Visual Rock in Sweden

SAI is a Swedish alternative rock band with intense visual appeal. Several of their songs have been featured in Askew’s podcast, so podcaster JR sought out the opportunity to become better acquainted with SAI a little more. Read on to find out how these up-and-coming rockers are faring in a region steeped in strong metal and rock acts of all types and what keeps them motivated.

Check out SAI on Myspace

Please introduce yourselves.
Huy: I am Huy, the singer.
Arian: I’m Arian, the lead guitarist and main composer.
Nikke: Nikke, rhythm guitarist.
Ken: Ken, bass. Hm, how about that. Freak-out?
Andie: I’m Andie. I play drums, piano and write most of the lyrics.

How was SAI formed?
SAI: Arian formed the band together with an old vocalist, back in 2007. His ambition was to create something new and unique based on his many influences. Members came and went until the current line-up finally emerged in early 2008.

SAI is an alternative rock band, but you exhibit visual appeal. Were you inspired by any specific visual kei bands?
Huy: Yes, we take what we like and combine it and make it our own, and visual kei plays a big part in it.
Arian: I think all of us have different influences; the tricky part is to mold them into one entity. That’s something we are working on.
Nikke: Well yeah we were all very inspired by VK when we started, both visually and musically.
Ken: Of course. I bet that without X Japan I wouldn’t even be into music the same way I am today. What caught my eye wasn’t just a crazy hairdo, but I saw a personality. A whole world I could cling onto.
Andie: Yeah, some of those bands are definitely influences. We’re definitely not limited to VK bands in that regard, however.

What is the scene like for visual kei inspired bands in Europe?
Huy: There is no VK scene here, as far as I know.
Arian: Visual kei is just a trend right now. It’s not something that relates to us really. I don’t see us as VK. We’re just playing the music that we’re creating. So there’s no really no difference from other scenes.
Nikke: Nonexistent.
Ken: I’d say there is no scene. We’re still in a state of abomination.

Andie: There is none (yet?).

You performed at the convention Animansion this year in Belgium along with other bands, particularly the VK headliner PureQ&A. How was this experience different than your other lives? Do you feel this experience has affected SAI?
Huy: It was an amazing experience to travel and play outside Sweden in front of our fans from another country. It made me realize that if we keep working hard we will get our reward in the long run.
Arian: The fact that we got to travel to another country with other bands and get a taste of the culture and meeting new people was very refreshing. I can’t wait to do it again.
Nikke: It was the first time we met fans from outside Sweden, obviously. That was really cool.
Ken: It surely has. Suddenly we were seen as a real band, and not just some wicky-wacky Manson goofs. The trip as a whole was kind of a taste of what lies ahead of us.
Andie: It was amazing! We really had a blast. It was great meeting fans from another country and to be able to perform for them. We made some great new friends as well. I was all depressed when I got home. Can’t wait to travel to other countries with the band!

Your song “Avantgarde” will be featured in an upcoming movie entitled Agiotage, which is a winter extreme sports movie. How do you feel about this?  Do you feel that the music reflects well with this theme?
Huy: I can’t answer that now. I really look forward to the outcome of combining the movie with our song.
Arian: I haven’t seen the movie yet, so I can’t answer that. But you know, that’s up to the people. Everybody relates something different to music.
Nikke: Seems interesting, what does “Agiotage” mean though? Haha.
Ken: Speedy rock-tunes in a sports video? Yeah, of course. And it’s kinda awesome, you know, our music in another context except our own. Cool.
Andie: I think it’s really awesome. I hope the song will make our name known to more people. I hope we’ll be on more soundtracks later on!

What images, themes and emotions do you want to convey to your audience through your songs?
Huy: It depends on the song. I always try to share all my feelings with the audience.
Arian: That depends on the song doesn’t it?
Nikke: It all depends which song you’re playing.
Ken: The songs are just one part of me that I want to give our fans. What I want to show people is my life, our life, something that will inspire them to reach out for us, and in the end unleash themselves.
Andie: Well there’s a multitude of feelings we want to convey, the key word being “feeling.” Many of our songs are based on distinct emotions.

Many people consider PVs to be a “window” into the world (or “soul”) of a band. This year you released your PV for “Avantgarde.” How did this PV reflect SAI’s identity?
Huy: I don’t think it shows our “soul” as it’s our first PV. But I can promise that the next one will.
Arian: We’re such a young band. I don’t think we’ve evolved enough to have a distinct “soul” as you call it. Only time will tell. I think, however, that this PV reflected a beginning and the band’s spirit.
Nikke: Well at the moment it reflected us pretty well I think. But now… I’m not sure actually.
Ken: I don’t really think it reflects us at all. Our soul has yet to come, but the PV definitely shows that it will come in due time.
Andie: Considering the fact that it’s the first music video from an unsigned band with absolutely no monetary support, I believe it was a pretty good effort. It’s too early to speak about souls though. The next PV, on the other hand…

How do you feel you have changed musically over the years? How have you remained the same?
Huy: We are changing every day. We bond and get closer to each other and we improve all the time.
Arian: I think everyone is evolving, both mentally and musically.
Nikke: You just do what you do, the change comes automatically.
Ken: I think the biggest change, music and band-wise, we’ve had was that we understood that our music should have no boundaries, and that’s the way for us to really express something, instead of being another band desperately looking for a shelf they can call home. Through this, we’ve always had the same dream. Ripping down all boundaries surrounding us just helped us realize how to reach for it.
Andie: I’m so different from when I joined the band. So much has happened! The sick thing is that it’s only been a few years. I wonder what the future has in store.

