Liiv credits Sadu’s success to timing and mutual need

Sofia-Liis Liiv says Sadu’s rapid rise was not the result of a long-term secret plan, but of the right people coming together when they needed one another. She discussed the band’s success in ERR’s programme “OP”.

Liiv has spent the past couple of years making music with Sadu and playing numerous concerts. Before the band was formed, however, she went through a difficult period, when she felt she had no goals or clear sources of joy.

She said that dwelling on negative thoughts had made it hard to move forward, and that she could have done more at the time to avoid reaching such a low point. But she believes those experiences shaped who she is today and helped her relate to people more deeply. Writing down her thoughts and expressing them through creative work also helped her, she said.

Sandra Sillamaa suggested forming Sadu to Liiv in 2024. Liiv said the two women have strong personalities but get along well. The band also includes Frederik Küüts, who plays guitar, sings and works on production, and drummer Robert.

The four talk often about life, Liiv said, but do not usually write music together in the same room. The process varies from song to song. For the band’s second album, “Teine kõla”, Küüts often brought in a finished production, an idea or a demo. Liiv said the new album presents listeners with a more mature band, which she believes should keep moving forward rather than stand still.

Liiv said the band’s nationwide success was not planned years in advance. The wider team behind the four musicians on stage also played a part, she said, adding that they all needed one another.