BOB CATLEY
Magnum website: www.magnumonline.co.uk
Magnum Facebook: www.facebook.com/MAGNUM
Thanks for the help with organization interview to SPV.
*Interview was done in April 2014.
New album, new songs, new tour.
"We are extremely happy with this album (Escape from the Shadow Garden), we believe it's out best album so far. We do say that about every album we do but we all really are very proud of this
one. It has all the best of Magnum in this album, we hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do. We have been very pleased how the album has be received by fans and critics, it has done very well in the chart all over Europe. We can't complain at all!
And with songs it is not hard at all. For Tony (Tony Clarkin) it is a lot of work writing the album but he says if gets easier to actually make the album but still hard as ever to come up with ideas and good lyrics that will stand the test of time.
What about tour ... Touring is a lot of fun, the hardest part is staying healthy. We end up grabbing junk food and not sleeping enough but it is all part of the experience of which I would not change for the world! We have a lot of fun, it can be titling but I would not want to do anything else".
Music as profession.
"When I became a professional it was a different world. It was all new and the rules people seem to have to follow today were not even written back then. It was a lot more basic and a lot of hurdles ahead to be jumped over. These days we have a great team of people around us and they help us put a tour together. There's a lot involved these days. Putting 16 people on a tour and getting them all in the same place at the same time is hard work but a lot of fun.
You have to find a balance, it can be hard at time being away from family and friends. These days it's easier to stay intouch with the Internet and Skype etc. so it's not so bad. We have a very supportive family and friends around us that know what we do for a living so it's excepted we will be away for a long time. So it's just normal. We don't have to make choices, it's just what we do".
Dreams.
"Everyone needs a dream. I had dreams as a teenager and a lot of those dreams a have come true. It's hard work achieving some of them. You could say I am living the dream!
Now I just want to stay healthy and just keep doing what we do for as long as a possible, I don't how to do anything else and I wouldn't want to do anything else. Music means a lot to me, I have to believe in the songs and they are the best we can do. Nothing is done half hearted, everything has to be 100% every time. Music changes from generation to generation, but as long as we do something true and honest that's good for me and the band".
Give up or not give up?
"You can't give up. If times are hard you just have to work harder to make things happen. You can't except no as an answer and just keep trying.
Everyone has an opinion and they have every right to say what they think. Does not mean we all have to agree all the time. It is a un real world to think that everyone will like and understand what we do. You can't please everyone all the time".
Ideal world.
"Happy, healthy, and loved. No famine and no more wars. Surround yourself with people that like the same things and share interests as myself. I have a very small selection of real good friends who know me well and understand my mind".
To young generation of musicians.
"Everyone needs some guidance from time to time, I wished we had been shown the ropes when I started all those years back. There is a lot more help for up and coming musicians these days. Just ask lots of questions and knock on doors and don't get disheartened to easily keep trying and keep practicing to be the best you can be. Live your dreams, play it live, play it loud! Cheers, Bob Catley".