Saytek

Striving to be 2013′s most unique festival…

Launching in August 2013 in the Italian Alps, Vertigo Festival will deliver electronic dance music in an entirely unique way. As the highest altitude summer electronic music festival, Vertigo is set to be a highlight of the 2013 festival season.

Today, Vertigo Festival announces an array of top International brands and labels to the mountains, starting with Berlin based ‘Get Physical‘, showcasing M.A.N.D.Y., DJ T, Smash TV and Betoko, whilst Swiss born ‘Cadenza Records’ welcome Reboot, UNER, Michel Cleis and Andrea Oliva.

Culprit LA will also be bringing their Downtown Los Angeles rooftop vibe to the rolling mountains, with Droog, M.A.N.I.K, Inxec, Climbers and Lula Circus, whilst Manchester & Ibiza powerhouse Sankeys, have ventured outside of their familiar Club environment for the first time, adding to the equation Darius Syrossian and Enzo Siragusa, with several more top headline artists TBA.

Vertigo also welcomes one of London’s most exciting and forward thinking labels in Art Of Dark, who will be showcasing DJ W!LD, Hector and their stalwart residents Jack & I, Colin Chiddle and Charlie Dave Kent, with several exciting additions due to be announced.

Complementary to the exquisite array of label showcases, Vertigo Festival will offer a platform to some of the UK and Europe’s most exciting emergent event brands. From Virunga with it’s forward thinking emerging residents, Departure expanding on its European destinations, Solid Grooves‘ rooftop vibes, Troupe and its unique label artists, plus Malta’s leading brand Panoptic. Festival goers can expect fun-loving vibes as brands join together to assure Vertigo Festival is one of the summer’s must visit destination festivals.

Vertigo Festival brings to the fold further talent including Alex Niggemann, Daniel Bortz, Move D, Finnebassen, Chopstick & JohnJon, Hot Since 82, Flashmob, Fabio Giannelli, Jobe, Saytek live, Silky, DZeta N’ Basile, and many more acts still yet to be unveiled!

Set in a naturally stunning and bespoke environment in the heart of the Italian Alps, Vertigo Festival will embody the essential essence of a festival whilst also combining a truly breath-taking setting.

The location can be found within a secluded mountainous valley, with a capacity of around just 4,000 people, all those lucky enough to attend Vertigo Festival, will be able to indulge upon 18 hours of hand-picked music, across each of the 3 days and nights, in the most intimate of surroundings.

The festival will take place at the internationally acclaimed Ski Jumping Hotel. The venue is located at an altitude of over 1,500 meters, in the remote village of Pragelato, at the heart of Northern Italy’s Piemonte Region. Nestled between the panoramic valleys of Chisone, approximately 1 hour drive from Turin, this venue boasts Olympic heritage, having hosted the Ski Jumping, Nordic Skiing and Cross-Country Skiing at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.

Early bird tickets have already been release on general sale, and special limited weekend passes released at £69 for those looking to book with accommodation and transfers included.
Vertigo are ensuring that party goers can reach the secluded location with relative ease, by providing an extra service of transfer coaches to transports people to and from the Festival for those reaching prime locations such as Turin airport, numerous Milan airports and main train stations in both cities.

Vertigo maintains a strict music policy, showcasing only the finest cutting-edge music from its carefully selected line-up of Deep and Tech-House DJs and Producers.

Imagine blue skies, crisp mountain air, 28 degrees at Europe’s highest altitude dance music festival; welcome Vertigo.

Vertigo Festival
Ski Jumping Hotel, Pragelato, Italy
15.08.2013 – 17.08.2013
12:00 – 06:00

Vertigo | Facebook | Tickets | Event |

So much about underground music into Saytek’s album…

For anyone who doesn’t yet know, Saytek is due to release his latest album, “Live On Cubism³”, which consists of Saytek jamming away on his hardware set-up and recording live, creating a unified sequence of music, sounds, samples that flow into a journey of house. Many people who are familiar with house music from the early days of house will immediately identify the various elements from the evolutionary stages of house music. Saytek has absorbed so much music over the years and is a man that enjoys so many elements of music from the scene that it seems only natural that this is then injected into his music.

