Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Computer Magic, who discusses the influences and goals for her new single “Dimensions†and her upcoming EP.
Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?
Computer Magic: Growing up I immersed myself in music itself, but never knew I could play anything until I was 21. That’s when I sat down and wrote my first song by ear. I never knew I would be successful in making music, so the fact that anyone enjoyed it initially was beyond me. Now I couldn’t see myself doing anything else other than writing and producing.
Review Fix: What makes you special as a performer?
Computer Magic: That’s a hard question to answer. I would like to think my music is unique in a way that it’s a representation of myself.
Review Fix: How was “Dimensions” written? What inspired it?
Computer Magic: The song “Dimensions” was inspired by my recent endeavors upstate combined with my watching Hayao Miyazaki films. I wrote it upstate and would go down to my studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn to put finishing touches on it. I mainly used the M-Tron Pro plug-in, Sequential Prophet 6, and Moog Minitaur, in addition to some drum samples. I never start a song with a specific intention in mind, they sort of just happen as a direct result of my current primary influences, which are always changing. I was happy with the way this one turned out.
Review Fix: What are your goals for your upcoming EP?
Computer Magic: I’m going to be playing a couple release shows and going on tour in February. I think we’ll probably tour Japan again next year as well.
Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?
Computer Magic: One main difference is that I have a live drummer, Ignacio Rivas Bixio. I use drum machines on the majority of my songs, so I think the live drum element makes things really interesting. My studio work is set in a very controlled environment. Songs will always sound a little different live, and I can be a little more expressive and in the moment.
Review Fix: Who inspires you musically?
Computer Magic: My inspirations definitely vary. For the Obscure but Visible EP specifically, Broadcast and Stereolab were big influences. Overall I would say Belle & Sebastian, Radiohead, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, Talking Heads. I listen to everything from Dorothy Ashby, Astrud Gilberto and William Onyeabor, to Krautrock stuff like Can. Right now I’m listening to a lot of Dunedin sound bands like The Clean and The Chills and I’m really into the new Angel Olsen album.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Computer Magic: Probably another album, I can’t stop writing music.
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