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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! |
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Kevin Saunderson brings Detroit to London
Reported by Ben Gomori
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Submitted 25-07-07 20:01
If you haven’t heard of Kevin Saunderson, all you really need to know is that he is one of the people who invented techno. Alongside fellow Detroit dance music pioneers Juan Atkins and Derrick May, he used analog synths and early electronic drum machines to create a new, futuristic, mechanical sound that took some of the soul of house and fed it through these machines to create something rawer and more electronic than the disco-influenced vibes of house music. And if it wasn’t for techno, we wouldn’t have any form of hard dance. So for that alone you good people of HarderFaster should give him your utmost respect!
You also may not know that he was the man behind legendary ‘80s to ’90s anthem makers Inner City, one of the earliest electronic dance music groups to garner both commercial and underground success with their massive, still played today tracks like Big Fun and Good Life. Hell, Paul van Dyk closed Dance Valley this year with Eric Prydz’s bootleg of Good Life, illustrating just how enduring this man’s contribution to dance music is even some 20 odd years after he first broke into the big time. It is therefore, somewhat of a coup that London’s newest (and rather more intimate than most) techno party Closer has managed to get this megastar down to play at their next party (at a secret London location of course) on August 3rd.
If you’ve heard his recent Ekspozicija 07 CD, then you’ll know that he’s still boshing out bruising, chunky, tribal Detroit techno alongside the best in electro and that it makes for a rather hard and fast ride. Don’t miss this god of electronic music playing an extremely rare intimate set in London. We spoke with the man himself in the run up to the party to take a trip down memory lane and to find out where he’s in 2007.
Dance music culture in 2007 – what are your views? Are you happy with the state of affairs in electronic music currently?
It’s healthy in different areas y’know? It’s not as exciting or great as it was back in the day.
Does it still excite you?
Yeah I mean I still get excited about doing gigs, obviously you have certain ones that are better or in certain areas that are better, but overall I’m still excited to play, to be a part of the music -whatever I’m in the mood. So, y’know, it’s still inspirational.
What do you use to mix with? Are you a traditional kind of guy or do you use software/laptop combos?
I’m pretty much a laptop guy. From Serato to Ableton Live pretty much when I’m DJing. It just depends on the venue and how the set-up is and stuff like that, but I go either way and take some CDs too. Carrying vinyl is just problematic, ‘cos you can’t really carry it and you really want to carry it and it’s just not good for the show, at least in my case. I paid my dues many years ago so I’m more into the technology.
Back in those Inner City days – did you feel like a proper pop star?
Yeah, know I was a producer who wanted to make music that was thrown into TV shows and stuff like that. It was a pop star format but it wasn’t a decision of mine. I just wanted to make great music and keep being productive but I got thrown into that kinda. As long as it lasted, that was just, I guess, part of building a bit of history of a dance act on a pop level.
After all the success you’ve had through the decades with Inner City, as a DJ and solo producer/remixer, what keeps you going?
I think I still love music. I still love to create and I still love travelling the world and being a part of something I think. If I sat back and did nothing I’d feel like I’m missing out on something and I’ve still got that desire to be a part of it. Then when you play and you get fans from all over telling you how much they appreciate your music and bringing back songs from the past – it’s just inspirational. I’m a difference maker and I truly feel like I’m a difference maker and it’s hard to give up.
What did you learn about the music industry from your days of being signed to a major label?
They really didn’t have a clue what was a hit or not. Basically they wanted us to continue to make hits - pop or whatever they though would get on the radio, especially in America. I’ve still pretty much made music that I felt I could do and songs that we felt that were the kind of songs we wanted to write. So we stuck to that pretty much and did what we wanted to do and I realised that after that I’d had maybe seven Top 10 Hits! When they [the record company] went for a Number 1 or 2, you’d see the company cut back on the money they spent and I realised that also – they’re just scared about having hits. They need to have hits or they will walk to the next artist. They potentially would. With dance music, I think you have to have hits continuously. If you had a flop or didn’t sell as much as the last one, you automatically get the red flag and they say “well let’s cut our losses right now and we’re already up, so let’s not put anymore money in for this group”
So it wasn’t really conducive to working in a natural organic way...it was forced, contrived?
Yeah definitely, definitely.
