What does the name of your band stand for?
It consists of two parts. The first is ‘Subtilu’. In Lithuanian, the word `subtilus` means something `light, delicate, graceful, gentle` etc., the same as the English word `subtle`. And the second part is ‘Z’. We use it as the unknown in maths or physics, as ‘X’ or ‘Y’. It means our each concert is subtle, delicate and gentle, but, every time it has that unknown ‘Z’, which surprises both the audience and us. Every concert has something new, something unique.
Who decided to form the band? When did it happen?
Long long time ago, in 2005 Povilas was finishing studies in Lithuanian Music Academy and started to think ‘What to do next?’, so he invited Dmitrijs to form a duo of two accordions. Later on, in 2007 they decided to invite Vytautas with his percussion, and one year later - Laurynas with his national Lithuanian woodwind instrument (tenor birbyne).
Why does your band consist of four musicians?
Would you like to have other musicians (and instruments) in your band in the near future? Why? Why not?
First of all, it just looks like our band consist of four musicians. Actually, it consists of four really different personalities with similar attitude to life. Instruments just help us to express ourselves. We sometimes do projects with other musicians or singers and it is fun, but our band’s heart are these four personalities who feel perfect together.
When will you release your new CD?
Probably in 2016. In Spring, we hope so.
Who came up with the idea to wear the same clothes both at concerts and in videos?
Why do you do so?
Our idea was to make videos as much similar to concerts as possible. As a result, people watching videos could feel as if they were at our concerts. But, we sometimes choose clothes only for a video if there is a special idea. As far as our video ‘Shootkabacha’ is concerned, we have never played a concert looking like that.
What inspires you to compose music? What conditions are favourable to do it? (take trivial and extraordinary aspects into consideration)
Every composition has a totally different story. Sometimes it just comes to your head and you just write it down. Sometimes the whole band makes a jamsession and after all some new compositions are created. Sometimes melody plays somewhere deep in your head for so long that one day it comes out. It could be anything or anyone to inspire you and you never know when it comes. And, that’s what inspires us most. Usually if you search for inspiration, it doesn’t work. It just doesn’t work that way. It works when you release your mind and let it flow in "the river of inspiration".
Also, we have some rituals and talismans which inspire us at every concert.
How many hours a week do you have to practise playing the instruments? (either individually or together) How many concerts a month do you give?
We practice 3-4 days a week together (3-5 hours each day). Other days we practice individually about 3 hours a day. Also, we spend a lot of time together making plans, dreaming, working with sound or videos, creating new programs and so on.
In which countries and places would you like to perform?
In a nutshell, what does your dream tour look like?
We would like to become more and more international band, known worldwide. To play in most famous concert halls and festivals. Our dream tour should be one month touring, two moths at home creating something new. There is no one country where we would like to go. We want our music to sound everywhere in the world, but it could start from Germany, Italy, Switzerland, China, USA, UAE…
What was the most spectacular venue you have already performed at? Why?
We had a concert in a BMW car factory between all these machines. And the whole factory was stopped for our concert. Another interesting place was a tram depot full of people who went by tram. We had a few concerts in the morning at 7.30 am to make the day better. Also, not so spectacular, but uncommon venues – on the roof of a SPA center, on a boat, in an electro mobile,etc.
It is noticeable that your work gives you much pleasure. Obviously, your music always infects the audience with joy. Are you optimists by nature? Or, do you tend to be moody?
(if so, is it visible while you are performing?)
Of course we are optimists and we love and enjoy what we do (we are not even working at all), but sure we also have bad days. On these days when you come to the stage you must remember that there is a completely different world without problems, worries,etc.. And, immediately you feel better. Music, performance, audience and other musicians heal you, and after all, you just can’t be moody.
Giving concerts in various European countries seems to be pretty tiring. How do you cope with exhaustion? … and, what`s the way you kill time while traveling long hours?
Yes, it’s tiring, but it’s interesting. It’s perfect when it’s more interesting than tiring, but sometimes it’s in reverse. Usually, when you know that 5 or ten performaces are waiting for you in next few days, your body automatically spreads energy to make you feel OK. And, when the tour is finished your body and mind both say “turn off, bye”. After that we always take a few days off to relax and get back to the “full battery”.
While traveling we read books, sleep, eat, tell jokes, dream, sleep, make jokes, eat, drive, explore new places, meditate, set life goals and so on.
What`s your personal opinion on Grammy Awards?
Actually, we don’t know what we should do to get it, but for now it would be fun to get one.
Probably there were some hidden thoughts in this question :-)
Which musicians (both the dead and the living) do you admire? Have you even met them?
If yes, how did you react? If no, how would you react to the meeting, and, what questions would you ask them?
We admire Sting, Cris Botti, Bella Fleck, Richard Bona, Michael Jackson. We have met Terem Quartet, played with them. We felt like children meeting Santa Claus for the first time. Hopefully, we will meet others one day. We have no idea what we would ask. It would be nice to talk like friends, not like a star with a fan.
You performed at EXPO Milano 2015, would you recommend it only to musicians, travellers, or everyone? Which pavilion made an unforgettable impression on you? Why?
EXPO is completely for everyone. It’s amazing that you can meet almost the whole world in one place and find out about the best aspects of every country. Do you know that Eiffel Tower was built for EXPO, too?
We liked British (interesting pavilion construction), Corean, Spanish, Russian, Brasilian (with huge trampoline), Argentina had an amazing drum performance.
What are your dreams connected with music? (Every member has to respond to this question individually).
Vytautas: I dream to become a famous musician, play music I like, take up music which enables me to live life full of joy and happiness.
Dmitrijs: Dreams are very important things. I strive to become a personality in the music, to gain the respect - probably it is the right thing. However, my main dream is to be myself, without changing my values and culture despite the level of my popularity.
Laurynas: My dream is to be a famous musician around the world. I want to be a good example for young musicians. What is more, even if the birbyne is not known in other countries (in comparison with the saxophone or clarinete), so I will change it.
Povilas: I imagine myself, not only as a musician, artist, but also as a creator of music. It would be fun to have concerts in all 7 continents.
What would you do in your life if you weren`t a musician? – please, respond to this question individually.
Vytautas: I think I would be another artist – a painter, sculptor, dancer, actor, or maybe I could become a bussines man.
Dmitrijs: Probably, I would be a financier, a man who devoted his life to the knowledge of the spiritual world.
Laurynas: It is a very hard question... I don’t know. I like nature, so maybe I would like to be a farmer.... Maybe... Agriculture is a very lucrative profession, so maybe :D :D :D
Povilas: It's hard to say how it would be now if I hadn`t started to play. I think that music educates a human very much. Thanks to music I have changed a lot, I have met many interesting people. I am not the same person who I had been until music came into my life. If music suddenly disappeared from my life now, it would be interesting to try business, politics, or to travel around the world.
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The interview questions were formed by our students, the Lithuanian band SUBTILU-Z provided us with the answers. Thank you! ;-)
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