Detroit Techno: Origins of the Underground (S02E01)

Detroit techno didn’t just create a sound, it created a movement. Narrated by Talia Jimenez aka Tangela, this episode of EMCAST features Detroit techno pioneer John 'Jammin' Collins from Underground Resistance in conversation with Australian DJ Simon Caldwell, tracing the roots, politics and global impact of Detroit techno.From the industrial landscape of 1980s Detroit to the rise of Underground Resistance, the episode explores how Black artists transformed futurism, resistance and DIY culture into one of the world’s most influential electronic music movements. Together, they unpack the Detroit–Berlin connection, the importance of ownership and independence in underground music, the role of community and counterculture, and why preserving techno’s Black history remains essential today.The conversation also shines a light on overlooked pioneers like K- Hand, explores the political spirit behind Underground Resistance, and reflects on the enduring underground ethos that continues to shape dance music culture around the world.This episode was produced in partnership with TAFE Media by Evanna Kelly and Iain Wilson.Additional thanks to Krystel Diola for her contributions to this series.