, deeply thinks his music could change society from the bottom up? to reach utopia? that, by his music, he could create a better world?
no, current music, current artists, are devoid of these things. because these ideas and ideals are dead for them. because any ideal, that is not "money" or "success" is dead to them. soulless music by soulless artists for soulless consumers.
who still thinks there is a revolution, of society, a political and cultural revolution, in the west possible by music and counterculture? no one? if not, why not?
or if that is too "political" for you - then, to make a better world, on a large scale, by music and art?
or at least to change your life and that of others - to a wondrous, sweet, beautiful, perfect thing?
no, these ideas seem to be gone. because people are without vision and concept now - or rather, without knowledge and insight. these ideas are still true. the ideals are still true. you can reach utopia, a revolution, anarchy - if only for yourself. it is possible.
i painted a bleak picture - i am sure there are some artists out there who still do it for the "cause". and i know there are at least still listeners - the word "listeners" is to passive, i say activists - who believe art can bring a change, and believe in revolution and anarchy, or at least in utopia, and in ideals.
and we might very likely grow in numbers soon.
the point is not to give up - but to hope, to be sure, and to be active.

True Summer Of The 90s - Fuck Arte, Let's Dance

in response to some of the misrepresentations of the 90s techno, hardcore and rave movements of the 90s as shown on the arte TV shows around the "summer of the 90s".

on the weekend 26/27.07.2014 arte tv showed their series "summer of the 90s", with also a focus on what they thought was the techno scene of the "90s". though, mysteriously, they seemed to most part to completely forget the rave, hardtrance, gabber, speedcore music that ruled the 90s in europe during that time.
while obviously speedcore was more an underground phenomenon, gabber, hardcore and rave enticed millions of people during these days. and speedcore, if not as famous, was important for several subcultures too. but for arte this obviously never existed, never did take place, instead for them the sound was all some sort of plaything of now hipster and chic "dance" producers who they interviewed in their expensive suits.
fuck you arte, yes, fuck you.
this is to show some true music "of the 90s".
shouts out to all ravers, gabbers and hardcore freaks, from back then, and from the current days.

chapter 1: hardtrance and rave

rave peaked around the years 1993-1995. millions loved these sounds and partied to them. notably for rave and hardtrance were complex synth-driven melodic and harmonic structures, undermined by powerful and frantic beats. almost a combination of 70s synth avantgarde with a jackhammer sound.

tracks:

legend b - lost in love
quench - dreams
genetic waste - palace of wisdom
state of mind - our destination

chapter 2: hardcore and gabber

hardcore and gabber didn't stand back in popularity compared with rave. every second teenager loved that sound (i suppose? at least everyone around here) and the largest raves and techno events usually had a hardcore floor too.
when techno got "chic" around the mid of the 1990s, the "scene" was quickly to jettison this hardcore heritage though.

tracks:

strontium 9000 - dynamic fall out
chosen few - after hourz
wedlock - ruffneck
wedlock - void sector

chapter 3: speedcore and noizecore

both a reaction to the commercialization of hardcore and rave, and also a feat to take it to the further extremes, speedcore remained underground, but had a dedicated following in the 90s and let to some wonderful productions.

tracks:

noize creator - gangsta
s 37 - crush your mind
dj tron - fuck that happy shit
rage reset - unknown structure