Magnetic Morning Photo credit: Christy Bush
Originally self-released in 2008, A.M. by Magnetic Morning – the collaborative project between Adam Franklin (Swervedriver) and Sam Fogarino (Interpol) – quickly became a sought-after collectible among fans of both legendary bands.
The Magnetic Morning story began over twenty years ago on Manhattan’s Lower East Side following the introduction of Franklin and Fogarino on a snowy winter evening, by Jack Rabid, journalist and editor of the cult NY music magazine, The Big Takeover.
As Fogarino recalls:
“After I impulsively proclaimed my undying affinity for Swervedriver, the effortless flow of conversation was only outmatched by our wine consumption. A creative relationship naturally took form. We took a cut-and-paste approach to songwriting and recording demos – on a laptop first, then into Electric Lady Studios – and ended up with something that sounded more like the work of a full band. That’s exactly what we did before playing our first show together at the Mercury Lounge.”
The album’s signature sound blends shoegaze, Krautrock, and psychedelia, enhanced by Jimmy LaValle of The Album Leaf on keyboards, Josh Stoddard (Bolts of Melody) on bass, and Fred Blasco (Interpol’s touring keyboardist) on guitar.
Adds Franklin:
“We are both fans of Neu! and Kraftwerk. Sam would mess around with his synths and Can motorik technique for days so that covers the German thing. While I guess I’m the “OG shoegazer” and am bringing some of those tones. I think there is something very psychedelic about this record but not in an *Electric Prunes*-type way, as much as I love the Prunes. I just think some of these songs sound like dreams – odd, disassociated lyrics with warped sounds to match. To me it’s like misty morning mood music.”
Thanks to the team at Outer Battery Records, the reissue has been fully remastered by Tim Turan and is pressed on bone-white vinyl, featuring all-new artwork and striking photography by Pat Graham (Johnny Marr, Fugazi, Modest Mouse).
A.M. is out via Outer Battery Records on 28th November.
New music on the way? Pitch Big Takeover Exclusives.
