Swiss Nigerian artist Saviour takes his inspiration from words and phrases that stick in his mind. For his new single ‘What About Flowers’ the artist reworked an earlier track, working with producer EVAL. The song was inspired by a phone call with a friend when talking about the complexity of modern romance.
Can you walk us through your creative process for writing ‘What About Flowers?’
Like most of my songs, I pre-record a draft in my tiny little home studio and then sit with that version for as long as I need to. With ‘What About Flowers?’ it was similar, but the vision for the song was already so clear that it came together much quicker.
How did reworking an old song influence the final version of this track?
The original version felt too ABC for my taste, so it served as a good reference for what I didn’t want. I wanted a transitional song to complete the EP, and with that in mind, reworking the old song was pretty straightforward. Looking back, I’m grateful I decided to recycle it.
What role does spontaneity play in your songwriting process?
I’m incredibly spontaneous when it comes to songwriting. Many of my ideas come to me at random times and in random places. Sometimes, sitting in a studio for hours can make it harder to create a story unless there’s something urgent I need to express.
Do you often write songs based on single words or phrases? Can you give other examples?
Honestly, nine out of ten times I write based on a word or phrase that catches my interest. “Tipsy” and “POSE” are good examples from the EP where I wanted to portray my take on these words and my experiences with them.
How did the deep, sultry vibe of the original beat impact the song’s development?
My producer EVAL knows me well enough to trust me with complex sounds. I enjoy creating unique lyrical and melodic pockets, and when I had the theme for the song, which is mainly sexual, I knew the beat would perfectly channel that energy.
How do you know when a song is truly finished and ready for release?
When I can’t stop listening to it. Usually, I’m the only person who has heard the song, except for those who worked on it. When I started making music, I used to seek a lot of opinions and feedback, which took away some of the joy. I believe there’s always something you could adjust or fix, but when I’m obsessed with the product, I know it’s ready to be released.
