- What does SUTI mean?
Suti was named by our friend Allix and the word relates to the sowing of seed and the idea of psychedelic/festival subcultures pollinating and spreading seeds of positive individual and cultural transformation.
- How did the idea of creating SUTI come about? And in what year was it founded?
Sebastien (Seb G) and Andrew (Sigil) first met in 2016 and immediately bonded over their love of the
party scene and of psychedelic techno and other alternative psychedelic musics. There was an ever-growing tribe of psychedelic people ready for something different the Suti team grew quickly. The first Suti was in 2018.
- What/who are the main pillars of SUTI?
Sebastien and Andrew headed up the event in the first years but are part of a much larger team of engaged and creative people.
- Why Castelo Branco? Any special lin ks or is it more localization strategy?
This site was the location for Free Flow festival some years ago and after the location for the first Suti cancelled shortly before the event Pedro (Zaraus), who organised Free Flow, linked us to the site. We couldn’t have had a luckier synchronicity. A river to swim in, green irrigated grass underfoot and beautiful large trees for shade – what more could we hope for!
- What is the target objective to be achieved with this event?
We want people to leave Suti feeling inspired, healthy and centered having taken part in a mature event celebrating the creative cutting edge of psychedelic arts and culture.
- In terms of structure, what level do you want to reach? What do you dream of having at your events in the near future?
We wish to attain a sustainable event while remaining small and with a community-driven intimate vibe.
- What makes you most satisfied, What would you like to see happen at this party?
The experience of a deep connection both within each individual and interpersonally maintaining space for the most important things in life: family and friendship.
- What are the key positions that should not be left out when holding an event?
In focusing on lineups and party times it can be very easy to overlook the most basic things that we would never dream of neglecting in our daily lives: rest, hygiene, relaxation, conversation.
- What are the most important characteristics for an event organizer?
The desire to approach all aspects with the highest degree of care that can be managed.
- How do you see the realization of each event? Is it an expense or an investment?
As is so often the case for small events Suti has run at a loss in it’s first two years without even accounting for the huge amount of time and energy put into the event by so many people. But we have all gained a huge amount from the event already: lifelong friendships, memories and growth experiences.
- The last SUTI was in 2019, this pandemic crisis forced us to adapt to these new times. The SUTI also suffered. Can you explain to us how complicated it was for the organization?
We had spent a significant amount of money on flights for international artists which unfortunately was lost. However we felt hugely supported by the community with the vast majority of ticketholders from 2020 being willing and able to not request refunds but instead wait for the event to actually take place. That faith and understanding made us feel held and allowed us to avoid what could have been a snowballing of difficulties.
- How do you face these new times?
We are very keen to reconnect and take a few days to breathe together.
- Compared to the first SUTI, it is likely that a lot has changed. But is there anything that remains the same? How do you describe your evolution?
Although the festival has grown we are still a very small event with a very intimate vibe. To us it feels like the festival simply progressed from being a newborn baby to being a toddler. Maybe she will give us her first words this year.
This is mirrored in more than just metaphor given how many children have been born within our community over the last years. Our tribe is blessed with a generation of Suti children who will grow with each other and space for families is an integral part of Suti’s identity.
- What do you hope that you can add to SUTI in a next edition?
As the financial situation allows, we would like to give more attention to art and installations as well as continuing to develop aspects such as workshops, presentations and the kids area.
- How does the selection process for international and national DJs work?
Suti is diverse in genre but very specific in feeling, aimed at creating a space for a certain niche of culture to express itself to the fullest in whichever format it manifests. We try to create a lineup that fosters that vision. As a result Suti is definitely not for everyone, nor is it trying to be. But if you like what we do, you will love it!
- SUTI certainly has some impact on the place where it is carried out and therefore it is essential that they are concerned with environmental causes. How do you take care of that aspect?
We try to work with natural materials and reuse them as far as is possible while paying attention to reclycing. Improving the waste management situation will take constant attention to ensure incremental improvement over the future years.
- What precautions or precautions should festival-goers have in this event?
The riverside can get surprisingly cold in the early hours of the morning when the daytimes are very hot so something warm to put on will stand you in good stead. We have plenty of shade and comfortable places to relax.
- What assessment do you make of the current panorama of national trance? What do you think could change (in the sense of improving trance in Portugal)?
We have no desire to go changing what others choose to manifest. The best things in life come from people’s most authentic expressions of self and vision rather than trying to conform to any external habits or expectations. Suti is very conscious of being a more “fringe” event rather than something embedded within a national scene attached to a genre and is just the result of where our hearts lead us for now.
