- The Magic Numbers Live -

In Oxford to headline the launch of Oxford's Carling Academy, The Magic Numbers were on form. They played all the classics plus some catchy new songs, the crowd were into it big style which meant the atmosphere was electric. We caught up with them at the after party for a quick chat...

Why are you called The Magic Numbers?
A happy accident really but it just seemed to fit our band so well, I couldn't imagine anything else now.
What do you think of the new Carling Academy?
Great venue, would love to play there again...
Will you be coming back to Oxford?
No plans as yet, but i'm sure we'll be touring again next year.
Did you go to uni?
I didn't go to uni but I did go to college and studied photography for two years.
What do you think of the music industry's 'self- destructors' like Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty?
I wish them well, but do think it’s a shame that when people talk about Amy Winehouse or Pete Doherty all they talk about is their drug problems instead of the music that they are making.
What was your first ever gig like?
The first gig was at the Betsey Trotwood, full of our family and friends so it wasn't too nerve wrecking. We were so young then, I had just joined the band and was just trying to remember my parts!
Name 5 bands that have influenced you.
I would say; Nick Cave, Nina Simone The Smiths, Johnny Cash and Guns 'n' Roses, that's just a few, the list could go on for miles.
Who or what are you listening to at the moment?
Bat for Lashes are amazing, I love 'Horse and I'. I also recently heard a track by Burt Bacherach and Elvis Costello called 'God Give Me Strength', it has to be one of the greatest songs ever written, the lyrics are amazing.
What is your favourite tipple of an evening?
Jack and coke all the way.
Where do you love the most?
I loved our recent tour of South America, a real eye opener and such a warm audience. Australia is amazing too. I'm not massive on hot weather, so really looking forward to visiting Iceland this month.
What do you love doing the most?
I love being on the road, I love the fact that every day brings new things, new places, new faces. You can't beat it. You're somehow so separate from real life. Its great, you can't beat it.
What's the most rock and roll habit you have?
Probably not getting much sleep while on the road, we have such a great crew, we always hang out til the early morning hours discussing music and putting the world to rights.
Which festival do you enjoy the most in the UK?
Has to be playing Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage this year. The weather was really bad, constantly raining but the sun came out when we played 'Forever Lost', it was a real moment, we couldn't have planned it better.
Who do you think would win in a fight between the following: a horse-sized duck or 50 duck-sized horses?
A horse-sized duck.

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Last Month's Feature

The Summer So Far

The Ride turns it's attention to the muddy issue of music festivals. We review the Cropredy Festival and offer some sound advice to all those heading out to the end-of-season events. Elsewhere, we have interviews with Tony Baldry MP and top local band Alesium, and hark back to the day that the riverbank burst to spectacular (and soggy) effect. Add a full events diary, a step-by-step guide to making your own catapult (!), fashion pages, a reader showcase and our usual flair and you have an issue to take home to your mother.

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Launch Issue Feature

Banbury's own Baron of Beats & Bass.

From his home studio in Banbury Piers Bailey, aka Baron, helped to define the sound of drum & bass in the new millennium with a series of releases on influential labels Breakbeat Kaos, C.I.A., Virus, and his own Baron Inc. imprint.

Last year he hit number 1 on the UK dance charts twice, appeared on countless high profile collaborations and compilations, produced a skateboarding film for Flip, toured the world as a DJ-in-demand and began working on his hugely anticipated debut album.

A local lad done good on the strength of his talents, currently riding high with the momentum of success - we couldn't think of a more suitable subject for our inaugural main feature, even if we tried.

In his interview Tom Gibbon finds out more about Baron's famous mates, favourite experiences and his decision to stay in Banbury when London called. He also managed to get some prime nuggets of advice out of him for all aspiring producers out there. You can read the whole thing on page 8 of our launch issue.

Check out these sites for more baron info (like us, baron productions website is a nascent cyber entity, so like us, it may not be fully online yet. However, the myspace site is well established...sorta like us...:)

www.baronproductions.co.uk
www.myspace.com/baronproductions

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