Some
U.K. music fans in the know are comparing the latest CD by Magic
Bus to the spirit of the legendary music from the 1968-73 Canterbury
area of England that spawned bands like Caravan and Robert Wyatt with
Soft Machine. The 2014 CD by Magic Bus, Transmission From Sogmores
Garden features the songs, guitars and vocals of Paul Evans,
who receives some excellent support from a number of musicians. Of
course its not 1968 anymore but Magic Bus and Paul Evans do
a great job reviving that legendary U.K. folk-pop-prog sound of troubadours
like Daevid Allen, the above mentioned Robert Wyatt and even Donovan.
On keyboards in Magic Bus is Jay Darlington of Kula Shaker
and his keyboard approach sounds influenced by the legendary David
Sinclair of Caravan, which is clearly a good thing for prog fans.
Also adding to the CD sound is Terence Waldstädt (lead
guitars) and Viv Goodwin-Darke (flute, recorder, backing vocals).
Regarding his songwriting influences, Evans also sounds influenced
by West Coast American bands like Grateful Dead and CSN. Speaking
about the 1973 comparison, Magic Bus driver Evans adds, The
Canterbury bands and the West Coast bands do certainly have differences
in their styles but I love them both
the great harmonies and
jazzy guitar noodling from the U.S and the English folk and keyboard-led
jams from the U.K. blend perfectly to me. Its also
worth noting the way the CD is packaged, which is quite amazing complete
with lyrics booklet. As if to gently contrast the timelessness of
their music in this 21st century age of plug-ins, apps and sampling
in a secondMagic Bus has created a minor prog-rock classic with
Transmission From Sogmores Garden. www.MagicBusBand.co.uk
mwe3.com presents an interview
with
Paul Evans of MAGIC BUS
mwe3:
Can you tell us where youre from originally and what you like
best about it? What cities and towns are you favorites to visit or
live in?
Paul Evans: I'm from Kingsbury in London. Best thing about
it? You could hop on the underground train to the city center and
go see great bands from around the world. For 10 years now I've lived
in the countryside in Totnes, Devon. Its fun to go to cities
but I soon feel the call of the green again. Favorite cities to visit
Paris, New York, Amsterdam.
mwe3: When did you form the band Magic Bus, whos in the
band currently, when did you start recording albums with the band
and how many albums has Magic Bus released? I think some might think
Magic Bus is a Who tribute band and come to think of it, Townshend
fans would like Magic Bus either way!
Paul Evans: The songs for the first album were written in 2009,
and I got the band together to record the first album 2010. Recorded
T.F.S.G in 2013 released 2014. The current band line up is:
Me, Jay Darlington (keys, backing vocals), Terence Waldstädt
(lead guitars), Viv Goodwin-Darke (flute, recorder, backing vocals),
Wihll Mellorz (bass) and Connor Spring (drums). I had actually never
heard the Who's Magic Bus before naming the band, the
idea came from Tom Wolfe's book on the Merry Pranksters.
mwe3: The latest Magic Bus album, Transmission From Sogmores
Garden sounds influenced by the classic Canterbury England sound
of Caravan and also early Gong. Is Magic Bus honoring the great U.K.
bands of the past or is the band more inclined towards further developing
its own style looking towards the future?
Paul Evans:
Both
when music has touched you deeply and been a soundtrack
to your life you can't help but incorporate the vibe, the style
but as a writer I'll always strive to be as fresh and original as
I can.
mwe3: Its interesting to note that you were also influenced
by American bands like Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead. Seems
like Caravan should have been more popular than they were in the U.S.
How do you balance that contrast between the U.K. and U.S. brand of
psychedelia and prog? There is a big difference in my opinion.
Paul Evans: In 1990 the Grateful dead played in Wembley
5 minutes from where I lived. I had never seen or experienced anything
like that, tie dyed hippies as far as the eye could see, bongos, flutes,
guitars, girls dressed as fairies with magic wands. And this is in
the car park outside the venue!. Then I go in and the Dead are already
on stage Roll Away The Dew! Oh my god!!. 3 hours later
I know why there is nothing quite like a Grateful dead concert. I'll
never forget it.
The Canterbury bands and the West Coast bands do certainly have differences
in their styles but I love them both
the great harmonies and
jazzy guitar noodling from the U.S and the English folk and keyboard-led
jams from the U.K. blend perfectly to me.
mwe3: What is your background in music and what instruments
do you play mostly and how would you describe your compositional style
as a songwriter? Do you write lyrics or music first when composing
a track?
Paul Evans: I'm self-taught, I sing and play rhythm guitar.
I go by feel, what feels good. I don't think about whether it is in
this scale or that. If I have a tingle down my neck Im on the
right track. I usually get a vocal melody first, Then find the chords
with the guitar. If its a very pop melody then I usually try
to balance it with something gritty or an unexpected twist. I've got
away with it so far.
mwe3: The lead off track on Transmission From Sogmores
Garden Sunflower is very much a West Coast type of
track. Would you say its kind of different from the other tracks
on the CD?
