Richie Hawtin on life as a famous DJ

Richie Hawtin on life as a famous DJ

15 September, 2008 | 11.24AM

• Written by: Industry Boy
• Filed under: Music News: richie hawtin

“This job is tiring, stressful, a pain in the ass, shit, amazing and the best job in the world,” jokes Richie Hawtin about his life as a globetrotting techno superstar DJ.

Whilst many people aspire to be famous DJs, their outlook is often tinted by visions of grandeur – they see the superstars playing records, hanging out in the VIP areas sipping champagne with girls on their arm, and they want the same.

But away from the spotlight and smoke machines, life as a famous DJ can be lonely and exhausting.

“I don’t have a normal life or normal relationships, I gave those up 18 years ago,” reveals Richie.

“I sometimes think it would be nice to have the quiet life, but that would probably only last three weeks.”

Richie Hawtin believes the secret to surviving life in the techno lane is by having the support of great people – for him, that means family.

“We moved from England to Canada when I was nine-years old,” he says.

“We left behind in the UK all our aunts and uncles and suddenly it was just the four of us 8000 miles away from home.

“We had to create a whole new life for ourselves and that transition brought us closer together as a family.

“We’ve depended on each other ever since.”

You may be surprised to hear that Richie’s mum used to do the guestlist at his Plastikman events during the early Detroit years.

And both his mother and father can still be seen hanging out backstage at clubs and festivals whilst their son spins to thousands on stage.

“I think they’re proud, but sometimes they think I should chill out,” reveals Hawtin.

“My mum said to me recently ‘It’s not all about Contakt and Cubes, you know’ but then my parents came to our Contakt show during Sonar and they said it was the most professional show we had ever done.

“That felt good.”

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