SAYTEK is another artist who has used the lockdown wisely.
Aside from his regular live streams which have reached millions around the world, he’s also been teaching electronic music and has found time to write a new album, Motifs From The New World which is out now on Carl Cox and Christopher Coe’s Awesome Soundwave label. Check the album out HERE.
He’s also now picked up where he left off with touring, playing a myriad of exciting parties up and down the country and in Europe as one of the most in demand electronic music live artists in the UK.
You can catch him next Friday October 8 at Social Chill Bar in Maidstone, Kent for an exclusive free party where he will be playing an exclusive 2 hour live show for his record label Cubism.
We caught up with him to talk about the new album and he also talked us through a playlist of his biggest electronic music influences.
Congratulations on the release of your new album Motifs From The New World. You wrote the majority of the album in the lockdown period. Was the process any different in that you were not able to test the music on a live audience with these tracks?
Thanks, yes it was quite liberating. Don’t get me wrong I love making music with crowds dancing in my mind when doing it! It’s what I do, but for once I didn’t have this. I was just making music for making music’s sake and that was a nice change. However, it’s great to be back performing again!
Since your last album has your studio set-up changed much?
I switched two major things, the Elektron Analog 4 and Analog RYTM. I got a Novation Peak and Roland MC707 instead. I think lockdown gave me the perfect opportunity to learn some new kit. I had had my eye on the Novation Peak for a while and when Roland released a new groove box it just made sense to make the jump!
Now you are touring again how has the music been received on the dance floor?
What have been the standout moments from your return to performing this summer?
Summer Love festival was amazing. Loads of the original acid house and rave fans. Insel Der Jugend in Magdeburg was incredible, amazing open-air vibes. Also, my album launch party at Waterbear at the Brighton Music Conference. The venue has an amazing sound system. I have also just returned from Luxembourg where I played in a massive warehouse. It was great fun and the crowd really responded to what I did!
This is your second album on Carl Cox and Christopher Coe’s Awesome Soundwave label in as many years. How important has the label and Coxy’s personal love for your music been to your career?
It’s amazing they have set up the label for live artists! Carl’s support has been unreal! I love the fact they have both got behind me so much, releasing 2 albums, an E.P and a remix as well as having 5 tracks on Carl Cox Mixes ASW is insane!
You have worked with a variety of tastemaker labels over the course of your career from Trax Records to Superfreq to R&S Recordings and of course your own label Cubism. Do you have a wish list of labels to release on? What labels you are not signed to currently would you like to put music out on?
It’s amazing! I don’t really think like that. I very much focus on making the music I like and would like to perform live and when people come along and say they love it it’s an honour for me! Pretty much all the labels I have released for have come to me not the other way round. That way I know they are feeling what I do!
SAYTEK’S CURRENT ELECTRONIC FAVOURITES
Aphex twin – abundance10edit (2 R8’s, FZ20m & A 909)
One of my all-time favourite artists I think like a lot of people who love electronic music! This track is from his Collapse EP released in 2018, I love the whole E.P, It’s fresh as well as returning to his roots there is a lot more sub-bass on this EP than any other of his work. This track is amazing and the vocal sample works so well alongside the off-kilter drums and the dreamy melodies! It’s great that the gear used is listed in the track name!
Squarepusher – Theme From Ernest Borgnine
Squarepusher has just released a remastered version of this album. I kind of missed it in the 90’s I listened to Hard Normal Daddy a lot but it’s great to discover this now “Feed Me Weird Things” is a great album and this track is just a snapshot of the melodic goodness.
Moving on to some modern techno but still with that old school vibe! such A beautiful track this took me by surprise when I heard it on a Drumcomplex mix. Melodies and hard drums combine to make something unique.
Robert Hood – Nothing Stops Detroit
Classic Detroit vibes from one of the originators of the modern techno sound! stripped back and simple but with maximum impact. Building to those Detroit chord stabs. Sometimes all you need is drums, bass, chords and a handful of SFX!
Reverbs Of The Motor City 3 (Casual Mix) · Obsidiaan
Some more heavily Detroit inspired vibes here! Deep and draws you right in!
Mathias Kaden – Conviction
First heard this on a Carl Cox mix for LNADJ, once again an exercise in simplicity only a few elements but the groove is superb and just works so well!
Rifts, Dajusch – Dubiety – Spandau20
Classic techno sound on this one! wicked melody with the chords that just roll into each other. Absolutely love this sound!
Marcal – Cyclic Voltammetry
Minimal bleepy techno! love it!
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic – Beatamines – KD RAW 060
Drumcomplex is one of my favourite DJs and his weekly Drumcomplexed show is amazing I tune in every week. It’s just my kind of techno and he is also an amazing producer. Frank Sonic is also great. I loved his and Drumcomplex’s mix for Off Recordings so much I listened to it 3 times in a row flying back from Luxembourg then again in my studio when I got back! Actually, a lot of tracks here were discovered on Drumcomplex’s show! This track is great because it takes a vocal and shapes it over the whole track and it morphs and twists into something else. Lovely!
Boo & SPRK – Dynamix
Finishing with a bang! I would describe this track as cheeky the main riff has so much movement and is treated with all kinds of FX to keep it changing!
