The Baby Magic interview with Mary Beth Brennan
© C.B. Linsey
The Talking Heads are alive and well. Oh, you hadn’t heard? Yeah, they retooled the whole scheme, got
some balls and kicked shit into hyper-gear…
Okay, so that might not exactly be true, but as Mary Beth states in the
titular track to The Baby Magic’s latest album “Rent A Place In Hell” “it might
as well”. This is some seriously
nihilistic, experimental, far out there, new (or is it no?) wave, insidious
oblivion. All that said, being bad has
never been so good! Taking some serious
nods from the new wave scene of the 80s and putting it into a trash compactor
with insane minimalist punk, garage rock and a healthy dose of fun The Baby
Magic probably aren’t quite like anything else you’ve ever before, except
they’re a lot like everything you’ve ever heard before. It’s a strange dichotomy, and I suppose one
could take that statement as a compliment or an insult, depending on how it was
read so let me elaborate. The Baby Magic
use their razor sharp wit to extract everything that they care about,
everything they perceive of value from what they’ve heard before and paste it
back together into this twisted Frankenstein monster of their own
creation. Hammering drums and sinister
sounding distorted bass guitar gang up with the relentless guitar, Mary Beth
Brennan’s shrieking vocals and twisted keys to create an unstoppable juggernaut
of minimalist sound, and while things may sound really dark, there’s an
underlying and unstoppable sense of fun to The Baby Magic’s music. Brennan often tackles some pretty heavy imagery,
the guitars get murky and fuzzy, the keys dark and ominous, but all the while,
there’s this sense that everything’s going to be okay at the end of the movie,
the hero will rescue the girl and stop the bad guy, despite what Brennan may
tell you in songs like “Hold On Extremely Tight”. I think my favorite thing about The Baby
Magic is that they genuinely sound like they don’t give a shit what anyone
thinks about them, though. They’re
making music because it’s what they love to do, because they feel like it’s
something they need to do. I’m not sure
if it’s for them or an imagined audience, but I do know I hope that The Baby
Magic keeps doing what they’re doing and never changes. I’m dead serious, the world needs bands like
this. People who are taking the lessons
that they’ve learned from everything that they’ve hear and moved forward with
it, creating something vividly original and personal in the process. Long live The Baby Magic.
some balls and kicked shit into hyper-gear…
Okay, so that might not exactly be true, but as Mary Beth states in the
titular track to The Baby Magic’s latest album “Rent A Place In Hell” “it might
as well”. This is some seriously
nihilistic, experimental, far out there, new (or is it no?) wave, insidious
oblivion. All that said, being bad has
never been so good! Taking some serious
nods from the new wave scene of the 80s and putting it into a trash compactor
with insane minimalist punk, garage rock and a healthy dose of fun The Baby
Magic probably aren’t quite like anything else you’ve ever before, except
they’re a lot like everything you’ve ever heard before. It’s a strange dichotomy, and I suppose one
could take that statement as a compliment or an insult, depending on how it was
read so let me elaborate. The Baby Magic
use their razor sharp wit to extract everything that they care about,
everything they perceive of value from what they’ve heard before and paste it
back together into this twisted Frankenstein monster of their own
creation. Hammering drums and sinister
sounding distorted bass guitar gang up with the relentless guitar, Mary Beth
Brennan’s shrieking vocals and twisted keys to create an unstoppable juggernaut
of minimalist sound, and while things may sound really dark, there’s an
underlying and unstoppable sense of fun to The Baby Magic’s music. Brennan often tackles some pretty heavy imagery,
the guitars get murky and fuzzy, the keys dark and ominous, but all the while,
there’s this sense that everything’s going to be okay at the end of the movie,
the hero will rescue the girl and stop the bad guy, despite what Brennan may
tell you in songs like “Hold On Extremely Tight”. I think my favorite thing about The Baby
Magic is that they genuinely sound like they don’t give a shit what anyone
thinks about them, though. They’re
making music because it’s what they love to do, because they feel like it’s
something they need to do. I’m not sure
if it’s for them or an imagined audience, but I do know I hope that The Baby
Magic keeps doing what they’re doing and never changes. I’m dead serious, the world needs bands like
this. People who are taking the lessons
that they’ve learned from everything that they’ve hear and moved forward with
it, creating something vividly original and personal in the process. Long live The Baby Magic.
© Shana East
Who’s is The Baby
Magic and what do you play? Is this the
original lineup or has there been any changes as far as that’s concerned since
you all started playing?
Magic and what do you play? Is this the
original lineup or has there been any changes as far as that’s concerned since
you all started playing?
The Baby Magic is Mary Beth Brennan (lead vocals and keys)
Patrick Coleman (Guitar and back up vocals) and Santiago Guerrero (drums). Oh, and believe me that Santiago is not our first
drummer. The first drummer was a guy
named Ron. Then it was me (Mary Beth),
then it was Patrick’s younger brother Jimmy, and now it’s Santiago. Hopefully, we’ll stop here ‘cause we all feel
very close and committed to each other musically.
Patrick Coleman (Guitar and back up vocals) and Santiago Guerrero (drums). Oh, and believe me that Santiago is not our first
drummer. The first drummer was a guy
named Ron. Then it was me (Mary Beth),
then it was Patrick’s younger brother Jimmy, and now it’s Santiago. Hopefully, we’ll stop here ‘cause we all feel
very close and committed to each other musically.
Are any of you in
any other active bands or do you have any side projects going on at this
point?
any other active bands or do you have any side projects going on at this
point?
Yes! Santiago’s the
drummer in Georgia O’Quuef. They’re an
awesome hardcore band. I drum in a band
called Dead, Death, Die, which is an indie rock band, and I also have a solo
project called Baggy Time where I play acoustic guitar and sing all kinds of
fun songs.
drummer in Georgia O’Quuef. They’re an
awesome hardcore band. I drum in a band
called Dead, Death, Die, which is an indie rock band, and I also have a solo
project called Baggy Time where I play acoustic guitar and sing all kinds of
fun songs.
