D-LIST-Psyllos 28 SABINA SCIUBBA   BORN IN ROME, grew up in Munich and ...

SABINA SCIUBBA

BORN IN ROME, grew up in Munich and Nice, lives in Brooklyn. Formed Brazilian Girls a year ago with Jesse Murphy (bass), Aaron Johnston (drums) and Didi Gutman (keys and programming). Sings in German, Spanish, French, Italian and English, seducing technology into the most interesting blends of global, organic grooves. Chanteuse.

Gutman joined Sciubba for the interview.

What is the origin of Brazilian Girls? SS: It was like love at first sight and moved as fast as the Autobahn. Before you knew it, we had songs and were in the studio recording. In two months, the EP It's Huge was pretty much done.

It's a wonderful sound. SS: For many years since the whole electronic- music thing has come up, a lot of people have tried a merger between electronic and live. DG: Because we use the computer as an instrument, it gives us certain freedoms to our structure. In a way, it's like having the DJ element without being bound to a record.

What's your relationship to your art? SS: I guess it's like any other relationship: It's something that frees me and enchains me. If I don't work on my art, I feel miserable. But at the same time, my art will make me miserable because of the constant struggle to improve and grow and to distinguish myself. But I find pleasure in misery. In a sentimental melancholy-type misery, that's where I bloom.

What have you learned of the artist's struggle? SS: We live in a world where security is such a priority for people that they will live their entire lives without realizing themselves in order to avoid all struggles. Every artist at some point comes to a crossroads where they have to decide: Do I need to be secure? I don't think there's anything more gratifying than taking a risk and succeeding. We are here to materialize our fantasies.

Describe the growth of a song from its first seed. DG: From the get-go we all share a similar sense of things: Find something, stay there and know when it's time to move on. A lot of songs have been written on the spot, live with a crowd. SS: The improvisational element is really essential. I think we'd all get bored easily if it were always the same. Sometimes when it's a really good night, I turn around to the band and I'm all love for what I see.

Brazilian Girls will be playing Weds., July 14 at Coral Room and Fri., July 16 at Celebrate Brooklyn! They also play every Sunday at Nublu. See the Venue Guide for addresses. Their LP will drop on Verve Records by the end of 2004.