Stacey Pullen has spent more than three decades refining what depth actually means inside a DJ career.
As a central figure in the Second Wave of Detroit techno, mentored by Derrick May, Juan Atkins, and Kevin Saunderson, he built his foundation inside one of electronic music’s most formative movements. From his early release as Bango on Fragile Records to launching Blackflag Recordings in 1998 with “Sweat,” his path has been steady, deliberate, and rooted in Detroit’s ethos of expression over spectacle.
His new chapter continues that mindset.
As label boss of Blackflag Records, he maintains a platform centered on abstract aesthetics and creative freedom, while still touring globally and staying connected to the dancefloor perspective that shaped him in the first place. In this conversation, Stacey reflects on longevity, hype cycles, travel, and what separates work that lasts from work that fades. His answers read like a blueprint for artists who want to build careers measured in decades rather than moments.
Interview With Stacey Pullen
How do you define depth in your work as a DJ?
For me, it’s actually pretty simple.
I’ve been DJing professionally for over 30 years, and in that time I’ve watched genres rise and fade. Every year has taught me something new — especially about understanding DJing from the dancefloor’s perspective as much as from the selector’s booth.
One of the biggest lessons is knowing that what worked last night might not work tonight. You have to understand timing, stay present, and really read the room.
Have you ever had to consciously step away from hype cycles to protect your process?
Yes — all the time. Whenever I come home from a trip, I hit the reset button. It’s important for me to reconnect with what I’m truly rooted in. Being from Detroit, with the mentality that comes with it, keeps me grounded and gives me perspective. Honestly, that’s the main reason I still live in Detroit. It keeps me aligned.
What’s something you’ve built over time that you’re proud of—even if it didn’t trend?
That’s actually an easy one — longevity. I’ve never been the type of artist with a burst of hype that fades away. My career has been built on steady, consistent recognition that’s allowed me to grow without burning out. The body of work I’ve built over the years is what lets me move forward as if I’m just arriving.
How do you cultivate growth that feels real, not performative?
You have to remember that before social media, you literally had to go to the record store, grab the magazines off the newsstand, and listen to the radio to understand what was happening in the world. There was a time when a great DJ truly reigned supreme. Detroit also carried this mysterious aura — people didn’t quite know how we created our sound or developed as artists, and that mystery was part of our identity.
When you look back, what do you notice about the things that aged well versus the things that burned out fast?
The things that age well are the things without time limits. Our approach — and my approach — has always been rooted in a timeless mindset. And again, I think back to the Detroit guys who came before me: when we started making music, it wasn’t about fame or fortune. It was about expression, and it still is.
Trends come and go. You can be on top for two, three, even five years, but if there’s no substance behind it, eventually there’s only one direction to go.
Is there a part of your work that the public doesn’t see, but fuels everything?
Yes — even though I complain about it, like most DJs do, the travel part of this career can be demanding.
But there’s nothing better than arriving in a new city every weekend and feeling the pulse and the energy of that place — or that country. I love getting a quick history lesson wherever I land.
How do you stay committed to the long game when hype is louder than craft?
The main reason I’ve been so committed for so long is because I’ve experienced so much over the years, and I understand the true value of being an artist. I have tubs and tubs of articles and interviews as proof that if you stay true to who you are, you won’t be shaken by anything.
In fact, sometimes the hype actually feeds the machine that’s given me longevity.
The post Stacey Pullen on Longevity, Detroit Roots, and the Long Game of Techno appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.