Interview

DAMO SUZUKI

Dimanche 23 septembre 2012

How are you doing ? How do you enjoy the festival ?

Damo Suzuki : It's good so far. I had the opportunity to see two other bands last night. They're my friends so I went to see them.

What did you see ?

D.S. : I don't know the names. They played quite long. It was only a few meters away from the hotel, just at the opposite side.

What did you think of the show you played yesterday ?

D.S. : You'd better ask the audience. I play a lot but it's different every time. I think it was ok. I spoke with some people after the concert and they said it was an interesting experience.

© John Gallardo

Could you explain a bit the concept of the Network ?

D.S. : It's a long story actually. I travel from place to place and perform with local sound carriers. 99% of the time we don't do any rehearsals, just soundcheck sometimes. But yesterday was not like that. We didn't have so much time because we had some line-up issues. Originally we planned a show with thirteen people but one of them didn't come for some reason. But two other people joined us so it was total improvisation even before the concert. Normally I perform with local musicians without any rehearsing. I meet the musicians just before the show.

Do you sometimes choose the sound carriers yourself ?

D.S. : No, I never choose. But sometimes people write me and ask to play with me in their town. But most of the time it's the organisers who choose the sound carriers.

The music you play is improvised. Do you think of the lyrics you will sing in advance ?

D.S. : Actually there are no lyrics. I just make some kind of sounds because I don't like to make any kind of lyrics. If I write something, it means I'm already thinking about the music that's gonna be played. You can also make it up spontaneously but it's actually quite impossible to do for me. I don't have any particular language. Music has to be interactive in my opinion so people in the audience can make their own stories. If there are lyrics, people will pay too much attention to them and they'll forget to listen to the many things that are happening behind the singer. This project is called Network, and a Network shouldn't have any leader. Everybody is equal. That's why we don't rehearse, we just make music with the audience. The audience is part of the show, it's a very important factor because they give us feedback during the concert. They give us energy and we can feel it. Everybody in the room creates some kind of energy.

© John Gallardo

There are some shows that are recorded...

D.S. : Yes but always by accident. I make everything by accident. Sometimes people want to record a show and for me it's ok, I have no problem with it. Some people have small microphones and just record without asking, but it's ok.

You're playing three shows here at Incubate, which is quite surprising. Was it a choice you made or did the festival ask you to perform three times ?

D.S. : They asked me. At first I thought to play just once but they asked me if I could play the three days. It's nice actually because I don't have to travel to the next concert. I just relax.

© John Gallardo

You're always on the road for concerts. Is there a place where you haven't been yet where you'd like to play ?

D.S. : There are many places where I've never played because there are more than two hundred countries in the world. Many places are interesting, like Central Asia. I often perform in Russia. I'm going there in the beginning of December. I'm interested in performing in other parts of former Soviet Union.

Is it really different ?

D.S. : Yes, all places are different. Even The Netherlands and Germany are different. In Germany they produce Volkswagen, here they produce cheese and tulips.

You always sign your emails with the word 'Energy'. Why is that ? What does that mean to you ?

D.S. : Energy is the source of everybody's life. If you don't have energy you can't move, you can't think. Energy means you're not just by yourself, you get energy from other people too. If someone is nice to you, you get energy from this person.

Any last words ?

D.S. : I don't like to talk about last words, there is no "last" for me. I'm doing a never ending tour. Just keep your vibes and share with other people.