Samsara Blues Experiment talk to Music Velocity

Οι Samsara Blues Experiment είναι μια Γερμανική μπάντα ψυχεδελικού rock που ξεκίνησε το ταξίδι της στη μουσική το 2007. Με όχημα την πέρα από κάθε αμφισβήτηση μουσική τους ποιότητα και τις  πνευματικές τους αναζητήσεις μας έχουν παρουσιάσει μέχρι στιγμής δύο εξαιρετικά άλμπουμ,τα “Long Distance Trip” (2010) και “Revelation & Mystery” (2011). Λίγες μέρες πριν την εμφάνισή τους στη Θεσσαλονίκη (Την Κυριακή 15/01 στο Eightball Live Stage),ο τραγουδιστής τους μας παραχώρησε μια άκρως ενδιαφέρουσα συνέντευξη.Δείτε τι μας είπε: 

-First of all let me ask who are Samsara Blues Experiment?

In primary terms, I´d say four male individuals which form a band since 2008. Music style is a bit hard to focus, so I always say it´s Heavy Rock for adults and this without any limitations. The only boundaries would be aspects of taste.

-The term Samsara has to do with some certain spiritual pursuits of yours

I guess so, somehow I believe in reincarnation and a purpose in life that goes beyond reproducing and consuming.

-There are many who describe your music as Sabbath oriented psychedelia with some Krautrock aspects! How would you describe it?

Heavy Rock for adults who are still able to listen.


-Listening to both your releases gave me the impression that there is space for lots of improvisation in  your songs. Is there a certain wrtiting process or the jam factor plays a significant role on your recordings?

Not necessarily, quality jamming is difficult with two guitarist. You have to be dedicated to the music, not to only do your ego-thing and for all members it needs a lot of sensitivity and intuition to really do it well. But then I also see difficulties in jamming too much, because it often lacks a direction. I am a more conservative kind of guy let´s say. Most of our songs are actually structured, the second album remained a jam-space of maybe 10 percent.

-In my opinion your sound gathers a variety of influences and combines so many organs. Is it an easy job to compose a Samsara song? Is it easy to produce your music accuretaly on your live shows?

We work much by intuition, not much by thinking in terms of real composing. I can not really tell you how a song would come out, but it´s often quite a long process, sometimes like trial and error. Most of our songs have to pass the "live-test" as well, where we can see if they work and people still like what we do. We never reproduce the songs accurately. I would find this quite boring!

-Have you ever thought to release your music only on vinyl?

Why should we? It would be real stupid economically-wise and ignorant to everybody who is not a "vinyl-nerd".

-When I first heard "Long Distance Trip" I said to myself "can they become more awesome?". Then "Revelation & Mystery" came as an answer! What's the feedback for the new album so far?

Different. Many people like it, some love it, some people still prefer the first album, which is a bit confusing. For us as a band the new album represents a large step ahead, even if the songs are different, but we don´t want to always redo one and the same album. We actually returned to create longer songs, so there is not a straight direction.

-Can you also add any more info about the recording process of "Revelation & Mystery"?

We recorded all songs live, playing them in studio over and over again, which was quite a short process of ca. one week. Then we had to do several overdubs, mixing and mastering which summed up to an overall period of nine months of work with interruptions due to jobs, family, playing live and so forth. We are lucky to have Richard in the band who co-owns a professional recording studio.

-As far as I know you had only one proper release with your previous band TERRAPLANE. Do you think that Samsara Blues Experiment give you the opportunity to express all your musical talent?

It´s my main project and I am not only the singer (Please beware!), but the main initiator and lead guitarist. By the way Terraplane release more than ten records, but that´s another story.

-What shall we expect from the band in the future?

Quality music.

-The famous last words belong to you

Thanks for your interest. Looking much forward to playing in Greece. Take care.


(The interview has also been posted on the website of  Up 'n' Loud Web Radio,home of the Music Velocity Radio Show. You can check it here)