#oom velt

TSH: With this being the early stages of the band, how key is it for you guys to try and find your own identity and to discover our own sound?

Juliana: I think that’s one of our main priorities and it should be for anybody that is creating. Having your own identity and your own ‘voice’ is a key point for art to be meaningful.

TSH: Tell us about the group dynamic of having a constant urge to reinvent your music and to try to not repeat yourselves…

Juliana: It’s exciting for us to do something different. Our music grows. We grow. We get bored easily with our comfort zone, so we gravitate naturally towards things that we find challenging.

TSH: What primary experiences and motivations would you say shaped the core feel of your upcoming EP ‘Oom Velt’?

Juliana: It was much of an inner search; kind of us trying to quiet down and listen to how we can be a medium and sift through sensory overload.

TSH: In relation to penning the lyrics, do they stem from personal experiences, the experiences of others or perhaps even fiction?

Juliana: They stem from everyday personal experiences. We always think we are in this unique situation physically or emotionally but through art and history we discover that so many people have had similar experiences.

TSH: With the wide-ranging feel the EP takes on, was it refreshing to have an organic approach to blend and mesh together various influences?

Juliana: Yeah, it's the only way to approach it. There is as much gut feeling as there is technicality to it.

TSH: Your latest single ‘Holy Soul’ has a resounding and captivating feel. Tell us about constructing and arranging this song with the tones, arrangements and aura put in place…

Juliana: We did a lot of versions of that song until we found an arrangement that we were pleased with. The idea was to make something that resembled the lyrics.

TSH: Also, ‘Tease’ displays some impressive diversity. Can you tell us more about the ideas and origins that shaped the song?

Juliana: The song started from the lyrics and melody. It has this certain playfulness; we couldn’t resist doing a sort of danceable song. ‘Tease’ is a strange song because it involves a lot of elements that we created in different moments.

TSH: How much of your music do you consider to be a snapshot of yourselves during the moments of crafting it?

Juliana: All of it. Every time I listen to the songs I remember what I was thinking/feeling and it’s almost like constant flashbacks. I really like this question.

TSH: Was there anything that you read, watched or heard the crept its way into your production for ‘Oom Velt’?

Juliana: I went to India and China right before we started working on it. Some parts of Asia reminded me of Colombia and made me think that we are more similar than we are different.

TSH: With others describing your vocal style as ‘wispy’ and ‘angelic’, how would you assess the role of your voice within your musical output?

Juliana: The importance of the voice lies in that it is communicating through music at the same time as it is with words. And words are our primary way of communicating, so it's a delicate subject.

TSH: You guys have been doing some extensive touring this year, which included a visit to Japan… What can you tell us about your experiences of the Japan tour?

Juliana: Our Japanese tour was great! We had a blast and the shows were great. We enjoyed it so much. Our friends/label mates were beyond kind to us.

TSH: How pleasing is it to put in the hard work, to travel, meet new people, new cultures and traditions and share your music in so many different areas?

Juliana: It’s really pleasing. It’s the best thing so far in our lives. It's also an experience that someone can't just "purchase". It's the product of creating music and finishing songs and putting them out into the world and that's why it’s so valuable. We are really grateful with the opportunities that we have had.

TSH: What has given you the most amount of satisfaction with regards to your way of crafting new music?

Juliana: The minute that we say: ‘‘it’s done!’’ and then we say, ‘’Ok, let’s move on to something else’’. There’s always something to do, that’s what keeps us creating and it's so satisfying to know that there’s no end to this. We like the process a lot.

TSH: In regards to the live translation of Salt Cathedral material, what kind of discussions and motivations would you say form the outlook of your live shows?

Juliana: We change the music live. We do tweaks here and there. We strive for something that is exciting for the audience and us. Live music takes on a whole different sensory experience.

TSH: As you progress, how vital is it for Salt Cathedral to take advantage of new knowledge, technologies and to find the right music for the intended vibe or feeling?

Juliana: It’s crucial and overwhelming but you can do anything with whatever element you have at your disposal. It’s all about the ideas in your head.

TSH: When you guys are not on tour or making music, how do you like to unwind?

Juliana: Reading, cooking, or working on visual stuff.

TSH: Finally, what is the band philosophy heading forward?

Juliana: Publish or perish!