Photography by Kim Summer
SADIVA is the premise of our following words, a female beatsmith hailing from Melbourne, Australia, the soul of female comradeship, and the essence of Australian Boom Bap - SADIVA, is inspiring fellow female creatives and is not only sewing but intertwining creative relationships between both male and female.
This only seems to inspire beat-makers to continue to arise in confidence and support all over the globe and SADIVA is continually pushing this atmosphere, something we here at beatsfortheill completely embrace.
Curating over the years, some of the best musical treats with the release of her Compilations "Women of the World" Volumes 1 and 2. With appreciation, these releases mean,
SADIVA allows anyone to have a master's ear.
It also must be said that this Melbourne local can have all heads bopping to samples that linger for days, with soothed souls and a conscious understanding - SADIVAS' WoW compilations have helped a lot of women in need, which brings with it, a certain sense of honesty, something SADIVA'S personal catalog, in all its calming abilities captures minute by minute.
Developing her craft at home and beyond, whilst establishing a name for herself through her time stilling numbers on Lethal Chops back in 2017. This girl shares, with her music, art nothing short of a beachside sunset or a wine on the riverside.
SADIVA is a chillers delight, and with that, I am glad to announce words with the beat-making wonder and "When U Cared" creative brainchild.
Hey, SADIVA thanks for taking the time to share words.
Let's start with some quick general questions to get things flowing.
Last song you listened to:
Beer haha (Brooklyn or Moon Dog)
I wish I could travel at the speed of sound.
Futurama makes me believe.
A childhood memory in regards to music:
Buying my first CD “Around the world” by Draft Punk and singing it to the store clerk so I got the right CD,
Also, my dad used to take me to all the free concerts at highpoint and I got to meet Blue, who was my favourite when I was younger, they sang into my yakti yak and it made my childhood lifetime haha.
Favourite Place to chill:
Dandenong Ranges with my dog
A track to break it down to:
Galvanize – Chemical Brothers
A childhood role model and why you looked up to said person:
My Dad has always been my role model cause he just taught me to be myself no matter what.
New York, it's my home away from home and has always inspired me throughout my journey
Any Hobbies away from music:
Hanging with my boy and my Lil floof - Toast
Putting on local events/workshops.
Going out in nature and to art galleries (when not on lockdown)
Favourite thing to do when you have down-time:
Go for a walk with the pup, watch trash tv, have a bath with a glass of wine
All Time Favourite Album:
Gangstarr – Moments of truth
Underoath – They’re only chasing safety
Artwork work by Jasmine Ioppolo @iops on Instagram
Thanks for that, so I'd like to start by asking, what got you into producing music in the first place? Was it a solo finding or were you encouraged by others to give it a go?
I feel deeply in love with classic Hip-Hop when I started working at a shoe store and, this was where I discovered J Dilla and his story which blew my mind and inspired the shit out of me.
I was also hanging out with some friends who had tried the art of beat-making so I got intrigued, to say the least.
Why the name SADIVA? And what does it mean to you?
SADIVA just clicked for me. I was smoking weed in my room whilst making beats and, I was like,
“okay, I have to come up with some sort of name for this project”
and I love the strain SATIVA so I thought I’d just wordplay it with diva.
How long have you been producing? Also, what is some of the attributes you find producing helps you strengthen within yourself that you find other avenues don't cover?
I have been producing for about 5 years now, I have been very unmotivated lately just due to my own reason.
I always like to have a smoke and a session to find my samples and then I like to sit and get down to the nitty-gritty.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with a lot of different samplers and sythn’s just to get an idea of expanding my sound, it’s so interesting.
There’s so much I really don’t cover but DJing is helping me to understand a lot of genres of music that I thought I hated but I love them, which is making me expand more.
What inspires you to continue making beats?
I just love making music, its therapy for me.
Being able to go around the world and meet the scene too has been a
truly special molding for my 20’s and I’m blessed I’ve had these experiences,
I’d be silly to stop cause I’m really living my dream and that’s what keeps me going.
Let us go back to 2017 and discuss what's responsible for the creation of Lethal Chops? What pictures were you trying to paint with the tracklist? And also what was it like putting Lethal Chops together?
At this point I had been writing solidly for 2 years with only a few beats on compilations and SoundCloud, I had always wanted to put an album out cause I was proud of my work and after my trip to NYC in 2015/16
I met Soul Journal (one of my best friends) and he pushed for me to release something and did the masters and truly helped me with the whole process of the tracklist so he deserves a huge shout out cause without him who knows if I would have released anything.
Lethal Chops by Sadiva, Artwork by - Kitchen Wizards
Not much over a year later you released "Minutes" on Vinyl, through Inner Ocean Records.
A masterpiece of works that let everyone know you are here to stay. Somewhat like another Melbourne producer - Amin Payne, who nearly went on hiatus, but I believe he was someone like yourself who was drawn in by a mutual love to create, perpetuating goodness and works of art.
Thanks for this, Minutes is something you want to listen to for prolonged hours so again thank you.
