5 Minutes with Kevin Saunderson

Tell us about the first time you were really inspired by music?
I think the first time I was really inspired by music was when… I think maybe 1980…. 1981- 82, listening to the Electrifying Mojo playing Parliament Funkadelic- that’s the first group that I became attached to outside of the Jack… I don’t even think it was called The Jacksons, but The Jackson 5 at the time, growing up as a little kid listening to them- but I wouldn’t say I was inspired. Parliament Funkadelic really inspired me- did something different, you know, to me, so…

What do you consider to be your greatest skill?
My greatest skill would be being able to create sounds that sound completely unique and different and original.

Name two albums you keep very close to hand.
Um… that’s a good one, there’s so many great ones…Parliament Funkadelic, and I can’t remember which album- the title of the album unfortunately- and Cybertron. 

The road to musical success is often long and hard. What is one lesson you have learnt along the way that changed the way you saw things?
Well I think one of the lessons I’ve learned is that when you sign to a major, they really don’t care anything about… nothing but selling records, and theres no real commitment from major labels unless they see that opportunity taking off by itself. They don’t necessarily know what their really doing all the time. Most of the time they get lucky and they land an artist at the right time – they’ll
put some money behind it, but otherwise it’s really hit and miss, so I just think its better that you can be more controlled of your destiny of music and control of yourself as much as possible- and they way that technology has changed now allows individual artists to have- to be able to put their music out and promote themself.
And I learnt also that record companies, they really- from back in the day- they pay you so little and they recoup the cost against… your royalty is recouped against certain costs, which to me – to this day –I think was just a rip off, and that’s why our industry has changed so much- and mp3’s and all that is available for artists to do they self and sell themselves.

Who inspires you? (Both in life and in music)
My kids inspire me. My family inspires me, keeps me going. My peers- seeing them work hard makes me continue to work hard or harder. Travelling the world and playing in front of fans that have been following music for years and seeing that I’ve been able to touch and inspire them.

Tell us a quirky fact about yourself no one else knows!
I don’t know if anyone else knows it, but I originally thought I was going to be a NFL football player in America. I went to college, started playing football. I quit football for music… and I’ve never been a quitter at anything. I think I made a great choice, I’m very happy with the fact that I did… But I had a vision …

If you could have two wishes come true what would they be?
I would say to… be able to hear and make music and enjoy it for another 25 years… and I’m 45 now. And to live a healthy life, to continue to stay healthy and live into my 90’s… healthy! With no health issues at all.

Before you step on stage for a gig, what do you do to prepare?
Before I step on the stage I might drink a little tequila to get me nice and loose and I just… that’s really about it! I’m just ready to go!

What do your parents think of what you do? Have you ever taken them along to a gig?
Yes- my parents, their very proud of me, my father was proud of me. He passed away, but I did get an opportunity to take him on a tour in Germany for a month, and Amsterdam he visited, and also some other places. So, in saying that they’re very proud of me and what I’ve been able to accomplish with the vision that I was able to stick with and have success and become known around the world.

If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?
When I first started DJ-ing I went to a musical school to learn how to count bpm’s and learn how to become a DJ- because I couldn’t figure out how to beat match, so – that was really important and inspiring and it really shaped my career.

Having spent so much time on aeroplanes, are you an official member of the mile high club?
I’ve been a three-million miler plus! And I’m… I should get my pilot licence really, I believe, haha!

What projects are you working on at the moment?
Well right now I have the Elevator History album, and I’m working on new material with different producers. I’m going to be touring with Inner City this summer- and working on some new music with Inner City, and we’ll have new album come out after this one.