martes 21 julio de 2009, 23:44
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 | Senior Member NC3: Miembro | | Miembro desde: 03 enero 2008 Ubicación: Parana | |
| Henry Saiz: Techno's melodic guru
ITM’s Elliot G spoke to Henry Saiz, who’s arguably the ‘man-of-the-moment’ and responsible for some of the finest melodic techno gems we’ve been enjoying this year, and got a distinct taste of someone who not only takes his work very seriously, but also has a heart-felt love and passion for it.
It’s been a whirlwind two and a bit years; you took your show on the road, your productions were picked up by no less than John Digweed, you remixed his Gridlock and then signed for Renaissance. Wow. How’d that feel?
Well, I feel so lucky and grateful but also I’ve been working hard for a long time, so I think these things happen as a result of everyday hard work and a little bit of luck, or a sort of fate. I never actually thought about something like this, and all this happened really fast. It was even more amazing because I never sent anything to Renaissance or John Digweed, and obviously I was really happy when a label like Renaissance or Bedrock are interested in your music without having to go through the stressful demo-sending process. The relationship with Renaissance and Bedrock is going really well and we’re just starting. I found a really solid platform where I can develop my music with big support, so I think I have to keep my mind in line with the motivation I had when I started doing music and take this opportunity to just do my best and try to release better music every release.
Where did the inspiration – musical or otherwise – come from as a youngster?
Like most, I found inspiration in lot of things, especially nature and the feelings it creates in me. Regarding another music inspiration, I think is really important to feed your brain up with any music and art you find interesting, but I think the good songs comes when you act like a channel where your sub-conscience can go straight through you. In my humble opinion the more you try to rationalize music and use others musical influences and inspirations for composing, the worse results you get; and then you turn away from what you really have to say as an artist. Obviously we all get influenced by the music we listen to, but I think you have to try to be as honest and original as you can in the studio.
You’re touted as being part of the next generation of electronic music producers that is gaining hold – exciting times indeed. How does that sit with you?
Thank you. Of course as an artist you always try to grow and take your music to the highest level so obviously I’m so happy with all this. But as you know, this scene likes to create hype, so I think the hardest thing in this “business” is to stay on top. I’m trying to build up a profile based on just what I want to do, I don’t really care about trends and stuff (I would be producing boring minimal tunes if I cared about trends). So I guess if you make a more intelligent music, it’s easier to stay on the scene and keep surprising your audience and fans.
Your remix of Guy J’s Lamur is already being touted as a possible contender for track of 2009. Quite an accolade, but it truly is an amazing tune. Tell us more.
Well, the first time I heard Lamur was through my good friend Hernan Cattaneo, and I felt in love with that song. Guy is such a great producer with amazing ideas. The first thing I thought was “wow, I really want to rmx that one!” Finally John asked me to rmx the track and I did my best in order to respect the beautiful main melody and give my vision on the track, in addition of my production fetishes, etc… I’m so happy with the results and both djs and clubber audience have been going crazy with this release. It was a Pete Tong essential tune, with a big support also by Hernan, Sasha, Digweed, Warren, Seaman,etc...everybody is playing it and it´s becoming a summer monster, so this is more than I was expecting!
While the Lamur remix is on everyone’s lips at the moment, your back catalogue boasts a series of monster tunes: Hello Infinite (a personal favourite), We Are All (lots of melody), The Snakes Speech (tech)...and illustrate a Saiz style that takes in different genres. Is that deliberate?
Thanks so much. Well I think all this tracks shares the same production techniques, and it keeps my sound recognizable. So it depends on what kind of feeling I want to express I can become more or less tech, prog, or whatever. One thing that is for sure, I can’t do non-melodic tracks, sometimes I really try to do it! But my kinds of melodies are always on my tracks, so I think this is one of the things that unites all my works.
You’ve played in some of the biggest clubs in Europe – with your powerful sets loaded with energy and providing that much talked about ‘journey’. How do you prepare?
Well, doesn’t matter if I’m playing in Ministry of Sound London or in a small club I always try just to make a coherent live or DJ set, and let the audience judge if you did it right or not. For me, playing live is just about creating the vibe. You have better days than others but I would like to believe always someone gets the kind of impact I want to create when I play my music in front of an audience. This is the goal I want to achieve when playing and it’s a great satisfaction when everything goes right and you can share the vibe within the music you create.
Jingles, TV series, animated series, nature documentaries, killer productions, and absolute monster remixes: you’ve dabbled at a bit of each – what’s the preference? Where does the fire burn strongest?
Of course, there’s nothing like doing your own music without rush or third party suggestions as you have in spots and commercial work. I really love to do the music for my brother’s wildlife documentaries and also it’s funny to create soundtracks and music for animated TV series, but at the end of the day the most satisfactory experience is to express yourself through music in a pure way.
It’s your first time in Australia – what were you expecting from us Aussies? What have you heard?
I have met a lot of people from Australia in the last few months and I have to say they are some of the most funny and kind people I have ever met! So I’m expecting a great tour and crazy parties. Tony from Tigerstyle did a really great job with the tour and the dates, so I’m really looking forward to playing there and visiting your amazing country! Fuente - inthemix | Features | Henry Saiz: Techno's melodic guru  |