Have you released
any music with anyone else in the past?
If so, can you tell us a bit about that?
any music with anyone else in the past?
If so, can you tell us a bit about that?
Nope. Other than a
new single coming out, everything has been self-released.
new single coming out, everything has been self-released.
How old are you
and where are you originally from?
and where are you originally from?
I’m thirty five and I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York,
but I’ve spent most of my childhood in a town called Williston Park on Long
Island, New York. Patrick’s thirty three
and has spent his early childhood in Baltimore, but grew up mostly in Batavia,
Illinois which is a suburb of Chicago.
Santiago’s twenty seven and was born and raised in Chicago.
but I’ve spent most of my childhood in a town called Williston Park on Long
Island, New York. Patrick’s thirty three
and has spent his early childhood in Baltimore, but grew up mostly in Batavia,
Illinois which is a suburb of Chicago.
Santiago’s twenty seven and was born and raised in Chicago.
What was the local
music scene like where you grew up? Did
you see a lot of shows or get very involved in the local scene there? Do you feel like it played a large part in
forming your musical interests or shaping the way you perform at this point?
music scene like where you grew up? Did
you see a lot of shows or get very involved in the local scene there? Do you feel like it played a large part in
forming your musical interests or shaping the way you perform at this point?
There was a really great punk ska scene on Long Island when
I was a teenager. There were a lot of
places that had all ages shows. It
wasn’t a scene fully on surface, so I depended on my friends that were all in
the scene to tell me where to go. I
would dance my ass off at every show. It
certainly showed me how much fun dancing is and that’s something I still
incorporate into our shows.
I was a teenager. There were a lot of
places that had all ages shows. It
wasn’t a scene fully on surface, so I depended on my friends that were all in
the scene to tell me where to go. I
would dance my ass off at every show. It
certainly showed me how much fun dancing is and that’s something I still
incorporate into our shows.
What about your
home growing up? Was there a lot of
music around the house when you were a kid?
Were either of your parents or any of your close relatives musicians or
extremely interested or involved in music?
home growing up? Was there a lot of
music around the house when you were a kid?
Were either of your parents or any of your close relatives musicians or
extremely interested or involved in music?
When I was a young child my dad would make sure we listened
to classical music while we ate. He was
really into composers and would quiz me on them. My mom and my dad would play lots of music
from the 50s and 60s, as well as Broadway musicals. My sister and I shared a room, and she loved
listening to Broadway musicals as well.
She was also really into George Michael.
My brother would listen to a lot of Morrissey. I mean a lot of Morrissey. Everyone in my house loved listening to
music. As far as playing music, my
sister was a great flute player in school but never went pro with it. My dad and my brother both tried to play
piano for a bit, and I’m pretty sure my mom has never picked up, or wanted to
pick up, an instrument in her life.
to classical music while we ate. He was
really into composers and would quiz me on them. My mom and my dad would play lots of music
from the 50s and 60s, as well as Broadway musicals. My sister and I shared a room, and she loved
listening to Broadway musicals as well.
She was also really into George Michael.
My brother would listen to a lot of Morrissey. I mean a lot of Morrissey. Everyone in my house loved listening to
music. As far as playing music, my
sister was a great flute player in school but never went pro with it. My dad and my brother both tried to play
piano for a bit, and I’m pretty sure my mom has never picked up, or wanted to
pick up, an instrument in her life.
What do you your
first real exposure to music?
first real exposure to music?
Probably listening to They Might Be Giants for the first
time ever. When I was a sexually
confused teenager I understood nothing about love and I really didn’t want to
focus on it at all, secretly knowing that I was hiding something. They Might Be Giants were talking about
taking a “rocket to the moon” and I really connected with that. They would have a surf breakdown in the
middle of a song just for the hell of it!
Every song was one weird party after another. Listing to John Henry for the first time was
probably my first real exposure to music.
time ever. When I was a sexually
confused teenager I understood nothing about love and I really didn’t want to
focus on it at all, secretly knowing that I was hiding something. They Might Be Giants were talking about
taking a “rocket to the moon” and I really connected with that. They would have a surf breakdown in the
middle of a song just for the hell of it!
Every song was one weird party after another. Listing to John Henry for the first time was
probably my first real exposure to music.
If you were to
pick a moment, a moment when everything seemed to change for you and you became
aware of all the amazing possibilities that music presents, what would it be?
pick a moment, a moment when everything seemed to change for you and you became
aware of all the amazing possibilities that music presents, what would it be?
It was after my first Modest Mouse show at the Bowery
Ballroom in 1998. At this point, it was
a band my best friends were very into, so I went to the show. I bought one of their CDs and I listened to
This is a Long Drive for Someone With Nothing to Think About as I went to
bed. It opened my mind to being truly
honest with music. I had no idea that
you could do that. It was like someone
breaking the rules, but not getting in trouble because the laws weren’t made
yet.
Ballroom in 1998. At this point, it was
a band my best friends were very into, so I went to the show. I bought one of their CDs and I listened to
This is a Long Drive for Someone With Nothing to Think About as I went to
bed. It opened my mind to being truly
honest with music. I had no idea that
you could do that. It was like someone
breaking the rules, but not getting in trouble because the laws weren’t made
yet.
When did you decide
that you wanted to start writing and performing your own music and what brought
that decision about for you?
that you wanted to start writing and performing your own music and what brought
that decision about for you?
I started writing songs about poo-poo and tin cans my
sophomore year in high school. My friend
Maryann played the guitar and I really thought it be fun to sing with her. She played and sang along, and we do some
takes on tape. But I got the serious
itch to perform, jumping up on stages where I wasn’t welcome and dancing to the
band playing. At the time, I really
didn’t think it was a rude thing to do and it felt great.
sophomore year in high school. My friend
Maryann played the guitar and I really thought it be fun to sing with her. She played and sang along, and we do some
takes on tape. But I got the serious
itch to perform, jumping up on stages where I wasn’t welcome and dancing to the
band playing. At the time, I really
didn’t think it was a rude thing to do and it felt great.
