Glasgow-based musician Lukas Clasen known by his stage name Sulka has been crafting intimate and introspective music since 2017. His latest album, Bute is set to release on 17 marking a significant milestone in his musical career. The album, largely written on the Scottish island of the same name, is a testament to Clasen’s evolving perspective on life, love, and community.
The journey that led to Bute began with a desire to explore the softer side of Clasen’s songwriting, a departure from his earlier, heavier musical endeavors. Inspired by the rise of bedroom pop artists, he embarked on a solo project that would eventually become Sulka. The moniker, an anagram of his name, reflects the personal nature of his music.
The evolution of Sulka’s musical influences
Over the years, Clasen’s musical influences have remained consistent, with artists like Elliott SmithSparklehorse and Alex G continuing to inspire his work. However, his approach to songwriting has shifted from a confessional style to a more poetic and narrative-based one. This change reflects his growing comfort with himself and his life experiences.
Recent inspirations include artists like Andy ShaufAldous Harding and Adrianne Lenker who excel in creating fictions that resonate with their lives without being overly personal. This shift in approach is evident in the songs on Bute which explore themes of love, ageing, and community.
The allure of Bute: a retreat for creativity
Clasen’s choice of Bute as a retreat for creativity was driven by the island’s quiet and remote atmosphere. Accessible via train and ferry from Glasgow, Bute provided the perfect setting for him to focus on finishing his lyrics. He stayed in a small fishing town overlooking the sea, spending his days writing and exploring the island’s eerie and haunting landscapes.
The island’s twilight atmosphere, haunted Victorian buildings, and ruined churches left a lasting impression on Clasen. These elements found their way into his songs, adding a layer of depth and intrigue to the album. The pervasive feeling of age and decay on the island influenced the songwriting and sonic textures of Bute.
Inhabitants and elements of Bute that shaped the album
During his stay on Bute, Clasen had a memorable encounter with an older couple in a pub in Rothesay. The couple, who had retired to Bute from Glasgow, shared stories about their past and the changes they had witnessed. This encounter resonated with Clasen and found its way into a couple of songs on the album.
The couple’s stories, combined with the island’s natural features, inspired vivid imagery and lines in the songs. For example, the line ‘streak of marble in a granite ocean’ was written while watching the wake of the ferry, and ‘climbing up to marshland dead and pale’ described a walk Clasen had done that day. These elements, along with the island’s abandoned church and tunnel of trees, contributed to the album’s unique atmosphere.
The recording process: from Bute to Glasgow
The songs on Bute were initially written on the island and later developed and recorded in Clasen’s home studio in Glasgow. The recording process involved building up the songs with MIDI keyboard parts, analogue synth contributions from his friend Callum, and backing vocals from his bandmate Katie.
Clasen also incorporated field recordings and samples to create texture and flow throughout the album. One of the instrumental songs, Flowers was created from an old voice note of him and his friend Innes jamming. The entire process took about a year and a half to complete, with many iterations of mixes and deliberation about the track order.
This return to a more DIY way of home recording was a conscious decision for Clasen. After experimenting with a full live band for his previous album, he felt the need to reclaim the essential element of Sulka that he had strayed away from. The result is an album that is both personal and universal, reflecting the stories and experiences that shaped it.
With the album set to release on 17 Clasen is looking forward to sharing his music with audiences. He has a few gigs lined up for the coming months, including performances in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dunkeld, and London. Follow Sulka on Instagram @_sulka for updates and more information.
