SXSW Interviews: Young Magic

Michael Italia’s probably not a household name, not just yet.  With that in mind, 2012 seems perfect for his project, Young Magic, to break through to the masses, as he’s already gotten a lot of attention from the press.  We were fortunate to catch up with him before he headed to SXSW to get a brief glimpse inside his mind.  You can check out his SXSW dates after the interview. Thanks again to Gloria for setting things up!ATH: What is the most challenging thing about being a band during SXSW or another similar festival?

Young Magic: I usually walk away from these festivals really inspired, having had the chance to see and meet so many creative individuals in such a short period of time. But when there’s so much going on, somehow it’s really easy to completely miss everything going on around you. I think the challenge lies within finding the right balance between work and play.

ATH: What music are you guys currently jamming in your tour bus/van?

Young Magic: I’ve been getting lost in headphone land with the new Shlohmo EP. It’s really nice for those long drives through the middle of the night where you have no idea where you are or where you’re actually headed…

ATH: Who wins the Euro Cup this summer? It’s okay to tell us you hate soccer.

Young Magic: Italy? No, I actually have no idea.

ATH: It’s fairly early in the musical year. What’s in store for your band before the world ends in December?

Young Magic: It’s not going to end. Rather, it’s a new beginning, a shift in consciousness. To quote Daniel Pinchbeck, the transition will bring about change that will allow everyone ‘to receive a living subsidy with enough food to eat and a decent place to live, in order to pursue their inclinations and creative drives’. So yes, in the meantime, we’re pursuing our own creative drives – we’re heading to Europe for the first time in May. We’re planning to spend some time in Berlin throughout June to continue writing and then we’ll make our way back to New York for another run of shows through North America and Canada. We’d love to have another album done before the transition…

ATH: What’s the best pre-show beverage for the band?

Young Magic: Green tea if it’s available. Otherwise a sneaky tequila shot combined with some valerian root seems to warm the blood and sooth the mind before a show.

ATH: Being out on tour, what’s the one thing you miss about being back at home?

Young Magic: The comfort of being able to record in my little studio space, instead of being hunched over a laptop in a car. But it’s all part of the wonderful journey on the road…

Wednesday 14th

1) Red 7 – (611 East 7th Street) Forcefield / Terrorbird Party 2:45 – 3:15pm

2) Empire Auto (7th & Red River) – Eventbrite Arcade party 4:30 – 5:00pm

Thursday 15th

1) 512 Upstairs (408 East 6th Street) – Carpark records showcase 10:00pm

Friday 16th

1) Urban Outfitters (2406 Guadalupe Street) – Urban Outfitters party 1:00 – 1:45pm

2) House of Commons (2610 Rio Grande Street Austin) Redefine Magazine party 9:30 – 10:00pm

Saturday 17th

1) The Whiskey Room (503 E 6th Street) Austin Humane Society 5:00 – 5:30pm

2) Maggie Maes (323 East 6th Street) Australian Music showcase Midnight – 12:45am