What was your
first instrument? When and how did you
get that?
first instrument? When and how did you
get that?
My first instrument was the alto saxophone. My family rented it from the school. When I got to high school we had to find a
way to get our own instruments. My old
neighbor in Brooklyn who was a jazz musician had a Yamaha alto sax and he said
it was the Chevy of cars. He sold it to
me for exactly what he bought it for, one hundred and forty dollars, and in
great condition. Now that’s how people
should sell musical instruments. If you
listen to “Gas Station” on our last album Whoopsy Daisy you’ll hear that baby
sing.
way to get our own instruments. My old
neighbor in Brooklyn who was a jazz musician had a Yamaha alto sax and he said
it was the Chevy of cars. He sold it to
me for exactly what he bought it for, one hundred and forty dollars, and in
great condition. Now that’s how people
should sell musical instruments. If you
listen to “Gas Station” on our last album Whoopsy Daisy you’ll hear that baby
sing.
How and when did
the members of The Baby Magic originally meet?
the members of The Baby Magic originally meet?
Patrick and I met at the Columbia Chicago dorms. He was in the dorms and I had moved out of
the dorms the previous year, but I would come back for parties, or rather
searching for parties. We went to a lot
of parties all around Chicago. Patrick
was a laid back cool party dude and I was an intense party animal. Not much has changed for us. When he moved out to an apartment I went to a
small barbecue he was having. I wasn’t
invited, but he was happy when I showed up.
He was playing guitar and I was singing a song about rape. The repeated line in the song was “I don’t
want to rape you tonight”. It made
people feel very uncomfortable, but he stayed with me. After that, we started our first band called
The Fucks. We met Santiago when we
played a show with his old band The Vatican Junkies. We thought he was a great drummer and he was
a lot of fun on stage. When we needed a
new drummer, Santiago was the first on Patrick’s list and Santiago was very
interested. He gave a special touch to
our songs that we were missing, and he had the right attitude that we were
looking for.
the dorms the previous year, but I would come back for parties, or rather
searching for parties. We went to a lot
of parties all around Chicago. Patrick
was a laid back cool party dude and I was an intense party animal. Not much has changed for us. When he moved out to an apartment I went to a
small barbecue he was having. I wasn’t
invited, but he was happy when I showed up.
He was playing guitar and I was singing a song about rape. The repeated line in the song was “I don’t
want to rape you tonight”. It made
people feel very uncomfortable, but he stayed with me. After that, we started our first band called
The Fucks. We met Santiago when we
played a show with his old band The Vatican Junkies. We thought he was a great drummer and he was
a lot of fun on stage. When we needed a
new drummer, Santiago was the first on Patrick’s list and Santiago was very
interested. He gave a special touch to
our songs that we were missing, and he had the right attitude that we were
looking for.
© Derek Quint
What led to the
formation of The Baby Magic? When was
that?
formation of The Baby Magic? When was
that?
Patrick and I had a band called Firecrotch that started in
2003 or so. It was just him on acoustic
guitar and me singing. We then got a
drummer but kicked her out. We couldn’t
quit resurface. I moved to Los Angeles
for six months to become an actor and Patrick visited me. I told him how bad I wanted the band back and
he shared the same feelings. I also was
not a Los Angeles girl. I moved back to
Chicago and we named ourselves The Baby Magic.
That was in 2008.
2003 or so. It was just him on acoustic
guitar and me singing. We then got a
drummer but kicked her out. We couldn’t
quit resurface. I moved to Los Angeles
for six months to become an actor and Patrick visited me. I told him how bad I wanted the band back and
he shared the same feelings. I also was
not a Los Angeles girl. I moved back to
Chicago and we named ourselves The Baby Magic.
That was in 2008.
Your name is
extremely fitting and while it’s pretty memorable and stuck in my head right
away, I haven’t quite put my finger on what it means. What does The Baby Magic mean or refer to in
the context of your band name? Who came
up with it and how did you all go about choosing it? Are there any close seconds that you almost
went with you can recall at this point?
extremely fitting and while it’s pretty memorable and stuck in my head right
away, I haven’t quite put my finger on what it means. What does The Baby Magic mean or refer to in
the context of your band name? Who came
up with it and how did you all go about choosing it? Are there any close seconds that you almost
went with you can recall at this point?
As much as we’d, The Baby Magic, like to say the name
implies a deep significance, it’s just a name we picked from a list of many
possible names. It seemed to fit the
nature of our songs at the time and provides us with a template for future
songwriting. Some of the names on that
list were Mommy + Tits, Tits + Mommy and Please Don’t Hate Us.
implies a deep significance, it’s just a name we picked from a list of many
possible names. It seemed to fit the
nature of our songs at the time and provides us with a template for future
songwriting. Some of the names on that
list were Mommy + Tits, Tits + Mommy and Please Don’t Hate Us.
Is there any sort
of creed, code, ideal or mantra that the band shares or lives by?
of creed, code, ideal or mantra that the band shares or lives by?
Yes, and it’s simple.
We always try our best to be nice and respectful to people. We have been tested and we have succeeded.
We always try our best to be nice and respectful to people. We have been tested and we have succeeded.
Where’s The Baby
Magic located these days? How would you
describe the local music scene where you’re located at these days?
Magic located these days? How would you
describe the local music scene where you’re located at these days?
We are, and always have been, in Chicago and we’re usually
on the northwest side. Chicago’s scene
is bursting right now. There are so many
great bands playing all the time and the crowd that comes out is so much
fun. Art is at a high here in
Chicago! House shows and art spaces are
better than ever.
on the northwest side. Chicago’s scene
is bursting right now. There are so many
great bands playing all the time and the crowd that comes out is so much
fun. Art is at a high here in
Chicago! House shows and art spaces are
better than ever.
