What is your name?
Savej – [pronounced ‘Savage’]
What is your genre of music?
If I have to give it a name, I’m fairly certain it falls under the “Worldbass” term. Honestly, I never really know what to label my stuff and don’t keep up with genres too much. I have a lot of influences, from hip hop to Peruvian shamanism.
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m from southeast Louisiana, and grew up getting a good mixture of the swamp life and New Orleans. I spent a lot of time in nature growing up, and began recording guitar and producing music in my first DAW around age 14, inspired by songs like ‘Escape’ by DJ Kaycee. Eventually, I became abundantly interested in consciousness, neurochemistry, and plant medicines at around age 17, so I began studying them. I delved deeply into the shamanic cultures such as the Peruvian Shipibo, and quickly found just how much we have to learn from them. These people, along with other shamanic cultures, have such a deep connection with nature, and they’ve never severed it the way we have in the West. I wanted to create this album as a way to communicate that connection and elicit those feelings through sound.
What made you go into music?
I discovered quickly how powerful of a tool music is and can be. When I was really young, I had always wanted to create music, as far back as using the built-in midi sequencers on a Nokia phone to make 8-bit melodies. After taking up guitar, I wanted to record my guitar, which led to discovering Cubase, and it went from there.
You released your new Album ‘Solstice’, tell us more about the Album.
This album is the culmination of my desire to unify ancient cultures and modern ones. Some world instruments and traditions are truly timeless and radiate connection to something deep within us. I wanted to take that concept and infuse it with groovy electronic vibes and modern production techniques.
Describe each track in two words.
Solstice: Egyptian vibes
One Truth: Deep meaning
Eye for an I: Icaro jam
Sirens: Beautifully intense
Equinox: celebration time
Vilca: Shamanic journey
What was the writing process like?
It varies. I use a mixture of real instruments and digital instruments so it varies whether a track begins by jamming on a real instrument or jamming on the keys….but I mainly just get myself into a flow state, jam, and see where it goes.
Who did you work with on the single?
I mailed my field recorder around to some Peruvian curanderas for icaro vocals. Icaros are melodies used to influence the journey and/or subconscious mind during Ayahuasca ceremonies. The whistling in “One Truth” is one of these icaros.
Will we see a music video for any of the tracks?
I have a full album video animation collaboration with TAS Visuals, which you can find on Youtube after 9/17/20, via the Shivelight channel and elsewhere. It’s the full audio/visual experience I intended!
Listen to the album here
Do you have any online shows coming up?
None as of this writing. Maybe soon though!
What else can we expect in 2020?
I have more music being wrapped up currently, on a couple different vibes, and a few collabs in the works.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
If we vibe, sure! For that purpose, reaching out on IG and sending music over is easiest. IG
Do you play any instruments?
I play a few…mainly guitar, native flute, hand pan, and various percussion instruments/drums. I’ve always loved to play with just about anything that makes sound and there are so many little unique instruments around the world. I hope to have a massive collection one day.
Who are your influences?
I have a lot. Hard to name….from DJ Kaycee to Kalya Scintilla to El Búho.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
My inspiration comes from just about anything, from sounds in nature to a random melody playing in my head, which is just about always.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I hope to cultivate a really cool live audio/visual experience which communicates the messages of plant medicines and teaches about consciousness.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I own a supplement company, for which I formulate various nootropic supplement products. I also read a lot and love to study and ponder quantum physics and consciousness/psychedelic research.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more into the music scene?
It will seem odd…but DJ Kaycee – Escape. That was the first song that taught me the level of imagery that electronic music can elicit with well-produced melodies and no lyric.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
In terms of my music – to slow down, cultivate a proper project, and not rush things. Good things are worth the time. For this project, I set out to make a compilation of work that tells the whole story. I learned a whole lot about thoroughness and patience throughout the process.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Make music for yourself. Make music in the attempt to create something that can serve as your purest self-expression, not someone else’s. I think that’s what people truly connect with. In my eyes, when you’ve created something that’s a true reflection of your ‘self’, you’re participating in the truly sacred process of creation. The rest follows by nature.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
My favourite quote of all time – “Some people don’t think the universe be like it is, but it do tho.”
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
The Honey Island Swamp
Your coming off tour.
1/ Where do you go first? Home
2/ Who do you see first? My lovely fiancée
3/What do you eat first? Crawfish
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
1. How people dug new tracks
2. The sheer energy when people are vibing
3. The connection in the crowd via a common attention point
4. The sound system
5. Whether it was outside or not – I love playing outside shows
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you? www.savejmusic.com – Has links to all my socials and you can stream from there.
IG
Facebook
Soundcloud
