Saticöy
Alternative band Saticöy teamed up with artist/producer Tangina Stone and keyboardist Simone Acosta on their latest single “Clean It Up”.
The collaborative project between Saticöy and Tangina Stone was born after meeting up at a music festival in Connecticut. “Clean It Up” is a self-empowering soul/jazz/r&b record that perfectly showcases their respective sounds and influences.
“Clean it Up” is about a relationship gone sour due to a partner’s lack of ambition and failure to love properly. It’s a classic tale of both shattered expectations and self-empowerment,” says the band.
“Clean It Up” is now available worldwide.
Hey guys, how are you? What have you been up to since our first interview?
We’re doing pretty well, all things considered. We’ve been putting a lot of time into some paid work since we spoke last, but it’s been difficult to schedule sessions with the virus going around. It’s been a challenge navigating the music industry amidst the pandemic, but we’re adapting.
"Clean It Up" is your new single - what's the story behind this song?
“Clean It Up” is written about a relationship in which one person seems to carry all the weight. The idea of leaving a bunch of dirty dishes in the sink and littering the floor with clothes is meant to be both literal and figurative, representing the subject’s laziness and lack of ambition. Many of us can relate to having relationships where one person is always cleaning up after the other’s messes, resulting in an unhealthy dependence.
What made you want to collaborate with Tangina Stone? What do you like the most about this artist?
We met Tangina Stone at a music festival we both played in Connecticut. She was one of the first performers we saw on stage, and her voice was mesmerizing. What was really interesting was how our sounds seemed to compliment each other. Tangina has a sound with roots in RnB and Soul, but she executes it with an alternative approach that sets her apart from many of the artists in her lane, whereas Saticöy is an alt-pop band that leans heavily into soulful grooves. It felt like our sounds should fit together like a puzzle, and “Clean It Up” proves just that.
What are you looking for in artists when collaborating with them?
People we collaborate with are always passionate and hardworking people with whom we share mutual respect. We've found that collaborating with these people always creates an energy that feeds off itself, which of course makes for great music
Production wise, what was the inspiration?
Everything started with that smooth and sultry keyboard progression played by Simone Acosta. Simone is an insanely talented keyboard player. What you hear on the song was recorded within 15 minutes of her sitting down at the bench. Her accompaniment was simple, but lush, and slugged just enough to give the track that sultry RnB swagger. After that, the session turned into a well-oiled machine. Jaron programmed his drums while Jon and I worked out our bass and guitar parts. By the time the instrumental was laid out, Tangina had already written her verse and a hook. Once she finished recording, I laid down my verse and we called in the newest member of our group, Tim Greer, to add sax. With the horns tracked, the song had everything it needed.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
The picture you see on the artwork is of Tangina’s partner, Emani. We wanted to convey some of the messy qualities of the person described in the song, so Tangina had the idea of painting Emani for the shoot. Once we had the image, we hired graphic designer Alix Marson to apply the filter, font, and frame.
What is your goal for this new single?
The main goal is to reach a wider audience. On top of introducing a new collaborator and her audience, this song sets itself apart from our last singles with its minimalistic approach. Warm and full of live instruments, this song really shows off our musicianship while still keeping itself contained in a catchy, 2.5 minute package.
What are your thoughts on today's current situation around the world and what are your thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement?
I’m not as educated on the topic as I’d like to be, but I do think that this is a long time coming. What’s really important about the protests and the political climate surfacing from them is that it makes these issues impossible to ignore. Racism is deeply rooted into the foundation upon which this country was built and, unfortunately, if you aren’t somebody who is directly affected by it, it can be easy to be oblivious to what’s happening as a result of it. We’re proud to be working with Tangina and amplifying her voice in a time like this. Her voice as an artist is matched only by her committed activism to the black and LGBT communities.
Tangina Stone
Photo credit: TopherBlev Photography
As humans, what major lesson have you learned these past couple months?
I’ve always known how important it is to educate yourself, but this seems particularly poignant in the last few months. Also, in the wake of a pandemic it’s important to find a hobby before you lose your mind..
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
More squirt gun fights.
What message do you want to give to the world?
Everyone has an interesting story to share. Be a good listener.
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