Do you see a lot
of local shows or do you feel like you’re very involved in the local music
scene? Are you involved in booking a lot
of local shows or anything?
of local shows or do you feel like you’re very involved in the local music
scene? Are you involved in booking a lot
of local shows or anything?
We all definitely go to a lot of local shows. I personally feel pretty involved in the
music scene, but definitely not as much as some people I know. I would love to get more involved,
actually. Santiago is really into the
house show scene and books a good amount of shows.
music scene, but definitely not as much as some people I know. I would love to get more involved,
actually. Santiago is really into the
house show scene and books a good amount of shows.
Has the local
music scene played an integral role in the sound, history or formation of The
Baby Magic? Or do you all feel like you
could be doing what you’re doing and sound basically like you do regardless of
where you were or what you were surrounded by?
music scene played an integral role in the sound, history or formation of The
Baby Magic? Or do you all feel like you
could be doing what you’re doing and sound basically like you do regardless of
where you were or what you were surrounded by?
Absolutely! I’m not
exactly sure how, but I know it’s true.
You go out and hear something, or see something that you think is super
cool, and you can’t help but sublimity try to sprinkle it on yourself in your
own way.
exactly sure how, but I know it’s true.
You go out and hear something, or see something that you think is super
cool, and you can’t help but sublimity try to sprinkle it on yourself in your
own way.
Now you all have a
sweet conglomeration of sounds going on that seems to kind of bend and drift
across genre lines, picking and choosing what you want from a number of
places. I’m curious who you would cite
as your major musical influences?
sweet conglomeration of sounds going on that seems to kind of bend and drift
across genre lines, picking and choosing what you want from a number of
places. I’m curious who you would cite
as your major musical influences?
We all come from very different musical backgrounds. I’m really into early 60’s pop and 90’s
indie rock. Patrick prefers noisy
feedback laden no wave and big guitar rock.
Santiago’s really into metal and hardcore.
indie rock. Patrick prefers noisy
feedback laden no wave and big guitar rock.
Santiago’s really into metal and hardcore.
What about
influences on the band as a whole rather than just individually?
influences on the band as a whole rather than just individually?
I’d say most of our collective inspiration comes from other
bands we play shows with. We’ve been
lucky to play with many amazing performers over the years. As a collective though, we do all love
Ween.
bands we play shows with. We’ve been
lucky to play with many amazing performers over the years. As a collective though, we do all love
Ween.
How would you
describe your sound to our readers who might not have ever heard you all
before? Whenever I do these interviews I
have to describe a band’s sound into words and I always feel like I’m putting
way too many of my own thoughts and perceptions about things into there. I’m interested how you would describe The
Baby Magic in your own words?
describe your sound to our readers who might not have ever heard you all
before? Whenever I do these interviews I
have to describe a band’s sound into words and I always feel like I’m putting
way too many of my own thoughts and perceptions about things into there. I’m interested how you would describe The
Baby Magic in your own words?
We also find it very hard to describe our music! If I had to say anything though, I would say
we try to deliver unpretentious songs that can inspire you to dance, think
about life, and have fun. We try to
blend the dynamics of our personalities into our music and hopefully create a
unique experience for the listener.
we try to deliver unpretentious songs that can inspire you to dance, think
about life, and have fun. We try to
blend the dynamics of our personalities into our music and hopefully create a
unique experience for the listener.
What’s the
songwriting process like for The Baby Magic?
Is there someone who usually comes to the rest of the band with an idea
for a song or maybe a riff and then works it out with the rest of you all as a
unit? Or, do you all just get together
and kick ideas back and forth kind of coming off of the cuff and letting things
grow and evolve until you have an idea or something that you’re interested in
working on and refining from there?
songwriting process like for The Baby Magic?
Is there someone who usually comes to the rest of the band with an idea
for a song or maybe a riff and then works it out with the rest of you all as a
unit? Or, do you all just get together
and kick ideas back and forth kind of coming off of the cuff and letting things
grow and evolve until you have an idea or something that you’re interested in
working on and refining from there?
Lately, we’ve been jamming out a lot and recording ourselves
and reviewing parts we thought were awesome, and then playing them again from
memory. But before that, I would bring
in lyrics first, and we would work through the songs part by part, changing
things over and over again. Sometimes,
the songs come out really quickly and sometimes songs take a super long
time. Everyone comes up with their own
parts, but we’re definitely always giving each other ideas of what direction we
think would work in certain places.
and reviewing parts we thought were awesome, and then playing them again from
memory. But before that, I would bring
in lyrics first, and we would work through the songs part by part, changing
things over and over again. Sometimes,
the songs come out really quickly and sometimes songs take a super long
time. Everyone comes up with their own
parts, but we’re definitely always giving each other ideas of what direction we
think would work in certain places.
What about
recording? I mean, I think that most
musicians can appreciate all the time and effort that goes into making an album
when you’re finally holding that finished product in your hands. But getting to that point though and getting
things recorded and sounding the way you want them to, especially as a band,
can be extremely difficult to say the least and has torn more than one band
apart. What’s it like recording for The
Baby Magic?
recording? I mean, I think that most
musicians can appreciate all the time and effort that goes into making an album
when you’re finally holding that finished product in your hands. But getting to that point though and getting
things recorded and sounding the way you want them to, especially as a band,
can be extremely difficult to say the least and has torn more than one band
apart. What’s it like recording for The
Baby Magic?
We know how limited money and time is to record, so we go in
super organized and excited. Of course,
we can bump heads here and there, but being in a band of three people, our
voting system’s real easy. Also we never
talk to each other disrespectfully.
Raising your voice or using a rude tone isn’t our style. Although time is limited, we always do our
best to work on a sudden idea that may come up.
