Saturnia, the one-man project of Luís Simões, stood with his six studio albums so far for a gentle, hypnotic, trance-like psychedelic, wrapped in cotton wool. Now, a good 20 years after its foundation, the Portuguese has decided to make Saturnia a real band. André Silva (keyboards) and Nuno Oliveira (drums) are now permanent companions of the multi-instrumentalist. The trio has now also recorded "The Seance Tapes" in this line-up: Twelve tracks from the back catalogue in new band versions. Simões explains the background to eclipsed.
eclipsed: First the obvious question: for 20 years you have led Saturnia on your own. Why now the decision to make a real band out of it?
Luís Simões: Twenty years ago my original idea was to create something with several people, something like an "acid orchestra". But the reality was a little different. My wish to go on musical voyages of discovery as quickly as possible was simply too strong for me to wait for a band. This led me to work alone in the studio. From a certain point, from the "Muzak"-album in 2007, my music became more organic, got a more traditional band character. That was a consequence of me thinking more about my roots, which are clearly in rock. So it is a natural consequence to finally make a real band out of Saturnia.
eclipsed: How did you meet André Silva and Nuno Oliveira?
Simões: I met André in 2013 when I appeared for a few live shows with the Portuguese metal band Sacred Sin. He's got great technique and good taste. Later we realized that we have some mutual friends. He actually saw one of the first Saturnia concerts ever in 2000. He has therefore been part of the Saturnia"Mafia" for some time. And Nuno Oliveira was just there. They both instinctively understood what Saturnia is all about.
eclipsed: Will you continue to lead the way in the future? What contribution will André Silva and Nuno Oliveira make?
Simões: Nothing will change on the creative side. I am very satisfied with what I have artistically achieved with Saturnia as a composer, designer, musician and producer. And that's exactly what I want to develop further. But I also want to work with other musicians. Then a greater dynamic develops and with the right people the music simply becomes more complete. The contribution of the other musicians will, however, be limited to the playful aspect. I want to take a highly polished path that feels natural and real. Just like a good orchestra with someone like Herbert von Karajan as conductor
eclipsed: How were the recordings for the new album "The Seance Tapes", for which you re-recorded old Saturnia tracks?
Simões: I had the feeling that at this point in my career it would have to be either a compilation or a live album. But neither felt right somehow. So I chose an in-between. We recorded a compilation under live conditions in the studio. I gave some clues. We rehearsed the songs for a few weeks and recorded everything. We then put together the best things. Then it was mixed and mastered. The album was ready. It's as simple as that. My life has taken a new direction in recent years. I lost some important people in my family. My livelihood has realigned. I now wanted to put together a collection that represented what I really was and am. When God once asks me"Who are you?", I will play"The Seance Tapes" for him.
eclipsed: What are the differences between the old and new versions?
Simões: The differences are clearer with the old songs from the first three albums, because these songs have aged over the years and have since evolved. Besides, I produced them back then in a way I don't like anymore. My approach was different then. Things like "Gemini" or "The Twilight Bong" from the debut or "Chrysalis" from "The Glitter Odd" and "Sunflower" from "Hydrophonic Gardening", which were all rather Lo-Fi albums, the new recordings are almost fantastic compared to the old versions. With the songs from the newer albums like "Alpha Omega Alpha" and "The Real High" the differences are not so serious. Simply because the approach was already then as it is today. In any case, I think the songs sound the way I had them in my head back then. It's nice for me to see that on "The Seance Tapes" the old material fits wonderfully with the newer pieces and that everything still sounds so good after so many years.
eclipsed: You've released six studio albums so far and on "The Seance Tapes" there are exactly two tracks from each album on it. Does this show your sense of harmony and equality?
Simões: It was really hard for me to put together the setlist on the album. Things like "I Am Utopia", "Mindrama" or "A Burnt Offering" were clear, but I had to think about other pieces. Some were in competition with each other. At some point I realized that I wanted exactly two tracks from each album. That just makes perfect sense to me mathematically and magically. And that is probably the real expression of my desire for harmony and balance
eclipsed: So far, the Saturnia sound has been gentle and hypnotic. Does that reflect your character?
Simões: Yes, that reflects me, but only a part of me. A philosophical and intellectual path I took many years ago. But I also have a hard side and that is also captured on "The Seance Tapes". In some places it rocks quite a lot. Like every human being, I have several pages. That's life, isn't it? You can't have one without the other.
eclipsed: Will there be a stylistic change with the band as a trio?
Simões: Who knows? There are always many things floating around me that I want to realize. I try not to plan so much, but just let things go. Everything's changing. But I am not looking specifically for change. I simply want to leave enough creative freedom for the music to find its way naturally. Like the water.
eclipsed: So a new chapter is opening up for Saturnia. A good opportunity to sum up the past 20 years.
Simões: I started making music when I was eleven years old. It's great that I can still do this. I still like everything I have created so far and I am satisfied and grateful that I have come this far as an artist. Being a musician isn't easy and I know I've been lucky enough to release all those albums, whether with Saturnia or other projects. You're right. Saturnia is now entering a new phase and "The Seance Tapes" is the beginning of it. But this new phase carries the past in its heart. It is not a break with the past.
eclipsed: What are the highlights of your back catalogue? Are there things you don't like anymore?
Simões: The highlights are probably the tracks that have now made it onto "The Seance Tapes". These stand for me and Saturnia. As I said before: I like all albums and songs and I am proud of them. I'd make a few changes here and there today. But it's unhealthy to think about something like that. All the music was produced in its time in an honest way with inspiration, dedication and the best means available. Period. I think all that material has survived the ravages of time. And if it sounds a bit outdated, it still has charm, because I put all my passion into it.
*** Interview: Bernd Sievers
