Rikas – Soundtrack For A Movie That Has Not Been Written Yet

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) Talk about the idea behind your song “Bike In LA.”

Sascha: This one came to us very organically. We were in Los Angeles to record our Goodbye Sunshine EP a few years back. It was our first time to visit this city and we were heavily excited to dive into this place which has played a huge role in our pop cultural socialization ever since. One of the first things we had to realize was how big this city is and therefore the amount of time it takes to get to another part of it, especially coming from a very infrastructurally spoiled Eurocentric background. In many urban areas in Europe it’s very common to use a bike to get around. Let’s say that’s not very common in L.A. But we liked the metaphor and played around with it. It corresponds to the idea that everything is context-dependent. You can have the most powerful and luxurious yacht but it won’t be worth a penny when you’re in the Sahara desert. We transferred this idea to being in a band and we found it very comforting. To us it means that it takes time to find our path as a band. Shaping your art and message as well as finding your audience is a long journey and we are here to take it.

Q) Your sophomore album Soundtrack For A Movie That Has Not Been Written Yet has quite the title. Where did the concept come from?

Chris: We’ve always loved the idea of taking part in making a movie, whether it’s as actual actors or contributing a soundtrack. Music works in a different way and can be elevated to another level when paired with matching visuals, so it plays a big role for us in our overall creative concept as a band. Sometimes, when trying to come up with ideas for a music video, we underlay our songs with random movie scenes and see how they correspond. It’s really amazing to see how they can add to the vibe. And because no film company or director has called us yet to participate in a movie or contribute music to it, we thought we might as well anticipate and write a soundtrack for a movie that has not been written yet.

Q) What are some themes that you explored on the album?

Chris: As for our last records, the topics of our songs on this new album are quite diverse and address different themes. Still, without intending it in the first place, we found that in the end a lot of these songs were about being in motion, moving forward, going on. Whether it’s in a literal sense, like driving in your car or traveling in general, or in a more figurative sense like growing as a person or group, moving to another city or country, trying to leave old things behind in order to be able to start something new. It seems as if these topics have been on our minds as a band for the past few years.

Q) “Passenger” is one of my favorite tracks off the album. Which song(s) hold a special place in your heart and why?

Chris: This is always a tricky question to answer. It’s a bit like asking who your favorite child is. We just recently tried to answer this, and every one of us picked a different song. For me (Chris), if I had to choose one, I think It’d be “Heartbreak Big Mac.” I love the sound and classical songwriting it has, giving it a really relaxed and melancholic vibe. It is also one of the few songs for the album that the four of us wrote from scratch, all together in one room. It was a cozy little library somewhere in Vienna. This doesn’t happen too often – you cannot really plan this approach to be effective. In this case; however, it really was. We also tracked the song live in the studio, meaning we were all sitting in one room, recording “as a band“ and not track by track. This makes the recording very organic and “imperfect“ in a way, which suits this track and its message is just perfect in my opinion.

Q) What do you hope lingers with audiences that explore Soundtrack For a Movie … either as a message or emotion?

Sascha: When we went into the studio to record these songs, our vision was to make them sound like they’re wrapped in cotton wool. They carry warmth and cosiness, yet also a lust for life. They can make us feel like a hug. I hope they feel a certain kind of comfort when listening to this album because that’s what we felt during the process of making it. The past years of being full-time artists have taught us a lot. Finding our path, shaping our art, and growing our relationships takes patience. We had to figure out how our collective works and where it belongs. Being in a band means constantly transforming, growing, and changing. Can we grow with each other, can we successfully move forward together? We were always on tour, recording, and playing music worldwide, living our dream. But in moments of stillness, we felt lost and sluggish. These songs tell different stories about moving and being in motion, reflecting that restlessness, but also the sense of brotherhood and camaraderie. So, I guess this album is the perfect companion to a road trip – whether you’re actually on or you’re dreaming yourself into one.

Q) You’ve been out on tour through March. What are some songs off this new album that you’ve loved playing live?

Sascha: We are very grateful for this tour and to get the chance to play this album in front of people across Europe. With some songs we stick to the recorded version, but for other songs we developed an alternate version for this tour – for example a Bossa Nova type for “Strangers,” which I love. Or an acoustic one for “Where Do You Go?” When we released the album we played some intimate release shows to promote the album. The stripped down version of “Where Do You Go?” felt so good we brought it into our live set. It brings another dimension into our set. We get off our instruments and microphones to sing into a quiet room. The audience can hear our voices and harmonies very clearly and unprocessed – I love that moment. After the acoustic set we kick things off again with Passenger. It always captivates me when the drum fills rolls and the riff starts. Another joyful moment is “Just Like Ice Cream.” I think this is a song for truly letting go and dancing.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

Sam: We have hardly done any collaborations in the past, but we’re at the point where we feel ready to open up and be more collaborative. If I had to choose, I might go for Haim. I love their music, and I think our voices could be a great fit. Maybe also Blood Orange. It seems like he moved to Europe; I should send him a message!

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

Sam: We’re currently on tour, and yesterday we had a day off in Amsterdam. We went to see Italian singer and songwriter Marco Castello. I love his music. Even though I don’t speak Italian, I really connect with his songs emotionally. He lives in Sicily and that’s exactly how his music sounds. I am also excited for the new Duran Jones & The Indications record, which comes out in the summer. Their music feels so flawless and always cheers me up.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

Sam: I would like to say that we’re so grateful to be in a band together, and thank you to every fan who has been supporting us over the years! We’re excited about how our journey as a band will evolve over time and hope to have our fans on board for the future. <3