But while many DJs seems to follow trends to stay in the limelight or rise through the scene, there are still those that stay true to their sound and then there are those that are forging their own indestructible sound. It’s not that people like Saytek are necessarily create a whole new genre or sub-genre, but they are incorporating fundamental elements of House sub-genres into their music and their sets, in way that even if you’re not into Acid or Tribal House, you can still be into their music. It’s not one clearly defined sound.

Saytek’s album is very much about have a sound that is not clearly defined, it takes you on a journey through house. “It’s about peaks and troughs… light and dark”, says Saytek. “I love so much about underground music, past and present… and try to recreate that in my music”. And he truly does recreate that in his music. Listening to his album is clear to understand that he does have a seriously huge amount of love for underground music as his album drifts through classic House, Acid, Tribal, Tech-House, Deep House, Techno, and in such a fluid and clear way that there is no clear cut line between the different elements.
Just listening to “Live On Cubism³” and also thinking over what Saytek actually says in his interview, there is a strong understanding of where he is coming from.

Firstly, for anyone who isn’t aware, what does your set-up consist of when you come to make these albums?
I use a Roland MC909 which is a great bit of kit, like a old school studio in a box but geared for performance. I have this running alongside Ableton for triggering my own music made into loops and I use a Clyloops sampler for re-sampling, APC40 and Kaos Pad 3.

What’s the process you went through to actually make “Live On Cubism”?
It’s starts with the inspiration, making loops and patterns by feeling, coming up with fresh ideas… Then I have to make them performance friendly by putting them into scenes and patterns so I can arrange it all live whilst tweaking effects, re-sampling and generally creating stuff on the fly. Then I jam for a while and then go for a recording which I do in one take.

The music in the album is quite a variety, cleverly blending together elements of House, Tech, Tribal and Techno, something which we don’t always hear from DJs these days, especially if we talk about an album. Do you think that the inspiration to cross genres is due to the fact that you are playing live so it all comes from what you’re feeling in the moment?
Yeah, I mean I love so much about underground music, past and present and have never been one for following trends. I know what I love and try to recreate that in my music.

Why do you think there aren’t more people really mixing it up with the genres (or sub-genres of house)?
I don’t know really and I wish they were. There seems to be so much jumping on the band wagon now days with everyone trying to imitate. The result is one sub genre becomes massive for a while and then dies a death with loads of artists sinking with the ship. The artists I respect most have been around for a while because they just go with what they love regardless of how fashionable it is.

It seems fair to say that this album is almost like a journey through the history of house. You’ve got the classic house sound with the electric piano riff on “Sunday Raver”, the tribal techy sound of “Out In The 90′s” and a slight acid sound in “Further Back”. At the same time those elements are adapted to a modern sound. Where do these influences come from and how do you keep the music fresh considering the old school element you’re using?
I have loved dance music for many years and I suppose this album is quite a nostalgic one but I always try and draw from the history of house and techno with its rich heritage and combine that from what I like from today’s scene and of course my own take on it all. I think everyone is looking back at the moment but its something I have always done. I could never be a purely deep house artist just like during the minimal period I didn’t do minimal, that’s not to say I don’t listen to what I like from today’s scene and incorporate it into my sound.

Did you accomplish what you set out to achieve with this album?
Defo, it’s been getting great reviews and more importantly the music from it has been working really well on the dance-floor.

Do we need to ask why the name “Sunday Raver”?
Hahah, no!

If someone wanted to get a feel of the album by only listening to three tracks, which ones would you recommend them to listen to and why?
I really think you need to listen to it in sequence for it to make sense. It’s about peaks and troughs, tension and pay off, light and dark.

Is this album an exact representation of your live sets in terms of how you put the whole mix together, or are there some differences in the set and process?
Every time I perform it sounds different as its improvised even if I am using the same elements. I put this together with home listening in mind so less live breakdowns and more flow. I have been lucky enough to play at deep, tech house and techno nights recently and my sets were very different for each one even though some of the source material was the same.