If it doesn’t work out, at least you tried it. When recording Rent a Place in Hell Brian Fox
was our engineer. He came into our
practice space beforehand and we played and talked about every song and what we
wanted from it. That was very helpful.
super organized and excited. Of course,
we can bump heads here and there, but being in a band of three people, our
voting system’s real easy. Also we never
talk to each other disrespectfully.
Raising your voice or using a rude tone isn’t our style. Although time is limited, we always do our
best to work on a sudden idea that may come up.
If it doesn’t work out, at least you tried it. When recording Rent a Place in Hell Brian Fox
was our engineer. He came into our
practice space beforehand and we played and talked about every song and what we
wanted from it. That was very helpful.
Do you all like to
take a more DIY approach to recording where you handle the technical aspects of
most things on your own, so that you don’t have to work with or compromise with
anyone else on the sound? Or do you head
into a studio and let someone else handle that side of things so that you can
just concentrate on your music and getting things to sound as good as possible?
take a more DIY approach to recording where you handle the technical aspects of
most things on your own, so that you don’t have to work with or compromise with
anyone else on the sound? Or do you head
into a studio and let someone else handle that side of things so that you can
just concentrate on your music and getting things to sound as good as possible?
We’re not the most technically inclined bunch of musicians,
so we definitely require an engineer at this point to assist with the
recording. For our first record, Whoopsy
Daisy, we had a producer, Jack Armando, help us refine our music and teach us
the all important lesson of self-restraint.
We had great songs, but sometime they carried on longer than
necessary. He also coached us on how to
get the most emotion out of each take while recording. On Rent a Place in Hell, we went without a
producer and had more freedom with the structure of the songs. We appreciate any input we can get in any
recording process and hope to avoid self-indulgence.
so we definitely require an engineer at this point to assist with the
recording. For our first record, Whoopsy
Daisy, we had a producer, Jack Armando, help us refine our music and teach us
the all important lesson of self-restraint.
We had great songs, but sometime they carried on longer than
necessary. He also coached us on how to
get the most emotion out of each take while recording. On Rent a Place in Hell, we went without a
producer and had more freedom with the structure of the songs. We appreciate any input we can get in any
recording process and hope to avoid self-indulgence.
Is there a lot of
time and effort that goes into working out every little aspect of a song, with
all the arrangements and compositions locked down and airtight before you go to
record and album, or do you all get a good skeletal idea of how a song’s going
to sound, while allowing for some evolution and change when necessary during
the recording process?
time and effort that goes into working out every little aspect of a song, with
all the arrangements and compositions locked down and airtight before you go to
record and album, or do you all get a good skeletal idea of how a song’s going
to sound, while allowing for some evolution and change when necessary during
the recording process?
Our songs are constantly evolving. We do crunch the songs before going in to
record just so we don’t waste studio time, but we keep an open mind as we go
along in case a better idea emerges. The
songs from Whoopsy Daisy sound pretty different live now. We try to constantly tweak our music for the
better.
record just so we don’t waste studio time, but we keep an open mind as we go
along in case a better idea emerges. The
songs from Whoopsy Daisy sound pretty different live now. We try to constantly tweak our music for the
better.
Do
psychoactive or hallucinogenic drugs play a large or important role in the
songwriting, recording or performance processes for The Baby Magic? I don’t mean that in a negative respect at
all. People have been tapping into the
altered mind states that drugs produce for the purpose or making art for
thousand of years at this point and I’m simply curious about their usage and
application when it comes to the art that I personally enjoy and consume.
psychoactive or hallucinogenic drugs play a large or important role in the
songwriting, recording or performance processes for The Baby Magic? I don’t mean that in a negative respect at
all. People have been tapping into the
altered mind states that drugs produce for the purpose or making art for
thousand of years at this point and I’m simply curious about their usage and
application when it comes to the art that I personally enjoy and consume.
What a fun question.
I would definitely have to say that we all smoke weed; some more than
others for sure. I wouldn’t say it’s
important in the songwriting process, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. We’ve all messed around with a lot of
different drugs, but other than weed, it’s nothing we do during band time.
I would definitely have to say that we all smoke weed; some more than
others for sure. I wouldn’t say it’s
important in the songwriting process, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. We’ve all messed around with a lot of
different drugs, but other than weed, it’s nothing we do during band time.
Your first release
that I know if was in 2012, the Whoopsy Daisy album. Can you share some of your memories of
recording that first material? When and
where as it recorded? Who recorded
it? What kind of equipment was
used? Was that self-released or who put
that out? Was that a fun, pleasurable
experience or more of a nerve-wracking proposition for you all at that point?
that I know if was in 2012, the Whoopsy Daisy album. Can you share some of your memories of
recording that first material? When and
where as it recorded? Who recorded
it? What kind of equipment was
used? Was that self-released or who put
that out? Was that a fun, pleasurable
experience or more of a nerve-wracking proposition for you all at that point?
We recorded that album at Strobe, a recording studio in a
neighborhood in Chicago, Humboldt Park, in the winter of 2012. Our producer was Jack Armando from the Chicago
band, My Gold Mask. Balthazar de Ley was
our engineer. They’ve both been working
together on Jack’s projects for a while, so they were very familiar with
working together. We mostly used our own
instruments, but we did use this awesome old organ that they had on the song
“See Means Yes”. I would like to talk
more about the fancy equipment that the studio had, but I can’t. It was self-released. We had a lot of fun, although moments of
frustration hit us from time to time.
Working through frustration and keeping focus was an important lesson
that we learned from this album. I also
learned that I suck at whistling. We
recorded the album in three days total, so we really didn’t have anytime to
waste. We were very happy that we got
everything we wanted done in the time we had.
neighborhood in Chicago, Humboldt Park, in the winter of 2012. Our producer was Jack Armando from the Chicago
band, My Gold Mask. Balthazar de Ley was
our engineer. They’ve both been working
together on Jack’s projects for a while, so they were very familiar with
working together. We mostly used our own
instruments, but we did use this awesome old organ that they had on the song
“See Means Yes”. I would like to talk
more about the fancy equipment that the studio had, but I can’t. It was self-released. We had a lot of fun, although moments of
frustration hit us from time to time.
