Savvas Ysatis

Never heard of him, what has he done?

Quite a lot; Ysatis has been producing music since the early ’90s, and has released a veritable shed load of music. Growing up in Athens, by his mid teens Ysatis has decided he wanted to make electronic music. Unfortunately, Greece in the mid-’80s wasn’t exactly a hot bed of dance music innovation, so he left for New York, where he lived with a family relative and learnt his trade.

If he lived in New York in the ’80s, he must have been out clubbing seven nights a week.

Not at all. By his own admission, Ysatis’ chosen path was a long and difficult one and to master his chosen skill he had to live “like an isolationist”. Of course, the reaction back home towards his ambition must have spurred him on too. “In Greece there was a very negative attitude when I said I wanted to make electronic music,” he explains. “People at home said it was a recipe for disaster, that I’d fail. So I moved to New York so I could fail on my own!”

So did he sink or swim?

It may have taken him a while, but Savvas finally released an album under the Omicron guise in 1993. Subsequently, he hooked up with New York producer Taylor Deupree and they ended up making a staggering ten albums between 1993 and 1996 under various guises. The styles on these releases varied wildly because, as Ysatis admits, “the objective at the time was to do as much experimental music as possible.”

What happened next?

In 1996, Ysatis parted amicably with Deupree – “we’re still good friends” –and started working on material under his own name. Influenced by Berlin dub techno label Basic Channel – “in terms of their mentality, the way they structure music” as well as Detroit techno, Ysatis released the High Rise album for Tresor in 1999. A series of deep, hypnotic, locked on grooves, the album was a refreshing change from the label’s often bombastic techno sound.

Has he done anything since then?

Yes, Savvas is about to release Select, his second long player for Tresor. A development of the ideas he laid down on High Rise, Ysatis says it’s “for dancing to, but you can chill to it as well. It’s sofa dance music,” but we’d say it’s some of the finest deep techno works of the last few years. Unlike most techno producers, Ysatis has focused on one tempo, because “I believe in doing one idea and doing it really well.”

What else has he got planned for the future?

Expect more albums for Tresor, as well as an techno album featuring Greek singers. “Not many people will understand what the lyrics mean, but it shouldn’t really matter as it sounds good.” Who are we to disbelieve him?

Savvas Ysatis, least likely to say: “It’s all Greek to me.”

Savvas Ysatis, most likely to say: “Better that bassline, Maurizio!”

Select is out on Tresor on July 31st