Magistrates are currently filling our voids for the latest slice in British soul music. This four piece set has been on our radar since late last year and they’re primed to be one of the top bands come years end. Frontman and lead vocalist Paul Usher took a break from working on there anticipated debut album to stop by the cafe for one of the more memorable interviews to date.
H.Q. How did the band form? why the name magistrates?
Paul: Mark and myself met when were at school together and played in bands whilst growing up. Andy and Thom lived in town nearby so with them being musicians we were bound bump into each other sooner or later. The idea for the name magistrates was basically an idea of something of a higher state. Like Parliament and Prince, it’s a word people can image in their mind straight away.
H.Q. Paul, there’s some serious vocal chords you got going on there, how long have you been singing? growing up who did you draw inspiration from?
Paul: Thank you very much, i guess that’s a compliment? I’ve been singing as long as I’ve been talking and crying i guess. I don’t really think too much about where my voice has come from, it’s as natural as the voice when i talk. However, growing up I tended to only listen to the Beatles and Michael Jackson.
H.Q. Is there anything our readers should know about your upcoming album?
Paul: It makes a great present for any occasion. Birthdays/Weddings/Funerals/Valentines just to name a few.
H.Q. Have you set a release date as of yet?
Paul: YES YES YES!!!! it’s due out in October we’ve been told. No day to precise, but the month of October for sure.
H.Q. Heartbreak is a completely different sound from “Make This Work” Is there more experimentation on the whole album?
Paul: Well i think that we draw our sounds from a lot of places and make that into what is Magistrates. So heartbreak is one side of what we do, the whole album is cohesive, bare in mind the version that was released of ‘Make This Work‘ last year was a demo. The version on the album is how we intend the song to sound.
H.Q.How much involvement did you have in choosing a label? why XL?
Paul: We had 100% say in what label we sing to. our managers are totally supportive of the decision and ideas we have and for us XL was an easy choice for us to make. When you look at the players on the team and realize they’re all on top of their game your decision is easy to make. XL are forward thinkers like us and our managers. So it’s a combination which makes something special.
H.Q. What other new bands do you guys admire at the moment?
Paul: We’ve been listening to a girl from Sweden called Nottee who is really great, its early stages for her but i find her work exciting. I think Friendly Fires are making great pop music at the moment. There are so many great bands at the moment. I couldn’t tell you on the spot.
H.Q. I noticed on your homepage you sited Prince & Tribe Called Quest As influences, whose the biggest fan of both?
Paul: erm…erm…..well i would say that mark is the biggest tribe fan and maybe I’m the most obsessed with Prince. Both amazing artists in there own way.
H.Q. In your down time, what is the band currently doing?
Paul: We don’t do down time. A day off on the diary is a day in the studio. However, big fans of push bikes.
H.Q. Finally, can you pick one song that made you want to get into music?
Paul: Definitely would have to be Billie jean.
For more info on Magistrates check out there official site and myspace.
