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Tranzfusion Innovator Series- Kevin Saunderson

Author: Azztek @ TranZfusion
Tuesday, March 12, 2002
In this edition of the Tranzfusion innovator series, we talk to the Detroit Techno pioneer, Kevin Saunderson, who has just finished a fresh new DJ mix on "Trust the DJ". We find out what Kevin has been getting up to lately and what he has coming up on his own label, KMS.

Earthcore, Australia 2000. New Years Eve, Outdoor bush party. One of, if not the most influential House and Techno sets I have ever heard, was your efforts on the decks on that wonderful morning. People still talk about that experience. That was pure magic. Pure E-Dancer.

Was that your first Australian outdoor bush party experience- What did you think of it-


That was the first one. It was different to be playing that early that in the morning, but then I got into it, and it turned out to be really good.

Considering it was a New Years Eve event did you get a chance to bring your family along and camp out with them for a couple of days- or were you busy on tour at that stage-

I was able to bring the whole posse. We went out into the bush, rented a boat and went out on the lake…we all had a great time.

That was two years ago now, and that set was packed with the best feel good house grooves and anthems known to man. No doubt you have an entirely different set of records in your box these days, so what can we expect from the Kevin Saunderson Experience in the year 2002-

I play music from the soul, music that people can feel…funky house, funky techno…whatever I feel in my soul, I pass onto the next soul.

I had a chat to your longtime friend Derrick May a couple of weeks ago, who is busy spinning tunes in all corners of the world leading a very busy and hectic lifestyle. Are you still touring around as much as you used to-

Yes, I tour sparingly, but as much as I want, when I want, but I try to balance it.

Do you get to catch up with Derrick or Juan Atkins much these days-

Yes. I see Derrick more than Juan. I play with Derrick at least 7-8 times a year.

Your kids are probably old enough now to realize that their Dad is one of the worlds top DJ's/Producers. Do they have any aspirations to follow in your footsteps and/or create music themselves-

I don't know if they will follow in my footsteps, but they like music, and one of my sons practices dj-ing, so time will tell.

How are things going on the production front- Can we expect to hear anything from you in the near future-

You will hear a new Kevin Saunderson album, new Inner City material; I am working on some new remixes. The production side is as important as dj-ing.

These days when you are in the studio producing, what sort of equipment are you using-

Pro Tools, Logic, a lot of digital and analog synthesizers. It varies, depending on what kind of mood I'm in.

How are things going with your label KMS- What projects/releases do you have in the pipeline-

The label is good. Busy. I have the new Kevin Saunderson album titled "The E-Dancer," the new Inner City album, a remix of a new KMS release from Randolph Paul, "This Means That." A remix of the Closer, I have a lot of projects in the works right now.

Who are the DJ's or producers you see today that are breaking the boundaries and really creating or doing great things with techno/dance music-

The same DJ's that have been around, that have been setting the stage, that have been around for years.

What attributes or skills do you consider really important in a great DJ in this day and age-

Playing kick-ass music, and being able to read the crowd, and being technically skilled to be versatile in mixing.

I believe you have just released another compilation, this time on label "Trust the DJ". Tell us a little about this compilation and how you got involved with Trust the DJ
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