You recently mixed the Ekspozicija 07 CD. Do you feel that putting your sound to CD is an easy task? Or do you think it’s quite hard to put the whole thing in context in 80 minutes?
Yeah it is ‘cos to get all the track you want, you can’t select 40 or 50 tracks, you get 20 tracks, and you do the best that you can do with the tracks. I like the songs, so that isn’t a big issue, but sometimes you have to make stuff work with other stuff just because you only have so many you can use picked off of all the tracks you select. That’s the only downside I think when you have to license CDs. It’s not like a given where you’re gonna say “I wanna make a CD” – I can’t just make it by myself. You got the plusses and the negatives. The plus is that it’s good to have a CD out, people can hear what you do a little, but do they really hear what you’re doing completely? Not really. So you might disappoint a few people at the same time saying “I don’t understand why he doesn’t use a certain song.” Well it’s ‘cos I couldn’t use them. But if I don’t put a CD out, people say I’m not doing nothing, I still like to do a mix CD every now and then so that’s how it works.
You’re playing at an intimate techno party in London on August 3rd called Closer, a night who’s debut Luke Slater recently played at. Do you relish the chance to play these smaller, sweatier gigs?
Yeah I love it ‘cos it kinda brings back the old days, ‘specially ‘cos you get a crowd that’s really up for it and the atmosphere’s right, it’s all about the atmosphere and wherever I can play that helps create the atmosphere – whether it’s the music, the sound, it’s a combination of things that make a special atmosphere, and you look for that too.
What have been your most memorable trips to London over the years?
Maybe Tribal Gathering. I think a lot of Detroit acts were over there at once, doing a festival like a gathering of Detroit in England. My overall best experience was going to Spectrum back when Paul Oakenfold was playing and he played Big Fun and I had no idea how big the record was, it took me off guard, shocked me a little. That was 1988 in the summer and it was a Monday night at Spectrum and WOW! I’ve never seen a reaction to a song like that to this day.
I heard Paul van Dyk play the techno remix of ‘Good Life’ twice at Dance Valley last weekend as it happens, closing the festival with it
Yeah that’s a nice remix. I play it myself, the Eric Prydz one!
What are your favourite clubs to play at around the world?
I like Space in Ibiza. I like The Loft Club. I always like playing Dance Valley in Holland, Zouk in Singapore, Fabric. I haven’t played there in a while but I like Fabric.
And which countries in particular do you feel a special affinity with?
I think Holland. Holland is to me very educated with music and they’re still very appreciative but they put on great productions and events and for a small country to have the kind of events they have. I think it’s still one of the best, they really go out and they party and they party and they party!
Photos courtesy of Kevin Sanderson and Closer. Not to be reproduced without permission
Closer
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On:
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Friday 3rd August 2007
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At:
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A Secret Location
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From:
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10PM - 7AM
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Cost:
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£7/9 advance, MOTD
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Website:
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www.politburohq.com
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Ticket Info:
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Very limited early bird tickets £7 + b/f / standard tickets £9 /more on the door
Ticketweb: 08700 600 100 / www.ticketweb.co.uk
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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So where were you on Friday, April 20th when Closer was born? Well, 500 techno aficionados were still partying hard to the sound of Luke Slater as the sun rose the next morning. Damn lucky they were too as it very nearly didn’t happen – last minute licence shenanigans meant the original venue in Shoreditch was abandoned and the whole party was dragged kicking and screaming south of the river to Corsica Studios in Elephant & Castle.
It proved to be a triumph and the perfect location for an enthralling night of techno with all the DJs including Colin Dale, Jon Rundell and resident Steve Strawberry playing out of their skins. If that wasn’t enough, special guest Luke Slater played a truly inspirational set blending techno old and new, minimal, electro, tech house and whatever he damn well pleased to a crowd who simply couldn’t get enough. It was one of those moments when you know you were witness to something special and proved that Closer came into being for a reason and is the party that London has been missing for a long time.
Closer does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s about techno in its purest, rawest sense – unrestricted, unrestrained – delivered by its finest practitioners up close and personal. The scene’s leading DJs are in such demand on the global circuit that we barely get to see them here in the UK and that’s usually confined to the bigger clubs and festivals. All well and good, of course, but there’s nothing quite like dancing to techno in one room where the lights are low, the atmosphere is intense and you can see the whites of the DJs’ eyes!
