Interviews: Magna Zero

Welcome, today we have the pleasure of speaking with Magna Zero, a Psychedelic Rock band hailing from the USA. Their unique blend of trippy grooves and heavy guitar riffs is sure to transport you to another dimension. To stay updated on their latest music and shows, be sure to follow them on their Facebook page.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Dave (Drums): We have a song that I decided to name Magna Zero. The band liked the name so much that we decided to call our band the same!

Jason (Vocals/Bass/Keys): The words Magna Zero translate from Latin into ‘Great Nothing’. What that means to us is a state of oneness with everything through the loss of the ego. We feel this when we play music together and strive to create music that evokes a similar state of being within our audience.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Chris (Guitar): We didn’t consciously put ourselves in a genre. We just play what feels natural and flows out.

Dave: We really didn't choose anything on purpose when creating the music. It's just what comes out of us as a collective creative being when us three get together.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Dave: Yes! I've known Chris since High School. I met Jason through Chris a few years later. Jason and I immediately collaborated on some awesome music in the basement of his home.

Chris: We’ve been fortunate to have been close friends most of our lives. Music is second to that.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Jason: The short list these days would be Floyd, Sabbath, Radiohead, The Cure, and Talking Heads

Dave: OMG....so HARD...so many incredible bands out there! So many bands inspire me from the past to now. My foundation was Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Hendrix, Beatles then Rush, The Police, Toto to Metallica, Megaseth, AC/DC, NIN to Jeff Buckley, PJ Harvey, Ani DiFranco, Radiohead All the Jazz greats..to my Hip Hop influences with Gang Starr, Nas, Tribe Called Quest, Wu Tang, Big L, Logic, The Pharcyde, Beastie Boys, Digable Planets, Jurassic 5 to now - My Morning Jacket, The National, SHOUT OUT to Jungle!!!, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Jean Dawson, Tame Impala, Thundercat!, St. Vincent!

Chris: Too hard to choose a favorite.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Chris: Songs tend to bubble up unexpectedly. I think my emotional state has a lot to do with it. And many factors contribute to that.

Dave: Jamming with this band of brothers, Jason and Chris.

Jason: Musically it’s about taking the initial piece of music we’ve come up with together through improvisation and exploring how far we can push it into something new and fresh. Lyrically, working with themes that resonate both on an individual and collective level, while leaving enough space for the listener to interpret each song and make their own meaning and connection to it.

6. Where was your last gig?

Jason: We did this private show just north of Hollywood at an epic mountain venue below a giant rock formation. The day before the show, our friends built a custom stage from pieces of a Star Wars set that had recently been dismantled after the series finished filming.

7. Where would you like to act?

Chris: We’ve been throwing ideas around about playing gorilla pop-up shows out in nature. Excited to bring that to fruition.

Dave: The Santa Barbara Bowl, The Greek Theatre, SOHO in NYC! All the cool iconic venues all over this planet!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Jason: Artists/bands committed to music as a way to spread positivity, peace, and love in the world.

Dave: Any of the bands that I mentioned...but...if I had to choose a band..I'd say Radiohead or Soundgarden!!

Chris: I’d be open to featuring any artist who feels inspired to contribute. Not only musicians!

9. Whom not?

Jason: We prefer to hang with people who value peace, love, and unity. Our music is Anti-hatred and Anti-bigotry.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Chris: I usually always get butterflies before performing. It’s part of the rush. I try to lean on my bandmates, though, and remind myself we’re just doing what we do.

Dave: I never had stage fright. More of that anticipated excitement before playing.

Jason: It's natural for a lot of musicians to get stage fright. The more you work on your performance and the more experience you get performing, the more natural it all gets and the more relaxed you feel when you're on stage. Remember to breathe! You can stay loose and relaxed through deep breathing and positive visualization. Have fun and don't take yourself too seriously! Now if I can just remember all of that at our next show...

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Jason: Rage Against The Machine, Bob Marley, Fugazi

Chris: So many!

Dave: Specifically as a drummer - Toto, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Rush!!, Steely Dan, Ani DiFranco, Tool, Soundgarden, The Police, Dave Matthews Band, Indigo Girls (Rites of Passage album!), Daft Punk!!, Gang Starr!

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Chris: Maybe not ask for, but I once had a fan give me a few vintage ties. They were cool and all, but unless I’m suiting up for a wedding or something like that, I’m not much of a tie guy.

Dave: Nothing really, I've had fans ask me to jam with them..I think that's pretty cool. I've actually taken on the offers and been amazing!

Jason: SSN, mother’s maiden name, a pint of blood, and my first-born son (all the same ask)

13. What do you think of your fans?

Dave: Our fans are the reason why we do this. Makes no sense to play among ourselves...they are one of the necessary ingredients for music to be made. Music is made for everyone to hear and be inspired. No music without the fans.

Chris: I’ve been stoked to hear people be receptive to the spiritual depth of our music. It wasn’t something we set out to do, but it’s cool to connect with our audience at that level.

Jason: Sending love and gratitude to our fans. They support and encourage our art. For me, that's one of the greatest gifts in life.

14. What do you think of our site?

Jason: It's an amazing place for fans to discover new music, and equally awesome for bands to share their music with potential fans! We appreciate the work you do to share independent music.

15. Something to add?

Jason: There’s more we have in common than the differences that potentially divide us. Music is a great reminder of our shared humanity.

Dave: Thank you for this interview. Thoughtful questions. I enjoyed answering them ALL!