DeadJournalist.com Exclusive Interviews:
Here We Go Magic

Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com
07.15.09

 

As the time to listen and explore for new music becomes more precious, I have become more reliant on satalitte radio to introduce me to the new artists I don't have time to find by scouring the Internet or going to live shows. Because of this, more of my "a-ha!" moments occur in the car than they have since I was a teenager.

Setting up this interview with the above lead-in is important because sometimes the most interesting artists are not the ones that grab me and pull me in three chords into the first song. With me, the opposite is more often true than not. I often find myself becoming more and more encombered with music that doesn't resonate with me upon first listen. Such was the case with Here We Go Magic.

In the early months of 2009, I found myself becoming more aware each time I heard "Tunnelvision" by Here We Go Magic. I'd see the information pop-up in the car, and I'd make sure to turn up the volume. Each time I heard it I enjoyed it more than the previous time.

After a month or so, "Fangela" became getting airplay. Again, I had the same reaction as I had to "Tunnelvision". An easy rule of thumb is if two songs are good off an album, its worth a purchase. And since I still buy music, I picked up the band's self titled LP. After a few listens it immediately became an album that I highly recommended.

Here We Go Magic began as the solo project of New York singer-songwriter Luke Temple. A whirlwind two month recording session produced Here We Go Magic, sonic journey that stretches post-wave with pychodelica and world beat. The album was a diparture from Temple's previous folk-esque work, including his full-length debut solo album Hold a Match for a Gasoline World.

Here We Go Magic, which now includes band members Michael Bloch, Kristina Lieberson, Peter Hale and Jennifer Turner, spent June and July touring with indie darlings Grizzly Bear.

For more information on Here We Go Magic, visit their Web site www.herewegomagic.com or their MySpace page www.myspace.com/herewegomagic.

DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive interview with Luke Temple of Here We Go Magic.

When you set out to record the album that became Here We Go Magic did you intend to create a sound dynamic that diverged from your previous work or was it a natural progression in your growth process as an musician?

LT: It was natural, I had been messing around with similar ideas for a while.

The album is a sonic journey with two songs "Tunnelvision" and "Fangela" getting primary attention. What was the inspiration behind these songs? Is there another song on the album for which you have a special affection?

LT: "Pieces" is one I enjoy very much. It was done very quickly and sort of surprised me in the end. The whole record just sort of happened very easily which is nice because it allowed me to be a bit more detached.

 

Given that Here We Go Magic began primarily as a solo project, how have the members melded since the line-up was finalized?

LT: We are a different beast now, we are a band, it happened naturally and I suppose it very easily couldn't have just the same.

Are you working on new material for Here We Go Magic?

LT: Oh yeah, we start recording in August.

Who are the artists have influenced you most as a musician? Given your art background who are artists from other genres that were most inspirational?

LT: Neil Young has been huge for me, he taught me to let things be and the importance of capturing a moment and a feeling without getting bogged in meaningless detail.

Gerhard Richter and Antonio Lopez Garcia are my favorite painters, when it comes to visual art I am kind of traditional, I love realism and draftsmanship. I studied painting for so long that I really appreciate craft. I am a bit more free with music.

Have themes, concepts or passions that you've drawn upon as a painter manifested themselves in your music?

LT: Not very consciously but I see music visually in general, little cartoon worlds mostly.

Which do you enjoy more, performing live or writing and recording?

LT: Totally different beasts. Performing is a dialogue with people in a moment then gone to live in memory. Recoding is stamp made from an idea and an opportunity to attempt perfection.

What is the biggest challenge of live performances? What is the most enjoyable part?

LT: Feeling loose and confident; feeling loose and confident.

On your most recent tour, you performed a number of shows with Grizzly Bear. How was the experience of touring with them? Have you seen an immediate impact from the additional exposure that stemmed from the tour?

LT: They were great as a band and as guys, we learned so much from them about the logistics of performing at that level. In terms of whatever other fallout may accure as a result of it I think it's too early to tell.

What city has been your favorite stop on the tour so far?

LT: Impossible to say, Dallas sure was fun.

Given the dramatic shift in media during this decade; what do you find most challenging finding and maintaining a digital audience?

LT: Don't know, it seems allot easier to me ... no more press packages.

Is there an artist that you've encountered recently that you've been recommending to your friends?

LT: Glass Ghost

What were you listening to in 1999?

LT: A whole lot of Stevie Wonder.

Which do you prefer: MP3, CD, Tape or Vinyl?

LT: Tape

One Drink; One Movie; One Album:

LT: Boiling milk, The Handsome Hand that Shook For River, Baby in the Tree's by Grandma Abraham