Paul
Evans: Sunflower is a harmony pop song. Ive
always loved harmony bands, the west coasters
CSN etc.
mwe3: Track 2 Ballad Of Lord Sogmore is brilliant.
That really gets back to the Caravan / Softs / Hatfield kind of vibe.
Tell us how you worked with keyboardist Jay Darlington on that track.
The keys sound brilliant and Im glad you included a mellotron
on that track. Tell us something about Lord Sogmore and how he fits
on the CD?
Paul Evans: I had the chords, Jay came up with the Hammond
riff, and I added the vocal section and he came up with the idea for
a flute solo over the tambora drone. It came together pretty quick.
Lord Sogmore is possibly real or maybe mythical
a little mystery
is never a dull thing. But the idea of a Lord turning his back on
his heritage and high society, to seek out a garden, maybe on Earth
or maybe elsewhere, to grow his own paradise was intriguing to me.
mwe3: Is Cosmic Rays Of Dawn kind of back to the
American West Coast vibe. Even though its got a kind of early
Stackridge kind of vibe on the song too. The song is a great showcase
for guitarist Terence Walstädts guitar work and Vivs
magic flute. Do you try to write music to showcase different band
members?
Paul Evans: Certain songs lend themselves better to certain
instruments. I think the most important thing is whats best
for the song? We're very lucky to have 3 people capable of great noodling.
mwe3: 3 Days sounds like the Magic Bus theme song!
Is 3 Days the most psychedelic song, lyrically speaking,
Magic Bus has made? Climb Aboard The Bus
I do like
the way the song ends with the jazzy coda with some great guitar leads.
Paul Evans: I guess it is. Its a traveling song, the
center section is very old psyche. I love the tron trombone
and mandolin sounds Jay used. You don't get that in every song.
mwe3:
What can you tell us about the Transmission From Sogmores
Garden packaging and artwork. Its fascinating to see how
superbly you packaged the CD and artwork. In a word - spectacular!
Paul Evans: Thank you, I really enjoy putting the artwork together,
Its great to have fun with it, collage is simple but effective.
I bought a Linda Perhacs CD with the thick gatefold card and thought
it looked and felt great.
mwe3: Tell us something about Jupiter 3AM. Sounds
like a great jam to feature the really skillful side of the band,
with sparse lyrics that are a springboard to the instrumental nature
of the band! Are you into astrology and astronomy? Not every songwriter
can handle writing songs about planets! Can I assume that you must
have been influenced by mellotron wizard Mike Pinder, who founded
and guided the Moody Blues?
Paul Evans: Myself and Jay wanted to write a long instrumental,
so we worked on it bit by bit, adding to it lastly the beginning vocal
part. The space theme pops up a lot, its great to create a soundtrack
to space travel. As for being influenced by the Moody Blues, I like
what I've heard and I know the keyboard work is cool.
mwe3:
Track six Seven Wonders has two parts. It reminded me
a bit of the Ummagumma era Pink Floyd. Whats the message
of Seven Wonders? Seems like a good idea to bury all the
worries we were sold. I like the harmonies in the song that float
in and out after the three minute mark. Seems like a peaceful and
happy type of track! Is the instrumental part that closes the track
the White Lake Mountain Pass part of the song and of course
that fab Sinclair-esque keyboard ending? Is that the farfisa organ
sound that Caravan used so well?
Paul Evans: Yes the message in 'Seven wonders' is simply don't
worry be happy. If we are not on a happy path, we have the power to
move and find a new path. White Lake Mountain Pass was
a separate piece that fitted nicely onto "Seven Wonders".
And as for Jay's solo, Ibelieve it's a Hammond organ with a fuzz pedal.
But I could be wrong.
mwe3: Morning Mantra sounds like the kind of track
Daevid Allen would endorse. Do you call it Morning Mantra
because it encapsulates everything groovy about meditation? Are you
into TM or other types of meditation?
Paul Evans: Morning Mantra is saying thanks for
life, and thanks for the blue sky, thanks for all the things we take
for granted, all the things that make our life's so special. I have
tried lots of meditations, singing harmony with my Busmates is my
current favorite meditation.
mwe3: Transmission From Sogmores Garden ends with
Earthpod. The song kind of pines for a time when
life was simple and slow. Would you really like to go back?
I dont think we can go back now as the world is going so fast
these days, but I do know what you mean! Things were moving much slower
back in the early 1970s... 1973 forever!
Paul Evans: What are we at now?
2016! I can't take that
in. That's just silly. No its 1973 as far as I'm concerned
good music, fashion, art, films. Thats not to say I'm afraid
of the future though
roll on 1974!. There's an old saying
'If
it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
mwe3:
So now I hear youre planning a follow up to Transmission
From Sogmores Garden. What directions are you driving towards
next with Magic Bus and what can the music fans expect from you next?
Paul Evans: We've just recorded the new album, hopefully it
will be released by September/October. Its a bit more instrumental/proggy
in places, but still very 1973. We also have 2 new Busmates in Connor
and Wihll on drums and bass guitar, they have added a great vibe too.