What were the major differences between putting together Lethal Chops and Minutes? Also, how do you feel you had grown as an artist when releasing Minutes? Finally, what atmosphere were you trying to put together for your listeners with this second album release?
Thank you so much for saying that, I couldn’t be happier knowing that’s how you feel about a piece of my work. The major difference I guess was I had a bit of an idea of how I pictured Minutes and it had a bit more time and meaning go into the project.
With lethal chops, I just wanted to release something as I had been making so many beats at that point in time.
Minutes was very break up heavy also, I was heartbroken when finishing minutes, and a lot of last-minute tracks got added cause they just felt so much for me.
Plus, I just wanted to put something together that I was proud of and that people would find interesting, I wanted to make it like watching a film with your ears if that makes sense?
"Minutes" as said before, was made available on vinyl as previously Lethal Chops on Cassette. What is it about putting together and releasing physicals that you love most? Also, did Inner Ocean Record impact your appreciation for physical releases?
Physicals have always been really important to me, I’ve always collected cassettes, CDs, vinyl since I was young so to have something that was my own on vinyl was insane for me, I cried the day it arrived cause it was such a great achievement for me.
Do you have a close relationship with the artists that create your cover art and videos?
If so what allows that relationship to stay solid?
Ps, blessed stuff by the way.
Zomkashwak, STLNDRMS, and Lily.ingram (EN:recent name change) know what is up!
I have definitely got some amazing connections with the artists I work with, Lily was my housemate for a few years and we became close friends through that and I couldn’t have been anymore over the moon than to have her amazing work featured as apart of the WOW series, plus she’s an incredible woman I look up to.
As for Zomkashwak and STLMDRMS we became friends through artist nature and sharing the same love and passion’s, Zom did that album cover for Minutes and it was like he saw what was going on in my brain.
When I met STLNDRMS in Atlanta he hosted me for Controllerise and just showed me the most wholesome hospitality, I was stoked to be able to work with him on the video for “WIT U” and also do a live set on his channel beats and chill, he’s a huge inspiration not only to me but everyone in this community and to give back as he does is incredible, STLNDRMS is gonna be huge and he deserves it more than anyone in the scene.
I also have many close connections with a lot of the people I work with and I’m blessed to have that network of people.
You work closely with the collective and platform Inner Ocean Records based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada a fair distance from Melbourne, Australia.
What inspired this long-distance relationship between yourself and Inner Ocean and how do you guys keep present?
When I started making beats they were one of the first labels I looked up to, it was a goal of mine to release something with them, I just loved what they were doing for the culture.
I got my first self-released tape manufactured through them and after that, we worked on WOW and Minutes together and Cory and I just had a great bond, I feel honoured to have worked with them so closely for a few years.
Inner Ocean Records, being inspired by their surroundings, (In their own words Calgary "is a city surrounded by hundreds of kilometers of prairies, mountains, and forest") did that connect with you when you decided to link up for projects like "Minutes"?
Also, how do you feel your surroundings in Melbourne impact and inspire the beats you create?
I’d say Minutes was most inspired in New York and Melbourne.
Melbourne and New York both have a gritty feeling with all the graffiti and live music going on everywhere and every time I go to NYC I start writing so much.
I was also going through some heartbreak at the time and a lot of what I was listening to was sampled in the album, a lot of the lyrics just spoke to me and It was curing me.
Minutes by Sadiva, Artwork by Zom Kashwak
What environmental factors in your home life bring out the best in your music?
When I’m at home I sit down with a joint, put some nice lighting on and I have a lot of plants in my studio, I need to have a chill environment to start writing and since minutes I’ve moved to a new room in the house, I have been writing so many different genres and it's crazy how a new environment can start sparking something different.
I also wanted to bring up something new to myself [lofi.family] a collective via Facebook and Soundcloud that is dedicated to positive interaction between artists and listeners within the lofi community.
You released two tracks for [lofi.family] "When U Cared" and "Substance" both truly well received. How did this interaction come about and what was it like for you making both these tracks?
Check [lofi.family] out here -
Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/lofifamily
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lofi.family/
I have been friends with Griff since he started lofi.fam, I was one of the first members in the group and Griff has always just greeted me with open arms,
He asked me for a couple of beats and of course, I had to support what he was doing because he supports everyone, I cant wait to meet that man.
Does either of them hold any personal meaning? As sound-wise, I feel the tracks seem to pull you in opposite directions if you get what I mean? Mellow chords opposed to boom-bap head nods.
When I made “When you cared” it was actually a flip I originally did for a 21 savage song, just a bit of fun and then the lofi.fam wanted a track so I sent that over
And with substance, I said to myself ill make a really lofi sounding song instead of boom-bap and I thought that suited the vibe for Lofi fam ps: LOVE YOU GRRIFF!
I guess it was intentional for lofi.fam but when I made them I didn’t really have a concept.
Photography by Kim Summer
We have to discuss WoW Volumes 1 and 2 your "Women Of The World" compilations released on cassette followed by vinyl that ever so sweetly showcases over 30 Female Beat-Smiths world-wide, much love.
