Ah the irony: attempting to articulate about an artist who does nothing else BUT articulate, through his music. So, to the facts: Mesmerism is Seba‘s forthcoming ep, the indefinable title track has equally blown Doc Scott and (long time Seba champion) Flight away – hear her reaction for yourself on her recent show
– and it includes a track which organically stems from the hallowed enclosure which we all know is SunAndBass, all culminating in a phenomenal ep due in a few weeks.
Deep breath. Right.
So SEBA when did you sit down and start to write this ep sir?
I started this ep just after the summer. First track was ‘Life Is’. I needed a special track that would fit my set at Sun&Bass 2013. I started ‘Mesmerism’ before the summer, but had a hard time finding what direction to go with that track. It’s quite different from most of my tracks.
I have to say: I’m always a captive audience member when I know your music is going to be on the radio. It’s a special occasion! Now it sounds like that special mood is here for Mesmerism.
I do. I kind of decide what kind of mood my next work will be. Sometimes that mood gets dictated by what kind of music I need in my set. In general the music I make is quite deep Even if it’s happy, dark or dreamy it’s always deep. That’s the kind of mood I work with.
How has your work changed over the past few years? Have you utilised new methods and fallen in love with new sounds, or old techniques have come back to you?
Techniques come and go. I learn to do some new tricks in the studio, and then I forget some old tricks. Eventually those old tricks become fresh after some time. I like making retro sounding music with modern technology. It’s like making old-school music that sounds really fresh.
Was there an underlying theme to Mesmerism?
I wanted to make some heavier music on this one. I’m quite happy the way ‘Mesmerism’ and ‘Science fiction’ turned out.
What is your studio area like? I harbour quite a romantic vision of it, especially during the winter months. Open fire, great record collection, good view.
It’s not that special. I have my studio in little house in my yard. It’s like most studios. Studio monitors, computer screen and some keyboards. The one thing that I like with my studio is that I made basstraps in the corners where I got my studio monitors. So the speakers are built in to the basstraps. Looks good, sounds good. I also like working in dim light.
Loads of D&B suits winter. Do you prefer this time of year to summer for eg?
Sweden is beautiful when there is snow on the ground. But it’s cold. It’s quite dark outside this time of the year. That makes me more creative. I got difficulties working in the summer.
What is a small studio habit of which you’re fond, that helps, that keeps it all flowing?
Right now… Sidechaining strings and pads. I need to stop doing that. I use a lot of compression on my beats. In different stages.
And what’s something about you that people may not know?
I own an art collection. It is something really important in my life.
I am always thinking of films when I listen to you. What are one or two films that deliver, in your opinion? In terms of scope, atmosphere, narrative tension, star power, timing…
I loved The Road. Puts a question mark on humanity, and being humane.
Solaris, US version. Because of the story. It is more about love and existentialism than sci-fi, and the music is blinding.
Seba set, 2014