Since hitting the scene with your unique set-up, you’ve taken things by storm and played at some great venues and alongside some incredible DJs. What has been your favourite venue to play in and what has been the craziest gig you have played, if at all they are different?
I get asked this a lot but honestly it’s got to be Fabric or the terrace of Space, Ibiza in terms of professionalism and vibes but I have been pleasantly surprised, I mean the crowd in Poland for example go crazy. I headlined an open air festival this summer and there were thousands of people going mental, amazing!
In terms of craziest it would have to be the illegal warehouse parties I have played in London and Berlin. There is something edgy about performing in an illegal warehouse party with the police outside the doors.

Having played at some of the world renowned venues like Fabric and Space, can it get any better; is there anywhere else you would love to play?
Obviously Berghain and Panorama, my shows in Germany so far have been illegal parties in Berlin, amazing. But would love to play these places.

You recently played at one of London’s longest running and most renowned parties for Halloween – Wiggle. How was it to play for the guys there?
Wiggle was absolutely awesome, I mean such a good crowd, a mix of young-guns and more mature clubbers and the atmosphere was wicked, really fresh and musically clued up people. Those boys have been doing this for 18 years for a reason, next level stuff. Oh, and it was my debut at Paramount too, I love that venue and its views over London.

Release Date: 05 November 2012

Saytek | Facebook | RA | Soundcloud | Live On Cubism³ |

Saytek returns with an outstanding ‘Cubism³’…

London’s Saytek drops “Live on Cubism³” on the Cubism label this November – an album length, fully live set filled with the sort of rousing house and techno that has won him an admirable list of supporters in recent years. One of the rare producers who eschews DJing, Joseph Keevil aka Saytek has instead devoted the past 5 years to dragging his considerable kit around clubs to deliver his musical message. Each Saytek is a flowing, evolving ride formed from a small amount of preparation and a hell of a lot of improvisation, which makes for an ever changing and genuinely exciting experience.

“Live on Cubism³” captures Saytek’s scope perfectly, ranging from percussive, Detroit infused deepness in “Voices” to all out acid grinders like “PH.antom”. As with all Saytek sets, “Live on Cubism³” treats us to Keevil starting with some key loops and samples and then doing the rest on the fly. The energy is perfectly pitched throughout, with the sort of inherent understanding of ‘flow’ that can only come from a well-worn gig passport shining through.

Smattering of rave aesthetics in “Sunday Raver”, Chicago touches with “Further Back2 and vintage tech-house
tropes like in “Noises of The Night” all play key parts in the mix. But Saytek never stays in one place for too long, with the progressions in tone swinging from smooth to raw depending on what is needed. Much like an accomplished DJ’s work, “Live on Cubism³” is an expertly crafted set but add the fact that this is one artist’s music, performed live and you’re left with a seriously impressive piece.

Release Date: 05 November 2012

Saytek | Facebook | RA | Soundcloud | Buy UK |

Wiggle with the creatures of the night…

When Terry Francis and Nathan Coles started throwing parties, it was pretty much a reaction to their circumstances. Already committed to London’s fledging acid house scene, and both influenced by rare groove and up-tempo soul, they wanted to do something off their own backs, just for their mates, with DJs they liked and Evil Eddie Richards was one of them, so much so, they made him a resident. Over 16 years later the trio are still in the rudest health, noising up nightclubs with that same simple ethos, while Wiggle – the catch-all term covering record label, clubnight and attitude – has also come to typify a style of music; a deep, druggy basement-shaking music to escape in and get down to.

Continue reading “Wiggle Halloween Howler” »

Geshe and his deep techno tribal house sound…

Geshe Ewing was being influenced by music from a very young age and got his first pair of decks before he even hit his teens. By the time he was in his early teens, he was already DJing on London pirate radio stations, which finally lead him to play in some of London’s renowned clubs at the time.

Continue reading “G-Sounds 12: Geshe Ewing” »

A renowned live performer…

Saytek is London’s latest phenomenon in underground music with his extraordinary live performance blending techy beats, tribal percussion, Detroit soul and just making one fully grooving set. His innovative live acts have taken him to Ibiza for some truly memorable performances and over the coming month he’ll be aiming to recreate some very memorable moments in London at some interesting events.

Whilst reading on, it is highly recommended that you listen to Saytek’s latest mix for Pulse Radio right here, which is a prime example of what Saytek is all about.

