Review Fix Exclusive: The Neon Saturdays Talk ‘Freaks In The Ocean’ And More

Review Fix chats with The Neon Saturdays’, who discuss their new album, “Freaks In The Ocean.”

Review Fix: How did the band form?

Andris: The band formed in 2012. We were a bunch of guys who had to find a way to heal ourselves from childhood and high school years. We had a lot to say, still do.

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Andris: I’ve been playing in an orchestra for as long as I can remember. Also – a father came to me once when I was about 11, gave me the guitar and said: “You’ll be playing this from now on.”

Edvins: Back in the day, during the 90ies my mom and dad had acquired a lot of western music, recorded on cassettes. You had Nirvana, Ace of Base, R.E.M., Metallica – all on one cassette, on shuffle, so to speak. I used to spend hours listening to those songs and imagining how I’d perform on a stage as a singer, guitarist, drummer and so on. It became the single most powerful ritual for me during my childhood.

Martins: My father was a well-known musician. I got to meet many local artists who came to our home, got to experience and be a witness to that way of life. It spoke to me.

Linards: I was in the 4^th grade and there were tryouts for the local orchestra. Back then… anything to avoid the reading class, haha. Also, I was kicked out of music school for not knowing how to piano.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Andris: The less I stress about writing music, the better the result. Of course, there’s a fanatical aspect to it – locking myself in my room or studio for many hours. It’s the complete opposite of nine-to-five life, no consistency whatsoever.

Edvins: It used to involve dwelling on my past and the depression that was the result of it. Also, a lot of high-end wine and minimum sleep. I got into fitness about a year ago and, as cliché as it sounds, it changed my views on many things. I’ve learned to write music without the need to harm myself, without the need to be cynical.

Martins: I write music when there’s plenty of free time on my hands. My main inspirations are my own experiences, various aspects of human psychology, popular culture itself – memorable movies, TV shows, for example.

Linards: And I play the drums.

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Andris: I’d rather talk about what drives me – it’s the need to express my thoughts and emotions. Talking it out with someone simply doesn’t cut it for me.

Edvins: I second that. Word for word.

Martins: Same here, haha.

Linards: Indeed. I think that’s the reason we all gravitated towards each other.

Review Fix: What makes this album special?

Andris: We literally gave all we have to record and release this album. All of our possessions, all of our free energy.

What’s the standout track?

Edvins: It’s really hard to say. Every song is significant and holds our past experiences. We picked them from 100 songs so they’re all special.

Review Fix: What’s on your musical bucket list?

Martins: International recognition. Being able to do this fulltime.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Linards: Ever seen The Office? It’s the rhythm of Michael Scott’s heartbeat and the sound of his inner voice.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Andris: Musically – a lot more energetic and powerful. We give 100% because we grew up playing alternative rock and metal.

Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2018?

Edvins: Do the shows we’ve scheduled and then rest a bit.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Martins: Writing new material, experimenting with our sound, returning to the big sandbox that is our studio.