Satori: my absolute passion is to write and perform my music

Radio Intense is pleased to welcome our next guest, Satori!

From holding down an eighteen month residency at Heart, Ibiza to having nearly four-hundred-thousand listeners on Spotify each month, Satori is a truly worldwide artist in today's electronic music scene. Having been championed by Damian Lazarus early on in his career, he has emerged as a must-see live act for fans from all corners of the globe. November marked the start of his USA tour, where his Maktub concept adorned some of the country's most iconic clubbing institutions, whilst his discography speaks for itself, with a plethora of acclaimed releases on labels including Crosstown Rebels, Sol Selectas and DGTL Records to name a few.

This time Satori returns to Crosstown Rebels in January, teaming up with Ariana Vafadari on Lalai. Inspired by the concept of letting go, the track acts as the latest precursor to his much-anticipated 2022 album. We talked to the talent about the new release and his experience in the industry.
Enjoy!
— Hello Satori, an absolute pleasure to have you with us today and happy new year! How are you doing and where are you talking to us from right now?
— Thanks so much and happy new year to you too. I actually just touched down in Rome from Dubai after performing at the Expo last weekend. I will spend a few days here to get some inspiration for new music and projects.
— We're speaking with you following the release of 'Yellow Blue Bus' and ahead of 'Lalai', two singles taken from your forthcoming album on Crosstown Rebels. We are very excited to hear the full project! But first, set for release on January 28th, what can you tell us about the second single, 'Laska', and what was the inspiration behind it?
— The song is sung by Iranian opera singer Ariana Vafadari and recorded in a 400 year old water well. Initially she wrote the lyrics for her son, for when she takes him to bed, but eventually we gave it a broader meaning. It became more of a 'goodbye' song, that represents the 'letting go' of a person or the 'letting go' of day into night.
— Arriving later this year, the album will mark your second LP on Damian Lazarus' Crosstown Rebels, following on from the success of your MAKTUB album in 2017 for which you spent a month isolated in order to create. Has your personal approach to creating music changed since then?
— No it is pretty much the same. I like to fully commit to a project when I'm creating so this time I spend the lockdown in Ibiza. I tried to mimic the circumstances of last time, as I know this is how I work best.
— With the release approaching, what can you tell us about the forthcoming album?
— I can honestly say this is the most personal body of work I've ever made. It echo's the ups and down of my recent years. I spent my lockdown with the brilliant Henry Sarmiento at the Sonic Vista Studios and I can't be more proud of the outcome.
— As a live performer and a producer, how do you separate the processes of creating a studio produced track and performing live?
— I don't, for me they are really the same. I never intend to sit down and write a new song from scratch. I prefer to jam with my live set and look for new interesting themes and from there songs start to grow.
— We would love to hear the story of how you first began on your musical path? What led you to music and what was it that persuaded you to pursue it?
— My musical path started with the cliches in the sense that I've always loved music. I grew up in a household that was always filled with music from around the world. Ultimately I started playing guitar when I was 10 and the piano followed shortly after. After understanding what Ableton was I was sold and I never looked back.
— Could you share with us some of the artists or sounds that have inspired you the most throughout your life?
— This list is never ending and always changing. And almost impossible to answer, but I'll name a few from the top of my head: Dave Clarke, Jj Cale, Tinariwen, Peter Gabriel, Ricardo Villalobos and so many more.
— Over the last decade you have developed into one of the most exciting artists in the scene, both through your productions and performances. How do you feel personally about the journey so far and where you are currently as an artist?
— I just feel super lucky! My absolute passion is to write and perform my music and luckily in the last years I've been able to do so regularly. I feel so blessed after each show and really have to pinch myself in certain situations. For instance last month I did a show in front of the Pyramids of Ghiza, which was one of my dreams and then to be standing there in the moment is pretty surreal.
— Thank you Satori, it was great to chat with you today. To round off, is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
— Enjoy the music and stay safe