[Seattle/LA, USA. October 28th, 2009] -- Dan Dagen (DJ Spirals) has been one of the most influentcial forces in techno in the Pacific Northwest. Though he is only a single-unit promoter and deejay, in the 3 years since he relocated from LA he has already brought the likes of Adam X, Regis and Function to his 8-cabinet-Turbosound-powered “Uninfected Techno” warehouse parties, uniting Seattle’s scattered techno enthusiasts in a REAL underground. (And he won’t hesitate to tell you that locating a proper space, promoting it, paying the talent, and hauling 8-cabinets of speakers to and from his living room ALL BY HIMSELF is no small feat). Feeding his journalistic side, Dagen has also assembled and distributed several issues of his own DIY “Resilient” zine – in a way, Dagen’s soap box to declare his take on the degenerate underworld of visual art, music, conspiracy theory, and the like. Including interviews with Monolake, Regis, Harvey Lane (of Veto Music), and other “cool ass art,” these releases have been a treat to those who desire “music, art and ideas far removed from the sick, stupid mainstream.” Read on for a few words from this inveterate social deviant, as well as for one of the more proper techno mixes of this decade — a lofty proclamation, but you just need to check it out for yourself...

You have recently moved up to Seattle after growing up and spending the majority of your life in Los Angeles. How do you feel about your new digs?

I like the climate in Seattle much more, cleaner, greener and cooler. Culturally i have to be honest, L.A. is a major city in the way NYC, Paris, London, (etc) are and Seattle seems to me behind L.A. in terms of being culturally relevant.

What are the most important things you have been able to accomplish since coming here?

I have been able to buy a serious rig and throw a few shows that I am proud of, though they bankrupted me.

What were the biggest musical influences on you while growing up, and how would you differentiate between the art/music cultures of Seattle and Los Angeles?

I grew up on hardcore punk. I have always been a very angry, sarcastic, cynical individual. L.A. birthed American Hardcore. Black Flag, The Germs, the Circle Jerks, X, flipper all started in L.A.; similarly the lowbrow art phenomenon (Mark Ryden, Camille Rose Garcia, Tim Biskup, The Clayton Brothers, Jeff Soto, etc.) started in L.A. I guess I'd say L.A. is grittier, dirtier, angrier, sicker, more decayed and more conscious of it all. I think Seattle is a lot softer, more hippy-dippy and insulated, smug. I know it sounds mean, but if you ask I'm gonna say how I feel.

The mix you did here is comprised of deep, vibrant and well varied strains of techno. As of today, would you say this is representative of your head space and taste for dance music?

That mix is a pretty accurate reflection of where my head is at, but a little 'nicer'. I generally go a little darker and more evil but I need to resist being a one-dimensional dj cos a mix consisting of 100% industrialesque, very rhythmic (no melody) techno starts to make people tune out.


Tell us a little bit about the DIY “Resilient” zine that has been circulating around Seattle. Why do that, and what are you hoping to personally accomplish?

The resilient zine is my way of saying basically, 'if you give me 20 minutes of your attention I promise not to waste your time, I think you will find this worthy of a read/view' there was a band in the very early 90's called 'born against' (who later would become 'men's recovery project') who did a fantastic zine that was an accompiniment to their music releases and I was deeply impressed by it and always wanted to do something like that.

What is your favorite color?

Blue. No, red..... No, blu-----AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!


RESILIENT ZINE MYSPACE







  1. Joey Beltram - Scorpio [Permanent Records]
  2. Sleeparchive - Elephant Island LP (track 3) [Sleeparchive]
  3. Jeff Mills - Actual LP (Untitled) [Axis]
  4. Monolake - Plumbicon (Sleeparchive Interpretation) [Monolake/ICM]
  5. Monolake - Cern [Monolake/ICM]
  6. Jeff Mills - As Soon As [Axis]
  7. Surgeon - Ice [Tresor]
  8. O/V/R - Interior [Blueprint]
  9. Silent Servant - Discipline [Sandwell District]
10. Oscar Mulero - Mr. Sys (Love Reborn Remix) [Warm Up Recordings]
11. Soulwatcher - Timewarping [Primevil]
12. Planetary Assault Systems - Whoodoo [Ostgut Tonträger]
13. Regis - Thirst [Downwards]
14. Surgeon - Prowler [Counterbalance]
15. Surgeon - East Light EP (Untitled) [Dynamic Tension Records]
16. 65d Mavericks - Wire Tap [Dust Science]
17. The Advent - Armageden [Internal]
18. James Ruskin - Prevention Beyond Cause (Untitled) [Blueprint]
19. BMB - All the Saints Have Been Hung (Title Track) [Counterbalance]
20. Funk D'Void - Diabla (Kevin Saunderson Mix) [Soma]
21. Funk D'Void - Diabla (Funk D'Void's Heavenly Mix) [Soma]

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