Working through frustration and keeping focus was an important lesson
that we learned from this album. I also
learned that I suck at whistling. We
recorded the album in three days total, so we really didn’t have anytime to
waste. We were very happy that we got
everything we wanted done in the time we had.
Earlier this year
in 2014 you followed up Whoosy Daisy with your sophomore album, Rent A Place In
Hell. Did you all try anything radically
new or different when it came to the songwriting or recording of the material for
Rent A Place In Hell? What can our
listener expect from the new album? When
and where was it recorded? Who recorded
it and what kind of equipment was used?
Who released Rent A Place In Hell?
in 2014 you followed up Whoosy Daisy with your sophomore album, Rent A Place In
Hell. Did you all try anything radically
new or different when it came to the songwriting or recording of the material for
Rent A Place In Hell? What can our
listener expect from the new album? When
and where was it recorded? Who recorded
it and what kind of equipment was used?
Who released Rent A Place In Hell?
With Rent A Place In Hell the listener can expect some of the
flavors of Whoopsy Daisy, such as a rough sexual song and a deep song about an
animal. But the similarities stop
there. We wanted a theme to the album. Putting it shortly; it’s about the freedoms
we have, working too much, and the everyday fears that we carry. Patrick took a lot of time picking out the
perfect blend of pedals and structuring the different sounds for each
song. And as for drums; it’s a
completely different drummer, so you’ll definitely hear the difference
there. Expect to dance more and not have
a moment of boredom. It was recorded in
February of 2014 at Electrical Audio in Chicago. Brian Fox was our engineer. He was Santiago’s roommate at the time and
our personal lifesaver. Sorry to
disappoint you about not knowing more about the equipment we used. I will tell you one fun fact though, we got
to use tympanis!
flavors of Whoopsy Daisy, such as a rough sexual song and a deep song about an
animal. But the similarities stop
there. We wanted a theme to the album. Putting it shortly; it’s about the freedoms
we have, working too much, and the everyday fears that we carry. Patrick took a lot of time picking out the
perfect blend of pedals and structuring the different sounds for each
song. And as for drums; it’s a
completely different drummer, so you’ll definitely hear the difference
there. Expect to dance more and not have
a moment of boredom. It was recorded in
February of 2014 at Electrical Audio in Chicago. Brian Fox was our engineer. He was Santiago’s roommate at the time and
our personal lifesaver. Sorry to
disappoint you about not knowing more about the equipment we used. I will tell you one fun fact though, we got
to use tympanis!
Does The Baby
Magic have any music that we haven’t talked about yet, maybe a song on a
compilation or a demo that I’m not aware of?
Magic have any music that we haven’t talked about yet, maybe a song on a
compilation or a demo that I’m not aware of?
We will be on a compilation called So Fly to be released via
Berserk Records with My Gold Mask, Swimsuit Addition, and Absolutely Not by the
end of the year. We have a brand new
song on it called “Control Freak”.
Berserk Records with My Gold Mask, Swimsuit Addition, and Absolutely Not by the
end of the year. We have a brand new
song on it called “Control Freak”.
With the release
of the Rent A Place In Hell album not too awfully long ago at this point, are
there any other releases in the works or on the horizon for The Baby Magic at
this point?
of the Rent A Place In Hell album not too awfully long ago at this point, are
there any other releases in the works or on the horizon for The Baby Magic at
this point?
We’re currently working on new songs and expect to have a
new album out as soon as musically possible.
new album out as soon as musically possible.
Where’s the best
place for our US readers to pick up copies of your music?
place for our US readers to pick up copies of your music?
We’re in record stores all over Chicago. As far as the rest of the US goes, we’ve
dropped our record off in a lot of cities such as Cleveland, Ohio Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania Brooklyn, New York Ashville, North Carolina and Louisville,
Kentucky. We’re planning on reaching out
to more places very soon as well.
dropped our record off in a lot of cities such as Cleveland, Ohio Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania Brooklyn, New York Ashville, North Carolina and Louisville,
Kentucky. We’re planning on reaching out
to more places very soon as well.
What about our
poor international and overseas readers?
With the completely insane international shipping rates that just seem
to keep going up and up, I try and provide our readers with as many possible
options as I can for picking stuff up when it comes to imports!
poor international and overseas readers?
With the completely insane international shipping rates that just seem
to keep going up and up, I try and provide our readers with as many possible
options as I can for picking stuff up when it comes to imports!
I ’m going to do my best to get some to England soon. Check out Vinyl Boutique Camden. Also, if anyone has ideas on what countries
might be interested in our music, please let us know and we’ll try our best to
send some over.
might be interested in our music, please let us know and we’ll try our best to
send some over.
And where’s the
best place for our interested readers to keep up with the latest news, like
upcoming shows, tours and album releases at?
best place for our interested readers to keep up with the latest news, like
upcoming shows, tours and album releases at?
As of right now, Facebook.
We understand a lot of people don’t like being dependant on Facebook,
but as far as looking good to certain venues it’s an important site to keep up.
We understand a lot of people don’t like being dependant on Facebook,
but as far as looking good to certain venues it’s an important site to keep up.
Are there any
major plans or goals that The Baby Magic is looking to accomplish in the last
of 2014 or in 2015?
major plans or goals that The Baby Magic is looking to accomplish in the last
of 2014 or in 2015?
We would love to get bigger shows with bigger bands. More listeners would definitely be amazing!
What, if anything,
do you all have planned as far as touring goes?
do you all have planned as far as touring goes?
