After two years without releasing new material, the band Skutaê inaugurates a new phase in their career with Ao Vivo no Estúdio Eiffe (Live at Eiffe Studio), the first live recording of their trajectory. Bringing together the trio’s entire discography in studio-recorded versions, the project preserves the characteristic intensity of their live shows while highlighting new nuances of the sound they’ve been building since 2018. In an interview, the members talk about the recording process, the importance of capturing the essence of skate punk and hardcore, the experience of transforming the energy of the stage into an album, and their plans for their next album of original songs, which is already in production.
“Live at Eiffel Studio” marks Skutaê’s first live recording after two years without releasing new material. What made you feel that this was the right moment to document the band’s energy?
We’ve been active since 2018. We still have a lot to show, songs already written, but this album is here to record and show what our sound is like when we’re on stage, the energy of the show, the way we like to present our music and convey our message. And since we intend to release another album soon, we wanted to leave this record for ourselves and for everyone who enjoys what our live sound is like.
The album brings together the group’s entire discography in versions recorded live in the studio. What was it like to revisit everything you’ve built since 2018 and transform this repertoire into a kind of overview of the band’s history?
It’s very exciting to see our journey from 2018 until now. It’s been 8 years as a band, with various versions of our songs, the different moments in which they were created, and the way they were recorded. For us, as an independent band, it’s a victory to arrive at this recording with a repertoire that tells not only our story but also the story of many things that are involved in the music.
You mentioned that Nobru gave the band the freedom to find their own sound before mixing and mastering. What did this environment of freedom bring to the album’s sonic identity?
Nobru is a wizard at the mixing table. Without a doubt, he worked on what we wanted, giving us the freedom to create our sound. Amidst the noise, feedback, and even raspy vocals, we managed to achieve the sound that we use in our live performances, which has become a characteristic of the band.
Skutaê is characterized by the intensity of skate punk and hardcore, but the studio allowed us to perceive nuances that might be lost in the rush of live shows. What details of the songs did you rediscover in this process?
Actually, we arrived, set up the equipment, did the soundcheck, and played. The difference between this live performance and the shows is that we were able to play the songs more than once until we got the ideal sound. We were very satisfied with the sound.
The album aims to bring the audience closer to the experience you deliver live. What is it about a Skutaê show that you most wanted to preserve in this recording?
Without a doubt, the messages in the songs. The message we intend to convey is the essence of the band. And the message extends from the instrumental to the lyrics; it’s a whole to be delivered, something that doesn’t exist separately.
Beyond the heavy sound, you talk about raising the flag for skate punk and hardcore. What do these styles represent for the band beyond the music?
Skateboarding, punk, and hardcore go hand in hand. For us, there’s no separating them. Rebellion, protest, freedom, and the act of expressing our ideas by exposing political, social, and environmental problems that hinder a society’s collective development, along with a focus on raising awareness to bring about improvements, aiming for well-being and mutual respect, are explicit in our lyrics, and skateboarding/punk/hardcore are part of that; the sound speaks for itself. Just as other musical genres within the underground also have their voices to address these issues, we believe that punk/hardcore can carry our voices to people who identify with our message.
The project will also feature videos for all tracks, released weekly after the album’s arrival on streaming platforms. How does the visual aspect enhance the experience for those who follow Skutaê?
The visual recording helps people get an idea of our live energy, both in terms of sound and performance, and it’s also another audiovisual resource for promoting the band online.
While celebrating this first live recording, you’re also already working on a new album. Looking at this moment of comeback, what phase of Skutaê is beginning to take shape from now on?
Our focus right now is on the new album, but through this live performance we intend to do more shows in other cities to show how Skutaê performs, to connect with places beyond São Paulo. And if everything goes well and flows as planned, after the new album is on streaming platforms and maybe even on physical media, we intend to extend the shows into a release tour.
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