It has been exactly a year since Sageness released Akme on
Vinyl, and has evolved in to an album that has received some great reviews
across the music scene (see review). Even though it was only their second
official release, something just clicked in a recording studio in Spain,
producing some musical magic. After speaking with guitarist David, he kindly
answered a few questions about the band.
Q1. So how did the whole Covid-19 lockdown and social
isolation work for Sageness and you as individuals? Like here in the UK, it
looked as though you were all under some heavy restrictions a few weeks ago.
As you say in our country, the government made some very
heavy restrictions, we were locked up at home for 3 months, only going out to
buy basic things. As for the band, imagine…
I took advantage of writing new songs and riffs and
recording some new ideas. Aitor, the new bassist learnt the Akme album and some
songs from the first album, and Fran the drummer, he managed to get hold of a
digital drum set, so as not to rust and be able to start with some ideas that I
sent him.
Q2. Can you explain the meaning behind the name Sageness?
It was Koke's idea, our first bassist. At first when he said
it I thought it was a kind of weed, ha ha, but it means something related to
wisdom, but with common sense. Exactly the trait of utilizing knowledge and
experience with common sense and insight. And we like it how it sounded.
Q3. I remember reading an interview with you guys a while
back and one of you said “music does not need words to tell” which is a good
statement. As the band evolves, do you still feel the same way?
Personally, yes. I remember when I was younger and I did not
understand the lyrics to songs, but they transmitted many feelings and emotions
to me. But of course the voice is an instrument and I value good lyrics a lot
too. After listening to a lot of music, I am left with the experiences that
instrumental music gives you, due to its sound and complexity of structures, it
makes me immerse myself in to it more and somehow travel. I highly value the different
sounds and vibrations.
Q4. The tracks on Akme have quite a unique sound in the way that you can make songs that shouldn’t sound heavy, actually sound heavy (but not in a metal way), and other parts sound as though they have been played on almost antique equipment. Has it taken some time to refine your sound and style?
Thanks Martin, I really like that perception you have. Not
having a singer, you have to take more care of the song and have to expand the
sound spectrum. Personally it has taken me time to find a sound and I have been
trying various pedals until I feel comfortable. The effect you refer to may be
a pedal that imitates that analogue tape effect touch, or may even be a thing
of the mix and the master, because Marco Lima from Herzcontrol did an
incredible job, just like our friend Nacho when recording us. We are very happy
with the result!
Q5. How do you all go about writing songs? Do you all come
to the table with ideas or do you just jam it out for hours, feel the flow and
let the music write itself?
I usually go with ideas from home, and at then when together
we start shaping it. But we like jamming a lot to see where the song can go, in
fact we record those jams and tried to extract the best of them.
Q6. Do you have “Jam Room” so that you can get the right
vibe when recording?
We really only have one room and what we record is with
mobile phones or with a single microphone. But the room is cosy, and we have a
fridge there!
Q7. Can you ever see Sageness having vocals on a track? Or
writing a verse/chorus/verse kind of song?
Hmmmm… I think not, but who knows. I see more the
possibility of a verse/chorus/verse structure with a bit of something.
Q8. Have you started writing and demoing material for your
next release?
Yes, and we are excited about it! But we want to work the
tracks without haste, and we are doing that right now by sending each other
demos.
Q9. Can you tell us a bit about the artwork for Akme?
Diogo Soares did a great job, with the artwork we loved it
at first sight. It has many elements that we think fit with our music: the door,
the desert, the space, we see it as a kind of portal. I think Diogo called it
"The Healers" and that also fits us well.
Q10. Have you had a chance to get out into Europe to play
live? It doesn’t look as though live music will happen much in 2020 with the
ongoing worldwide pandemic, but I can see 2021 being the year of the gig and
festival. What would I expect from seeing Sageness play live?
This year is going to be difficult, apart from everything
that is happening in the World, Fran is still 800 km away, and is coming to
visit for a few days. Maybe some concerts near our hometown. Our goal right now
is to create another album. We really want to try and play a few concerts in a
row soon.
Q11. What the last 3 records you have listened to?
The last ones I have purchased are Kryptograf, Heavy Trip
and the last album from Slift. Awesome bands!
Q12. What does the rest of 2020 hold for Sageness? Anything
else to add?
We will continue working on the new songs remotely, and if I
have the time I would like to record a song on my own. It's not a big deal, but
it's our turn right now, but we're excited about the new ideas.
We are trying to edit our first album on vinyl. Many people
asked us if we can press it and we believe that we can do it with some help.
Stay Tuned. Cheers from Spain and Stay Safe.
A big thanks goes to David for sitting down to answer these
questions. Keep an eye out on their social media as their debut self-titled
album looks to be getting the vinyl treatment soon, followed by new material
which should be arriving not to far after that.
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