A Chat with SACHI
SACHI. Source: Instagram
The SACHI boys feel like two familiar friends. Often headlining our favourite summer festies, the dance duo are experts in entertaining an audience – especially a uni kid crowd. You can trust these local legends to provide a good time and get us dancing. In their white jumpsuits, the bleached blonde boys are one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated live acts.
There is a unique energy to a SACHI set, performing anthems catered to charming a crowd and immersing audiences into the euphoric fun of dance music. It’s a comfort to see that SACHI is headlining UC’s very own Summer Stein.
In celebration of O-Week I had a yarn with the boys to get some insight on their shows, what’s ahead, their thoughts on a Canterbury crowd, and any wise advice for surviving the O-Week crusade.
Hey there, SACHI!
You have both been friends for a very long time but how and when did SACHI begin?
SACHI started around the end of 2015 when we were playing around with electronic music production software for fun. We binge-watched YouTube tutorials on how to make music and eventually put together a collection of songs. ‘No More’ was one of those first songs that we put together and we just decided to release it. The rest kind of snowballed from there.
What first inspired you to head into the world of music?
We had been playing in bands together since we were kids, it was always something that we wanted to do when we grew up. I didn't really feel like there was another option for us. It's pretty much the only thing we've ever wanted to do!
What aspect of the job do you enjoy most?
100% the shows.
What’s the best thing about playing to a live crowd?
Hearing people sing along to the songs, dancing and enjoying themselves with their friends. It's just the best feeling ever. We never take it for granted!
The Kiwi summer is always a busy time for you guys, what have been some of the highlights of the festival season this summer?
We had a super fun show down at R&A, in the Cardrona Valley. That's a very special part of New Zealand for us as we grew up going down there skiing when we were younger. So, getting to play in such a beautiful location is always amazing for us.
You guys play overseas regularly, where have you been? What is your biggest highlight? And how big was the crowd?
We did Tomorrowland a year ago which has been a bucket list moment for us. It's seriously such a special place with people from all across the world gathering in their thousands to celebrate dance music. And we actually had a decent sized crowd as well which made the moment even more special!
Do you have a favourite song to play live and why?
Will: For me, Sparking My Fire is almost always a favourite to play. It just has a certain euphoric feeling that’s hard to explain. We always close our set with it too, it holds a special place for me.
Nick: I like playing the unreleased songs we have in the set [list] - there’s a song we have in there at the moment called ‘High Forever’, a real fun one.
Playing to that Uni Crowd
You guys have played a lot of O-Week events over the years, what makes a student crowd different from the rest?
We have been through O Week ourselves and know how exciting that period is, going out and meeting a bunch of new people every night. Student crowds are so fun because everyone is just there to have a good time.
What has been your most memorable moment from a Christchurch show?
The first show we ever played outside of our Auckland hometown was in Christchurch actually, which was a very memorable show way back when. We played at Electric Ave one year, on a stage on the edge of the lake in Hagley Park, it was an afternoon set and the energy was immaculate.
How do we compare to Dirty Dunners?
Christchurch is much cleaner.
As students yourselves, you’ve both enjoyed an O-Week before - any wise advice for us Canterbury kids?
Pace yourself, look out for your friends and drink lots of water!
What’s to come?
Lots of new SACHI music this year.
Who are you both listening to at the moment? Have you found any major inspiration over the last year or so?
Nick: I’ve been listening to lots of Solange. The new Tiga and Hudson Mohawke Album L’Ecstacy, it’s been super inspiring.
Will: Lots of Overmono, they are killing it right now. Also the new Troye Sivan album!
Any recommendations on what we should be listening to in 2024?
Marlon Hoffstadt!!!
The reaction to the new music so far has been awesome! What is on the horizon for Sachi in 2024?
Lots and lots of new tunes, trying to release something pretty much every month. Also, hopefully a tour too, more details on that soooooon.