Kevin Saunderson is well known and respected for being one of the three revolutionary Detroit Techno pioneers in the late eighties along with Derrick May and Juan Atkins. A legend in his own right and a shaping hand in the modern Dance music we all know and love today. His most successful commercially recognised project INNER CITY has had 12 Top 40 hits in the UK, two Top 20 albums, with combined sales of more than 6 million. INNER CITY has also achieved many awards for outstanding accomplishments, such as ‘Best Dance Act in the World‘ by DMC in 1989 and 1992. Inner City have also received 4 Gold singles, 1 Gold Album and 1 Platinum Album.

In an exclusive interview with Kevin Saunderson, a few weeks ahead of his appearance at The Rocking Daisies Festival 2011 in the Red Bull Studio Live Stage, I got to chat to the legend about what Techno has grown into, his alter ego E-DANCER and what the idea was for INNER CITY…

Techno was founded in Detroit and is now loved largely across Europe. How much of it has changed in your opinion since it left home and got continuously reinvented over the years?

Yes, Techno has changed because of the Evolution of time and of technology. Generations of new inspired producers remixers and DJs have become a part of the genre and it’s just kind of branched itself off like a tree with limbs. So, it’s not the original sound that we started and you can’t expect it to be the original sound. We started it with a vision and people are inspired in different ways you know. But the great thing is that it’s still around. I think Techno will always be around because it is strong and has progressed in many diversions from what the original form was and nothing stays the same completely.

What are the elements that make up a good Techno track for you?

I think it’s just the groove you know, it can be slow it can be fast. It’s the energy you put into it and the effects you use. More importantly, you have to be able to feel the warmth and the rhythm and of course being able to dance to it.

Why did you decide to part INNER CITY with Virgin records in 1993?

I think it was a mutual agreement to part with Virgin Records, things had a changed a little. You see, record companies can be like that, they always looking for the next chart topping record. We were fortunate to have chart toppers but it was never our intention to try. I have chart top records too and we didn’t want to to be a group that’s a complete Pop focused.

You know all set on success by having hit records, I like to make music and just put it out. I don’t know if I am gonna sell one copy or a hundred or a million. I just like to put music out because that is what we love doing and we want to keep that focus. So, I think at that point it was always about, how can we get the next chart record and performing on top of the pile and stuff like that. It was a good experience but it wasn’t something that was a necessity for us any more.

As a Fan, how important would you say it is to know the history of the music you enjoy and why?

Why do I think? Uhm… Well I think it’s good to know the history of anything because then it gives you a better kind of over view of what you involved in and it helps you, maybe inspire and shape your thinking and can give you an understanding. It’s not a necessity, but I think it does help in those kinds of ways.

What can SA expect from your set at Rocking the Daisies in the Red Bull tent?

I myself don’t really know what to expect from South Africa, I have never been. But from me you are gonna hear music that’s true that’s real, that has energy. You are gonna hear some stuff that’s Housier. I play across the board, I play good House tracks, Tech House tracks, Techno. It just depends on the atmosphere I’m in and which direction I’m gonna go in. But I usually like to build my set.

Will we be greeted by E-DANCER your alter ego for some of that Good old fashioned Techno?

Well I am E-DANCER and I will be there so you will definitely have some E-DANCER Flavour tracks played as well.

INTERVIEW: Mary Honeychild

Be sure to catch Kevin Saunderson at the The Rocking the Daisies Festival on Sunday the 9th October 2011 at 00:30 in the morning on the Red Bull Studio Live Stage

WIN Tickets to Rocking the Daisies – Click Here