Take something that sounds futuristic, while sounding absolutely raw with hints of psychedelic power with a whole lot of social consciousness behind it. That’s what you get when you mix those elements to come up with Los Angeles alternative rock band Satellite Citi. This past spring, Satellite Citi released their EP entitled “Negative Space”.
When I think of “Negative Space”, I think of removing anything that can be toxic in your life so you can feel whole again. These days, I believe that there is this whole vacuum of negative space as we are bombarded with thousands upon thousands of advertisements, meeting people that are more likely to have negative energy as opposed to positive energy, and making every effort possible to live that life of balance and composure instead of being led astray as we get through this journey called life.
Satellite Citi, composed of Anna Gevorkian on vocals/drums, Shaunt Sulahian on guitars/vocals, Spacewalker #1 on guitars, and Spacewalker #2 on bass. They have taken their abstract creative efforts and teamed up with Brad Wood(Placebo, Smashing Pumpkins) to create this monster of an effort, taking social and political concepts and packaged them up into music that is a combination of angry, yet it makes you think all in the same token.
“Negative Space” starts off with a track entitled “Pyramid”. “Pyramid” explores the government conspiracy that the American government is merely a puppet government for the world’s elite powers. Satellite Citi explores this concept while having a mix of psychedelic harmonies and mysticism behind the voice and using those harmonies to have moments of honesty that really needs to be heard in today’s world of music that sometimes completely lacks of substance. The track that really explodes and does a complete mindtrip to the listener is the track “Ghost”.
“Ghost” is the concept where they write about living in fear from the perspective of whatever it may be that the person fears the most. It is a track that calls for liberation from living free of the chains that may tie you down. The guitar work by Sulahian picks up in a resounding crescendo while Gevorkian does a phenomenal job of playing off of Sulahian’s guitar riff and creates that rhythm section that builds into something that could be felt in another dimension. The guitar solo work that Sulahian is career defining in the sense that his name will be mentioned in the major guitar magazines as a premier guitarist. He sounds absolutely raw and anthemic all in the same breath.
Lastly, I want to highlight the single “Undead”. The track highlights a story about an LGBTQ+ youth that wants to live free, but is living in great fear of telling the news that he is gay to his father. Satellite Citi utilizes stories, metaphors, and symbolism to provide introspective, meaningful songs that affect our social and political climate to this day. The chorus is hauntingly beautiful and Satellite Citi does a masterful job of exploring today’s alternative rock with the garage rock sounds of yesteryear with some psychedelic rock elements thrown into the mix.
Needless to say, “Negative Space” by Satellite Citi is the record that exemplifies the meaning of liberation while being innovative into their sound. It is a rare occurrence to find a record nowadays as groundbreaking, but Satellite Citi have done just that with this 10 star masterpiece. Check out the track listing below.
- Pyramid
- Slow Kill
- Undead
- Ghost
- Collide
- The Reckoning
On Friday, July 27th, Satellite Citi will be playing at The Satellite in Los Angeles, California. For tickets and further information, click here.
Fans can find Satellite Citi at the following locations:
www.facebook.com/SatelliteCiti
www.instagram.com/satelliteciti
www.soundcloud.com/satelliteciti
