For more than two decades, Saytek has stood as a beacon of innovation in electronic music. Renowned for his electrifying live performances and a prolific output that spans hundreds of tracks, the UK-born artist embodies the passionate spirit of techno at its most authentic. Armed with an arsenal of hardware gear, groove boxes, and synths—often captured live without post-production—Saytek’s process focuses on improvisation, capturing the raw energy of the dancefloor in the moment.
Beyond the music, Saytek’s journey has been one of personal growth and resilience. Overcoming addiction, navigating diagnoses of autism and ADHD, and emerging from the depths of anxiety and depression, he has found clarity and purpose through his craft. His boundless drive to innovate, connect, and share his love of techno with the world has kept him at the cutting edge of a scene that continues to evolve.
Now, as he prepares to drop fresh new cuts on Ray Of Light Records – tracks he literally carved from his onstage sessions –Saytek joins EG to reflect on his creative process, his evolving mindset, and the unwavering passion that has fueled his career’s remarkable longevity.
EG: Hi, Saytek! Welcome to EG. How are you doing today, and where are you joining us from?
Saytek: Hello! I’m good, though a little jet-lagged. I’ve just arrived in the USA for a tour. I’ve got gigs lined up in Philladelphia, Brooklyn, Monterrey in Mexico, and Washington, DC, so it’s going to be a busy one!
EG: You’re set to release new music on Ray Of Light Records. What can you tell us about this upcoming EP and the inspiration behind it?
Saytek: It’s three live tracks. Like all my releases these days, they’re chopped straight out of my live sets. It’s a pure representation of what I sound like when jamming in the clubs—no post-production, just a stereo recording straight from the mixer. That’s it!
EG: How did you approach the production process for this EP? Could you elaborate on any specific techniques or software you used?
Saytek: I use a lot of hardware groove boxes, synths, and FX, alongside Ableton. Everything is jammed out live—no pre-arranged sections, just me improvising on the fly.
EG: You’ve been performing live for quite some time. How has your approach to live performances evolved since you first started?
Saytek: It’s changed a lot but also stayed the same in some ways. I’m a music lover at heart, so my focus has always been on improving that feedback loop—making the best music I can and jamming it out as effectively as possible using machines and Ableton.
“There’s so much incredible stuff out there, and that keeps me inspired. My work feels like it’s never done!”
EG: How do you balance the spontaneity of improvisation with the need to maintain a cohesive and engaging performance?
Saytek: I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. It’s all about feedback from the dancefloor—that’s what guides me. It’s a two-way stream of energy.
EG: Your live setup includes a variety of hardware gear. Do you have anything new you’re particularly enjoying at the moment?
Saytek: I’m loving the SH-4D by Roland. It’s brilliant for classic techno chords and gritty synths. I’m big on picking gear I love, even if it’s not what’s trending. For me, it’s about choosing tools that can make the sounds I love and work best for live performances, regardless of what’s “in vogue.”
EG: With hundreds of tracks released, what drives you to keep your music fresh and continue finding new creative inspiration?
Saytek: First and foremost, I’m a music fan. I absolutely love techno and electronic music. There’s so much incredible stuff out there, and that keeps me inspired. My work feels like it’s never done!
EG: The electronic music scene has changed significantly over the past 20 years. What are your thoughts on its evolution, and where do you see it heading?
Saytek: It’s changed a lot, but there’s always been the commercial side and the underground. Right now, the commercial side is massive, and people call it techno, but it’s really not. The flip side is I’m hearing loads of amazing underground, groovy, complex, forward-thinking fast techno. It’s exciting because it feels like things are going full circle—almost like the ’90s or early ’00s, when great techno coexisted with commercial hard dance that real heads didn’t rate.
“Stick to what you love and develop your own sound. Trends come and go, and there’s always pressure to fit into what others want. Don’t lose yourself”
EG: Moving onto a subject that’s common within the industry—mental health—are there any personal challenges you’d be willing to share? Do you have any tips for those who might be struggling?
Saytek: I’ve been on quite a journey. I’m a recovering addict with over 15 years clean. In recovery, I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, which helped me understand myself better. My mental health used to be terrible—I struggled with severe depression and multiple anxiety disorders. But today, it’s not like that. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.
EG: How important is connecting with your audience through online platforms, and how has social media influenced your career?
Saytek: It’s a love-hate relationship! As a live artist, social media has allowed me to showcase what I do. My livestreams and jam videos have had tens of millions of views, which helped me build my career. But it’s a lot of work, and platforms like Facebook can be frustrating—they keep showing me things I hate just to get me engaging! Facebook feels nearly dead, but it’s where I built my name, so I can’t let it go completely. Instagram, SoundCloud, and YouTube are working for me, but they’re also a grind.
EG: As someone who has sustained a successful career over two decades, what advice would you give to emerging artists looking to make their mark in electronic music?
Saytek: Stick to what you love and develop your own sound. Trends come and go, and there’s always pressure to fit into what others want. Don’t lose yourself.
EG: Thanks for your time, Saytek. Congratulations on your 20-year milestone, and we’re excited to hear your new music on Ray Of Light Records!
Saytek: Thanks for having me! It’s been an absolute pleasure. 🙌
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