INTERVIEW WITH THE MAGICIAN

Gus Da Hoodrat caught up with former Aeroplane pilot Stephen the Magician to talk about his most recent change in career paths.

You are an Aeroplane pilot turned Magician. This seems like a strange step in life – were you a zoo-keeper before these professions? What is there left to do?
How did you know that? I always tried to hide it! Indeed, I was zoo-keeper for orang-utans. I had to stop because Aeroplane was becoming more important. To be The Magician I had to learn “music tricks”, I’ve been doing that since I was 12 years old. So, I was already a hidden Magician in the cockpit. Next step… bring some bunnies on stage and then make them disappear.

What is your lucky card?
Of course The Magician (Tarot) but also the Hanged Man.

What soundtrack do you perform illusions to?
Everything Disco/Balearic/PostDubstep/Synthpop/House/Electro… It’s hard to explain, you gotta see to believe.

What song would you refuse to remix because it’s already perfect?
Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”.

Which piece of studio equipment do you cherish the most?
These are my favorites: Yamaha DX7, Prophet 5, Korg M1, Sequential Circuit Drumtraks, Fairlight CMJ, Logic Pro.

What is your favourite song to play out at the moment?
All of these:
Cosmic Kids – Reginald’s Groove (Classixx Remix)
Adele – Rolling in The Deep (Villa Remix)
Tyson – DOTDF (Mickey Remix)
Hercules and The Love Affair – My House (Tensnake Remix)
Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix)
Tame Impala – Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind (Erol Alkan Rework)

We have recently posted your eighth ‘Magic Tape’ on YOLO. When did you do your first ever mixtape? Can you remember the first song on it?
I was 12 years old. The music selection was from the disco vinyl collection of my uncle’s and the new beat-acid-house that I bought. I can’t remember the first song but for sure these ones were featured: S’Express “Theme from S’Express”, Giorgio Moroder “The Chase”, and Camaro’s Gang “Fuerza Major”.

Download The Magician’s Magic Tape Eight here

By Angus Gruzman