Interview with MAGICK TOUCH
!!!HEAVY METAL FROM NORWAY!!!
We had a conversation with Christer Ottesen (Bass/Vocals).Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
1. Tell us a few things about MAGICK TOUCH (Members, Starting Year etc).
Thank you. Magick Touch are from Bergen, Norway and started up about five years ago. There are three of us, HK on guitar magick and vocals, Bård Nordvik on the drums and myself on bazz & vocals. We love most shades of hard rock. have recorded three albums and try to make as much noise as possible for a trio.
2. Your have recently released your album ''Heads Have Got to Rock'n'Roll''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
The album arrives on the 26th of June, there has been a slight delay because the world got a little crazy, I’m sure you have heard about it. So far we’ve only received a review from an early starter. He wrote “Magick Touch are a lot of fun to spend time with and Heads Have Got To Rock 'N' Roll proves that these cats have still got it”. I think that sums it up pretty well.
3. Label or DIY and why?
It’s gotta be a mix. We are on Edged Circle Productions which is perfect for us. They may not have the marketing muscles one could dream of on a bigger label, but they are very involved in everything we do, and give us the final say on things.
4. Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
I prefer vinyl. It’s more interesting in every way, looks better, sounds better, has two sides which gives you a little exercise when you gotta turn it over, more fulfilling cover art. And so on. From a business point of view though, it is extremely expensive to mail out from our Bandcamp store. That’s not so cool.
5. Your music style is Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
I wish I could tell you that we only listen to Baron Rojo, Manninya Blade and old Manilla Road. But the truth is rather the biggest guns: Thin Lizzy, Kiss, Rainbow, Dio, Judas Priest, Saxon, AC/DC with Bon Scott. Also stuff like Europe, Foreigner, Stage Dolls, Spidergawd, Motorhead, Entombed, Night Flight Orchestra, Led Zep. We try not to copy anything, but the influences surely are there to be found.
6. Which things, do you think, a Band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your Band?
All bands should sacrifice nuns and burn churches. But that’s a lot to ask. Magick Touch sacrifice a lot of time and energy to keep recording and playing live. And everything else that is required to stay in the music business. It’s a long way to the top, pretty busy on the way up - and you might never even see it.
7. Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
When you see people having a good time it’s the best feeling there is. We have many nice memories from touring in Germany, especially fun when people turn up the next time you play their city, singing along and wearing a Magick Touch t-shirt.
8. Which attributes, do you think, that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
It’s impossible to be unique by now, isn’t it? But you have to play it like you mean it, and perhaps try to throw something original into the mix. 100% retro won’t do it for us. Any kind of attention to image is also appreciated.
9. Do you believe that Bandcamp and other Digital Platforms help the new Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
It seems to help! There’s a fair amount of traffic on our page and there’s always something new to discover on Bandcamp. I wish I had the key to the ideal digital platform. We all wanna be on those playlists and crack the algorithm codes of Spotify. We’re not there yet.
10. Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Norway (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
I can’t say that I’ve got an ear to the underground anymore. Black Metal is alive and well, there’s a new wave of thrash metal and then there a few of us looking in the classic rock direction. Most of the bands from our town, Bergen, operate on the harder end of the scale like Abbath, Immortal, Ghaal’s Wyrd, Enslaved and Taake but there is also stuff like Wardruna. Audrey Horne and us on the hard rock trail, Baby Heartless coming along. Our label also has a couple of young and good thrash bands like Inculter and Sepulcher.Few fanzines and magazines, fewer and fewer live venues for smaller bands.
11. Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I know about Rotting Christ, Septicflesh and Gus G. And that’s about it. Sorry for my ignorance. What should I check out?
12. What are your future plans?
The new album should hopefully bring us some new friends. And then we want to play live again! Anywhere and any time.
13. Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you for your interest in Magick Touch! Like King Diamond always says -stay heavy!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
MAGICK TOUCH CONTACT:
https://magicktouch.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/magicktouch
https://www.instagram.com/magicktouch/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7fNZAj1BVfWL2CtJWqgTlZ?si=ufNYVsr8Tfaujj17gcAU4Q