Getting To Know You: Mark Gwinnett And Saytek From Cubism

When the music is flowing in Room Three it can often feel like its assuming mysterious sonic shapes unlike anything you have experienced before. One of our most vivid memories of this happening at fabric is when UK label, Cubism come to town and we lose ourselves in the motion of their brand of techno blended house music to the point that it's almost as though the cozy dancefloor environment we thought we once knew changes completely. On the last Saturday of this month co-founders of Cubism, Mark Gwinnett and Saytek, are set to shape up and takeover Room Three with a return visit inviting special guests Mike Healey and Deanoloco along for an immersive journey that, based on our last experience, you don't want to miss. One of the main highlights of a Cubism show down is Saytek's legendary live performance and we're excited to hear that he's been working hard on creating plenty of new live material for his next album out this year which is pretty big news for Saytek fans who have waited ten years for this moment to come about. Read up on more Saytek related happenings and a bucket full of release info from Cubism as we catch up with Gwinnett and Saytek below and resonate your senses with two brand new recordings from the pair peppered with unreleased music goods from the label. Sounding as magical and spectacular as ever, put these Soundcloud players at the top of your playlist before next Saturday night. DOWNLOAD: Mark Gwinnett fabric Promo Mix STREAM: Saytek Live At The Source In Maidstone May 2013 How are you both? What’s been keeping you busy this year? Saytek: Last year was a big surprise for me my "Live On Cubism" album ended up in The DJ mag top albums of 2012 and I was nominated for best live act in the magazine so this year I have been touring my live show constantly. To be asked back to perform at fabric and the terrace of space Ibiza 3 times in an 18 month period is unbelievable. On the release front I have also been really busy releasing on Soma, My Favorite Robot, Monique Musique, Wiggle, Detone and loads of others. But what has been keeping me the most busy and causing the most sleepless nights is my amazing first son Jacob who is now 6 months old. Mark: I’ve also had a baby boy, Jack who has been keeping me busy and focused. And I’ve also been working hard on the Clubz column at The Sun which has been universally well received in the UK national press and by clubbers and DJs alike. Joseph - we’re happy to have you performing live for us again this month. What do you enjoy most about playing live in Farringdon? Saytek: It was always a dream and aspiration of mine to perform live at fabric. I got my first chance 2 years ago for WYS and my first Saturday gig last year with Cubism. The atmosphere is always amazing but what I love most is you can really tell the place is run with a real love and understanding for the music. It makes it a real pleasure to perform when you have the people in charge dancing all night with you! Has your live set-up changed at all since we last saw you in December? Are you capturing any new types of emotions? Saytek: My set up is the same (Roland MC 909 , Ableton , Kaos Pad 3 , APC40 , and pioneer RMX1000) I actually used the RMX1000 for the first time in December at fabric which was a bit scary, I am now a lot more familiar with it. What has changed though is the music I have been working hard creating a whole new live show which will make up my next album. A whole range of emotions and influences go into my sets from happiness and darker moods for me it's about putting my heart and soul into the music. What live acts have blown you away recently? Saytek:Beardy Man is genius, I mean technically what he does is mind blowing. For inspiration for my own live sets I always look to amazing DJ sets rather than other live acts. Mark: Matador was amazing when I saw him at ENTER. Last month. His music was genius and in my opinion set the dancefloor alight more so than the DJs. But then Richie Hawtin was on another level. But as live acts go he was the best techno act I’ve seen for a while. Mark - the last time we spoke you mentioned you have two EPs for release on Cubism this month. Can you tell us some more about those? We have some great releases coming up. The two imminent EPs are firstly from a new act we picked up called Subk0de. It’s a 3 tracker due for release at the end of the month. The guy who actually wrote the tracks is a well known guy producing under another alias. The music he makes under the Subk0de alias feels very Cubism and you can be sure to hear more from him on the label this year! The next EP is from Oliver Knight & Hugo Jones with a track that appeared on a compilation album we did last summer but has a full release as a single with remixes from Tony Thomas and James Dutton. Both these are due for release at the end of the month. In addition to those, we have Saytek’s new Live on Cubism album later this summer which I am very excited about having had a sneak preview of much of the material last week. And we have a 5 track EP from Mike Healey under his new Focus Puller alias which is being mastered at the moment. Plus a brand new artist album from Tony Thomas’ with singles and numerous remixes coming from them so it’s looking very healthy. How hard is it to stay true to your creative and artistic ideals? How do you both keep at a level with it all? Saytek: It's definitely harder staying underground and not following trends. I make the music I love and stick to that. I see a lot of people releasing Poppy records that become hits and then they tour for a few years, I have kept my output underground and have built foundations it took me 10 years before I could make a living from music alone and a further 4 until I could think about supporting a family with it. I truly believe in underground house and techno other fads come and go but this music is here to stay like like rock or jazz music! Mark: For me I’ve always just signed and made music for Cubism that I love too. If it moves me and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up then that’s the litmus test for me when it comes to studio work or DJing. Mark, what’s coming up on your production alias, Lunacy Sound Division? Mark: Well I’ve had to put it on hold for now due to the commitments on my plate with Cubism and Clubz. I’ve been releasing tracks under Lunacy Sound Division for about 8 years. I think to produce the music you really love takes a long time to perfect. And it is also a big investment of your time. Apart from a remix on Nathan Coles’ Is This label since my Night Bazaar single, I’ve not done much for about a year or so. There are a few ideas on the laptop that I am determined to get finished soon so watch this space. However that same excuse applies, it’s about finding the time and I don’t want to rush the process of making my music or feel pressured to do it. I will get on it soon though. I really do miss it. How does it work before studio time for you both? Can you hear tracks in your head or is it a moment of inspiration? Saytek: For me it's mainly a moment of inspiration I like to experiment until I get that rush then build from that! Mark: I always like to feel relaxed which helps inspire. I get a lot of inspiration from my DJing and also from working with Joseph. What are most excited about for Cubism this year? Saytek:For me my next live album I have been working hard on it so can't wait for its release. Mark: I’ve been looking forward to coming back to fabric after the last party with you guys. And the releases coming up this summer. We have some more parties in the pipeline which we need to keep under wraps at the moment. And also some of the demos I will be road testing at fabric that I’m sure I will end up signing. How is Cubism going to rip the lid off RM3 on 29th June? What’s in store for us all? Saytek:: Well I will be playing loads of new live material I have made specially with fabric in mind. I can't wait. Mark:It’s a great relationship. Mike Healey, Deanoloco and I have different styles with the music we DJ, a broad range of house and techno grooves for different stages of the night. Each DJ has a firm grip on the groove whether it’s Mike’s deeper cuts, my twisted grooves or Deano’s darker late night bombs, each set keeps the dance floor rocking and interesting. With Saytek’s live show as the highlight of the night you are sure to see a lot of smiles on a Cubism floor. What’s the defining soundtrack to your summer this year? Saytek: The amazing warm up DJs I hear every time I perform live , these guys are always a massive source of inspiration for me. Mark: Ellen Allien and Jamie Jones. The beat of that island in general! Can’t wait to get back there a couple more times this season, especially for Loco Dice and Richie Hawtin. Cubism takeover Room Three on 29th June. For more info and tickets go here.