Category: Interviews
Jeff (uberbelly) Sawatzky is a long-time member of the Project Opus community, and veteran to the music industry.
Starting his career in Edmonton, Jeff played with the bands Office and Voice as a bassist, guitarist, and keyboardist before moving on to his own project, Savage Nurses, and another band, Darkroom. After some time, Jeff and his drummer, Sherri Leigh, sought out a new experience. Together, they moved to Vancouver to play as the rhythm section for the then unknown Sarah McLachlan. Jeff wrote and performed on SARAH's debut album “Touch” in 1988. After two years of touring and production of Sarah’s second album, Jeff went on his way to pursue his own music once again.
Today, Jeff writes as a solo artist and lends his talent to SOL3, a Vancouver rock band, as their bassist. He was kind enough to step away from his music for a moment to speak with me for the latest exclusive interview.
Hi Jeff. Thanks for sitting down with me today. So, what's your story?
Well, it all started at a 5000 watt radio station... (God, only really old people will get that one...)
Well, let me rephrase that - how did you get started with music?
Honest truth? When I was 8, my Mom and Dad were taking my brother to accordion lessons and they asked me if there was an instrument that I might like to learn... I chose the guitar (like, who wants to play accordion?). At around 13 I started playing bass guitar and around 17, I started getting into the synth which opened up a whole new avenue of songwriting for me. I’ve always played bass in a number of different bands but it was the synthesizer that got me into writing and recording my own work.
What brings you to where you are now?
The bus.
What’s the big driver for you and your music?
Simply, it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.
I’ve always wondered and I’ve got to ask - what's an "uberbelly"?
Ha! I was working on my music with my good friend Diane (Bunny) Olsen, may she rest in peace, and was thinking of a name...I thought ‘Underbelly” was good until Diane pointed to my newly formed paunch and said “How about Uberbelly?” It stuck, and so did the paunch!
How would you describe your sound?
Organic, eclectic, acoustic, and electronic.
Do you think it’s evolved over time?
Hmmm, not really. I’ve always loved good pop/rock and I guess I just write in that vein.
When you’re writing, where do you go for inspiration?
Everyday life, the news, and good books. Other music and musicians can inspire me as well.
Do you ever get stuck in the creation process?
Hmm, I wouldn’t say ‘stuck’ so much as I just get pretty lazy. If something’s not working, I usually move on to something else. Sometimes I go back, sometimes not.
What do you do to get moving again?
Go camping, get drunk, and wait for the next full moon.
What's the start-to-finish process of a typical uberbelly song?
Invariably almost everything starts with a rhythm. I get particularly inspired by rhythms in nature and in everday life. ‘Radio Flyer’ started with the sound of a l’il red wagon going down the sidewalk. Listen to ‘Cadillac’ and picture the ‘rhythm’ of the white dividing lines on the highway. Then I usually just kinda ‘jam’ with the beat until something works. Lyrics are usually last though there are some songs that start with a lyrical tid-bit that comes creeping in the middle of the night.
Is there anyone in particular you look up to, either as a musician or as a role model?
This is a tough one. Kate Bush...Freddie Mercury and Queen...Lindsey Buckingham...Nick Gilder...J.R.R. Tolkien and Stephen King for getting me through my adolescence. Role Models? Anyone who fights the good fight.
If you had the chance, how would you like to work with them in the future?
I’d love to write and play bass with Kate.
You have a very diverse music background. Of everything you’ve worked with, what’s your favourite instrument?
No question, the synth.
Why’s that?
Nothing comes close to its capability for expression.
How would you describe today’s music industry?
An empire ready to fall. Crumbling as we speak.
What about independent music and major labels? What’s your stance on those?
Hmm, I don’t really take a stance one way or another. All I can say is that I haven’t bought a major label release in years. There’s very little ‘music’ involved with Major Labels at this time. Independent means that people can focus on the music, which, in general, means better music.
At the end of your music career, where do you want to be?
Six feet under.
So, when all is done, what do you want to be remembered for?
Making people laugh. Making people think.
Of your songs, which is your favourite and why?
Hmm, 'Flowers of Snow'. Funny because it is one of the few that started with guitar and just kinda wrote itself. ‘Crayola Boy' is another one I like because of the lyrical content and the ‘jazzy’ feel.
Do you have any advice that you'd like to pass along to aspiring musicians?
Read the fine print, follow your gut instincts and fight for what is yours.
Alright Jeff, one last question - what are the future plans for your music?
Well, I’ve been rocking with the SOL 3 boys for the last couple of years but I hope to have a bunch of new uberbelly stuff recorded and out there in ’08! I also have another side project here on Opus called 13th Pillar which is a little more on the dark side of the ambient/electronic sound. I would love to do a soundtrack for a movie or something like that, and maybe get into producing in the future. If I could just stop slackin’ off.
delicious | 
digg