The Magic Gang

Musicians — Brighton

01Profile

A The Magic Gang Photo

03Interview

Name?
The magic gang

Where are you from?
We formed in Brighton but are all from The New Forest area.

What do you do?
We play love songs and we love to love.

Describe your style in three words?
Minimalistic Geek Chic

If you could make a record with anyone from history?
Maybe D'Angelo, the production on all his records are mad.

What’s the best gig/show you’ve ever been to and why?
Maybe Radiohead at Glastonbury this year via Radiohead at Reading 2009. They give us all the feels.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Green Door Store in Brighton. We played our first ever show there. Could call it our spiritual home.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
The Beatles - 'Two Of Us'

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Maybe Amy Winehouse. She's one of those artists where you feel like you know them already, but it would have been amazing to meet her, she was one of a kind.

Which sub-cultures have had an enduring effect on you?
I think all of the bands associated with the Haçienda and Creation Records have really stuck with me. I like the message and I like the escapism that comes with it.

If you could share the bill with any band in history?
The Beach Boys - 'I Just Wasn't Made For These Times'.

What music did you listen to growing up?
I listened to what my parents liked, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac and the likes of Joni Mitchell.

If you could re-live one year of your life - what year would it be and why?
My first year of uni in 2012. I feel like I discovered a lot about myself and a lot of incredible music that I'd never delved into previously.


With their '60s tinged pop vibe, The Magic Gang have toured with the likes of Wolf Alice, Hinds, Swim Deep and Spring King, as well as playing their own headline and festival shows this summer. Listen to their latest track 'Alright' in the further reading section below.

 

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat?
Oasis - 'Don't Look Back In Anger'

One record you would keep forever?
The Beach Boys - 'Pet Sounds'

A song from your favourite album?
The Beatles - 'She's Leaving Home' from 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'

A song you wish you had written?
Leonard Cohen - 'Suzanne' 

A song that defines the teenage you?
The Maccabees - 'Tissue Shoulders'

A song lyric that inspires you?
"You know my love goes with you as your love stays with me,
it's just the way it changes, like the shoreline and the sea,
but let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie,
your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye."
Leonard Cohen - 'That's No Way To Say Goodbye'

Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
Youth Of Today - 'No More' 

Best song to turn up loud?
Kendrick Lamar – 'DNA'

Best song to bring people together?
Fleetwood Mac - 'Dreams' 

Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Superfood - 'Natural Supersoul' 

03Interview

Name?
The magic gang

Where are you from?
We formed in Brighton but are all from The New Forest area.

What do you do?
We play love songs and we love to love.

Describe your style in three words?
Minimalistic Geek Chic

If you could make a record with anyone from history?
Maybe D'Angelo, the production on all his records are mad.

What’s the best gig/show you’ve ever been to and why?
Maybe Radiohead at Glastonbury this year via Radiohead at Reading 2009. They give us all the feels.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Green Door Store in Brighton. We played our first ever show there. Could call it our spiritual home.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
The Beatles - 'Two Of Us'

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Maybe Amy Winehouse. She's one of those artists where you feel like you know them already, but it would have been amazing to meet her, she was one of a kind.

Which sub-cultures have had an enduring effect on you?
I think all of the bands associated with the Haçienda and Creation Records have really stuck with me. I like the message and I like the escapism that comes with it.

If you could share the bill with any band in history?
The Beach Boys - 'I Just Wasn't Made For These Times'.

What music did you listen to growing up?
I listened to what my parents liked, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac and the likes of Joni Mitchell.

If you could re-live one year of your life - what year would it be and why?
My first year of uni in 2012. I feel like I discovered a lot about myself and a lot of incredible music that I'd never delved into previously.


With their '60s tinged pop vibe, The Magic Gang have toured with the likes of Wolf Alice, Hinds, Swim Deep and Spring King, as well as playing their own headline and festival shows this summer. Listen to their latest track 'Alright' in the further reading section below.

 

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat?
Oasis - 'Don't Look Back In Anger'

One record you would keep forever?
The Beach Boys - 'Pet Sounds'

A song from your favourite album?
The Beatles - 'She's Leaving Home' from 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'

A song you wish you had written?
Leonard Cohen - 'Suzanne' 

A song that defines the teenage you?
The Maccabees - 'Tissue Shoulders'

A song lyric that inspires you?
"You know my love goes with you as your love stays with me,
it's just the way it changes, like the shoreline and the sea,
but let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie,
your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye."
Leonard Cohen - 'That's No Way To Say Goodbye'

Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
Youth Of Today - 'No More' 

Best song to turn up loud?
Kendrick Lamar – 'DNA'

Best song to bring people together?
Fleetwood Mac - 'Dreams' 

Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Superfood - 'Natural Supersoul' 

 

05Videos

The Magic Gang | Alright (2017)

The Magic Gang | How Can I Compete (2017)