In October of this year the use of your name SAI will end when you take up a new name. With this new name will your music, image and themes change as well?
Huy: Yes, we are stepping up the ladder leaving SAI as the beginning of our “story.” 
Arian: Change as in evolution yes. We have become a lot more mature and we have more knowledge of both music and the band itself. I think people will be pretty surprised by the growth. Things like sound, image and themes change all the time. So that’s a given.
Nikke: You’ll just have to wait and see!
Ken: I feel that we’ve undergone such drastic developments, both music-wise and personal, that we really aren’t SAI anymore. Nothing has changed, but rather evolved.
Andie: Absolutely. I can’t wait to unleash this beast to the general public!

What would you want your fans to remember particularly about SAI in comparison to the “new” band?
Huy: That we all begin somewhere.
Arian: It’s not so much about remembering, but more about getting inspired.
Nikke: That our warm-up is over!
Ken: It’s a tad more fun focusing on the butterfly than the cocoon.
Andie: We are a band which, more than anything, is all about being true to ourselves. I hope that’s something our fans feel as well.

Can you tell us about your debut album? What does the new album mean to you as a band?
Huy: This album will be our face towards the world. We have worked hard and this will be our reward which we will share with everyone.
Arian: The true first step, we’ve been working hard on this album and we’ve learned a lot from it.
Nikke: This is sort of like the “real” beginning of it all.
Ken: It’s a statement of change. Let these impersonal, mass-appearing bands disappear. There’s a big difference between each song on the album, but they all reflect us in some way. We’re re-launching as an entity of music, imagery and personality; something for everyone to embrace in their own way.
Andie: It means everything. No matter where our careers take us, this will be our first album. The first effort. The debut. It’s going to be the record which all our future albums will be compared to. It’s a huge thing and I can’t wait to get it out there.

Is there anywhere outside of Europe you would like to perform?
Huy: I’d like to perform in every country there is.
Arian: Anywhere is fine. As long as there are people who want to see us.
Nikke: Finland! Wait… damn.
Ken: Anywhere where they offer us alcohol and female comfort. Ehm.
Andie: Is there any place at all where we would NOT like to perform? No!

Are there any artists and/or bands living or dead, real or fictional you would like to perform with?
Huy: I can’t choose.
Arian: There’s many.
Nikke: Well I suppose I have to choose someone… hmm. Probably not one of my idols though, I would be all nervous and screw everything up! Haha.
Ken: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, short Iz. Sounds like a fun-loving dude. Mourning his death.
Andie: I’d like to jam with some of my many idols. That list is just too long to mention here however.

Are there any other genres of music you enjoy? Would you ever try to incorporate it in your music?
Huy: I listen to what I find inspiring and take what I like from each genre and make it my own.
Arian: Well, since I don’t think visual vei is a musical genre in itself, I can’t really answer that. Our music has always had influences of different genres.
Nikke: Everything works, and I think we already have incorporated some! Haha
Ken: As I said, if I like something I’ll incorporate it, whatever it is. I’ve got a broad taste in music because what I like about music isn’t about genres, but rather about certain feelings I get while listening to a lot of different stuff.
Andie: I like everything. One of the best things about this band is that we’re free to mix it all up. Keeps things fresh.

If you were not in SAI now, what occupation would you be in?
Huy: Computer tech? I have no idea.
Arian: I have absolutely no idea.
Nikke: Ghost hunter!
Ken: Bum. No, seriously.
Andie: Author, actor, teacher or something like that. I’d be creative somehow. But I’m glad I’m here!

What is your biggest goal as a band? What are your individual goals?
Huy: I want to make a change and affect the society we live in.
Arian: As a band, I think the biggest goal is to be recognized and to be able to affect people in different ways.
Nikke: Wow, that’s hard. I for one can’t answer that until I’m actually there. But when I know, I’ll tell you!
Ken: My goal with the band and as an individual is about the same. I’m going to reach the top and make a change. What the change is about… you’ll have to see for yourself on our way there.
Andie: What Ken said. Every single word!

What are your final words for your fans and potential future listeners?
Huy: Then you for taking time to read this, I hope you will enjoy our debut album!
Arian: Thank you for having patience with us. It’s not easy being a new band, but we will not disappoint you.
Nikke: Prepare for all the new stuff coming soon!
Ken: You won’t get anywhere by not being true to yourself, and even if you do, it’s not worth respecting. But don’t forget to eat donuts. Life ain’t always that serious, haha.
Andie: Thanks for reading this interview and be sure to check out the debut album. I’m sure you’ll find it to be worth your while. Love you!

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