Name: Naya Rockers
Members: Nate Edgar (bass), Cameron Greenlee (keys), Nathan Sabanayagam (drums)
Interviewee: Nathan Sabanayagam
Nationality: American
Current release: Mad professor's dub of Naya Rockers' "Reggae Train" is out now.

If you enjoyed this Naya Rockers interview and would like to stay up to date with the band and their music, visit their official homepage. The group are also on Instagram, and Facebook.



Where does the impulse to create something come from for you? What role do often-quoted sources of inspiration like dreams, other forms of art, personal relationships, politics etc play?

My creative inspiration comes from many sources. From travelling to new and familiar places to my relationships with my family, friends, nature and myself.

For you to get started, do there need to be concrete ideas – or what some have called a 'visualisation' of the finished work? What does the balance between planning and chance look like for you?

It is really in the moment that creation happens. So being aware and conscious of when those moments will happen or to plan for these moments as I have become more tuned into my own self.

And it can start with a lyric, a chorus, a drum beat, a bass line or a chord progression.

Is there a preparation phase for your process? Do you require your tools to be laid out in a particular way, for example, do you need to do 'research' or create 'early versions'?

Yes when writing for an artist I usually refer to their previous work. I can get tempo, feel and key centre from this research.
 
Do you have certain rituals to get you into the right mindset for creating? What role do certain foods or stimulants like coffee, lighting, scents, exercise or reading poetry play?

Well music has become an automatic thing. When a project comes and light begins to shine on it, my inspiration and motivation become ingnited.

Supported by a combination of organic foods and herb. Most of my writing begins in my home studio.

What do you start with? How difficult is that first line of text, the first note?

Again, tunes can start from a released piece of music, a drumbeat, a baseline, a lyric or a chord progression.

Once you've started, how does the work gradually emerge?

Once I have the skeleton built out, I either start replacing MIDI parts with live instruments or go straight to recording vocals then replace instruments.

Many writers have claimed that as soon as they enter into the process, certain aspects of the narrative are out of their hands. Do you like to keep strict control over the process or is there a sense of following things where they lead you?

It’s all about the Flow state. Every project takes on it’s own life, speed and direction.

Often, while writing, new ideas and alternative roads will open themselves up, pulling and pushing the creator in a different direction. Does this happen to you, too, and how do you deal with it? What do you do with these ideas?

Creation takes a lot of decision making. And though it is important to try different scenarios I try to adhere to the original vision.

New ideas for one tune can turn into another work entirely.

There are many descriptions of the creative state. How would you describe it for you personally? Is there an element of spirituality to what you do?

My Spirit and my acknowledgement of the universe and all that surrounds me is key.

I try to achieve a Flow state where work and play are one. I call on the spirits of my ancestors and all who guided me on my journey.

Especially in the digital age, the writing and production process tends towards the infinite. What marks the end of the process? How do you finish a work?

Completing a project is always the goal. And finishing what I start is of utmost importance.

I put the work in and when it’s finished, I just know.

Once a piece is finished, how important is it for you to let it lie and evaluate it later on? How much improvement and refinement do you personally allow until you're satisfied with a piece? What does this process look like in practise?

Finishing a project does not mean rushing. With every piece of recorded data, there has to be time to evaluate. Which may mean re-tracking and refining parts.

But again I like to limit my tracking to no more than 3 takes, to keep the essence and fresh feel.

What's your take on the role and importance of production, including mixing and mastering for you personally? How involved do you get in this?

As time progresses, I have learned more and more parts of the process. I earned my music degree in music synthesis which is a fancy name for digital production. I began by writing, tracking parts and mixing in recording studios. I am now equipped in my own studio to record and mix.

I enjoy working in studios but now just relying on them for tracking large ensembles and mastering.

After finishing a piece or album and releasing something into the world, there can be a sense of emptiness. Can you relate to this – and how do you return to the state of creativity after experiencing it?

Yes this is an exhausting process. There are many pieces that have to be put together just right to make a successful release. So after the release, I give myself time to rest and feel tired.

Not too long because I am working simultaneously on several projects.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you personally feel as though writing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

Yes, I try to be just as creative in the kitchen cooking as I do in the studio recording. I feel by sharing both to their greatest potential you can create joy inside of yourself and others.

But there is a certain joy that I personally receive from music that does not come from any other place. I began playing drums at a young age so music always brings me back to my child like self.