Purple Witch Of Culver
The new group’s pairing of poetry with funky synth, big beats and bari-sax makes for an intriguing, fresh listening experience.
The poetry of Sarah Safaie speaks to the harsh realities our society is exposed to every day—The increasing inequality and the oppression dealt by authority and felt by millions. Sarah delivers each line deliberately in a cool, smooth but serious tone. She is both calm, and outraged. Layered with Sarah’s baritone saxophone and Evan Taylor playing a variety of instruments, you get an experimental sound reminiscent of NYC and San Francisco jazz/poetry clubs of the ‘70s and ‘80s.
The duo has big plans, and new things coming soon. They shared a bit about themselves in their responses below, as well as two short poems recited by Safaie.
What do you they call you?
Purple Witch of Culver
Favorite color at the moment?
Violet
Describe your happy place.
"On Some Faraway Beach" -- the Brian Eno song! This sounds cliché but getting off the grid is so important. We try to escape LA as often as we can.
Is there an overall message, feeling or theme that your art is meant to evoke?
The most important theme, I think, for the 21st century is that people need to join together, help each other, and take action to create change at a systemic level. Purple Witch of Culver essentially came together during the 2020 uprising, and our first single was definitely a nod to the fact that the status quo and current infrastructure does not and has never supported the people.
Where do you create?
We create out of Loantaka Sound in downtown Los Angeles. It is a magical studio. We discovered our process quite organically--we usually lay the bones for a track in one day and then cut vocals and horns the next. We each have a unique way of writing that is compatible to create something greater than the sum of its parts. We work all analog to tape.
Who or what have you been inspired by recently?
Ray Davies' songwriting in general... Jamiroquai's live performances...Pink Floyd's orchestration on "Atom Heart Mother"... Billy Preston's solo organ records.
What are you working towards now?
A secret collaboration to be announced. As well as a music video and an EP in the works. Also, local shows and touring! We are excited to get things going on the live circuit once things return to "normal" again.
Why do you do what you do?
To help uplift people, bring them together, and enable them to experience and process emotions via special frequencies and sonics.
Where can we find you online?
Bandcamp, Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify, Youtube... @purplewitchofculver on the socials
Fellow artists/creatives to recommend?
Cup (Nels Cline and Yuka C. Honda), The Chapin Sisters, Anne Waldman (Fast Speaking Music), Brandon Lopez, Katy Rea, Steady Sun
