For those unaware of them, Seven That Spells are a Croatian psychedelic/noise rock band that hails from the 23rd century where rock is dead. They have traveled back in time to our years to change the tragic course of the boring history. These prolific troubadours have recorded 11 ‘observations’ in just over 13 years of existence while also touring the world multiple times. The latest release, IO, is the second part of the ongoing Death And Resurrection Of Krautrock trilogy. Conqueror and founding father, Niko Potočnjak has found some spare time to answer a few questions for Sputnik Music.

Hello! How’s everything going at the Seven That Spells HQ?

All is well. Taking a rest from drugs and other stuff. It’s been one hell of a weekend ha ha ha!

You’ve got a new record out this month, the second part of The Death And Resurrection Of Krautrock, entitled IO. For those who aren’t accustomed to the trilogy, what inspired the concept?

It’s just my vision of how a modern psych band should sound like. The trilogy is a concept – kind of a well known format that allows you to stretch things further. Sometimes one album is really enough though ha ha! Anyway its fun and it makes you focus – no lazy shit here – only lethal stuff.

In contrast to some of your previous albums, both AUM and IO sound more rehearsed rather than focusing on spontaneous ideas laid to tape. They also share this more prominent Balkan influence. Describe a bit the creation and recording process.

Well, yeah we kind of switched to more constructive arrangements – shit man I’m getting old ha ha ha ha ha! More Indo – European influence I would say – which is basically the same because all of our culture comes from that same reference point. It took us 2 years to finish it. It was a pain in the ass honestly –  quite a difficult material to master. 150 channels per song and some really crazy time signatures.

When will the final part come out? Do you plan on releasing a special bundle or something like that for the fans?

I don’t know, in 2 years maybe. Special bundles? FUCK YEAH! I need money.

What are your touring plans for this year? Any new places you plan on visiting or awesome festivals you guys will be part of?

We’ll tour Europe in September and play lots of festivals during the summer. I always forget their names but it’s alright – there’s a shitload of them now anyway.

Moving on to the second project you are involved with: Jastreb. How did that come to fruition?

We were bored and tried to make fun of retarded stoner rock – played one Black Sabbathy riff for 40 minutes and then we discovered it’s actually quite cool. That’s about it. Jastreb is all about repetition. A ONE RIFF band.

You’ve been juggling between the two bands lately, doing some joint touring. Is there a new Jastreb record in the works too? What can we expect next?

3 bands actually! Jastreb has a new record out, Mother Europe. New album is planned for 2015. Still have no idea how it will sound… I also made a retro rock band because some guys from Sweden told me it’s a thing to do these days. It’s called Otrovna Kristina. Just type that on Youtube, your sex life will improve.

What are some of your favorite bands at the moment? What would you recommend for psychedelic music fans?

Psychic Paramount – II

Master Musicians of Bukkake – Totem I

Shora – Malval

You’ve played lots of venues with lots of bands. What are some of the coolest acts you guys shared the stage with?

Usually we play with really shitty and boring bands. And lots of times I am wasted so I really don’t remember. Will give you an update if things change.

In the future, who would you love to tour with? Are there any particular cities/countries you’re interested to play in?

I just want to have fun and get wasted on tour. I travelled the world when I was 18. Now it’s all about music and psychic waste. So I am not limited by time and space –  I am only limited by people with whom I share the tour van. I choose musicians wisely because of that.

What’s next for Seven That Spells once the trilogy is over? Are there any unreleased/unfinished records that wait to see the light of day?

I really don’t know – I never make plans. I just know that I will continue making music until I die.

IO can be streamed and downloaded through the band’s Bandcamp page, while the physical CDs and vinyls can be purchased through Sulatron Records at the followink links:

Digital Download – http://bit.ly/1n7Dcwz

CD – http://bit.ly/1nZRwVZ

Vinyl – http://bit.ly/1k6xkwY