MAGI - Interview

The last 26 January MAGI have released Forget Me Not for Argonauta Records, The lead singer Brandon Helms talks about the blend atmospheres behind  this album and his sensations.

Here our album review.

LFdM: Magi “Evolution of a band”. Let’s start from this: what’s the meaning behind it? 

MAGI started out in 2011, mainly as a drone/noise project but I always wanted it to be much more than that. We recorded 2 ep’s at first and in 2013 work began on what became “Forget Me Not”. 
The name MAGI to me has no particular meaning but the concept of the band is built around Freemasonry.  I have always been fascinated in the history and secrecy of Freemasons and how they have so many influences on the founding of America.

LFdM: This summer you released two songs with a doom and post-metal athmosphere. 
The production is really good, and they also have a great emotional power. Can you tell us something about these singles?

Sure, the first single is titled “A Million Questions” and it is one of my favorites on the album.  
I think it sounds a little like ADAI in how its structured but that was not our intention.  I think that song best describes our sound and what we were going for on “Forget Me Not”.  The second was “The Silence We Display”.  It’s more of an experimental take on doom/sludge.  We just don’t want to end up sounding like everyone else out there.

LFdM: You’re going to release “Forget me not”. What are your aims? What do you expect from this album?

Really just to get our name out there.  Were not expecting anything other than that. 
We’ve been getting great reviews so far and could not be happier, we are also on a great record label in Argonauta Records, that helps to.

LFdM: Do you think there’s still something to change in your sound or are you trying to keep everything as it is now? I mean…are you trying to find new atmospheres or prefer to go on following your current path?

We are always going to try and expand and try new things.  We don’t plan on staying to close to one genre, but instead experiment and branch out and keep things fresh and new.  It sounds easier than done, sometimes it can be difficult to not get stuck in a comfortable zone instead of taking risk.

LFdM: Despite of your influences, many tracks (like From Oceans To Autumn and  Mountains Among Us) have a very powerful sound. What does it mean, to you, to play doom metal?

I’ve always been a fan of bands like YOB, Rorcal, Old Man Gloom, Knut. I think these are our biggest influences. I love how they can blend raw power and heaviness with melody and atmosphere albeit earie to create something fresh. Lyrics and subject matter don’t mean as much to me as the power of the music itself. 

LFdM: Do you ever happen to think how you and your music will be ten years from now? 

Haha, no not really but it would be cool if people were still listening to our music years down the road!

LFdM: What is, until now, your most significant musical experience?

Oh man that’s a tough one.  If I absolutely had to pick just one it would be my first listen of Rosetta’s The Galilean Satellites.  One of the best albums I have heard in many years.

LFdM: Your lyrics are about current issues, such as communication, or the inability to communicate without new tools provided by technology. Do you think music, in general, suffers from this lack of communication?

In some ways.  I think everybody communicated better before there was so much technology, everything was more personal had more feeling.

LFdM: In every interview there is always a question about influences. Are there artist who inspired your sound, and what of them, in your opinion, is left in your own sound?

There are many influences we have but the ones that stick out the most to me are YOB and Knut.  I have always loved how they balance power and emotion.  I guess those would be the two biggest.

LFdM: After the release of “Forget me not” you’ll surely start a promo tour. Are you planning some shows in Europe?

Europe would be great but not likely due to many factors. I am the only guitarist in the band and in parts there are 3 or more guitars playing at once so that would be tough, along with the financials of it.  Who knows what the future holds though, I would absolutely want to tour Europe!

Interview by Michela 

Edit by Alessia

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