Exclusive Interview with Sakia – Our Second Conversation
SAKIA is a Finnish indie-rock band from Jalasjärvi, formed in 2005. In 2018, the band took a break, and in March 2019 they returned with the single "Black Clouds".
The story of indie-rock band SAKIA is quite diverse. Founded back in 2005 in Jalasjärvi, the band changed their name from The Maytoes to Sakia, which was suggested by drummer Petri Haakana. SAKIA's active career began in 2015 after the release of the single "God Forsaken Land", recorded in late 2014 at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki with Swedish producer Jonas Olsson. Their second single "Parallel Universe" was released in December 2016 and made it to the Finland Viral 50 playlist on Spotify. In 2017, the band released the single "New Silence", and in 2018 they took a break. In March 2019, SAKIA returned with a new single "Black Clouds". The lyricist for the band is guitarist Timo Mäkelä. About what caused such a long creative hiatus, the new work, inspiration, and the lives of the musicians, you can read in our interview with SAKIA.
We're glad that you've returned to your creative work after a long break. How did you spend your time off?
Many of us spent time playing music in other genres and performing with small local bands, as well as studying music.
Your return was marked first and foremost by the announcement of a new single. It's no secret that you delayed its release for a long time. Why did you do that?
To be honest, we were trying our best to finish the song because we were busy with other projects. And on top of that, we had to postpone the music video shoot several times.
Your song "Parallel Universe" changed a lot before you presented it to the public. Did "Black Clouds" go through something similar? Or was it a spontaneous result of inspiration? What's the story behind "Black Clouds"?
Ugh. "Black Clouds" went through a bigger evolutionary journey than the entire planet Earth! It really wouldn't have happened without the six of us and our producer Aki Sihvonen. Everyone added their own flavor to the cocktail.
Many of us spent time playing music in other genres and performing with small local bands, as well as studying music.
Your return was marked first and foremost by the announcement of a new single. It's no secret that you delayed its release for a long time. Why did you do that?
To be honest, we were trying our best to finish the song because we were busy with other projects. And on top of that, we had to postpone the music video shoot several times.
Your song "Parallel Universe" changed a lot before you presented it to the public. Did "Black Clouds" go through something similar? Or was it a spontaneous result of inspiration? What's the story behind "Black Clouds"?
Ugh. "Black Clouds" went through a bigger evolutionary journey than the entire planet Earth! It really wouldn't have happened without the six of us and our producer Aki Sihvonen. Everyone added their own flavor to the cocktail.
Earlier you mentioned that you couldn't decide on a debut music video. But this year you announced that you were shooting a video for "Black Clouds". How did the shoot go? What is this video about?
-25°C, to be precise. It was damn cold, but the sun was shining. A little more and Matti would have had to amputate his toes. It's actually a lyric video that we'll be releasing in a few weeks.
What are your plans for the near future? Will you be playing at summer festivals or working on new material?
We couldn't find the time to book a summer tour as fun as it could have been. So we'll gladly focus on writing more songs.
-25°C, to be precise. It was damn cold, but the sun was shining. A little more and Matti would have had to amputate his toes. It's actually a lyric video that we'll be releasing in a few weeks.
What are your plans for the near future? Will you be playing at summer festivals or working on new material?
We couldn't find the time to book a summer tour as fun as it could have been. So we'll gladly focus on writing more songs.
Lately, some musicians have been saying that releasing a full-length album isn't profitable because more attention is given to singles. What do you think about that? Are you planning to release a debut album?
We are strong supporters of the album format. As soon as we have enough budget for a full album, we'll definitely record it.
What inspired you to get into music? Does anyone in SAKIA have a musical education?
We don't enjoy playing cover songs, so we make our own! Heh. It's like a disease. You pick up a guitar and start writing something, rather than practicing. All of us have a musical education, but there are no doctors among us. I mean, doctors of music.
At concerts, vocalist Matti also plays the saxophone. The saxophone is a non-standard instrument for your chosen musical style, but it fits organically into your music. Will you continue experimenting with this instrument?
Listen to "Black Clouds" and you'll find out. Heh. The sexophone (original spelling by Sakia members) is like musical syrup. Why wouldn't we use it since Matti knows a few chords on that damn thing!
We are strong supporters of the album format. As soon as we have enough budget for a full album, we'll definitely record it.
What inspired you to get into music? Does anyone in SAKIA have a musical education?
