SALT ASHES
Interview conducted on August 31, 2022
By Dan Locke
Salt Ashes, aka Veiga Sanchez, burst into the electronic/dance music scene with her signature dark synth-pop melodies and zeitgeist club sound – all of which was inspired by Giorgio Moroder’s blend of disco and epic dark atmospheres. In 2014 she released singles “Somebody” and “If You Let Me Go”, which reached the Top 5 on both Billboard and the Music Week Dance Charts, as well as winning MTVU Freshmen and MTV IGGY’s Artist of the Week for “If You Let Me Go”. In 2015, she continued to build her unique blend of dark synth-pop with her single Raided, a Spotify fan favorite which also had support from BBC Introducing and was playlisted on BBC Radio 1Xtra. The singer also contributed her writing and vocal talents on label-mate Kristian Nairn’s single entitled “4Love”, and rising producer CRUELS’ single “Give It Up”, both of which received massive support worldwide.
What was your up bring like?
My parents had to work 24/7 when I was younger so I was pretty much raised by my siblings who are 8 and 10 years older than me. That didn’t have a negative impact on my upbringing though…My childhood was happy and I don’t feel like I was ever lacking in anything, especially love!
– How did you discover music?
From the moment I could talk I was singing. Even though none of my family are professional singers, the Spanish side of my family are always singing traditional Galician songs (as they’re from Galicia) so I’m sure I get my voice from them.
I discovered music through my siblings though who were always playing their favourite bands and artists like Nirvana, TLC, Lauryn Hill, Audioslave, Oasis in their bedrooms.
– How did you start to write music?
In primary school, I used to write songs. They were obviously very innocent and cute and equally shit haha but that’s where the first attempts were. I dabbled when I was growing up but I didn’t take it seriously until I was about 18 when I saw other people around me at Uni singing their own songs.
– What was your first guitar and do you still have it?
My first guitar was a Yamaha. Just a second-hand, battered-up one that my mum got me to be able to teach myself on. I gave it to my brother a couple of years ago so he could start learning and he told me recently he threw it away!!! Devastated.
– What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make, model and does she have a name?
My go-to now is my Ibanez acoustic. No idea what year or model it is. I’m not really clued up on guitars, to be honest, I just know if I like how it plays and sounds. I should probably name her. Poor thing.
– What was your first performance like?
My first performance as a solo artist was when I thought I wanted to be a pop/rock singer… like a UK Kelly Clarkson. Everyone at my Uni basically wanted to do the same thing which is hilarious now when I look back. The gig was good and actually pretty busy but it only took me a couple of shows to realize that that music style wasn’t for me. I really wasn’t enjoying the gigs and I had to stop and ask myself why.
– How would you describe your music?
It’s forever evolving to be honest, but right now I’d say it’s like a club night in 1979 with daft punk laid on the floor and the dance scene from Pulp fiction
Casually happening in the background.
– How was it to work with Kristian Nairn on 4 Love?
Great! He’s such a nice guy. It was a pretty easy co-write actually. He sent me the track to Top-line and it was pretty much the first thing that came out of me that we ran with.
– Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP ?
I don’t
– What makes a good songwriter?
God, how am I meant to know?! Haha I think songwriting skills are subjective really but if you had a gun to my head I would probably say versatility and the ability to be vulnerable and crazy.
– What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
The very first song, well, it was basically just a verse and a chorus was called “Be Mine”. I wrote it when I was about 9 and it’s sweetly terrible.
– What is the process of writing your music?
I usually start with a melody, whether that’s to some chords or a bass line or a bit more of an instrumental I/we’ve built up. Lyrics usually come second and then I take a look at the structure. I’ve recently started writing more poetry though and starting the way. I think it’s important to change things up to keep the creativity fresh and juicy.
– You have toured with Tove Styrke, Say Lou Lou, Nimmo, Bright Light Bright Light, Tiffany and Goldfrapp. How was it to tour with Tiffany?
I supported Tiffany at The Concorde 2 in Brighton which was such an epic show. Not only because the crowd was hyped but because I got to play in my home town in a venue I adore. Tiffany was such a lovely human too and we’re still in touch.
