Interviews

Roots Artefact, the musical alias of Saimon Kozevnikov, is set to release his new 'Different Perspective EP' on NuNorthern Soul. Hailing from Tallinn, Estonia, Kozevnikov brings a unique Balearic dub sound, blending his background in reggae with downtempo and chill-out influences. We caught up with the artist to dive into the inspirations and creative process behind his latest work.

Hello Saimon, can you give a quick intro of yourself for our readers?

Greetings and love to each and every one!

My name is Saimon Kozevnikov, and I'm based in Tallinn, Estonia. I'm a music lover, production and vinyl enthusiast, founder and co-owner of recording labels.

How did your background in reggae, particularly with Strictly Dub Records, evolve into the Balearic dub sound of "Roots Artefact"?

I've always been a big fan of downtempo, trip-hop, chill-out, and Balearic music - especially when it's grounded in the timeless roots of dub. So in a way, I was always thinking about writing something of my own. Reggae has always been my number one inspiration, and it naturally led me from being a label executive producer to becoming a musical composer and producer in my own right.

For "The Big Calm Dubwise," what was the inspiration behind using field recordings and creating such an immersive opening?

It started with a field recording I made while on vacation in Rhodes. I casually recorded the sea and the surrounding atmosphere on my phone—nothing serious at the time. Later, when I was searching for nature textures and I stumbled upon that recording again and it brought me right back to that feeling. I programmed the drums, laid down that dubby bassline, and then my friend added guitar takes, which I later restructured and edited. The track reflects that feeling of losing control and feeling free by the sea. :)

P.S. The original sea recording was eventually replaced with a higher-quality version, but the special vibe of that moment remains.

Can you discuss the key instruments and production techniques used to create the EP?

To be honest, my setup is fairly simple and standard. I use the sounds of Wurlitzer, Rhodes piano, and classic electric keyboards - though I don't own those physical instruments, I use different VST replicas. On the Different Perspective EP, I used a lot of samples from public libraries, which I chopped and edited in various ways. I also recorded parts using my old Yamaha PSR-S550, and then turned those recordings into custom samples that were further processed. My production style leans heavily on delay and reverb. I'm not very much obsessed with gear, but one of the most-used effects on this EP was the Boss DE-200 digital delay. Sometimes I pass everything through a mixing console and back into Cubase; other times I record my outboard effects straight into my soundcard as external effect. I work mainly in Cubase and use a lot of Steinberg’s standard plugins - probably around 60% of the time.

Are there any plans to perform live ?

I’m always looking forward to DJ sets - that's really where my musical journey began. I enjoy the entire process: preparing the selection, discovering new music, and performing live. It’s all part of the same passion. As for 'live performances' (as I see it in the classic sense) - for example playing my own productions with a mixing console or midi controller - I’m open to the idea. I haven’t set that goal for myself yet, but it’s definitely something I’d consider.

How did your partnership with NuNorthern Soul begin, and how do you feel their label fits your new project?

Our partnership started when Phil responded positively to the demos I sent him. The Big Calm Dubwise was actually written with his request in mind - he asked for something "dubwise to the bone." I hope I delivered! I feel the label fits the project really well. I’m especially happy that at least one track from the EP made it onto vinyl - that’s very important to me.

How has your Estonian background influenced your unique approach to reggae and dub music?

In Estonia, the underground electronic scene has strong foundations, which always inspired me. I wanted to create something a bit different, and since roots reggae was less promoted in my city compared to other genres, it became a driving force for me. That passion led me to start a record label and later to build our own reggae sound system.

Who are some of your favorite artists or albums you have been listening to recently?

Jah Shaka - Lion’s Share Of Dub

Eric Hilton - Midnight Ragas

Boozoo Bajou - Finistère

Pig&Dan - Journey Within

What are your future aspirations for the Roots Artefact project into the future?

I’m currently writing new tracks for the project, while also finishing and mixing material I worked on during the same period as the Different Perspective EP. There’s more to come!

Check out the latest release from Roots Artefact.