A Dirty Dozen with SATELLITE CITI – August 2020
According to a recent press release: “LA rock duo, Satellite Citi has released a new single and video, “Black Magic” from the forthcoming LP, Fear Tactics produced by Brad Wood (Smashing Pumpkins, Placebo). Front-woman Anna Gevorkian, serves as both lead singer and drummer, combining thrashing vocals with equally heart thumping drumming. Guitarist and backing vocalist Shaunt Sulahian provides powerful and distinctive riffs that are both a homage to classic anthem rock, yet wholly original and infectiously catchy. The duo is joined onstage by two anonymous Spacewalkers on bass and guitar, creating a one of a kind atmospheric aesthetic for their live shows. After performing at NAMM, LA residency and a west coast tour, Satellite Citi was honored to have their music featured in the upcoming 2020 rock documentary, “Long Live Rock, Celebrate the Chaos,” alongside the legendary Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Rob Zombie and more.” We get the band to discuss new music, influences, and much more…
1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?
“Black Magic” is about falling victim to someone’s manipulation or ‘spell’ so intensely that you lose sight of yourself. It was written last year, and it’s one of the heaviest tunes we’ve released off our upcoming record Fear Tactics. Nothing really hidden on this one, just a straightforward rock tune, with homage to 70’s classic heavy metal.
2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?
Anna: Definitely my older siblings, they were the ones who introduced me to all kinds of music growing up. I always felt the need to open the booklets inside the CDs and read the lyrics of songs and sing or play along.
Shaunt: Listening to music got me into music, as funny as that sounds. My dad showed me the classics like The Beatles, Deep Purple, Sabbath, and Zeppelin early on, and I discovered modern bands along the way as well. I’d say seeing live performances with System of a Down playing to a massive crowd made me think that I needed to give music a proper shot.
3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?
Anna: I think the first two rock bands I was introduced to as a kid were Nirvana and Green Day. I immediately dived deep into their discography but Dookie and Nevermind really shaped my musical taste.
Shaunt: SOAD, Muse, Tool were the big 3 for me growing up in my teens, and that sort of later progressed into prog metal and other sub-genres of metal.
4. Who would be your main five musical influences?
Tool, Nirvana, Muse, Elliott Smith, and System of a Down.
5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?
Dave Grohl would be fun to hear on a track. He’s not only a great songwriter, but he brings a certain energy to the music that would be cool to hear as a collaboration.
6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?
Sabbath meets Muse – Classic Rock with a modern twist. We’ve been compared to some bands that we don’t necessarily sound like. We definitely cringe when we hear Evanescence, not because we’re not fans of that band, we actually really dig them; but because of the fact that for some reason, female-fronted rock bands with distorted guitars are automatically compared to Evanescence by default!
7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?
Anna is definitely the one cooking and grabbing the drinks while Shaunt cracks out the guitars and goes for the herbal tea.
8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?
Nicholas Cage at a comic bookstore – I’m not sure why we were so starstruck… but it was pretty funny.
9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?
Anna: The rush you get playing on a stage in front of a crowd. There’s no greater feeling than seeing people enjoying themselves and helping make that happen. As far as a dream job, I’m a video editor when I’m not playing music which is definitely another big passion of mine. I would say working on a TV show that I really love.
Shaunt: Yes, what Anna said. I think writing is also a big passion of mine. Anna and I are working on a graphic novel together, so we’re sort of simultaneously living both dreams.
10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?
Well it would be cool to discuss the future of the Music Industry given the pandemic. It’s likely that traditional touring will never be the same, and bands are going to be forced to think of diverse income streams, whether that means live-streaming shows or selling various different kinds of merch. We definitely get tired of answering how Anna’s able to sing and drum simultaneously. It’s always shocking for people and it’s a go-to question for lots of interviewers.
11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?
Not really. There’s definitely been moments we wish could’ve played out differently, but everything has led us to where we are today, and we truly believe that’s how it was meant to be.
12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?
Anna: Oh man, I can’t choose just one record but a record and artist that really changed my life as a songwriter was Elliott Smith’s – Either/Or.
Shaunt: I would love to be a part of Opeth’s Folklore record. That record sparked my love music and writing simultaneously and really worked my imagination in ways that I hadn’t before. I also love the 70’s prog feel of that record and how the songwriting is still stellar compared to their previous works.
BONUS QUESTION – Due to the current world situation with COVID-19 / quarantine / shelter in place, what have you discovered you miss the most from your life before the pandemic struck?
Oh, we definitely miss shows, playing them and going out to them, interacting with fans, and meeting new people. Live music has definitely changed and we’re doing our best to adapt with the new norm and stay connected with our fans.
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Category: Interviews