Saytek Talks

Saytek Live has built up a solid following recently and within plenty of reason too.  After the overwhelming success of his 1st album which he kindly gave away for free, he has done exactly the same for the second instalment which has been downloaded and shouted about by just about everybody.  We caught up withthe man himself to get an insight into the world of Saytek Live…

Youve said you always had an idea that you wanted to take your sound out live. Where did this desire originate?

Well, I was used to jamming in the studio on a mixing desk and hardware. I always found that more fun than arranging blocks on a screen.

At what point did you have the epiphany that the live show was something that would work? How did that feel?

I always wanted to do it. I used to listen to well crafted DJ mixes and I wanted to do the same, but, rather than mix records, I wanted to make all the music. This is something I feel I am finally achieving 10 years after having the initial idea.

You say you get inspiration from all around, including people and cities. Who was the last person and what was the last city to inspire you?

London was the last city to inspire me. I live here so its always inspiring me. Person-wise would be my 7 month old boy; he has given me a whole new reason to do what I do. If I can provide for my family with my music then I will be a very happy man .

What music out there is currently making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up?

I have been revisiting the music of my youth and playing my son a big range of  stuff including Beethoven, Bob Marley, Aphex Twin, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Massive Attack, Portishead, Lee Scratch Perry, even some classic Detroit techno, acid house and, of course, plenty of the latest house and techno. He is just a baby, but he loves dancing around in daddy’s arms!

Youve said before that integrity and passion are key to making music? What would you say to those whose so-called live shows merely consist of pressing play?

I really dont know why people try and trick their audiences, it’s disrespecting the people who pay to come and see them, so I would tell them to take the time and risks required to do things properly.

I know youve never turned your hand to DJing, but do you think turntabilists can lay greater claim to being live than these press play acts?

Yeah of course. It’s a great skill that is performed and done in real time. I think for electronic music to be have the live suffix included it needs to be just the artist’s own music performed on the fly.

If you were forced to choose between your analogue hardware and computer technology, which would you stick with? Why?

Such a tough question But I have chosen digital. Really, most of my production is done inside the box and it’s now more of a luxury to have analogue gear these days, albeit an almost essential one. 🙂

If you could create a dream piece of equipment, something yet to be invented, what would that be?

It would be like my MC909, but with real analogue circuitry, drag and drop audio and and an easier to use, more intuitive sequencer.

Have you had any technological nightmares during a show?

Had a fair few along the way; it goes with the territory. The usual laptop crashes, power failures, sound systems cutting out, stoned sound engineers unplugging my power!

In previous interviews, youve stated that youre prone to procrastinating. What do you do when youre putting something off/avoiding something?

Hahaha! Yeah, I think it’s human nature, especially when you’re self motivating in a creative field. I can be quite hard on myself, but I am actually pretty prolific and I never rush music. I always take my time, tweaking it until I am happy! I just try and push myself, but sometimes its OK to just chill out and take the day off!

Have you got any new tricks up your sleeve that youre particularly excited about unleashing on the unsuspecting public?

Well, youll just have to wait and see. 🙂

What about the shows? Have you had any recently that will live long in the memory, for better or for worse?

Loads of amazing ones recently. I feel very lucky to be touring constantly, doing what I love to receptive crowds.  🙂

Is there anything in particular that youd like to achieve musically that you havent already? 

So many sounds and rhythms I want to create. I always want to improve; it’s a constant evolution of my sound.

Where do you see yourself in ten years time?

Hopefully doing what I am doing now but with more of a following. I have been very single minded about this and it’s taken me 10 years of doing the live show to get to where I am now!

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