Review Fix chats with one part of the rock duo Magnets & Ghosts Dean Roland, who breaks down the creative process and vision behind the band’s recently released EP, “Be Born.â€
Also a guitarist for rock super group Collective Soul, Roland discusses how the two projects intertwine.
Review Fix: How did this project come together?
Dean Roland: The last record Mass started out with Ryan and I just getting together and writing some songs that basically turned into a studio project. This time around we wanted more of a band feel and we wanted to have some outside influences. So after touring we came to La to work with producer Anthony J Resta.
Review Fix: How is it different from the other projects you’ve been involved in?
Roland: Every project takes a life of its own. With Mag we’ve never really had a preconceived idea of what we wanted it to be. Ryan and I toss ideas out to one another and try and take each idea as far as we can. Sometimes it ends being something we feel great about and we find interesting and obviously others not so much.
Review Fix: What can you do here that you can’t do in Collective Soul?
Roland: Collective Soul is its own organism that’s been building on itself for 20 years. After that amount of time it’s nearly impossible to not find yourself inside some creative box. Magnets is another approach and expression.
Review Fix: What song on the EP do you think is most indicative of the band’s sound?
Roland: I think it’s too early to tell which type of song is most indicative of our sound. We feel like we’re just getting going. Over time we may be able to reflect and answer that question but for now we take each song as a moment’s expression. We have no interest in intentionally creating a specific sound.
Review Fix: What’s the band’s creative process like?
Roland: Our creative process is ultimately just trying to be as honest and vulnerable as possible. Regardless whether it’s Ryan or myself who brings the initial idea to the table. Sometimes the songs can be a labor of love and take some time like be “Born†and some seem to just happen and flow like “Here to Save Me.â€
Review Fix: How do you want this EP to be remembered?
Roland: Just remembered would be ok
Review Fix: What’s next for you?
Roland: We’ve continued working on new songs mixed in with some shows. We’d like to get more music out in the spring and keep touring into the summer.
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