Patterns-they’ve always been a crucial part of Nicole Saphos’s life. From her Background in jazz to her Haystack Mountain School of Crafts – Time at residency in Maine, she’s always valued discipline and structure in her music, but that doesn’t mean she’s trepidatious when it comes to trying new things. Her Neue album “Figure Eights” Patterns and how they impact our lives every day are the focus of this book. Inspiration comes from Netflix’s most popular shows.“Keepin’ Eyes”) to tackling topics involving changes in Environment and Nature“Stoic Companion”() and urging her listeners to realize there’s more than meets the eye (“Spend A Little Time”) Nicole Saphos her A trusted band which has provided assistance her On John Lee and Ele Rubenstein, 10 songs of melodic bliss are available. with beautifully haunting harmonies, electrifying solos, and lyrics that’ll leave listeners contemplating.
Q. Many of your songs were recorded in your living room. What environment can help music flourish?
A. It was probably more an economical thing. Apart from the masterful recording of Justin Nazario’s drums at Sound Splitter Studio and everything else, it was all recorded in this small space. in My living room.
I took up learning how to record myself and setting up a home studio during the pandemic, and while I by no means consider myself a professional audio engineer, I found the process of recording/producing the album myself to be very empowering (also time consuming and frustrating — but mostly empowering). You may have some aspects that were not as good. in It was quite a studio. But, the performance side of things was great. in charge. The acoustics also worked out well. in So, my living room is pretty nice.
Q. You’ve been compared to other prominent female alternative artists Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor. Do these artists inspire you?
A. Oh definitely! Both of these albums are my favorites. Regina Spektor’s albums, all of her Albums and especially Begin To Hope, which I believe was released in the late 1980s. in 05’ or 06’, that was super inspirational for me to see someone who came from a jazz background make music that was predominantly not jazz. Similar. with Fiona is a poet with a rhythmic, poetic style that feels very rooted to her. in jazz.
Q. More about your production musically and lyrically behind the single “Keepin’ Eyes”.
A. Musically, it is the instrumentation “Keepin’ Eyes”…. let’s see, well, I play the Fender Rhodes, electric bass, and sing lead vocals plus the harmonies and “talking” parts, of which I’m particularly proud. Ele Rubenstein provides the drumming/handclaps while John Lee performs all of those lovely ethereal lines on guitar. You can also hear a full band playing this track. “chant” Section at the conclusion.
So, it’s not surprising that the Netflix series inspired the idea. “You”. I saw that show and I was so taken by that storyline of how they make him a little bit of a protagonist, but he’s…you know, a creepy serial killer and has all of these dark urges–but they try to play it off that he’s also a loving boyfriend. It was very entertaining to see the morality play.
Q. Your band’s first full-length album “Figure Eights” Released February 24, 2009. How was it created?
A. Apart from the logistics of recording and mastering the album, I was also very focused on the overall themes of each song. “Figure Eights” It’s all about patterns and the songs of the album are a reflection of that. in One way or the other; patterns can be helpful or harmful in different situations. You can find it here. “Keepin’ Eyes”, for instance, it’s fairly obvious that the repetitive pattern of obsessively watching someone is not a particularly helpful or healthy one.
A song is another example. “Stoic Companion”This is about a coyote speaking to a mountain. Where I was raised in Southern California, and of course, there’s not usually too much rain out there. An unseasonal rainfall forced a coyote to flee their home. This was my story idea from December. After being thrown out their usual routines, the coyote finds himself lost and starts a conversation. with a familiar mountain. It’s sort of like a Neil Young-styled fairy tale!
Q. Based on the title of your album and the skates you’re sporting on the cover I have to ask if you’re an ice skater.
A. I’m not (laughs). Not at all. Maybe. in the multiverse or whatever I was an ice skater because I sort of love the idea of being one, but I absolutely can’t ice skate at all. When I was little, I had a pair of skates, and I’d just go around the carpet inside constantly. This is something my parents believe I would do as a child, skating across the carpet listening to Bruce Springsteen.
A VHS tape I had from childhood showed me performing this feat. It was last year. Although it was hilarious, I enjoyed how happy I looked doing the exact same thing every time. Coming from an academic music background, I was taught to practice the same thing over and over again, and there’s a certain freedom in that…but there’s also a time where it can become limiting and make you feel stuck.
Q. You’ve performed at a variety of venues such as The Kennedy Center, The Smithsonian American Art Museum, and Rockwood Music Hall. Is there a place you would love to be able to perform?
A. Rockwood, well I do. It’s hard to compete with The energy in That place. You can also play in the amazing Kogod Courtyard located at Smithsonian. These two rooms are my absolute favorites.
Q. What song on the album do you love the most?
A. Probably “Stoic Companion”. The song’s concept and writing are very important to me. It ties together a lot on the album. I double-tracked myself on upright bass so there’s this really cool bridge. I’m really proud of the production of that song. I think it’ll be something new for people who have heard my music before. It’s also totally different from the other singles I’ve released.
