Interview Mike Moggi Mannix Editor Designer

DJ Dave Clarke, often hailed as “The Baron of Techno,” has been a towering figure in electronic music for decades.

Known for his raw, relentless sound and uncompromising stance on artistic integrity, Clarke’s influence on techno is immeasurable, spanning generations of DJs and producers. Having established himself during the heyday of techno’s underground rise, Clarke has consistently resisted commercial pressures, choosing instead to remain true to his rebellious, punk-inspired roots.

His passion for genuine, boundary-pushing electronic music has earned him a loyal following, with fans and artists alike recognizing him as a beacon of authenticity in an industry increasingly influenced by mass appeal and commercial trends.

Dave Clarke Playing at PawnShop Dublin Photography Mike Moggi Mannix

In this exclusive interview that took place in the Pawn Shop Dublin before his much anticipated pop up gig [after his monster set in Index]  IUMs Mike Mannix, gets Clarke to delve into his views on the evolution of techno, his stance on maintaining artistic integrity, and the challenges he sees in today’s dance music landscape. Candid and outspoken, Clarke offers a rare look into the mind of an artist whose career has been shaped by a love for music over fame, resisting the superficial allure of commercial success.

Through his answers, Clarke reaffirms his commitment to the underground ethos and expresses his concern for the direction in which electronic music is heading.

“I just stayed true to myself; it’s that simple. Yes, a few bumps along the road, but generally a good routing.”

Dave Clarke Photography Scott P. Senjanin

Mike Mannix: Nice one Dave. As a pioneering figure in techno for decades, you’ve influenced generations of DJs and producers. When you look back on your career, what do you consider your most significant contribution to the evolution of techno, and how would you like your legacy to be remembered?

Dave Clarke: Weirdly enough, I do not think that is for me to say, but wonderfully strange things happen. For example, I’m backstage at a Gurriers gig because I love their energy and music (I featured their work on my other 2FM radio show, the “Saga Series”), and they then tell me they went to my gigs.

That sense of legacy makes me very happy, for example. I just stayed true to myself; it is that simple. Yes, a few bumps along the road, but generally a good routing.

Mike Mannix: You’ve consistently upheld your artistic integrity in a world where electronic music has become increasingly commercialized. How have you managed to stay true to your underground roots while navigating the pressures of the modern commercial dance music industry?

Dave Clarke: A) I wouldn’t know any other way. B) If I strayed, my true fans would tell me in no uncertain terms because they kept the passion. I also detest commerciality—it has messed up Counter Culture across all forms of art and music. Long live the mavericks out there that inspire.

Dave Clarke Beatrice Photography

“I detest commerciality—it has messed up Counter Culture across all forms of art and music. Long live the mavericks out there that inspire.”

Mike Mannix: The scene you helped shape was born out of a rebellious, experimental, and raw electronic punk counterculture. How do you view the shift in today’s electronic music scene, where instant gratification and commercial success often seem to take precedence over innovation and authenticity?

Dave Clarke: Absolutely dire. Politicians and fake DJs are basically the same—middle-of-the-road mainstream. The only concern they have is financial success, which they squirrel away in their tax-free Portuguese non-dom or Channel Island/Caribbean tax havens.

There are still great artists out there, of course, but the commercial world killed those who were on the fence, and they happily blew any credibility they may have once had.

“Music and art are a way of life; you live it because you vibe it. It’s in your blood.”

Mike Mannix: You’ve never been afraid to speak openly about the current state of the dance music scene. What drives you to be so outspoken, and why do you think others may be hesitant to do the same?

Dave Clarke: Sure, I have been blacklisted—whatever. Music and art are a way of life; you live it because you vibe it. It’s in your blood. The lack of true journalistic corrective input in mass media means many of those who fake it get away with it. They are Acts, not Artists.

Dave Clarke Beatrice Photography

Dave Clarke remains one of techno’s most ardent defenders of authenticity, railing against a world that he feels increasingly values commercial success over genuine artistry. His passion for the underground ethos has kept him grounded in a scene now teeming with acts more focused on fame than the music itself.

Clarke’s candid reflections in this interview reveal an artist unwilling to compromise, one who values the purity of music over superficiality, and whose loyalty lies with his art and his fans above all else.

For Clarke, the future of techno must remain true to its roots as a rebellious, experimental force. Despite the pressures of a commercialized landscape, his dedication to pushing boundaries and standing as a pillar of integrity makes him a legend in his own right. Whether he’s backstage at a gig discovering his influence on younger artists or openly criticizing today’s dance music industry, Clarke’s commitment to authenticity and his legacy as a true artist remain as strong as ever.

Dave Clarke Beatrice Photography

Dave Clarke, Mike Moggi Mannix, Matt Mondo Photography IUM

Dave Clarke Dao Pawnshop Photography Leo Chauvet