solipsistic NATION No. 134: Beats Per Minute

First, we’ll talk with Gary Bredow, the director of High Tech Soul, a documentary about Detroit techno. High Tech Soul is the first documentary to tackle the deep roots of techno music alongside the cultural history of it’s Detroit birthplace. High Tech Soul features interview with legends such as Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson.

We’ll also talk with Paul Sizer, the author and illustrator of the BPM graphic novel.

The hero of the story is Roxy, a young DJ in New York City who spins in dark clubs and small bars with dreams of making it big. As Roxy becomes more and more successful she finds she has to make a choice: should she follow the music she loves or the love of her life?

Finally, we’ll talk with Terrance Dean, the author of Hiding in Hip Hop, about what it’s like to be a gay man in hip hop culture and the entertainment industry.