Interview: The Magic Numbers

A band consisting of two pairs of brothers and sisters has conquered so many hearts with their tranquil pop melodies. After some years in the shadows, they are finally back with a new studio album. This weekend all Swedes should be extremely lucky as The Magic Numbers are performing at Popaganda. The Magic Numbers and Sweden is a great collocation, and Festivalrykten were lucky to have a chat with Romeo Stodart to find out more about their predilection to Sweden as well as their admiration for Håkan Hellström.

We have heard little from you the past three years, eventually you are back ready to conquer the world again with your pop. And I must admit, your new album The Runaway is a great piece of music in true Magic Numbers-spirit.  How does it differ compared to your real breakthrough Those The Brokes ?

The Runaway was recorded at our very own Wrecking Ball studios in London which allowed us far more experimentation than ever before. We’d gained a lot of experience making those first two albums and knew that we wanted this new album to be very different sonically, more layered, very wall of sound, wanted to capture more atmosphere, less dry, less band in a room. I was also thinking very differently in terms of instrumentation, as most of the songs were written on the piano this time around. It’s very orchestral in places as we worked with Robert Kirby on the string arrangements and Valgeir Sigguroson provided different textures.

Having the time away helped massively in terms of perspective and also our relationship. I really enjoyed making this record though it was difficult at times as it’s always the battle getting what you have in your head out of the speakers.

Did it take you three years to produce the new album, or was it a decision by you, to take a break ?

We decided to take a break from touring as we were pretty much on the road for almost 4 years solidly. I spent the first year building the studio, and getting to grips with the equipment. We accumulated so many instruments and studio equipment over the last few years traveling and it was the first time having a base that was ours to go and make music. That was always the dream! It was also very important to live a little outside of the band so we could bring something new to the table, and not drive each other too mad.

The critic’s loves you, and I go along with them, however, does this put any pressure on you ?

I think we put the most pressure on ourselves really wanting to better what we’ve done before and feel like we are progressing as a band, but it does feel very nice to be loved, the most rewarding and flattering feeling is knowing that people out there like what you do.

As I understand you have a predilection to Sweden, how come ?

We absolutely love Sweden for so many reasons. Beautiful music and beautiful people, being two of the main reasons. I find it to be an incredibly romantic country, and very fun. We’ve lots of good friends in Stockholm and it will always have a special place in our hearts as the first place we played outside of the UK. I also fell very much in love with someone in Sweden after one of our shows at Debaser.

And how on earth did you discover Håkan Hellström ?

Through a very special friend in Stockholm who translated many of his songs into English for me and I was so impressed by the lyrics, very poetic. I love the sound of his last record also – For Sent For Edelweiss, especially Karlek Ar Ett Brev Skickat Tusen Ganger – it’s just a classic song, I’m in love with that song, we’ve covered it a few times at our gigs. Another favorite of his that I like is Gardakvarnar Och Skit, great song.

My relationship to you took off in 2006, at Arvikafestivalen in Sweden, and I have a vivid memory beside a fantastic concert. You said something like ”We don’t care if you buy or download our music, as long as you listen to us. Thanks” Do you still share this opinion ?

I definitely still want people to listen to us, but really listen. Headphones on, immersed in the album. People tend to accumulate in this day and age, everything is available at the click of a button so the mystery and romance goes, I’m no different, I’ve lots of albums in Itunes that I don’t listen to but I’m happy they are there, and I tend to make playlists of favorite tracks.

I just don’t want us to be any other band to people, I want us to be special, if you’re going to download our music for free make sure you listen and love it.

What can we expect from you at Popaganda ?

We’re going to give it everything we got! We’ll be playing lots of new songs as well as older favorites, expect to do lots of singing if you’ve never seen us before. I can’t wait!

Text: Magnus Olsson