From his Detroit roots to decades of shaping dance floors around the world, Stacey Pullen has always done things his own way. As one of dance music’s most respected selectors, he has remained relevant by always pushing forward and never chasing trends.
Ahead of his return, we caught up with the Detroit icon to talk about staying relevant, reading a room, nurturing the next generation, and why techno could use a little more soul right now…
Dirty Epic: You came up under the mentorship of artists who fundamentally shaped techno itself, like Derrick May, Juan Atkins, and Kevin Saunderson. Looking back now, what’s the biggest lesson you took from that generation that still guides you today?
Stacey Pullen: Derrick once told me, “You’ll be more famous than you’ll be rich in this business.” Kevin made me realize that commercial success can open doors and create opportunities that eventually help bring your vision to life. And Juan always carried himself as the spearhead of the movement, which was inspiring to watch.
Dirty Epic: Detroit techno has always felt bigger than just music… there’s soul, futurism, rebellion, and a timeless elegance. What do you want younger audiences to understand about Detroit’s contribution to electronic music culture?
Stacey Pullen: The most important thing people should understand is that we created our own path. Being true pioneers and visionaries comes with a cost, but it also comes with a responsibility to continue paving the way for the next generation.
Dirty Epic: You’ve remained relevant across multiple eras of dance music without chasing trends. What do you think has allowed you to evolve while still staying true to yourself creatively?
Stacey Pullen: I know for a fact it’s because I pay close attention to the streets. Whenever I go to another city or country, I make sure I understand the younger generation’s angle and how they’re consuming music. Through all my experiences over the years, I’ve been able to adapt while also helping educate the masses.
Dirty Epic: One thing that stands out about your sets, whether in Detroit or anywhere else, is the level of calm control you bring to a room. You never seem rushed or forced. What’s your philosophy when it comes to reading a dance floor?
Stacey Pullen: It’s funny you ask that, because sometimes, I’ll play three to five familiar tracks at the beginning of my set. I know those records work, and in my opinion, the beginning of a DJ set is the most important part because it sets the tone. I like looking people in the eyes and feeling that connection right from the start.
Dirty Epic: A lot of DJs talk about “taking people on a journey,” but your sets genuinely feel alive and reactive in the moment. How much of a Stacey Pullen set is instinct versus preparation?
Stacey Pullen: Like I said before, I might play a few familiar tracks at the beginning, but at the same time, what worked last night might not work tonight. Fortunately, I have decades of experience under my belt, and that’s helped me learn how to adapt to just about any situation imaginable.
Dirty Epic: One thing people really admire about your sets is how organically they evolve over time. What’s the key to building an atmosphere and maintaining flow across a long set?
Stacey Pullen: It’s all about pacing and timing. You can have the best playlist or the best crate of records in the world, but if you don’t know how to play those records, there’s no story behind them. And a lot of people won’t admit it, but the person running the lighting is important too, as long as it’s not some pre-recorded set locked to a programmed light show.
Dirty Epic: What’s exciting you musically right now? Are there certain records, sounds, or even younger artists that have been inspiring you lately?
Stacey Pullen: I also run my label, Blackflag Recordings, so I hear a ton of music every day, whether it’s demos or promos. A lot of younger artists inspire me because they’re coming from such a broad spectrum of genres. There’s a Detroit duo called Pressure Rhythm that’s been sending me some really strong music lately, so be on the lookout for an EP from them on Blackflag. I also like what labels like Rekids, Cecille, and 303Lovers have been putting out.
Dirty Epic: Your sets have always balanced groove, soul, psychedelia, and futurism in a really unique way. What kinds of tracks are finding their way into your bag lately?
Stacey Pullen: I listen to so much music, and I’m always looking for tracks that are forward-thinking but still connected to the dance floor. I’ve always said “your body won’t move if you don’t feel the groove”. It’s also a subjective question, because there’s so much music saturating the market right now. I might absolutely love a track, play it at one gig, and never play it again.
Dirty Epic: Are there any recent records (yours or someone else’s) that you’ve been especially excited to play out?
Stacey Pullen: I’m excited to play some of the demos I’ve been receiving for Blackflag because that’s the ultimate test. It’s the moment where I find out if my instincts were right and if I chose something special for the label. I’m still very hands-on with A&R, listening to and critiquing every track that comes through.
Dirty Epic: After decades of touring and shaping dance floors around the world, what still gives you that feeling of discovery or excitement as a DJ?
Stacey Pullen: I love the anticipation right before I go on. I absolutely love not knowing what’s going to work and what isn’t. I love walking into a club and feeling that energy when people get excited. After all these years, that feeling never gets old.
Dirty Epic: Blackflag has always represented freedom and experimentation. Where do you see yourself taking the label and your sound over the next few years?
Stacey Pullen: There’s so much music coming out these days that it’s easy to get distracted when it comes to the direction of a label. Sometimes there are records that I may not personally love, but they can become huge sellers in other markets. So for me, the future direction of the label is always evolving. I’m constantly learning, listening, and paying attention to what connects with people around the world.
Dirty Epic: Looking forward, what do you think techno needs more of right now?
Stacey Pullen: Techno needs more soul, more emotion, and less robotic structure. A lot of what’s being called Techno today feels like it’s missing the feeling and substance that made the music special in the first place. Too much of it is based around 140 BPM distorted kick drums, soundscapes, and formulas. The technical side is there, but sometimes the human element gets lost.
Dirty Epic: You’ve played everywhere from intimate underground rooms to massive festival stages. At this point in your career, what kind of environment still feels the most magical to you?
Stacey Pullen: Personally, I love more intimate settings. And when I say intimate, I’m talking about rooms with anywhere from 200 to 1,000 people. The bigger the crowd gets, the shorter the attention span tends to be. I enjoy being close enough to see what moves people, looking them in the eyes and seeing their reactions when I play certain tracks. That’s one of the things I love most about DJing. I don’t want to feel like I have to play big-room records all the time. With some of the larger festivals, it can start to feel like an assembly line… okay, next DJ please. I much prefer environments where there’s a real connection between the artist and the crowd.
If you could describe the ideal Stacey Pullen dance floor in one sentence, what would it feel like?
Stacey Pullen: Just simply being connected from the first track to the last track.
-Interview by Katie
Catch him in Los Angeles, Saturday June 27: https://ra.co/events/2415209
ARTIST LINKS:
https://ra.co/dj/staceypullen
https://www.beatport.com/label/blackflag-recordings/13003
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