About

ABOUT

*SNS disbanded in October of 2011. Thanks to all who supported and participated!*

Saturn Never Sleeps came about when music producer King Britt and singer/artist Rucyl collaborated in 2009 for two improvisational performances specifically dedicated to the music and sound of fellow Philadelphian Sun-Ra. Carrying on in the tradition of Sun Ra’s vision of process as art, they decided to continue their project, which led to a year of amazing opportunities, performing at Moogfest (USA), Stadtmusik Festival (Basel, Switzerland), Art Basel (Miami), Micro-cosmos (Tokyo) and residencies in Philadelphia/NYC.

“Like Massive Attack… with balls!” – Gal Ofer from Tel Aviv

The duo have been inspired by the works of classic electronic innovators like Herbie Hancock, Raymond Scott, Delia Derbyshire, the present day forward-thinking electronic scene as well as experimental composers, dub and rocksteady. These inspirations have transpired in a solid stage show combining laptop/electronics with heart melting vocals and improvised electronic instrumentation, heavy bass vibrations and sonic ambience.The live two person show consists of King Britt on samples, beats, and textures with Rucyl layering vocals and added electronics. Often both performers vary their live rigs with home-brew music applications and experimental noise makers. Their sound resonates with fans of artists like Massive Attack, Little Dragon, Sun Ra and Philip Glass. Recently opening for TV on the Radio and Sun Ra Arkestra, music collectors and young audiences alike are taking notice of their unique approach to songs.

Their debut album, Yesterday’s Machine, combines an experimental create-in-the-moment vibe with inspirational lyrics and vocal sonics that range from Sade tones to Flora Purim’s ethereal layers. The result is well-crafted, intelligent, genre-pushing, electronic soul rooted in the duo’s collective years of experience and musical expanse. To be released in July 2011 on their label, SNS.

The SNS Monthly Electronic Experiment

The SNS monthly events are a celebration of the electric sound phenomenon and all that inspires it. Saturn Never Sleeps are firm believers in music as release and the necessity of maintaining the spirit of play in any artistic process. Hence the monthly electronic experiment fuels the creativity of live musicians of acoustic and electronic inventions, promoting improvisation. SNS invites like-minded artists to come together to create a dimensional environment of delectable oscillations and bleeps for the modern audiophile. Guest appearances by today’s visual and sonic innovators stretch the boundaries of genre, rhythm, and concept. Guest artists have included Ras G, Afta-1, Tokimonsta, Ben Neill (Mutant Trumpet), _vade (vj/programmer), Peter Kirn (vj/programmer/Create Digital Music), Taylor McFerrin, Flying Lotus, Sarah White, Stef Eye, Galapagoose, Damon Bennett, RJD2, Mary Anne Hobbs and many more. The night has become known as a creative playground for musicians, artists and fans alike.

Bios

Rucyl (pronounced roo-SILL) is an artist who experiments with sound and visual stimulus. In 2008 she built the Chakakhantroller, a wearable midi controller, and continues to experiment with new formats of musical and electronic expression. Original member of The Goats, an alternative hip hop group (Ruffhouse/Columbia Records) in the 90s, Rucyl continued a rogue musical lifestyle in New York, making beats, experimental soul and jazz mashup tracks when 4-tracks and Power PCs were all the rage. In addition to Saturn Never Sleeps, she produces experimental soundscapes using vocals, looping, and generating tones from manipulated audio bits. She has a Masters degree in Interactive Telecommunications from Tisch NYU ITP.

King Britt started his career in 1990 on the now legendary house label Strictly Rhythm as E-Culture, was Silkworm in the groundbreaking, Grammy winning Digable Planets, started Ovum Recordings with Josh Wink, produced platinum remixes for Miles Davis, George Duke, Santigold and countless others across a range of genres. In 2007 he was the first DJ/Producer to win the prestigious Pew Fellowship. Few know of his vintage synth collection, love for experimental music, or the fact that he started a Depeche Mode cover band in high school.