Magnolia Memoir – Steal the Stars

By starrymag | October 17, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Magnolia Memoir is a mix of analog and modern sound. Cinematic Rock with shades of Blade Runner, Atomic Blonde and A Star is Born. The Memoir is an immersive experience that transports you. The new album Steal the Stars is the perfect sound track for a midnight drive.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) You’ll hear it in the music… shades of Kate Bush and Bowie, 70’s cinematic rock, and 80’s Post punk pop. Growing up I was mesmerized by Freddy Mercury, David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Blondie, and Elton John. Each of them redefining our ideas of possible. I was also a treasure hunter finding classic records at garage sales and thrift stores- where I discovered Quincy Jones, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Etta James and Aretha Franklin. I can see now that I know their stories, that I could feel their depth and darkness through their music. Instantly when I put the needle to the vinyl, I wasn’t alone.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Afterlife.”

A) Some is literal. Some metaphor. The song came to me after I flatlined. I was in a life changing accident in 2014 when someone was texting and ran a red light. I fractured vertebrae and had internal injuries. My recovery has been miraculous. I’m happier now. Healthy. Very grateful. The song speaks of that limbo we’ve all been in – waiting for what comes next. How we glorify what was until we let go and walk into what’s meant to be.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think it’s just enough 80’s pop plus modern sensibility. Without being overly political in has undertones of revolution. And, while it has depth, the addictive guitar, keyboard and vocal hooks make it easy to listen to multiple times. The strong images and lyrics also help. I think everyone catches a little more each time.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I worked closely with director Jason Gutierrez/ Subliminal Stories. I wanted to capture that feel of trying to dial in on a frequency. We also incorporated 100’s of liminal images. Glimpses. Flashes – like the ones you see in a dream you can’t quite remember after you wake up.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) Lyrics and melody and music usually come to me all at once. They come to me like a painting or a dream that I’m trying to describe. In the past I’ve written lyrics, melodies and simple chords before bringing it to Alex or the boys in the band to help arrange. This album was different. While I still wrote all the lyrics and melodies. We wrote two together in real time. Alex [Burke], Dan [Antunovich], Michael [Herring] and I were together in the studio and just let the muse guide us. They’d play and I’d begin singing and writing lyrics on the spot inspired by the colors and emotions the music made me feel. The album was written in seven writing sessions over six months. It was very much a collaborative effort.

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) There isn’t really any part of Magnolia Memoir that I’m not involved in. I am there from the writing process to choosing studios and producers, to artwork and imagery. It’s a very personal project for me.

Q) What can fans expect from a live Magnolia Memoir performance?

A) The album is just the gateway drug. Magnolia Memoir live is next level. The musicianship Alex, Dan and Michael bring is stunning and hypnotic. They provide a bed of sound that I float on. I am transported when I sing, but I’m even more intrigued by the fans responses of where the music takes them. Expect to feel inspired and haunted in the best way. You’ll remember why you love music in the first place. There are no tracks, so the sympathetic vibrations of the instruments are a big thing you don’t experience fully until you see the Memoir perform live.

Q) What songs off your debut album Steal the Stars are you looking forward to performing live?

A) Steal the Stars” – the title track is one of my favorites. It’s so raw and epic. The same goes for “Roll the Dice.” Michael’s guitar solo at the end takes my breath away every time. But right now – being at a show and having people singing along to “Afterlife” – that’s something.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole?

A) I hope it wakes them up somehow. It helps them to let go of what holds them back. I hope the album reminds listeners of some forgotten dream of who they would become and know that it’s not too late. To quote lyrics from the album, “We are kings and queens of second chances” … Welcome to the Afterlife.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) Our first concert was in Los Angeles at Largo at the Coronet (Thanks to Grant Lee Phillips and Margaret Cho being early advocates for us). I love historic venues. You can almost feel the ghosts stopping by. We’ve also had the pleasure of performing in Australia. We love America – but damn if the Aussies don’t compete with Americans when it comes to really celebrating music. They were on the tables and climbing up rafters. We look forward to going back.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) While I’m very much looking forward to working with the Memoir crew again as soon as Michael comes back from touring with Christina Aguilera. I would personally love to write with Chris Stapleton. His raw vocals and authenticity are intoxicating. I’m also a fan of Aussie songwriter Sarah Aarons (who wrote “Stay” for Alessia Cara) and song writer Greg Kurstin, who’s written songs for Adele, Sia and Beck. Co-writes/ collaborations with those three writers are definitely on my bucket list for 2019.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) I just watched the Quincy Jones Documentary – One of my first vinyls that I acquired was a 1954 recording he did with a young artist at the time named Helen Merrill with trumpet player, Clifford Brown. I know he’s prolific, but those live recordings from the 50’s and 60’s… his orchestrations are out of this world. To know the circumstances that he came from, I am rediscovering him as an artist & musician and have a deeper understanding and respect. Ok, and this is controversial, but Hobo Johnson. He’s a modern-day poet. He’s found a way to communicate his unique voice and rhythm of delivery. His NPR Tiny Desk concert is danger on a ledge and disaster on a lawn chair at the same time.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I used to have an aversion to social media. But when you realize what it means to a fan to hear from you directly… As a voiceover artist and vocalist…I mean their reactions when I message back directly or when I’m raw and honest about my day or my writing process. It’s unreal. I realize now that I disliked what I thought social media was, sales and insincerity. I love what it has the potential of being: a platform for encouraging and connecting with people from all over the world.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I am deeply and madly in love with you. You are my love letter from God. Seriously. Thank you for the letters, emails, and messages you send. I read them all. I moved 26 times before I was twenty-one years old and always felt like an outsider… But music and voiceover have allowed me to connect with so many of you daily that it literally goes back in time and heals me and that intense feeling of isolation. I hope my music and my story do the same for you. Thank you for connecting and staying in touch via social media and the website. @TheMelalee and @MagnoliaMemoir on Twitter and Instagram www.MagnoliaMemoir.com oh.. and buy the record;-)

 

Buy/ Stream Link – https://shark-attack-records.lnk.to/-nPnJTW

Watch The Video for “Afterlife:”