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INTERVJU - TONY CLARKIN, MAGNUM
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I samband med MAGNUMs senaste skivsläpp ”Wings Of Heaven Live” så får GetMetal en pratstund med gitarristen och låtskrivaren Tony Clarkin.
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After exchanging hellos we go directly to the questions at hand.
Tell us a little bit about the new live album and why you chose to remake the entire Wings Of Heaven album on one side of the cd?
-Well, the idea was suggested to us by SPV (record company) to put out a live album in the meantime we make a new studio album. An idea I was not particularly keen on, to be honest. But we have released various live stuff before, and then the idea came up to do Wings Of Heaven live, which was our most successful album and some of it has never been played live. It seemed like a good idea…and some new stuff from the last studio album in there and some other songs. We recorded it over 7 or 8 shows and then chose the best. I mixed it and was actually pleasantly surprised, it sounded really good!
How far ahead are the plans of a new studio album?
- Well, I’ve got it written. We’ll be starting that in the summer and it won’t be released until 2009 I think. I’ve been writing on it for 6 to 8 months.
Wings Of Heaven came out 20 years ago. What do you think are the main differences and similarities about the band now and then?
- The main difference is that back in those days we were pressured a lot by record companies etc. Or the real pressure came after that album, since it was a big success, they wanted the next ones to be even bigger successes etc. Today we don’t have this pressure, which I like, it gives more freedom to be creative and these days we play better! 20 years of playing improves the playing a lot. It’s a real good band. It’s more enjoyable to play and less live pressure. Not playing in huge places where you can’t hear what you’re playing. We’re at another level today, we’re not playing sports arenas anymore, but the band is so much better you know.
You and Bob Catley have been together a long time in this musical relationship. What is your secret apart from being friends?
- I like Bob’s voice obviously and he likes the songs I write. I know that because he told me, haha. We have a lot of respect towards each other and I always run things past Bob to get his input on what he likes and doesn’t like. I would never do anything he didn’t want to do, you know. I don’t think that’s ever happened though, we are so much on the same page.
You being the songwriter, where do you get your inspiration? Books, life in general or something else?
- Well all those really. Maybe a book, could be something on the news, an observation. And even thinking back to when I was at school. I can get ideas while I’m driving my car. That’s the hardest thing about a song, finding a subject to write about. There are songs that don’t really mean much, those kind of songs are easy to write but the things I write, I need a subject to start with. And that takes me longer than writing the songs.
What about some of your favourite bands, what would you buy when you go into a record store?
- I always buy a lot of old stuff, maybe because I’m an old bloke. I like film music, soundtracks, especially Hans Zimmer. I’m actually really out of touch with what’s happening at the moment. But hey, I like Robyn from Sweden! I think her records are fantastic! She is doing marvellously well in England and is on the charts.
What are your thoughts on the downloading of music?
- I get asked this a lot. And my opinion is that record companies have screwed the public. Record companies and record shops have charged too much for cd’s! If young kids can get them for free, they are going to do that. I would have made the prices of cd’s reasonable when they first came out. I don’t buy that many records, but I have a friend who bought every week 3 or 4 albums, imports etc. Then when cd’s came out (this is a long time ago that I’m talking about) he re bought the albums. This is catalog stuff at full price! Which is crazy because it costs the record company very little money, yet they charge something like £14. So what I’m saying is that record companies and record shops are now reaping what they sow. And you can’t really slag kids for getting the stuff free because it’s so expensive to buy. When I grew up music was for the kids you know. Today you have got to be a rich kid, and that’s not right!
How do you see the future for MAGNUM in 5 or 10 years ahead?
- I’ll probably be dead then, haha. Just keep playing really, that’s pretty much all we want to do. I’d like to play a lot more actually. I enjoy playing more now, than I ever did! I just see us making albums and going on tour like we have always done.
What about upcoming live gigs, is there anything planned for Sweden or Scandinavia?
-Hopefully. We are going out in May to Germany, Switzerland, France etc. And right towards the end of May there is a slot for 3 shows in Sweden! But it’s not organized yet, but I hope it will be. So see you then!
Och med detta tackar vi Tony Clarkin för denna gång och ser fram emot gigen i Sverige lite längre fram till våren.
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