Tadd Mullinix

In Detroit, a city devoted to its own sound, talent, and past, Tadd Mullinix takes heavy influence from European camps such as Warp and Too Pure. A Michigan native, Mullinix's first full-length album was released on the small, Ann Arbor-based label, Ghostly International in October of 2000. Best described as a melodic, heavily layered ode to Autechre, Mullinix grew up listening to Brian Eno, Roxy Music, and Talking Heads. In grade school he played a few wind instruments before settling on the cello; an odd instrument for someone who has an endless common knowledge for everything from hip-hop, punk, and grindcore. From there, he discovered the pioneering English work of Warp Records and what became known as Intelligent Dance Music (IDM); a catagory associated with acts like Autechre, Aphex Twin, and Squarepusher. In a city where anything that was not house or traditional techno was shunned, Mullinix started DJing drum'n'bass in 1995 at local events under the name SK-1. While he was still in High School, he held a brief residency at the forward-thinking Critical space and later at Detroit's Motor Lounge club. Mullinix co-runs two labels, and has released ragga jungle for the Rewind imprint and more traditional drum'n'bass for FWD Recordings (not the Eevolute sublabel of the same name). He first compiled his solo album, Winking Makes A Face, when he was 21-years-old. Combining his instrumental experience with his work behind the electronic boards, Winking was a refreshing and noticed debut from the musician. The Panes EP followed in 2002.