Despite his name, Slow Magic hasn’t slowed down at all this year. After releasing the Closer 2 U EP, the producer has continuously dropped singles for his fourth studio album. It turns out, the EP was a part of this bigger project all along! We’ve been watching the release of it’s the end of the world, but it’s ok very closely, and we’re happy to say it’s here… and we had the opportunity to talk to Slow Magic all about it!
Before diving into the interview, make check out the album, which is out now via Moving Castle. The prophetic project is full of feel-good tunes to help you through the pandemic and is powerful enough to leave the imprint of a warm embrace once you give it a listen-through.
Thank you for taking the time to do this interview! First and most importantly, how are you?
Of course, thanks for having me! I’m doing well, getting through the best I can. But I have a lot to be thankful for.
6 years ago, you told AltCitizen, “I think all the music that I really am drawn to definitely can inspire either feeling like you’re somewhere else or longing to be kind of in a different place or state or something like that.” You’re someone who has explicitly stated you wanted to keep a low profile, even wanting to keep your location solely on the internet. Do you think this mindset has helped you or harmed you during the pandemic?
Oh cool haha. I still feel that really represents how I feel about music, and more so now the feeling of looking for an escape. I do like to keep a low profile and I think that has not affected me too much in a negative way this year. I actually made some changes near the beginning of this year such as starting a Patreon group and a podcast (my first time speaking publicly) which has been a great opportunity to open up to others and be more personal. That has helped me a lot in a year where we all can feel far from each other.
…the message of being ok and optimistic even in the face of extreme hardships is more important than ever.
You actually started it’s the end of the world, but that’s ok. in 2019… Pretty prophetic if you ask us. Can you tell us more about the project?
Yeah! Actually, we started it back in 2018 if you can believe that. The concept started as a visual/narrative idea that Dream Angel (my wife and creative partner) and I had about a post-apocalyptic world with an optimistic twist. When 2020 came along we realized that the title and concept were becoming relevant and real and it kind of made us reconsider the whole thing. But at the end of the day, we decided that the message of being ok and optimistic even in the face of extreme hardships is more important than ever.
Art is all up for interpretation, but what do you hope that listeners get out of the album?
I want listeners to listen with a fresh ear first and foremost. I have been making music as Slow Magic for nearly a decade now(!) so obviously, I’ve grown and changed a lot as an artist. I still feel very connected with my first songs sonically but I also hope to always expand and evolve on that foundation. The other thing that I want listeners to get out of the album is a feeling of euphoria and escapism while also relating to the lyrics that often times fall in line with the way we have all been feeling in a year of uncertainty.
What do you think is the connection between art foreshadowing huge events, like COUP’s Party Music [a hip-hop album released on September 11, 2001, and featured cover art of the Twin Towers exploding]? Is it all a coincidence or are artists more in tune with what’s going on in the world around them?
Oh, that’s interesting I’ve never heard of that. While I wish I could say that I have some secret insight into the future, back in 2018 the world wasn’t perfect and there were events and things going on that were uncertain and made some of us feel like the world was not in good shape. But I also do think artists of any kind can tap into something special :)
…for a while the rumor was that I am actually Bill Murray.
So, there’s been a huge rise in masked artists or public figures in the media recently. Especially when it comes to YouTubers and Twitch streamers. But it doesn’t stop fans from going crazy for them. I can see why people with celebrity do it, but what do you think the appeal is for fans?
That’s interesting to hear, I honestly don’t keep up with masked people like I should. Sometimes I think fans can more easily latch onto a masked character or brand because sometimes an identity can distract from the true purpose of the art. But honestly, I don’t think masked artists are usually celebrities beforehand. Most of the masked people I can think of now are just normal people who had a fun idea for a project :) that being said for a while the rumor was that I am actually Bill Murray.
Can you rank these masked musicians for us? MF Doom, Daft Punk, Malaa, Deathpact, Slow Magic.
Ok, I’m going to answer honestly and not use google here. Please don’t @ me anyone.
1. Daft Punk – Legends, very inspirational to me
2. MF Doom – Also a legend. But I’m less aware of his work
3. Malaa – haven’t heard of but I think they make house music
4. Deathpact – have never heard of. So yeah 4th place
5. Slow Magic – I’m at least top 5 here if not top 10
Thanks for doing that! And thank you for bringing us so much good music in 2020. Is there anything we should keep an eye out for in the new year?
Thanks for listening! I’m excited to get this album out in 2020 considering all that we have endured together. Stay Safe ppl ♡
Is there anything else you want us to know?
Today I learned that in 2014 in the Netherlands they built a bridge that’s sole purpose was to help squirrels cross a highway. The bridge, unfortunately, was only used by five squirrels in a 2-year span but cost over $160,000.
Glad to know that squirrels have it better off than us (in America) LOL. Thank you for that interesting fact and thank you again for talking with us… Be safe out there (or in here)!
You too! Thanks and everyone please wear a mask. Masks are cool.