– Why did you start directing your own video the last few years?
Truthfully, because I couldn’t find anyone that I wanted to work with with the budget that I had so I thought I’d give it a go. I had such strong visions of how I wanted it anyway so it seemed stupid to bring someone onboard, just because I could afford them, who was going to make me walk through the woods in a floaty, flowery dress which, if you know me at all and did a bit of research, you’d know that’s completely not my vibe at all.
– Tell me about your new single “Didn’t See it Coming”?
I wrote it with Grammy-nominated producer Dimitri Tikovoi who I adore working with because he totally understands my musical language. This is my kind of messed-up version of a love song, I guess. It’s about someone unexpectedly coming into your life and throwing everything you thought you wanted up in the air.
– You have worked with Kessanda Powell, a London based filmmaker on the last two videos. Did you know anything about her previous work which included Bimini:God Save This Queen?
Yeah, I had been following Kassandra for a couple of years before we worked together actually. A few of my friends worked with her so I followed her on Instagram and saw all the work she’d been creating. I love how her mind works. It’s so creative and messed up!
– What are your feelings about streaming music?
As a consumer I love it. I love having music at my fingertips and constantly discovering new music and artists however as an artist I think it’s pretty damaging. From my experience, there are so many songs I listen to that I have no idea who they are and that’s the way music is consumed now. We put on playlists that suit our likes, and love the music, but have no clue who we’re listening to. I know I’m guilty but I do try hard to check the artist out when I love something.
– The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I think if you read music you know where it comes from but yeah I guess the majority of people don’t have a clue.
– Digital vs. vinyl?
I actually love both but there’s a quality to vinyl which is special.
– What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what does that song means to you?
No by Nicholas Jarr. This song reminds me of my late friend and producer Daniel Fridholm. He put me onto Nicholas Jar so whenever I listen to him I always think of my friend.
– Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
God yeah. People will always want to make money wherever they can and exploit it. It’s annoying.
– What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I don’t think you can beat a real in-person concert. The energy from the crowd and the performers can’t be emulated by holograms. I performed 2 gigs online during the lockdown and I hated it. You can’t feed off the crowd and it feels lifeless.
– In the past if a musician stopped doing music they found a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you couldn’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
Probably some kind of work in mental health or working with young adults in difficulties.
– What is your happy place?
Having had a full day creating music, feeling fulfilled with what I’ve created then coming home and eating good food.
– Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to sell their entire song catalog for $140 Million. In the past year a lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks ($100 Million), Bob Dylan (over $400 Million), Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, K.T. Tunstall, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Publishing is far more lucrative then the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams.
Do you think you would ever be willing to sell your back catalog if someone like Universal is willing to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
If the price was right I’m sure I could be persuaded!
– What is your feeling about TikTok? With Sony Music and Warner Music strucking an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
I use Tik Tok as much as I comfortably can right now without it affecting my mental health and productivity. I think it’s pretty destructive to be honest, and has really negative impacts on everything about us as functioning and productive humans so I try to keep it at arm’s length. I try to avoid the incessant scrolling as best as I can but every now and then I get sucked in like everyone else.
– Also, TikTok is launching TikTok Radio (ch. 4), a full-time SiriusXM music channel. The station will be available is vehicles and as a streaming channel on the SiriusXM App, desktop, and all connected devices.
The station will be part of a new TikTok collaboration with SiriusXM and its subsidiary, Pandora, to jointly promote emerging talent. Do you think this platform could became a force in the future of streaming music?
Probably. Again, I think it’s all so detrimental to our health and music! People are writing songs specifically for Tik Tok now and specifically for shorter attention spans… I’m not sure that’s the way to make good music. But maybe I don’t know anything.
– How do you think pre-saves help with content
If you’re talking about Spotify, then Pre-saves massively help a song land decent playlists. It proves how popular a song is and therefore pushes it out to more people. If you like an artist, then take 2 seconds out of your day to pre-save their new song for free. It does help!
