Mit „Saudade“ melden sich DEEZ NUTS nach fünf Jahren zurück – und präsentieren ein Album, das persönlicher und tiefgründiger ist als viele ihrer vorherigen Veröffentlichungen. Wir haben uns mit Frontmann JJ Peters über die Bedeutung des Titels, die neuen internationalen Bandmitglieder und die kreative Entwicklung der Hardcore-Veteranen unterhalten.
Frontstage Magazine: Your new album is titled “Saudade”, a word full of longing and melancholy. What does this word mean to you personally, and how is it reflected in the music?
JJ: Good question! Well let me start by saying, I never try too hard too come up with album titles, I kind of let them come to me based on where we are writing recording at the time and to reflect the mood of the album etc. We wrote and recorded the album in Portugal and nearing the end I still didn’t have anything that struck me as a “title track”, and then the word Saudade presented itself to me and I just new it didn’t need to be a song, that word and meaning as I know it encapsulated the the past 5 years between albums and the topics of this album as a whole. To me the parts of the meaning (as its best explained in English) of the word that resonate with me, are a deep and profound melancholic longing for something or someone you love, that you may never experience again.
Frontstage Magazine: The current DEEZ NUTS lineup is more international than ever. What new influences did Poli and Jesse bring into the creative process?
JJ: As season veterans of all genres but current members of other amazing hardcore bands, (Poli DEVIL IN ME, Jesse NO WARNING) they both brought new flavours to the table and just added to DN’s sound without losing what makes us DN. Since they’ve both toured with us for years before the making this album, they know our catalogue and what works, but also weren’t afraid to add to our sound. Its just given us some more weapons in our musical artillery so to speak haha.
Frontstage Magazine: In the past, many of your lyrics were more provocative and hedonistic, but now they feel deeply personal. How did this shift come about?
JJ: I mean, thats been a slow progression over the past few albums I think. But 5 years is a long time and I had a lot to get off my chest, and it wasn’t talking about partying thats for sure haha. Music should change with the times and 5 years is a long time. I think it reflects those 5 years and where I’m at now vs. YOU GOT ME FUCKED UP.
Frontstage Magazine: The album was written and recorded in Portugal from scratch within just one month. How did this intense and focused time shape your dynamic as a band?
JJ: We always work best under pressure, and were old school in the sense we dont send riffs etc, we show up with a blank canvas and we paint. If a month is all we have the job will be done no matter the cost. Is it stressful and high pressure? Would we like a few more weeks? 100%, but we know we have a job to do and we take pride in our work, so when time is tight, so don’t let constraints water down the results, just work twice as hard.
Frontstage Magazine: You’ve now worked with producer Andre Neufeld for the fourth time. What makes this collaboration so valuable and essential for you?
JJ: That ones easy, he’s one of our best friends and favourite musicians, so its a no brainer, he’s the guy for the job. If next album he’s not available I dont think we would us a producer, we don’t NEED a producer, we just want Andrews involvement in the process because he brings so much to the table as a friend and as a musician.
Frontstage Magazine: Looking back, how does “Saudade” differ from “You Got The Fucked Up” or earlier records — both musically and thematically?
JJ: I think its worlds apart from YGMFU, again as I mentioned that was 5 years ago, if we wrote the same album I’d be very concerned haha. But I do think HOW it differs is the way it actually sound more mature than YGMFU but more in tune with much older DN albums some how. Don’t get me wrong I love YGMFU, but this album is us now, that was us then, and im proud of where were at and what we’ve done with this album. I honesty can’t wait to make the next one. It won’t be another 5 years thats for sure.
Fotocredit: Mike Ghost