We just came back from a two-week tour and it was
awesome. We plan on touring again the
summer of 2015 for sure. But this coming
fall/winter we plan on playing Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, and
Minneapolis, Minnesota. I think we’ll
call it “The Short M Tour”.
awesome. We plan on touring again the
summer of 2015 for sure. But this coming
fall/winter we plan on playing Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, and
Minneapolis, Minnesota. I think we’ll
call it “The Short M Tour”.
Do you all spend a
lot of time out on the road? Do you
enjoy touring? What’s life like on tour
for The Baby Magic?
lot of time out on the road? Do you
enjoy touring? What’s life like on tour
for The Baby Magic?
We just started really getting used to the road. We love touring, but money and jobs are an
issue. We all get along really well and
enjoy the time that we spend with each other.
Sure, we have shows with packed crowds and sometimes, not so much. For the most part there are a lot of great
bands and old friends that treat us amazing when we are on the road. I feel like on our last tour certain people
pulled out the red carpet and were really amazing. There were some other nights, though, that
were hard to deal with. One night, a big
fight broke out in front of us and we all faked sleeping. Another night, the band we were supposed to
stay with left us and said they forgot their phone in their merch box, luckily
for us a girl that lived upstairs from the bar gave us a great place to
sleep. In general, we love tour and wish
to do it more. We love eating food in
different places, meeting new people and hearing new bands. We love drinking different craft beer from
all around, and honestly, at the end of the tour, even the struggles become fun
stories to talk about on your way home.
issue. We all get along really well and
enjoy the time that we spend with each other.
Sure, we have shows with packed crowds and sometimes, not so much. For the most part there are a lot of great
bands and old friends that treat us amazing when we are on the road. I feel like on our last tour certain people
pulled out the red carpet and were really amazing. There were some other nights, though, that
were hard to deal with. One night, a big
fight broke out in front of us and we all faked sleeping. Another night, the band we were supposed to
stay with left us and said they forgot their phone in their merch box, luckily
for us a girl that lived upstairs from the bar gave us a great place to
sleep. In general, we love tour and wish
to do it more. We love eating food in
different places, meeting new people and hearing new bands. We love drinking different craft beer from
all around, and honestly, at the end of the tour, even the struggles become fun
stories to talk about on your way home.
Do you remember
what the first song that The Baby Magic ever played live was? Where and when would that have been?
what the first song that The Baby Magic ever played live was? Where and when would that have been?
The Baby Magic played our first show at Quenchers in Chicago
in August 2008. Our first song I’m not
sure of, but I know that we played a lot of our album Whoopsy Daisy at that
show. Just not as tight, of course. It was a great show, though.
in August 2008. Our first song I’m not
sure of, but I know that we played a lot of our album Whoopsy Daisy at that
show. Just not as tight, of course. It was a great show, though.
Who are some of
your personal favorite bands that you all have had a chance to play with over
the past few years?
your personal favorite bands that you all have had a chance to play with over
the past few years?
Big Freeia, Swimsuit Addition, The Cell Phones, My Gold
Mask, Blood Planet, Girl Group Chicago, Waxeater, The Rutabega, and Doomster.
Mask, Blood Planet, Girl Group Chicago, Waxeater, The Rutabega, and Doomster.
In your dreams,
who are you on tour with?
who are you on tour with?
For me, Modest Mouse, but I wouldn’t mind taking Patrick and
Santiago’s first choice of Ween.
Santiago’s first choice of Ween.
© Josh Fontenot
Do you all give a
lot of thought to the visual aspects so the band that represent the band to a
large extent, stuff like flyers, posters, shirt designs, cover artwork and that
kind of thing? Is there any kind of
meaning or message that you’re trying to convey or get across with the visual
aspects of the band?
lot of thought to the visual aspects so the band that represent the band to a
large extent, stuff like flyers, posters, shirt designs, cover artwork and that
kind of thing? Is there any kind of
meaning or message that you’re trying to convey or get across with the visual
aspects of the band?
Oh, yes! We love a
band art project. We find it hard to
keep with one piece of art and just run with it, though, so our art can seem
very jumpy.
band art project. We find it hard to
keep with one piece of art and just run with it, though, so our art can seem
very jumpy.
Is there anyone
that you usually turn to when it comes to your visual needs fro the band? If so, who is that and how did you originally
get hooked up with them?
that you usually turn to when it comes to your visual needs fro the band? If so, who is that and how did you originally
get hooked up with them?
We’re always changing that up. We do a lot of the work ourselves as far as
the local shows go, but as far as an important artwork such as some of our band
photos, record covers and record release show posters, we always look to our
expert artist friends.
the local shows go, but as far as an important artwork such as some of our band
photos, record covers and record release show posters, we always look to our
expert artist friends.
With all of the
various methods of release that are available to musicians today I’m always
curious why artists choose and prefer the various mediums that they do. Do you have a preferred medium of release for
your own music? What about when you’re
listening to or purchasing music? If you
do have a preference, what is it and can you tell us a little bit about why
that is?
various methods of release that are available to musicians today I’m always
curious why artists choose and prefer the various mediums that they do. Do you have a preferred medium of release for
your own music? What about when you’re
listening to or purchasing music? If you
do have a preference, what is it and can you tell us a little bit about why
that is?
Our last album Whoopsy Daisy came out on CD, but I really
wish we had enough money to put it out on vinyl. I think vinyl’s a great way to listen to
music. Also, it’s easier to sell since it’s
more collectable. Lately, I’ve been
streaming most the music I listen to.
wish we had enough money to put it out on vinyl. I think vinyl’s a great way to listen to
music. Also, it’s easier to sell since it’s
more collectable. Lately, I’ve been
streaming most the music I listen to.
