Photo: Mariana Diaz
After cementing himself with a flurry of fresh and upbeat offerings over the last few years, emerging artist Saadin Dassum has returned once again with his joyous new single 'Tomorrow'.
Channelling more of that rich and vibrant texture he has built for himself, 'Tomorrow' showcases some of his most uplifting songwriting to date. With a diverse array of instrumentation that sees him harness the riveting pop-rock aesthetic, his newest gem is a perfect slice of sunshine we all need right now.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has inspired him most over the years.
-
What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
I had many music crushes as a kid, but music love happened on a cold rainy day when I was on a school bus, and I heard a rock record with crazy guitar and an undefeatable choir. It was Queen’s “Somebody to Love”. My love for Queen remains to this day.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
There were some attempts here and there… In sixth grade I played Eye of the Tiger at a talent show. There are at least six guitar chords in that song. I knew two. So I played guitar and I sang. A bud of mine was backing me on drums. I’m gonna say we were successful because we took home not the trophy, but a good cheer from the Rocky-dads in the audience. Long live Saadin and Ralph’s unnamed band.
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
There’s a place in my brain where everything’s wondrous. It’s the part of my brain that gets me walking on beat when a good song comes up on my headphones. It plays out events in my life like a movie, and inexplicably chooses to develop a life story with girls I just met. Trust me, I know it shouldn’t be doing that, I told it not to, and it won’t listen. This chunk of my brain wants to talk to the world, and be wonderfully weird. Its favorite way to do so is through music. That’s why I write songs.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
God, so many songs I could bring up… Let’s choose a random sample: “You Wanted a Hit” by LCD Soundsystem. It’s so butthurt but in a dance-y, sports-training montage-y sort of way. Trust me, I’m no stranger to singing about being salty, but the day I tell off somebody with that much style, somebody should give me a crisp high five.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
There’s this little prank I like to play on my shows when everyone’s having fun. I make it look like I’ve stopped the show and then select someone from the audience, all while asking the crowd if they believe in destiny. I build it up almost like a magic trick, and imply that I have a card with the subject’s name written on it. I’ll have them come up to the stage to read the card. Little do they know on my card are the most nihilist lyric I’ve ever written: “You’re not special, I’m just lonely”. Once the audience member has read this, I start singing the lyric, and the band all starts playing in this theatrical, absurd moment.
Last year, the prank was a new idea, and I hadn’t tried it out yet. I’m playing this house show in North Miami and I’m killing it. The whole audience is rocking out, so I decided to put on my prank for the first time ever. I stop the band, and I choose this girl. Just a second later, I spot her boyfriend. And his face doesn’t look pleased. Oh boy. I decide to stick to my bit. As she walks up, the air is TENSE. Then she reads the card, and I break into my line. The first thing I hear is the boyfriend’s loud laugh, followed by the girl’s. Then the whole crowd goes from dead silence to dance and laughter. What a time we all had that night. I thanked the couple later for not socking me in the mouth mid-show.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Liz Cooper, no question. What an absolute rock queen.
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
Liz Cooper, Charly Garcia, and Daft Punk if they came back by some miracle.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
I’m gonna be building a studio so lost in the Andes mountains that you’re going to need a physical map to find it. If you arrive in one piece it will be absolutely sick and 100% worth the hassle. Eventually, I want to take some great, passionate artists to that studio to record.
-
Saadin Dassum's new single 'Tomorrow' is available to stream now. Watch the new video for it below.