The Magic Numbers @ The Wedgewood Rooms:

The weekend just gone I was lucky enough to catch up with The Magic Numbers before their sold out gig at The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth, with Danny and the Champions of the World supporting. I had a chat with Angela about their new album 'Runaway' and their ongoing tour.

Published for Rhythm Circus: http://rhythmcircus.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=618%3Athe-magic-numbers&catid=47%3Amusic-articles&Itemid=126

Picture courtesy of Last.Fm

Hi Angela, how are you?

I’m good thanks!

Good, so have you had a chance to look around Portsmouth yet?

Well, we got here this morning, literally parked the bus outside and got everything out and into the venue and then went and had some breakfast in a little cafe called Carol’s? Then bought some shower gel which is always handy!

Random! So are you guys looking forward to tonight’s gig?

Yeah, definitely! It should be good.

It’s a great venue, surprisingly intimate I think.

Yeah! We’ve played there once before with Ed Harcourt 6 years ago. It was fun!

Sounds good! So obviously you’ve played at this summer’s festivals, what do you prefer – festivals or smaller gigs?

Erm, it’s kind of a bit of both really. Cos’ like festivals are a sea of people, so you kinda have to cater your set to please everyone and you also get a really short set so you have to go for the big hitters straight off, whereas your own gigs you can bring it up and down as you please.

So before your gigs, is there any particular artist or band you guys like to listen to?

We usually just listen to our support bands cos’ we always end up getting our friends on tour so that’s always a laugh.

Are there any relatively new artists you’re into at the moment?

Yeah, I like Laura Marling. I think Romeo and Michelle are probably more into their folk than I am. I’m kinda more heavy I think. I’m a massive Nick Cave fan. So is Shaun as well. But yeah, we really like Laura Marling. It’s kinda nice seeing the whole folk thing come back. It’s good! Especially because it seems to be getting so big, it’s not just ‘pop’ anymore.

Do you think that’s going to give way to a new legion of younger fans?

I would hope so. I mean, it’s not that far off. Five years ago what we were doing used to be a very folky thing, it was different. But now everyone is trying to be folky which is kinda nice.

Have you got any memorable moments from the tour so far?

Well the other night in Leeds, Danny from Danny and the Champions of the World, our support band, found a tombola and came up with the idea of doing our whole set out of the tombola. So we did! We renamed it ‘songbola’ which was pretty funny! So we had someone from the audience come up on stage and spin it for each song. It had all of the songs we’ve ever done in it so it was quite nerve wracking. There was stuff that we’d not played for years and stuff we’ve not played at all before, but it got everyone in the crowd involved which is always good.

With you being two sets of siblings, are there any Oasis style bust ups on the tour bus or do you all get on well?

Well, like in most families me and Shaun argue a lot, but it’s more bickering than anything, like ‘shut up you dick!’ and that kinda thing. But with Michelle and Romeo it always gets a lot more heated and can’t carry on for a long time. But yeah, that’s probably the extent of it!

So, moving on to the album, ‘Runaway’ - It’s been quite a while since the last album, and being a fan of your older stuff as well, it’s nice to see the progression. It seems as though you’ve matured somewhat?

Yes! That’s exactly what we feel about the album, so that’s good!

And do you have any particular favourite track from the 12 on the album?

I love ‘Restless River’. It’s definitely my favourite. I love the way it just all came together. Romeo did a little riff on the guitar and was just messing around really. Then came the drumbeat and it just all built from that so I really do just love that song. I love ‘Why Did You Call’ as well.

That’s one of my favourites. I thought it had a slight 80’s vibe to it which was cool. It’s one of those eras I wish I’d have been around for!

Yes! Definitely! I was born during the 80’s so couldn’t quite fulfil it!

Another reason it’s one of my favourite tracks is because it’s one of the two tracks on the album where yourself and Michelle take the lead vocals, as opposed to accompanying Romeo’s lead. Is that something you’d like to do more of?

Well it’s kinda nice between me and Michelle because it’s almost a duet between us two instead of me and Romeo or Michelle and Romeo. It’s really nice because it’s the only song we can do without Romeo and we both love playing the song. It’s our turn!

How do you feel the overall reception of the album has been?

I think it’s been good! For me personally, I think it’s been good. Some people don’t. I mean, you read the odd review here and there and they’re just lazy y’know? But then other people have really listened to the album. You can tell because they get where we’re coming from and think how we thought when we were writing and recording the album, which is great!

Apart from the current touring you’re doing, what are your plans for the future as a band? Anything exciting set to happen in the New Year?

We’re off to India in December which is nice! Not too sure what’s going to be happening after Christmas but I know we’re pretty solid until then. New Year’s we’ll probably go over to America and play a few gigs there. I love touring in America but its hard work!

I guess there’s always the myth of America being hard to crack.

Yeah, you’ve got to spend a lot of time there! It’s something we haven’t really done yet. Probably the longest we’ve been there is about six weeks on the road but you need longer than that, it’s just crazy. I really hope we get to do it!

We hope so as well! Thanks for taking the time to talk to us!

Not at all!