We don't enjoy playing cover songs, so we make our own! Heh. It's like a disease. You pick up a guitar and start writing something, rather than practicing. All of us have a musical education, but there are no doctors among us. I mean, doctors of music.
At concerts, vocalist Matti also plays the saxophone. The saxophone is a non-standard instrument for your chosen musical style, but it fits organically into your music. Will you continue experimenting with this instrument?
Listen to "Black Clouds" and you'll find out. Heh. The sexophone (original spelling by Sakia members) is like musical syrup. Why wouldn't we use it since Matti knows a few chords on that damn thing!
What does a musician's success depend on?
Endurance. Resilience. Imagination. Not sure though — we'll let you know as soon as we achieve success!
Who is the leader in Sakia? Who is responsible for writing the songs?
For the most part, we are co-writers. Only a few songs were written by individual members, and the lyrics of the released songs have mostly fallen to Timo.
Do you feel personal growth compared to the beginning of your musical career? What has changed since the first release?
Hell yeah! It's a business with its tricks and treats. We screwed up in every aspect, but we also learned and always rose like a phoenix. Most importantly, we respect our audience so much that we don't want to publish anything second-rate or meaningless.
Endurance. Resilience. Imagination. Not sure though — we'll let you know as soon as we achieve success!
Who is the leader in Sakia? Who is responsible for writing the songs?
For the most part, we are co-writers. Only a few songs were written by individual members, and the lyrics of the released songs have mostly fallen to Timo.
Do you feel personal growth compared to the beginning of your musical career? What has changed since the first release?
Hell yeah! It's a business with its tricks and treats. We screwed up in every aspect, but we also learned and always rose like a phoenix. Most importantly, we respect our audience so much that we don't want to publish anything second-rate or meaningless.
Do you have a habit of listening to your own songs? What do you feel at that moment?
Rarely, but we definitely do it. It's mixed emotions. A mix of shame and pride. Sometimes you hear mistakes, and sometimes you feel like you've achieved something.
We remember that at the very beginning of SAKIA's career, you wrote that your rehearsals took place in a rather deserted area. Are there any special places you would like to return to?
We still always rehearse in our hometown of Jalasjärvi, even though we moved away from there a long time ago. It's an old chapel, and all you can see from it is forest and fields.
What do you think about the current situation in the music industry? What's it like being a musician in a world where people prefer to download music rather than pay for it? How do you feel about that?
We never had the luxury of making money from CDs, since we started with official releases only five years ago. Of course, many talented artists pay their bills themselves. But our perception must also change with the changes of the world.
Rarely, but we definitely do it. It's mixed emotions. A mix of shame and pride. Sometimes you hear mistakes, and sometimes you feel like you've achieved something.
We remember that at the very beginning of SAKIA's career, you wrote that your rehearsals took place in a rather deserted area. Are there any special places you would like to return to?
We still always rehearse in our hometown of Jalasjärvi, even though we moved away from there a long time ago. It's an old chapel, and all you can see from it is forest and fields.
What do you think about the current situation in the music industry? What's it like being a musician in a world where people prefer to download music rather than pay for it? How do you feel about that?
We never had the luxury of making money from CDs, since we started with official releases only five years ago. Of course, many talented artists pay their bills themselves. But our perception must also change with the changes of the world.
A little about the financial side of things. What do you think about crowdfunding as a mechanism for financial support from fans?
We've seen it work. It's not for us, though I think it's a great idea!
What advice can you give to starting rock bands?
Write good songs and don't let anyone in the band be too much of a jerk. Too many bands have broken up too early. We take turns being little assholes, but since we're friends, we don't turn our backs on each other in difficult times.
Thank you very much for the interview. Would you like to say something to your fans in Russia?
We would like to thank you for the opportunity for this interview. To the lovely people in Russia: please listen to "Black Clouds", we're sure you'll like it. Have a good spring, and we hope to see you soon!
We've seen it work. It's not for us, though I think it's a great idea!
What advice can you give to starting rock bands?
Write good songs and don't let anyone in the band be too much of a jerk. Too many bands have broken up too early. We take turns being little assholes, but since we're friends, we don't turn our backs on each other in difficult times.
Thank you very much for the interview. Would you like to say something to your fans in Russia?
We would like to thank you for the opportunity for this interview. To the lovely people in Russia: please listen to "Black Clouds", we're sure you'll like it. Have a good spring, and we hope to see you soon!
April 13, 2019
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer