After only recording the debut album late last year, Here We Go Magic is already primed to have a big 2009. At the core, the band is Luke Temple, a Greenpoint singer/songwriter whose already garnered success under his own name. Playing live, he is joined by bandmates, and together they create what Fader dubbed "quietly psychedelic, gentle philosophical jams." They're about to embark on a tour with fellow Brooklynites Grizzly Bear, but before that they'll be headlining Music Hall of Williamsburg on April 7th. Listen to their Lounge Act on WOXY here.
Did you get to see any good bands at SXSW? I saw Dirty Projectors, they're certainly a mouth full. Pete and the Pirates were fantastic.
What bands are you currently listening to? None, need a break from bands.
How did Here We Go Magic come to be? Just messing around on the old 4 track. Things started to emerge, the band came later and is becoming its own thing.
I read that the album was created "over a two-month period of stream-of-consciousness recording in Greenpoint, Brooklyn," do you feel it's easier to record on your own, but perform live with a band? That was just the way this record came about because the band wasn't even a thought at that point. I plan on recording the next record with the band. I have never actually made a record with this many people so it will be a new experience for me.
Do you get more inspired by internal or external things? What things inspired you while writing this album? External becomes internal and then becomes external again and so on and so on. I recorded it in the summer, I was seeing a certain lady that I think had a lot to do with it. also I was eating lots of meat, mounds of it, all kinds of meat, as much as I could get my hands on and fit into my mouth.
Please share your strangest "only in New York" story. Homeless woman shitting in a dixie cup. she had lots of lipstick and eye shadow on, she was obviously trying to look her best and the dixie cup was a lot classier than just leaving it on the street.
Which New Yorker do you most admire? Willard.
Given the opportunity, how would you change New York? I would invert all the buildings.
Under what circumstance have you thought about leaving New York? I was obese and got stuck in my bathroom door, i was there for days screaming but no one would come and help.
Best cheap eat in the city. Nathaniel Johnson's cream cut. It's a fast food steak joint, all the steaks are served with whip cream on top.
Best venue to play/hear music. Different places for different reasons. Lately I have had a very nice weekly residency at Birdland.
