Earlier this month, legendary Detroit DJ and producer Kelli Hand, aka K-Hand, passed away aged 56.
The late house and techno artist was a vital figure both within Detroit’s electronic music scene and further afield, on the global stage. So vital, in fact, that in 2017 Hand was named ‘the First Lady of Detroit’ by the Detroit City council for her work as a techno pioneer and for “her skills within a male-dominated industry”. The recognition was entirely deserved, given that Hand had spent much of her decade-spanning, oft undercelebrated career pushing the boundaries of both genres and breaking new ground through her solo output, collaborations and her label Acacia Records, which was previously named UK House Records.
Bermuda-born DJ, producer and live artist Russell E.L. Butler was mentored by Hand prior to her passing. Here, they celebrate their late friend with a special tribute mix. “I met Kelli Hand at Moogfest 2017,” says Butler. “I had a couple of her records and marvelled at her artistry and longevity as a DJ. She recognised me from the Sonic Origins video Moog had produced about my practice. She wanted to learn more about modular synths as she was starting to get interested in them. She took me to lunch to pick my brain, and after that she became a mentor.”
“Over these few years we’d check in about gear and I’d ask her about her back catalogue and what Detroit was like back in the day,” they continue. “I love her and miss her a great deal. Love and light to her and to all whom she touched.” RIP K-Hand.
Photo credit: Max Schiano
K-Hand – Mixed by Russell E.L. Butler
K-Hand – Mixed by Russell E.L. Butler
Earlier this month, legendary Detroit DJ and producer Kelli Hand, aka K-Hand, passed away aged 56.
The late house and techno artist was a vital figure both within Detroit’s electronic music scene and further afield, on the global stage. So vital, in fact, that in 2017 Hand was named ‘the First Lady of Detroit’ by the Detroit City council for her work as a techno pioneer and for “her skills within a male-dominated industry”. The recognition was entirely deserved, given that Hand had spent much of her decade-spanning, oft undercelebrated career pushing the boundaries of both genres and breaking new ground through her solo output, collaborations and her label Acacia Records, which was previously named UK House Records.
Bermuda-born DJ, producer and live artist Russell E.L. Butler was mentored by Hand prior to her passing. Here, they celebrate their late friend with a special tribute mix. “I met Kelli Hand at Moogfest 2017,” says Butler. “I had a couple of her records and marvelled at her artistry and longevity as a DJ. She recognised me from the Sonic Origins video Moog had produced about my practice. She wanted to learn more about modular synths as she was starting to get interested in them. She took me to lunch to pick my brain, and after that she became a mentor.”
“Over these few years we’d check in about gear and I’d ask her about her back catalogue and what Detroit was like back in the day,” they continue. “I love her and miss her a great deal. Love and light to her and to all whom she touched.” RIP K-Hand.
Photo credit: Max Schiano
See Tracklist