When I was growing
up my dad would take me around and he would pick me up random stuff from the
local music shops on the weekend and I developed this whole ritual, man! I
would rush home, snag a set of headphones, start feverishly reading the liner
notes and then just stare at the cover art while the music carried me off on
this whole trip! Having something
physical, something concretely connected to the music that I was listening to,
always made fro a more complete listening experience for me. Do you have any such connection with
physically released music?
up my dad would take me around and he would pick me up random stuff from the
local music shops on the weekend and I developed this whole ritual, man! I
would rush home, snag a set of headphones, start feverishly reading the liner
notes and then just stare at the cover art while the music carried me off on
this whole trip! Having something
physical, something concretely connected to the music that I was listening to,
always made fro a more complete listening experience for me. Do you have any such connection with
physically released music?
I do at times. I love
album art, but I’m not even close to where you are with it. Growing up, I listened to mix tapes and the
radio mostly. I did love buying albums
here and there. And in my teenage years
I always enjoyed stealing something from time to time. Security wasn’t too tough in the oldies
section at Tower Records…
album art, but I’m not even close to where you are with it. Growing up, I listened to mix tapes and the
radio mostly. I did love buying albums
here and there. And in my teenage years
I always enjoyed stealing something from time to time. Security wasn’t too tough in the oldies
section at Tower Records…
Do you have a
music collection at all? If so, can you
tell us a bit about it?
music collection at all? If so, can you
tell us a bit about it?
I’m just starting a vinyl collection. So far I have six. I have a lot of CDs, but I don’t play them so
much right now.
much right now.
Like it or not,
digital music is here in a big way right now.
I mean there are ups and downs to anything and I think it just depends
on how you look at things and utilize them, but when you combine digital music
with the internet, well then you have something crazy on your hands. Together they’ve exposed people to the
literal world of music that’s around them and it’s allowed them for the first
time to really reach out and talk to those people. It’s eradicated a lot of geographic
boundaries that would have crippled bands even a few years ago. On the other hand though, while people are
aware of all this new music, they’re not necessarily very interested in paying
for it. It’s harder and harder to get
noticed in the digital jungle these days, and while I think that people’s
relationship and interaction with music is constantly evolving and no one was
getting rich from record sales on an indie or local level, digital music has
really altered people’s perceptions of what music should cost and how it should
be consumed, and I’m not sure that digital music has done any of us any favors
in those regards. As an artist during
the reign of the digital era, what’s your opinion on digital music and
distribution?
digital music is here in a big way right now.
I mean there are ups and downs to anything and I think it just depends
on how you look at things and utilize them, but when you combine digital music
with the internet, well then you have something crazy on your hands. Together they’ve exposed people to the
literal world of music that’s around them and it’s allowed them for the first
time to really reach out and talk to those people. It’s eradicated a lot of geographic
boundaries that would have crippled bands even a few years ago. On the other hand though, while people are
aware of all this new music, they’re not necessarily very interested in paying
for it. It’s harder and harder to get
noticed in the digital jungle these days, and while I think that people’s
relationship and interaction with music is constantly evolving and no one was
getting rich from record sales on an indie or local level, digital music has
really altered people’s perceptions of what music should cost and how it should
be consumed, and I’m not sure that digital music has done any of us any favors
in those regards. As an artist during
the reign of the digital era, what’s your opinion on digital music and
distribution?
On one hand, it’s great to know that anyone can hear
it. If it wasn’t for digital music would
I have this interview? Sure, maybe the
money situation would be different, but at the end of the day, more art is out
there at your fingertips and I love that factor. Also, we’re realizing how many people that
make art are out there, and can we pay them all? I hope one day we can. That’s why my favorite music site is
Bandcamp. You can hear any band that
wants to be there and everyone gets paid a fair price. I really do wish that music paid like it used
to and hope for the best.
it. If it wasn’t for digital music would
I have this interview? Sure, maybe the
money situation would be different, but at the end of the day, more art is out
there at your fingertips and I love that factor. Also, we’re realizing how many people that
make art are out there, and can we pay them all? I hope one day we can. That’s why my favorite music site is
Bandcamp. You can hear any band that
wants to be there and everyone gets paid a fair price. I really do wish that music paid like it used
to and hope for the best.
I try to keep up
with as many good bands as I possibly can but with so much good stuff out there
it’s hard to know where to even start sometimes. Is there any from your local scene or area
that I should be listening to that I might not have heard of before?
with as many good bands as I possibly can but with so much good stuff out there
it’s hard to know where to even start sometimes. Is there any from your local scene or area
that I should be listening to that I might not have heard of before?
Rat Hammer, Absolutely Not, The Cell Phones, Swimsuit
Addition, TOOFUNCHILD, there are a lot of great bands here in Chicago but this’
a good start.
Addition, TOOFUNCHILD, there are a lot of great bands here in Chicago but this’
a good start.
Thanks so much for
taking the time to talk with me about the band.
I know this took a while, but I swear I’m done, no more questions! As you were so generous with your time
though, I’d like to open the floor up to you for a moment. Is there anything that I could have possibly
missed or that you might just want to take this opportunity to talk to me or
the readers about at this point?
taking the time to talk with me about the band.
I know this took a while, but I swear I’m done, no more questions! As you were so generous with your time
though, I’d like to open the floor up to you for a moment. Is there anything that I could have possibly
missed or that you might just want to take this opportunity to talk to me or
the readers about at this point?
Patrick and I started a band before The Baby Magic. We started out of the pure love of wanting to
perform. We still play together with
those same ideals along with Santiago.
Together, we’re all so grateful for people like you that care and spread
the word. So, thank you very much and
keep up the great work!
perform. We still play together with
those same ideals along with Santiago.
Together, we’re all so grateful for people like you that care and spread
the word. So, thank you very much and
keep up the great work!
DISCOGRAPHY
(2012) The Baby Magic
– Whoopsy Daisy – Digital, CD – Self-Released(?)
– Whoopsy Daisy – Digital, CD – Self-Released(?)
(2014) The Baby Magic
– Rent A Place In Hell – Digital, 12” – Self-Released(?)
– Rent A Place In Hell – Digital, 12” – Self-Released(?)
© Carrie Shemanski
Interview made by Roman Rathert/2014
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2014
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