First up is Saytek’s performance for a special event… Dance for Japan, where all profits will be going to the cause. Dance for Japan will be happening down at Cable, London, this Saturday (16 April) where the main room is going to be filled with deep underground grooves. Shane Watcha will be joining Saytek in the main room with a whole host of DJs joining into help support such a cause.

Next up will be the Eivissa Soul 1st Birthday Easter Special at The Russian Bar on Easter Sunday, where Saytek joins the Eivissa Soul residents Low & Murphy, Alex Maxwell, Ian Tucker, Ben Coates, Paolo Panella and Joshua J for what is going to be a off the hook.
For anyone who know nothing about Eivissa Soul, should know that this is a night organised by some truly dedicated organisers and DJs taking something from those memories of the hedonistic Ibiza parties and this infectious party vibe is attracting just the right attention to form the ideal clubbing night.

Saytek | Eivissa Soul | Eivissa Soul 1st Birthday | Dance for Japan

Saytek’s latest installment is ready for one almighty launch…

Heralding from London town, and working in collaboration with Cubism Records, Saytek is best renowned for his inspirational live performances at the ‘Seal-Pit’; the main arena of Ibiza’s latest musical phenomenon, Zoo Project. His pioneering and distinctive performances immerse the listener into an undulating progression of harmonious grooves, with Detroit soul, dub, acid and tribal percussion, all garnished with intricate chords, jazz and Latin elements, the overall combination of which have lead to Saytek being dubbed as one of the most exciting and innovative live acts around.

Recent sell-out performances at Fabric and Sankeys, have helped to cement Saytek’s reputation as a must-see DJ. Furthermore, it could be suggested that his eclectic sounds have the capacity to inspire a generation of music aficionados, into adopting tribal house as a musical preference on any future clubbing excursion. With his new Remixed Volume 5 album launch due to take-place at East-London’s reputable Cargo club this Saturday 19th March, there are growing opportunities to experience this uprising genre live and exclusively, as the underground music scene enjoys an exciting resurgence at new and ambient venues across the Capital.

Needless to say, flanked by an array of upcoming UK talent in Cubism residents Mark Gwinnett, Paul Johnson and Mike Healey, Saytek’s album launch at Cargo boasts a line-up rivalling any other this Saturday, and is well worth an appearance for anyone eager for a taste of the Zoo.

Words: Luke Farrugia

Weekend Events | Cubism FB | Cubism RA

Raving Buddha hosts new ‘Assemble’ night….

Assemble is a new West London night which promises to be a hit as it presents some of London’s most talented DJs. Along side resident Geshe Ewing, Assemble drafts in a live performance from Saytek, who has has gained a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts to come from the UK in recent times. He has been relentlessly touring the UK and Europe with his fully improvised hardware live shows with headline slots at clubs and parties such as Sankeys, Fabric, Amnesia (Milan), Circo Loco, The Zoo Project (Ibiza), Mr C’s Super Freq (France), Patent Blua Secret Party (Berlin), Circus Festival (Spain) and Cafe d’Anvers (Belgium). He has also had various work released on Intec Digital, Bigger Deer Recordings, Berwick Street Records and many more.
Assemble has also lined up Ceri who is not stranger to the London underground scene having played at Ministry of Sound, The Egg, Cargo and also at London’s renowned after hours night, ‘Jaded’.

It’s considerably noticeable that many underground nights are organised from central London out to East London and edging on the London Bridge area. But East London seems to be more predominant and probable due to its character and numerous scruffy locations. But here Assemble aims to bring to West London something which it seems to be lacking. An underground night bring to the surface the true sense of the expression, ‘underground music’, and with Saytek and Ceri joining resident Geshe Ewing, Assemble is sure to be rocking, or as Ceri likes to say ‘screwing’.

Assemble

@
Raving Buddha

Saytek
Ceri
Geshe Ewing

77 Goldhawk Road
Shepherds Bush
London

For full details you can check out ‘Assemble’ on Resident Advisor or Facebook. And for those of you who are looking for an idea of what to expect check out the following mixes.

Saytek

Ceri

Geshe Ewing