Out of adversity comes strength and so with the spirit of the first party still strong Politburo Events are proud to present the second instalment of Closer. Once again it will be take place in an intimate warehouse location in central London (to be revealed seven days before the event) and who better to follow Luke Slater than Detroit techno innovator Kevin Saunderson. Joining him will be London legend Mark Williams, resident Steve Strawberry and Hello Techno My Old Friend, while Tweak&Bleep host the second room with special guest Jon Gurd.
Kevin Saunderson: what more can we say. This man has been at the forefront of techno since 1988 when he cut his teeth alongside fellow Detroit innovators Derrick May and Juan Atkins. Think names like Inner City, E-Dancer, The Reese Project, Tronik House and more; think anthems like ‘Big Fun’, ‘Good Life’ and ‘Pennies From Heaven’; think the recent Elevator world tour which combined VDJ technology and a live show. As a producer Kevin Saunderson has few equals across a broad spectrum of electronic dance music, while as a DJ he has his finger firmly on the pulse of the underground – just check out his recent critically acclaimed mix album, ‘The Detroit Connection’. Tonight he’ll be keeping it simple with a DJ set that’s sure to be a master class in all things techno.
Marc Williams: one of London’s finest and well-respected by DJs and clubbers, Mark Williams is one of the true ambassadors of techno with releases on labels like Ingoma, Artificial Vinyl, Real Sessions, Primate and his own Macumba imprint. A prolific producer, he also released an album on Subject Detroit earlier this year, ‘You Can't Hide What You Truly Feel’, and continues to play in just about every country across the globe.
Steve Strawberry: coming up from the London underground and the man behind the excellent Tilted Disco and Electric Jukebox parties, Steve Strawberry is a man you’ll be hearing a lot more of over the coming months with his incendiary turntable skills. He’s also the Closer resident and smashed the last party with his three deck and TR808 set. Expect more of the same this time around.
Hello Techno My Old Friend: these guys will be kicking things off with Arnold B (Brazil), Lisa Kristiina (Lo Motion) and Binni (error_) at the controls. Hello Techno My Old Friend are part of the UMAMi DJs crew and have earned their spurs on London’s techno scene, so much so, in fact, that they were invited to host an arena at the Antiworld 070707 festival.
Tweak&Bleep: over in the second room Tweak&Bleep will be your hosts providing an alternative soundtrack of breakbeat, electro and house. These guys have been putting on great parties at The Gallery and Medicine in Shoreditch recently, and tonight they’ll be joined by Niall Gilliland, Solrac and special guest Jon Gurd. With releases on labels like Cr2 and Toolroom this guy is one of the most exciting new talents coming through the ranks.
Expect the same high standards of sound, lighting and production to be found at all Politburo events alongside one of the friendliest crowds around. What’s more, very limited early bird tickets are available at only £7 + b/f and look out for some exclusive free downloads too.
Closer is the techno party London’s faithful has been crying out for – unrestricted, unrestrained and like no other. This is your chance to get Closer with Kevin Saunderson – accept no substitute, this is for one night only.
For further details call Paul Jack on 07814 179946 / paul@proactive-records.co.uk
Matthew Duffield at Politburo HQ on 07957 112723 / matthew@seditiondjs.com
Closer is a Politburo event – www.myspace.com/politburoevents
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Flyer:
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 - 
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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House. Deep House. Tribal House. Deep Techno. Funky Techno. Techno.
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DJ's:
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Special guest:
Kevin Saunderson
(Inner City / E-Dancer / The Reese Project)
Mark Williams (Subject Detroit / Ingoma)
Steve Strawberry (Tilted Disco / Electric Jukebox)
Hello Techno My Old Friend (UMAMi DJs)
Tweak&Bleep featuring Jon Gurd
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Other Features By Ben Gomori:
HF exclusive SouthWestFour preview: Sasha vs Digweed
Scott Attrill aka Vinylgroover: The Bass Junkie
The Bluffer's Guide to Detroit Techno
Riot! memories as hard dance returns to The End
The King is back! Andy Farley finally returns
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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I am well up for this party 
