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We talk fatherhood, performing live, and hotel room antics with Saytek!
House | Wednesday 14th January 2015 | Matt
Joseph Keevill, AKA Saytek, is one of the biggest names in house and techno at the moment. Steadily growing in the last few years from relative obscurity to one of the scene's most in demand live acts, Saytek has made a serious name for himself as a genuine live act. Not simply limited to someone pressing buttons on a laptop, Saytek's live shows incorporate multiple synths, effects, a Roland mc909 groovebox, and multiple controllers to create a truly immersive and exciting live act. We caught up with him, to chat about life, love, and dance music.
Could you sum up your mood right now in 5 words or less?
Tired but happy !
Is there a particular record you couldn’t live without at the moment?
Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works 85-92.
What’s the weirdest thing that’s happened to you at a live show?
Well when I was single I was playing at the Zoo Project in Ibiza these two beautiful - and I mean stunning - girls invited me back their hotel room and they where pretty forward. I was over the moon! Then one of them bit my arm as hard as she could, she drew blood and said " there'll be more of that later". I still haven't lived down the fact I was running scared and hiding from two stunners... pain just isn't my idea of fun !
2014 was a good year and saw you release the third in your series of “Live on Cubism” Albums. What would you say last year’s highlight was?
An amazing year for music and touring, but the highlight had to be the birth of my second son Josh!
So you’ve been in the game a fairly long time now. Where exactly did you start off?
I was a geeky kid and my dad is a massive fan of music and Hi-Fi, so my thirst for music and music technology started really really young.
Growing up, what type of sounds were you drawn to? Were you from a particularly musical background?
As I said before, more music loving than musical. I loved such a massive variety of music, from jazz to 60's rock. But when I heard acid house and rave for the first time aged 13 I was hooked. It was so new to me, so inspiring, and as a kid who already had the basis of a studio I really wanted to start making these sounds.
So we know you like to use a mix of hardware and software. How has the enhanced technology of the digital age - especially with Ableton – affected your productions and live sets?
Ableton is amazing, but so is hardware. It's funny, the fact that you can do so much with Ableton is it's strength, and the best thing about hardware is it's limitations. Today I have the best of both worlds - without Ableton I couldn't do what I do today.
What does a live performance add? Do you think it brings a greater sense of connection with the audience than that of a DJ set?
I like to think so, specially when it's really live and improvised. It's giving the crowd something different.
Has it made you more selective in terms of what venues you play at?
Yeah over time I have had this opportunity In the early days I had to take any gig offered now I can be more choosey.
You’ve played at some pretty incredible places over the last few years -Space Ibiza, Fabric, Tresor… Was there one that particularly stood out?
All amazing in there own right. iI's fair, and totally honest, to say I enjoyed them all as much as each other. They were all amazing!
There’s been a lot of fuss recently about vinyl’s ‘comeback’. Even though you’re not DJ’ing at the moment, where do you stand on the digital vs. analog front? Are there genuine benefits from vinyl sets that set them apart from their laptop-wielding counterparts, or is it simply a personal / self-righteous thing?
In reality, what I see a lot is that DJs are using all formats. Some will have a few CDs or a USB, a laptop, and a few choice 12"s. I think that's healthy... a lot of these vinyl purists seem to be bitter ageing DJs who perhaps never got to where they wanted to with their career. It's sad but true.
Your music covers a wide range of styles and sounds, from “Amazonian chants to gurgling acid syrup”. When creating tracks or live sets, do you have any particular styles or themes you’re aiming for, or is it something that just comes about organically?
I always have a rough brief, like the first 2 albums where made with performing to the terrace of Space Ibiza in mind, but I just let the music take me where I want to go.
So you’ve released 3 impressive live albums on your own label Cubism. What are the benefits of having your own record label?
You have complete control over output and, critically, the timing of the output. When dealing with bigger labels things can take a long time. Some stuff takes over a year to get released .
You’ve recently spoken out about the challenges of juggling your music career and family life. How does family life affect the life of a DJ?
It's very hard, I'm absolutely shattered all the time and so if my fiancé. She is a full time mum of a baby and a toddler, which is a massive job in itself . But it's all worth it for the love you give and recieve.
We’ve seen that your son has been taking an interest in some of your gizmos… Can we expect to see any collaboration’s in the future?
[Laughs] Yes for sure, he loves it! he is two and his name is Jacob, he calls himself "Jay beep" - Quite a good pseudonym actually.
House music is booming at the moment and is increasingly permeating mainstream culture. How do you feel this is affecting the underground scene and specifically your career?
I kind of keep away from current trends and do my own thing. I've noticed there are more people who want to be educated about House, and that's a good thing . But listening to commercial dance music makes me feel sick... it's horrible!
And your plans for 2015? More live sets?
Loads of live stuff booked in, also releases like Kevin Saunderson's KMS, Liebe*Detail, Percep-tion Berlin, and many more, and of course the next live album.
Finally, we like to end things with a touch of humour at Guestlist… Word association style - I say one word and you say the first one that comes into your head. Up for it?
Yeah sure!
Ok, chocolate...
Fat.
Family life...
Laughter.
Ambition...
Lots.
Animals...
Cute.
Fun...
Essential.
Machine...
FUNK!
Morality...
Essential.
Money...
Essential.
Democracy...
Essential !!!
Victory...
Loser.
Check out Saytek's Soundcloud here.
Follow him on Twitter here.
Thanks a lot!
Interviewed by : Benji Long
