Interview with Leo Sawikin - Exploring Soundscapes, Collaboration, and Artistic Evolution
We sat down with Leo Sawikin to discuss his latest single, his collaboration with renowned producer Phil Ek, and his journey in crafting a distinct sound as a solo artist.
Leo, your latest single 'Till You're Somebody Else' explores themes of change and impermanence. How does this concept influence your songwriting process, especially as you prepare for your upcoming album?
I wouldn’t say it has an effect on my process itself other than that my style is always evolving. It’s just a recurring theme in the lyrics on this upcoming record.
Your work has been described as 'indie folk pop with a dreamy shimmer.' How does this aesthetic manifest in your live performances, and what can audiences expect from your upcoming Seattle show?
It manifests in my sound and my full band performances because on guitar I play very big shoegazey chords with a lot of minor second intervals and use a lot of reverb delay and chorus. The acoustic performances I’ll be doing on this tour will be more just Indie Folk Pop without a dreamy shimmer haha. I’ll be doing four songs from my upcoming album and two that I have yet to record.
Collaborating with producer Phil Ek, known for his work with bands like Fleet Foxes and Modest Mouse, must have been an exciting experience. Can you share a bit about how working with Ek influenced the sound and direction of your new album?
Working with Phil was an incredible experience! Phil encouraged me to write and play all my own parts, which really injected my sensibilities and personality into these songs in a way that had never been captured before. The way we layered up my guitar parts gave everything a bit of a shoegaze vibe. I came up with the ideas for the parts and he helped me to determine what worked and what didn’t, what could be played differently/better, and what could be simplified. It was a phenomenal process for discovering and honing my artistry.
Your lyric video for 'Till You're Somebody Else' features captivating imagery, including cellular motifs and bodies disintegrating and reforming. What inspired this visual representation, and how does it tie into the song's themes?
I let Jason Shevchuk, who did the lyric video, take the lead on that. The visuals are meant to capture the idea that our lives are just a moment in time and that we are always changing.
Having released your debut album during the pandemic, how do you feel your music has evolved since then, and what aspects of your journey as a musician do you bring into your live performances on this tour with Jon McLaughlin?
I’d say it’s become a more honest representation of the way I hear things. I know myself much better now than I did when I recorded Row Me Away. Working with Phil I learned how to express my own musicality and put more of myself into my recordings, so that definitely has had an effect on my sound. I also have learned to rely more on myself and less on others and have started to take practicing much more seriously than I used to. I definitely have brought those skills with me on this tour.
You've received praise for your vocal performance, with critics highlighting its grace and elegance. How do you approach vocal expression in your music, and are there any vocalists who have particularly inspired or influenced your style?
I try not to overthink my vocal performance, I just do whatever feels natural and try not to go overboard. I’d say Thom Yorke and Brian Wilson have probably had the biggest influence on me vocally and on the notes that I choose to sing. Also Marvin Gaye somewhat.
As a former frontman of the indie band The Chordaes and now as a solo artist, how do you navigate the transition between collaborative songwriting and pursuing your own artistic vision? Are there any lessons you've learned along the way that have shaped your approach to creating music?
The Chordaes wasn’t really collaborative songwriting, it was just me with assistance from my producer at the time Marc Swersky. Of course there have been many lessons! I think the most important lesson I’ve learned so far has been the importance of relying on yourself to make something come out the way you want it to. In the past, I too often let other people determine what my music sounded like. It’s so important as an artist to make sure that what you’re creating is a reflection of who you are.
Touring often comes with memorable experiences. Could you share one of your favorite stories or moments from your time on the road?
I’d say my favorite experience touring so far was getting to play a hometown show in NYC after a couple of weeks on the road. The feeling of coming home and playing for my friends after having significantly developed my performance skills on the road was really fantastic.
Leo Sawikin is playing with John McLaughlin on May 13th at Fremont Abbey Arts Center.
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With a diverse array of genres everywhere from indie-pop to death rock, people interested in finding new local music need not go further than their nearest venue to discover their new favorite band. There are countless talented artists in the Seattle area, all of which deserve to be listened to and talked about. While this article can’t list them all, it will give you a head start on highlighting a few to get your feet on the ground.