Smashing Satellites Q&A
Words By: Annette Hansen
During a period in time where technology has taken over the world, Toronto’s ‘Smashing Satellites’ is a movement; a movement to bring people back to humanity. Frontman Salvatore Costa opened up on his thoughts on the digital age, overcoming struggles, and his experience as a musician.
On your website you talk about how technology has disconnected us as a whole even though we seem to be more connected than ever. How do you portray that message in your music, in your performances and in your interaction with fans?
It is more my general message as an artist in which I promote human interaction, connection and the lack thereof in modern day. One thing Smashing Satellites tries to do is meet as many of our fans as we can. Shake their hands, look into their eyes and speak to them. We are always trying to make sure we can implement meet and greets during our tours and travels. We also prefer to not be filmed for purpose of being posted on YouTube as we feel that it not only takes the fan away from enjoying the moment they are in watching the band, but it also fuels a medium in which people can see a show we played the night before and not truly be able to feel the vibe that was there. You can’t capture atmosphere in a mobile video, so we feel that it ends up misrepresenting our band, our energy and our sound.
Do you ever think there are times, especially as a band that uses technology to connect with fans, that technology is serving the music industry and even society for the better?
Of course. We aren’t against technology. We are more just saddened by its misuse. Technology can be a beautiful thing. It is helping find cures for cancer, HIV, etc etc. However, we almost abuse it and use it as a barrier when it comes to our basic human purpose, which is to communicate with touch, feel, look… It truly breaks my heart that I rarely see kids playing outside anymore, but as I’m jogging down my street with my dogs I see kids inside playing video games. Or I’ll be out for dinner and see an entire group of people at a table, none of them talking to each other, but their heads are buried in their phones.
Technology ultimately killed the music industry, but we have gone down so far past repair that we are almost forced to use it now to be heard at all.
To you, what are more powerful ways that musicians and artists can connect with fans rather than just using social media?
Meet and greets before or after shows or co-coordinating them to be done at or with the local radio station. Fans are excited to see the artists they love, but we are equally as excited to see the people that allow us to live our dream. Social media is great, but it isn’t something personal. We want to bring that human connection back.
How do you think music and art can help rebuild some of the connections that technology has divided?
Concerts for one. But being an active fan in the concert. Talking to the people beside you and engaging in conversation. If you’re there to see the same artist, you probably have at least one thing in common. I have seen SO many people become friends with complete strangers because they have met at one of our shows. Coming to our shows, fans know we are all about engaging and communicating, so they come to our shows more open minded. We hope in turn that this experience transfers over into their daily lives. It takes one person to change a life, so a movement like this can eventually spread like the plague. Well, so we hope.
As a band, your sound is catchy but not overly formulaic as it is in most modern mainstream music. How do you maintain your artistic integrity and why is that so important for you?
First of all, thank you – that means a lot. I’m a feel person. I do only what feels right to me no matter what people tell me. I hate fitting into boxes. I like to learn my own way and I like to explore. In the studio I have one rule: You can’t say NO to me. I have to be able to try everything I hear in my head, even if it ends up being completely shit, I need to try it to hear for myself. I go through this trial and error process for sometimes months on one song until I get this gut feeling that says “this is right.” I never go into the studio to write a song, I wait until the song comes to me and I feel inspired to explore it. I feel in doing this that I never get bored of what I do and that it always keeps me in excitement of the next time inspiration will hit me.
Growing up you said you liked to make the music you played your own even if that made others unhappy. How do you stay true to this mentality now?
I still do this now. I’m still that little kid that just follows his heart. I feel that ultimately not everyone will love what I create, but that is the beauty of art. Knowing this makes me feel even more compelled to at least make something that at least I am proud of.
How do you hope to inspire other musicians with the same desire to make music and art that is a little bit against the grain?
If you go back in history, even music aside, it is always the outcasts and the ones that never fit into a certain box that have had the biggest impact on our world. Everyone from Einstein to Bruce Lee. It is important to stay true to yourself. That is ultimately where success lies. In truth.
The songs on your latest EP each seem to have their own flavor. Was incorporating variety a goal or does each song have its own unique story?
There is a bipolarity to myself as a person. I’m very zero to a hundred, hot or cold, extremely upset or euphoric. I write during all these emotional bouts, so when I’m done making a record it turns out to be very much like myself… somewhat all over the place. But I also think that is what makes this record special as it allows a diverse group of people to enjoy a diverse body of music.
Artistically what did you want to achieve with this latest EP and do you think you achieved it?
My goal is very simple. I just want as many people as possible to listen to this record and feel some sort of validation and comfort. I poured my heart out on this record and I want others to feel that they are not alone in this world.
If listeners could gain anything from listening to your music or going and seeing you perform what is it you hope they gain?
I hope that they can find their story in my songs. I’m a selfish writer in which I write about my own personal issues and triumphs. However, we’re all cut from the same cloth and all go through the same joys and sorrows in life, so by writing selfishly I’m really writing for everyone. Your story is in this record if you listen deep enough.
What would you say has been the most difficult part of your career for you all personally and collectively?
Just the constant fear of the unknown. In the music business you’re hot one minute and not the next. Money is coming in or runs dry. People are in love with your songs and then suddenly not. However, what I have learned about life is to not look too far into the past or future. Stay with the moment and enjoy everything that it has to offer, which I can tell you, is a lot. If you can tap into this mind set then you will always feel like you’re achieving something great because happiness is ultimately true success. This is what it’s all about.
What is the ‘highlight’ of your career so far?
You know, years ago I would have said being able to play Madison Square Garden as it was on my bucket list ever since I saw a bootleg video from 1973 of Zeppelin playing ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’ there when I was a kid. I got my chance to play there as a support act and it was an amazing experience, however, I’d have to say that making this record has been my greatest accomplishment as I am so very proud of it. It is just so me.
What is the one dream the moment at which point either personally or collectively you would be able to say yes I’ve achieved this, I’m living my dreams?
I’m not of the type of personality that would ever feel that. I just go every day trying to be better and better as a human being and an artist. There is no pinnacle of success for me. It’s all about just growing every passing day.
You can check out Smashing Satellite’s newest video for their track “Waterfall” Below
