L.A based vocalist and producer SAÍGO creates what he calls ‘future soul’ music, a nebulous amalgamation of syrupy groove and electronic textures. He embraces the fluidity of the genre, interlacing organic musicality with a diverse palette of beats.

Balancing perspectives absorbed through a peripatetic life on four continents, SAIGO shares lyrical insights from romance to philosophy, distilling complexity and conflict into eccentric sonic tapestry. At the center of it all is a voice that is at once sensitive, inquisitive, and daring.

Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?

I’ll always have an appreciation of classical music as I started playing classical violin at the age of 7, and sang in choirs all through grade school.  When I started playing bass in a pop-punk band in my teenage years, that’s when I learned music could be fun. I’m still learning all the time about production, it doesn’t come as naturally to me as songwriting, but I learn a ton from the people I collaborate with.

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?

I think a good songwriter needs to be able to put the puzzle together in different ways, no matter what piece comes first, and regardless of the sequence in the way it comes together. When it comes to my own projects, though, I start with either the vibe, or the message, but they rival each other for importance. I either need to have something to say, or I need to find something to say to match the vibe of the track, that’s what motivates me to write.

What gets your creative juices flowing?

I’m always on the lookout for songs that feel good and say something sincere.  Whenever I hear something like that, I immediately want to go into the lab and make more. Collaboration is also a huge motivator.

As a musician, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?

I split my time between Los Angeles, Southern Brazil, and Sofia, Bulgaria.  My paradise would be to take all the amazing people I work with, and put them all in an affordable city that combines the opportunities of L.A., the social cohesion in Brazil, and the walkable city environment of Sofia.  Until that happens, I just try to focus on the art and expand my audience, and I leave the business stuff to other people.

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?

I lean more towards the performance side, but I relish the studio process as well.  I just don’t like sitting down as much.

What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?

Someone added one of my songs to a playlist titled “Music to have sex to”.  Mission accomplished.

What’s on your current playlist?

Little Dragon, D’Angelo, Al Green, The Shins, Rhye, Bill Withers

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you in the near future?

I’m still dreaming up the debut SAÍGO album. I have collaborations coming out soon with Kan Wakan, DAYO, and a few other producers.  I have a new band/album in the works in Bulgaria called Android Ethics.  I recently launched my music/travel/interview podcast, “Unidentify”.

Famous last words?

Guess we’ll see what’s next!

 

 

Follow SAÍGO online:

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube