Sapata Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

We are Sapata, the dancing dead from Tampere, Finland, formed in 2014.

Saara Šamane vocals, Felix Voltti guitar, TT Suosalo bass, Anttu Puutio drums.

2.In June you had released an album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

Deep, sanguine, melancholic sound but still warm, strong and full of energy.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

Saara:  You might say that I write lyrics from a two different aspect. Some of the lyrics are very intimate and earthly. They are stories about love, depression, stories about dreams and nightmares and my fear of death. For example 'I the Messenger' is a song that I wrote when I had this bad time span of mania and depression dominating my life.

I have a quite romantic relationship to writing. I see stories in my head; landscapes, colours, sounds, and I must write them down. Like 'Gobi'. When I started to write it I saw the song in my head. I saw this bare desert and black night sky full of stars, and this young man who wanted to be fearless and ride through the desert that is full of danger but the story doesn’t tell what is his destiny. I use a lot of metaphors, to me it's very natural way to write. Metaphors are beautiful and interesting way to write about your life without telling the whole story of your lunatic mind. They are poems which every listener can feel and see in their own way. I like to use mysticism in my texts so I have taken influences from old mythologies, religions, myths and believes, things that I’m interested in. In June I made a sequence of photos based on the album lyrics, you can check those in our facebook page. Every photo opens more of the world and stories behind the lyrics.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Sapata'?

Sapata means a dancing bear in native Miwok's language. Coming up with the name was a quite long process with everybody spit ideas back and forth and eventually when we came up with it the name suited our music well.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and slo how would you describe your stage performance?

Every show can be quite different ‘cause is all about the place and the energy between the band and the audience. Our shows are very strong, energic, sometimes dramatic but always honest. Music can create a strong bond between players and the audience and they can feed each others energy in a very hypnotic and therapeutic way. Our best shows have been like this, we’ve been in a trance with the audience.  It’s all about this magnetic, hypnotic energy between everybody.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

Now we are writing our second album called ‘Reflections’ and it will be recorded this year. We have also some shows in Finland and we are open to have more. Touring starts next spring when the album will be released. We don’t know yet is the album going to be a self release or via some label.

7.The new album was released on 'Inverse Records', are you happy with the support that they have given you so far?

To a rising band like us, label Inverse has been good move, they promote us through their contacts and keep us informed about reviews and sales, while letting us own the rights to our music.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of heavy and doom metal?

‘Satanibator’ has received lot of positive feedback and we are happy to see how people around the world have liked the album. ‘Satanibator’ is musically quite open-minded album and we have noticed that almost all kind of people can find something catchy from it. And it’s great ‘cause our music is meant for everyone.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Our music and lyrics are getting more rough and intimate and will take the listener deeper to our world. The theme of the second album is the death’s reflections and it’s called ‘Reflections’. On the new album the theme will be more clearly present on lyrics and graphics that on ‘Satanibator’.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Everyone’s individual influences and musical roots are very different and that creates our sound. We listen bands like Dead Can Dance, Sielun Veljet, Goat, Emma Acs, Oranssi Pazuzu, Monolord, Type o Negative, Devin Townsend, Boston, the Hellacopters, Leprous..

11.How would you describe your views on Occultism?

We don't have a mutual view on occultism. Everyone has their own or doesn't have it at all. 'Sex Magik' is the only occultic love song in the album. Some of us might have some kind of interest on occultism but it's not present in our music.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Saara: Woodworking, diy, graphic designing and art

Felix: Sports, scifi-movies and assisting surgeries

TT: Nature, aircrafts and food

Anttu: Baking

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts/

Live life with full power love and lunatic groove