This creative pursuit was put together to also raise awareness and funds for organizations dedicated to helping re-home and comfort homeless women (due to various circumstances) in America and Australia.
So much respect for your innovation on this continuing project.
With these releases, you have raised over $8000 for charity and with that, have inspired so many to stay true to the gift of giving, thank you.
What inspired you to branch out and curate WoW? How did you go about making this idea a reality? And what is the overall message you are trying to get across with "Women Of The World" an all-female Tracklist?
I was sick of seeing shady comments about the rise of women in the community, I’m thankful our Lofi community is so open to everyone but not all beat communities are and it was bothering me.
I see women as very powerful people and I love all women pursuing their craft for them and no one else.
I wanted to share these incredible women’s tracks with the world and our beautiful community and give something back through that.
It’s important to make everyone in community shine and I wanted something for the ladies as it was around International Women’s Day and that inspired me to just push forward, and I thought this is something I really want to push and I could not have expected to go as well as it did, it has been incredible.
Finally on the subject, what do you feel WoW's creation tries to inspire most in both males and females creating and listening within the beat scene?
I just hope WOW inspired women to put their stuff out there and for men to be accepting and support that,
I feel like that was successful, I saw so many people just bigging up each other when wow was released and creating that sense of community and safety is so important to me.
Volumes 1 and 2 featured artists like handycat, Yourself, Eevee, India On Da Track, and Seneca B, all artists that show lofi and production, in general, allow so many opportunities to be diverse.
I saw recently that you are taking in submissions for Volume 3 which I am sure will encourage head bops world-wide.
Can you give us a sneak-peek into the curator's mind as to what we can expect with Volume 3? What feels and approaches will you be going for with this release?
I’m not going to lie, This year has fucked me uup with WOW,
I just couldn’t focus on it, I have a lot going on with my own career, and its really taking away from my time with WOW which I’m really upset about but I need to take one thing at a time.
I have to give a huge shout out to Emy Zulazna for helping me with everything this year.
I am feeling way more motivated now I’m getting used to the lockdowns but I’m not even sure I’ll get VOL.3 out this year, but I hope I get to.
Just remember that when you're focusing on a project you can get caught up so hard in other people, you need to remember to take some time out for yourself when focusing on these projects cause it can get quite overwhelming.
Going back to 2016 I have to mention your [Episode 2] Ride With It Set. Along with Amin Payne and ohwell's sets, yours is often bouncing through my speakers so thank you for doing Australia justice with your sensei ways <3
How did that opportunity come about and what was it like performing for an online audience, in a moving car opposed to a live set on stage?
Thank you so much, ride with it was so much fun, but it was the day after I had been to a grand final that Western Bulldogs won so I was very dusty in the car that day.
The opportunity arose as I knew the guys who started it prior to them doing it and they approached me and asked if I’d be keen and I was already there haha.
It was super strange being in a car doing beats, people in other cars wondering what you're doing and not being able to see the SP buttons cause of the light was a little struggle to, I wish ride with it was still around! RIP RIDE WITH IT!
Ride with it Episode 2 - SADIVA -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC1cICa4cUc&t=2s
You've performed in venues all over the world now, and with each performance, I am sure you learn something new about not only yourself but also your environments.
Can you share what it is like being on stage and also how you keep your nerves in check when you're tweaking those buttons?
Being on stage for me is like another persona, I go to another planet, it’s like when Usagi/Serena turns into sailor moon.
When I'm Djing or playing beats live I become one with the music and its more than a show to me, this is me representing my feelings on stage.
Each city I play also is like learning something new about the culture,
I am so lucky with the opportunities I have.
What environments do you like to create through your live shows?
And also what has been your favourite show to date and why?
I like to create a safe environment where anyone can feel like we can chat after the show, when people come out to see me I am so grateful and it always turns into a bit of a party towards the end of the shows.
I’ve had so many amazing shows but up to date, I’d say when I played in Turin, Italy with my good friend Siccarone beats, that was life-changing.
It was an illegal warehouse party and it was packed, I couldn’t believe the show and it was just so much fun I can’t wait to go back after all of this is over
At the moment I’m really just feeling a lot of different stuff, I have a few playlists made on Spotify which is probably best to see what I’m really into cause holy dang it’s a big ol mix bag.
Recommendations Away From Music?
Look after your loved ones, your animals, and please look after each other.
The world is in a crazy place so let’s make everyone feel safe in these crazy times.
Any New Releases or Shows coming up that we should keep an ear and eye out for?
Look, since corona, all my big announcements have kind of been put on pause which is a real shame because I was really looking forward to this year.
However, I do have some really big news coming and I am not allowed to say much more than that. I hope this new thing I’m working on really helps our community shine, even more, I wanna talk so much more about it but I can’t, so stay tuned!!!
If so can you share a few details?
My lips are sealed but I’ll be able to announce soon.
Music Video for WIT U from “Minutes” by - STLNDRMS
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4N5uaLp0vHh7627UsS9GoG
Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/sadiva
Bandcamp - https://sadiva.bandcamp.com/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYamcq0cmp62-pxY2XHmnkg
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sadivaa/?hl=en
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